WrestleMania XIX

Production

A documentary entitled The Mania of WrestleMania was filmed live during the event and released the following year. It was the first sole production from WWE Films.

Background

In December, at Armageddon, Kurt Angle won the WWE Championship against The Big Show with Brock Lesnar's help. At the Royal Rumble in January, Angle retained the title against Chris Benoit, and Lesnar won the Royal Rumble match to become the #1 contender to the title at WrestleMania, lastly eliminating The Undertaker. The next month at No Way Out, Lesnar and Benoit defeated Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, and Charlie Haas) in a handicap match. Edge was supposed to team up with Lesnar & Benoit against Team Angle but was attacked backstage and it was announced he couldn't participate in the match. On the March 6 episode of SmackDown!, Lesnar defeated Paul Heyman in a steel cage match to earn a championship match against Angle the next week. The next week on SmackDown!, Angle defeated Lesnar to retain the WWE Title. Before the match began, Kurt, who was "praying" in the corner, switched with his brother Eric. Lesnar then came out and the match began. Shortly after the match began, Benjamin and Haas came to the ring and distracted Lesnar, which gave Eric time to switch back with Kurt. As Lesnar regained his focus, Kurt was able to pin him with a small package for the win. The next week on SmackDown!, SmackDown General Manager Stephanie McMahon told Angle that if he purposely disqualifies himself or if his brother, Benjamin, or Haas try to interfere in their match at WrestleMania, he would lose the title.

On the February 20 episode of SmackDown!, The Rock returned to WWE after a six-month hiatus from wrestling (since SummerSlam), before he was in a confrontation with Hulk Hogan before their WrestleMania X8 rematch at No Way Out, where Rock defeated Hogan with the help of Mr. McMahon. The next night on Raw, The Rock returned to Raw in a 20-man Battle royal to determine the opponent for the World Heavyweight Championship. Rock, however, was eliminated by Booker T; after the match, Rock criticized Steve Austin for being chosen as Superstar of the Decade by the WWE fans in January, starting the feud between Rock and Austin. The next week on Raw, Austin, who was on a long hiatus before returning that previous Sunday at No Way Out, made his WWE TV return, cutting a promo about the WWE fans, before the Rock interrupted and challenged him to a match at WrestleMania because he, himself, was obsessed of not beating Austin at a WrestleMania event by the time they fought at WrestleMania XV and X-Seven during a four-year span. As soon as the challenge was made, Raw General manager, Eric Bischoff, announced that the next week on Raw, Rock would face Booker T, and if he won, he can choose to face either Austin or Triple H at WrestleMania. On that night, Rock, with Bischoff's approval, announced that he'd pick his own opponent for later that night, which turned out to be The Hurricane, in hopes for Rock to gain an easy victory. However, Austin walked toward the ring, which distracted Rock, allowing Hurricane to Roll up Rock into a successful pinfall, which made the Austin-Rock match at WrestleMania official. On the March 24, and final episode of Raw before WrestleMania, Austin was banned from the arena that night. He managed to enter the arena and attack Rock, however, before Rock fled the ring.

Last month, at No Way Out, during a match between Hulk Hogan and The Rock, Vince McMahon entered the ring, only to distract Hogan, allowing the referee, Sylvan Grenier to give Rock a chair, who hit Hogan with it and pin him for the win. After No Way Out, McMahon proclaimed that Hulkamania was dead and proclaiming a new 'mania; McMahonamania. On the March 6 episode of SmackDown!, Hogan informed McMahon that Hulkamania wasn't dead and that McMahon had nothing to do with creating it. McMahon informed Hogan that he didn't hate Hulkamaniacs or Hulkamania, but he hated Hogan. He then told Hogan that he hated him for leaving WWE (then known as the WWF) for Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and for testifying against him in the steroid trial in the 1990s. McMahon proceeded by challenging Hogan to a match at WrestleMania where if Hogan lost, he'd retire from professional wrestling. Hogan accepted his challenge later that night. Two weeks later on the March 20 episode of SmackDown!, McMahon and Hogan had a contract signing for their match at WrestleMania. As Hogan was preparing to sign the contract, McMahon attacked with a steel chair from behind. Shortly afterward, McMahon hit Hogan many times with the chair in the head, bloodying him. McMahon then signed the contract and forced Hogan to sign with his blood.

In December, at Armageddon, Triple H won the World Heavyweight Championship against Shawn Michaels in a 3 Stages of Hell match. Since then, Triple H fought Scott Steiner during the next two pay-per-view events for the World Heavyweight Title. At the Royal Rumble, Triple H got himself disqualified when he nailed Steiner with the sledgehammer but retained the title. Then at No Way Out, he defeated Steiner by pinfall to retain the title. On the February 24 episode of Raw, Booker T won a 20-man battle royal, lastly eliminating The Rock, to face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. On the March 3 episode of Raw, World Heavyweight Champion Triple H cut a controversial promo on Booker T. Triple H downplayed Booker T's WCW success, pointing out that the WCW World Heavyweight Championship had been held by non-wrestlers like Vince Russo and actor David Arquette calling WCW and its title "a joke". He implied that Booker T, as a convicted criminal, would never win a world title in WWE. In the WrestleMania XIX press conference Michael Cole questioned Triple H as to whether he had cut a racist promo, Triple H confirmed this was not the case and was indeed referring to Booker's criminal past. A week later, Booker got revenge by attacking Triple H in the bathroom, laying him out. Two weeks later on Raw, Booker T and Goldust defeated Triple H and Ric Flair in a tag team match.

Another feud from the Raw brand was the squabble over the Women's Championship; the champion Victoria had captured the title from Trish Stratus back in November at Survivor Series. Then a month later at Armageddon, Victoria defeated Stratus and Jacqueline in a triple threat match to retain the Women's title. Stratus and the returning Jazz had a match on Raw to determine who would challenge Victoria for the title at WrestleMania. During the match, Victoria entered the ring and hit both women with the title belt, earning a double disqualification. It was then announced that Victoria would defend the title against both Stratus and Jazz in a triple threat match at the event.

After Shawn Michaels lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Triple H at Armageddon, he appeared in an in-ring segment with Chris Jericho, during which Jericho stated Michaels was washed up. After mocking Michaels and threatening to attack him, Jericho turned around into a superkick. When Michaels was a guest on Jericho's in-ring show The Highlight Reel the next month, Jericho claimed he had idolised Michaels from a young age and that he had been his inspiration to become a wrestler. At the 2003 Royal Rumble, Jericho eliminated Michaels. Michaels returned to the Rumble later in the match and attack Jericho, helping to lead to his elimination. The two would agree to meet at WrestleMania XIX in a match.

Sunday Night Heat

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Kane and Rob Van Dam faced Chief Morley and Lance Storm (with The Dudley Boyz, (Bubba Ray and D-Von)) for the World Tag Team Championship on Sunday Night Heat. At the end, while the referee was distracted, the Dudleyz performed the 3D (Dudley Death Drop) on Storm. After that, Bubba dropped an elbow on RVD, allowing Storm to pin RVD, thus Storm and Morley retained the titles.

Preliminary matches

As the event began, Ashanti sang a rendition of "America the Beautiful".

In the first match that aired, Rey Mysterio faced Matt Hardy for the Cruiserweight Championship. The match began with back and forth action between the two, until Hardy performed a Twist of Fate for a near-fall. Mysterio retaliated by delivering a 619 on Hardy, but as Mysterio delivered a West coast Pop, Hardy ducked into a roll-up that saw Hardy use the ring ropes for leverage and successfully pinned Mysterio, thus Hardy retained the Cruiserweight Championship.

In the next match, The Undertaker and Nathan Jones faced The Big Show and A-Train in a tag team match. It was then announced that The Undertaker would have to face both Show and Train in a handicap match. Both Show and Train had the advantage of The Undertaker at the start of the match; however, late into the match, Jones entered the match and attacked Show, allowing The Undertaker to deliver a Tombstone Piledriver on A-Train for a successful pinfall, thus The Undertaker won the match and remained undefeated at WrestleMania.

In the third match, Victoria, Jazz and Trish Stratus fought in a triple threat match for the WWE Women's Championship. Throughout the match, Jazz and Victoria would double-team Stratus and Steven Richards, who was at ringside in Victoria's corner, would intervene in the match. As Jazz was thrown over the top rope onto ringside, however, Richards came in the ring with a steel chair and tried to hit Stratus with it but missed and hit it off the ropes, allowing Stratus to perform the Stratus Faction on him. Victoria went for the Widow's Peak on Stratus, who countered with a chick kick to Victoria to win the match and the women's title, tying The Fabulous Moolah's record of four title reigns.

The next match was a triple threat WWE Tag Team Championship match between the team of Rhyno and Chris Benoit, against the team of Los Guerreros (Chavo and Eddie Guerrero), and the champions, Team Angle (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas). Rhyno delivered a Gore on Chavo but Benjamin tagged himself into the match and pinned Chavo, to win the match and retain the Tag Team Championship.

In the fifth match, Chris Jericho faced Shawn Michaels. Jericho had the advantage over Michaels at the start of the match, as he early on applied the Walls of Jericho onto Michaels. Late into the match, Michaels attempted Sweet Chin Music on Jericho, who countered into the Walls of Jericho. After Michaels escaped the hold, Jericho attempted a suplex that Michaels countered into a roll-up that gave Michaels the successful pinfall victory. After the match, Jericho offered to shake Michaels's hand and they hugged before Jericho attacked Michaels with a low blow.

Before the next match begun, a fatal four-way pillow fight (hosted by Jonathan Coachman) took place between Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Tanya Ballinger, and Kitana Baker. The match went to a no contest when all four women teamed up, pulling down Coachman's pants and pinning him.

Main event matches

The next match was a World Heavyweight Championship match between Booker T and Triple H. The match began with Booker in control of the match over Triple H, however, Ric Flair, who was at ringside in Triple H's corner, threw Booker's knee into the steel steps. The attack allowed Triple H to work over Booker's leg, as he applied various submission holds onto Booker's leg including the Indian deathlock. Booker T retaliated and took control of the match; after he delivered a Harlem leg drop, Booker grasped his knee in pain, which allowed Triple H to recover and perform a Pedigree for a pinfall, thus Triple H won the match and retained the World Heavyweight Championship.

The seventh match was a Street fight between Hulk Hogan and the WWE Chairman, Mr. McMahon. Both Hogan and McMahon tested each other's strength in the beginning of the match, until McMahon threw Hogan at ringside. Hogan then countered a chairshot by McMahon into several of his own, that caused McMahon to bleed from the head. Late into the match, Roddy Piper interfered in the match as he hit Hogan with a pipe. Hogan however, later retaliated by delivering a big boot and three running leg drops to McMahon and successfully pinned McMahon, thus Hogan won the match.

The next, and final match on the undercard, was the encounter of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The match began with Austin and Rock brawling in the ring, which ended up at ringside. Throughout the match, Rock worked over Austin's leg, which included Rock applying a Sharpshooter on Austin. Rock then began to taunt Austin, as he put on his vest and imitated his taunts, which led to The Rock running into a Rock Bottom by Austin. Rock then retaliated by delivering a Stone Cold Stunner. Austin performed the Stone Cold Stunner on Rock for a near-fall, much to Austin's shock. After he failed to win with the People's Elbow, Rock then performed three Rock Bottoms on Austin that led to the Rock successfully pinning Austin and winning the match.

In the main event, Brock Lesnar faced Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship, where if Kurt Angle was disqualified or counted out, he would lose the title. The match began with Lesnar and Angle wrestling back and forth, until Angle countered a shoulder block into a German suplex. Lesnar would then attempt an F-5 on Angle but Angle countered it into an Ankle Lock, that Lesnar was able to escape out of. As Lesnar escaped, Angle would attempt an Angle Slam, however, Lesnar countered into an F-5. Instead of covering Angle, Lesnar climbed to the top rope and botched a Shooting Star Press on Angle, which Angle covered for by pinning Lesnar for a near-fall. After Lesnar kicked out, Angle picked up Lesnar only to be hit with a third F-5, Lesnar then successfully pinned Angle, winning the match and the WWE Title. After the match, Angle and Lesnar shook hands and embraced closing the show.

Aftermath

On the SmackDown! after WrestleMania, SmackDown General Manager Stephanie McMahon announced Kurt Angle suffered a pulled hamstring and a neck injury, while Lesnar suffered multiple concussions. She later announced that a tournament would take place to determine the number one contender to Lesnar's WWE Championship. On the April 17 episode of Smackdown!, John Cena would become the number one contender after he defeated Chris Benoit in the tournament's final match. At Backlash, Lesnar defeated Cena to retain the WWE Championship. Lesnar would then feud with Big Show, as he defeated him at Judgment Day to retain the WWE Championship in a stretcher match. Lesnar would however lose the WWE Championship to Angle at Vengeance in a triple threat match that also involved Big Show. Lesnar then regained the WWE Championship from Angle on the September 18 episode of SmackDown!, in an Iron Man match winning 5-4.

On the April 3 episode of SmackDown!, Mr. McMahon forced Hulk Hogan to leave WWE forever as a part of their storyline. On the May 1 episode of SmackDown!, "Mr. America" (who was in reality Hogan under a mask), made his debut on Piper's Pit, where McMahon promised to prove America was in reality Hogan. Also involved in the feud was Zach Gowen, a one legged wrestler who was brought into the feud by Mr. America. After multiple failed attempts to prove Mr. America was Hogan, however, McMahon succeeded on the July 3 episode of SmackDown!, after he aired footage of Mr. America unmasking and revealing himself to be Hogan. He then announced that Hogan was fired from WWE.

On the Raw episode after WrestleMania, Stone Cold Steve Austin was fired from the WWE in storyline by then-Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff due to medical reasons. Austin was then re-hired by WWE CEO, Linda McMahon, however, as Co-Raw General Manager on April 29. Later that night, The Rock taunted Austin for his firing; which proceeded to Rock challenging another superstar in a match. Goldberg would answer the Rock's challenge by stating that "you're [The Rock is] next", which led to Goldberg spearing The Rock. On the April 14 episode of Raw, The Rock would accept a challenge made by Goldberg, which he rejected a week earlier, in which the two would wrestle each other at Backlash. At Backlash, Goldberg successfully pinned Rock. After the match, The Rock gave a farewell speech in which he stated that he was to take a sabbatical from professional wrestling.

Reception

The event received highly positive reviews from various websites and wrestling publications. Most of the critics rated Jericho vs Michaels match as the match of the night. John Powell of Canadian Online Explorer's professional wrestling section rated the event a perfect score of 10 out of 10 stars, which was a higher rating than the previous year's event. The main event between Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship was rated the highest with a score of 9 out of 10 stars, the match between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin was rated 8 out of 10 stars, the match between Booker T and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship was rated 7.5 out of 10 stars, the match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho was also rated 7.5 out of 10 stars and the Street Fight between Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan receiving the lowest rating of 4 out of 10 stars. He also noted that "it was the WWE slugging homeruns last night at WrestleMania XIX. Criticized for not making the most of the talent it has, the WWE had all the bases covered and proved that if the entire organization puts forth the effort, they can deliver a superior sports entertainment product" and further claimed that "WrestleMania XIX was not only a outstanding show but it will surely go down as one of the best WrestleManias ever".