DETROIT (CP) _ A subjective look at the matches at the WWE's annual extravaganza, Wrestlemania 23, at Ford Field on Sunday night:
Money in the Bank Ladder Match _ What an opener. Constant action and bumps galore _ including a stunning move by Jeff Hardy and Edge of Orangeville, Ont., _ in a 19-minute match that set a very high standard. CM Punk was punk'd at the finish by Mr. Kennedy, who got the win and a world championship title shot anytime he wants over the next year. Grade: A.
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Kane versus The Great Khali _ Time to get a beer. The battle of the big men was slow, plodding and thankfully over in less than six minutes. Kane's bodyslam of the seven-foot-three 420-pound giant saved this match from a failing grade. Khali got the win with a chokeslam finish. A boring dud. Grade: D-.
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Chris Benoit versus MVP _ Benoit, the United States champion, got the crowd back into it with a victory over MVP. One of great technical performers in sports entertainment, Benoit _ who grew up in Edmonton _ was his usual stellar self in a match that was decent, but not great. The Canadian Crippler's flying head butt from the top rope sealed it. Grade: C.
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Undertaker versus Batista _ World heavyweight title match in the first half of the card? Curious call. Undertaker and Batista in top form and deliver a 20-minute beauty that had the crowd of 80,013 simply rocking. A powerslam through the announcer's table, several near-falls and a tombstone piledriver to end it. The Deadman wins the title and is 15-0 at Wrestlemania. Excellent match. Grade: A-.
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ECW Originals versus New Breed _ Some decent moves in the eight-man tag bout, which was over in just five minutes. Rob Van Dam hit his Five-Star frogsplash to give his ECW crew of Sabu, Tommy Dreamer and Sandman the victory. Match could have used a few more minutes. Average. Grade: C.
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Battle of the Billionaires _ A few interesting swerves, but the finish almost everyone expected. Donald Trump still has his hair and Vince McMahon is bald as a cue ball. Their representatives, Umaga and Bobby Lashley, delivered a decent match that was helped by referee (Stone Cold) Steve Austin and McMahon's son, Shane. Pretty good but not great. Grade: B.
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Ashley versus Melina _ T-'n'-A time. With the ring surrounded by scantily-clad WWE divas, Melina retained her women's championship with a victory over Playboy cover girl Ashley. Pro wrestling's version of a Victoria's Secret fashion show. No real wrestling here and over in just four minutes. Grade: D.
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John Cena versus Shawn Michaels _ The Heartbreak Kid can still bring it. The veteran Michaels and WWE champ Cena closed the show with a bang, steadily building a match that exhausted both of their repertoires. Near-falls, plenty of colour and some big bumps. Not a classic but main-event worthy. Grade: B .
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Overall _ The 23rd edition of Wrestlemania delivered. Grade: B.
