Los Angeles, CA
February 25, 2008
By Suzanne Philips
World Wrestling Entertainment chose Staples Center in Los Angeles to
announce their upcoming “Wrestlemania XXIV” which will take place live and
on pay per view on Sunday, March 30th, 2008.
The WWE brought out many of its marquee stars to discuss their thoughts on
the pay-per-view and their upcoming matches. The press conference kicked off
with a montage of footage of recent events and promo for “Wrestlemania”. WWE
Executive Assistant Jonathan Coachman welcomed the media and fans to the
press conference. He then introduces the WWE Chairman of the Board, Vince
McMahon. McMahon speaks about Sports Entertainment and that the WWE stands
for entertainment. From live events to autograph signings and the annual
“Tribute to the Troops”, McMahon assures us that this history of
entertaining will continue with “Wrestlemania XXIV”. This year’s event,
which will be held in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, is only the
second outdoor “Wrestlemania” that has ever been attempted. McMahon promises
that this will be an event “like you have never seen before”. Coachman then
introduces WWE Superstar John Cena, calling him “a former WWE Champion,
successful recording artist and movie star”. Cena’s theme music starts and
the star enters to an equal number of cheers and boos. Cena speaks about his
passion for the WWE and says that this annual event “brings out the best in
everyone”. Cena says that he feel particularly proud of this year’s event as
he was scheduled to sit it out due to surgery to repair a torn pectoral
muscle in October of 2007. He was thought to be out for up to a year to
recover, but worked hard to get himself back into fighting shape to be able
to participate in the WWE’s biggest event of the year.
Next up is Randy Orton, the current WWE Champion. The “Legend Killer” enters
with his music and proceeds to eyeball John Cena. Orton, in his normal
boasting fashion, talks about the fact that he is younger, faster and
stronger than both Cena and Triple H, his other opponent for the WWE Title
at “Wrestlemania”. Orton also states that after “Wrestlemania: he will “no
longer be known as the Legend Killer, but as a Legend”.
Triple H, the last in the trifecta that will compete for the WWE
Championship at the event is introduced. “The Game”, as he is known, stated
that he is looking forward to this year’s event because last year he had to
“watch from the sidelines in a wheelchair (due to a quad injury) and it
nearly killed me.” This year, he claims, “The Game is back”.
Next up, we are introduced to two of the WWE “Divas”, Candice Michelle and
Maria, who will be competing in the first ever Playboy Bunny Mania Match at
the pay-per-view. Maria, who was celebrating her birthday, was treated to
well wishes from the crowd.
Another competitor in “Wrestlemania” is the Heavyweight champion Edge. Edge
speaks about his opponent, The Undertaker, and how he has never been beaten
at a “Wrestlemania”. Edge guarantees that he will walk away from the match
still being the Heavyweight Champ and he will be the one to break The
Undertaker’s streak.
Fan favorite Rey Mysterio is introduced and even though he is unable to
compete at the event due to a torn bicep that requires surgery, he assures
fans that he will be back stronger than ever. He also promises to help out
friend Floyd “Money” Mayweather in preparing for his match with the Big
Show.
Mayweather, who is touted as the greatest boxer in the world, will be
fighting the huge 7 foot Big Show, whose nose he broke at the “No Way Out”
pay-per-view two weeks ago in Las Vegas. Floyd enters with his bodyguards
and hypes up the audience. He pulls a huge wad of money out of his pocket
and goes into the crowd, throwing out cash – causing a huge melee in the
room. Mayweather speaks about how happy he is to be working with the WWE and
how he is the champ (which elicits reaction from both Orton and Edge who
currently hold championships in the company) and now runs the WWE.
His opponent Big Show makes his way to the stage. Big Show says that if he
has to slap Mayweather around to show him that wrestling does, indeed,
hurt-he will. Big Show claimed that the only way that Mayweather can get the
upper hand is if Big Show is on his knees. At that point he grabs the podium
and smashes it on the ground. Mayweather stands on a chair so that he is
event with Big Show, who makes a fist and shows Floyd that his fist is
bigger than Mayweather’s head. Both finally take their seats and Jonathan
Coachman thanks everyone for coming and tells us to tune into “Wrestlemania
XXIV”.
Contact your local cable company to order the pay-per-view of “Wrestlemania
XXIV” on March 30th.
