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|date = March 30, 2008
|date = March 30, 2008
|city = [[Orlando, Florida]]
|city = [[Orlando, Florida]]
|venue = [[Florida Citrus Bowl]]
|venue = [[Camping World Stadium|Florida Citrus Bowl]]
|attendance = 74,635<ref name="PWH">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#24|title=WrestleMania 24 at Pro Wrestling History results|access-date=September 26, 2008|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-date=September 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910025120/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#24|url-status=live}}</ref>
|attendance = 74,635<ref name="PWH">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#24|title=WrestleMania 24 at Pro Wrestling History results|access-date=September 26, 2008|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-date=September 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910025120/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#24|url-status=live}}</ref>
|buyrate = 1,041,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWF Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|work=Wrestlenomics|date=March 25, 2020|access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>
|buyrate = 1,058,000
|lastevent = [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]]
|lastevent = [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]]
|nextevent = [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]]
|nextevent = [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]]
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|nextevent2 = [[WrestleMania 25|25]]
|nextevent2 = [[WrestleMania 25|25]]
}}
}}
'''WrestleMania XXIV''' was the 24th annual [[WrestleMania]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] produced by [[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]], [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]], and [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] [[WWE brand extension|brand divisions]]. The event took place on March 30, 2008, at the [[Camping World Stadium|Florida Citrus Bowl]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] and was the first WrestleMania to be held in the state of Florida. It was also the second WrestleMania to be held outdoors, with the first being [[WrestleMania IX]].
'''WrestleMania XXIV''' was the 24th annual [[WrestleMania]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] produced by [[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]], [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]], and [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] [[WWE brand extension|brand divisions]]. The event took place on March 30, 2008, at the [[Camping World Stadium|Florida Citrus Bowl]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] and was the first WrestleMania to be held in the state of Florida. It was also the second WrestleMania to be held outdoors (the first was [[WrestleMania IX]] in April 1993). American socialite [[Kim Kardashian]] served as the hostess of the event.


Nine professional wrestling matches were scheduled for the event, which featured a [[Card (sports)#Supercard|supercard]], a scheduling of more than one main event. In the final match of the event, which was the main match from SmackDown, [[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] to win the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. Raw's main match was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]], in which [[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Triple H]] and [[John Cena]] to retain the [[WWE Championship]]. The main match from the ECW brand was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|singles match]] in which [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] defeated [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] to win the [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW Championship]]. From the six scheduled bouts on the [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]], three received more promotion than the others. In a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]], professional boxer [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.|Floyd "Money" Mayweather]] defeated [[Paul Wight|Big Show]]. The other featured undercard matches saw [[CM Punk]] win the inter-promotional [[Money in the Bank ladder match]] and a [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|retirement match]] in which [[Shawn Michaels]] defeated [[Ric Flair]], leading to Flair's departure from the WWE and a period of retirement from active wrestling.
Nine professional wrestling matches were scheduled for the event, which featured a [[Card (sports)#Supercard|supercard]], a scheduling of more than one main event. In the final match of the event, which was the main match from SmackDown, [[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] to win the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. Raw's main match was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]], in which [[Randy Orton]] defeated [[Triple H]] and [[John Cena]] to retain the [[WWE Championship]]. The main match from the ECW brand was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|singles match]] in which [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] defeated [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] to win the [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW Championship]]. From the six scheduled bouts on the [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]], three received more promotion than the others. In a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]], professional boxer [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.|Floyd "Money" Mayweather]] defeated [[Paul Wight|Big Show]]. The other featured undercard matches saw [[CM Punk]] win the inter-promotional [[Money in the Bank ladder match]] and a [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|retirement match]] in which [[Shawn Michaels]] defeated [[Ric Flair]], leading to Flair's departure from the WWE and a period of retirement from active wrestling.


Tickets for the event commenced sale to the public on November 3, 2007.<ref name="WrestleMania info">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wmxxivfacts|title=What you need to know about WrestleMania XXIV|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=October 1, 2007|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310130813/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wmxxivfacts|url-status=live}}</ref> WWE and the City of Orlando hosted festivities that spanned a five-day period within the central Florida region.<ref name="Orlando">{{cite web|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2007/3/19/wrestlemania_24.html|title=WrestleMania 24 Coming To Orlando|publisher=Central Florida News 13|access-date= March 20, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070321220059/http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2007/3/19/wrestlemania_24.html |archive-date = March 21, 2007}}</ref> For the second consecutive year, WrestleMania broke the record for the highest-[[gross (economics)|grossing]] pay-per-view in WWE history. It also set a gate record for the Citrus Bowl, grossing US$5.85&nbsp;million in ticket sales. According to a study by Enigma Research Corporation of Toronto, the Citrus Bowl's record-breaking attendance brought an estimated $51.5&nbsp;million – surpassing the projected $25&nbsp;million – into the local economy and generated $1.8&nbsp;million in local tax revenue.<ref name="corporate">{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-tourism0108dec01,0,259821.story|title=WrestleMania XXIV brought more than the Undertaker to Central Florida.|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 1, 2008|access-date=December 1, 2008|archive-date=May 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527125930/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-12-01/business/tourism01_1_central-florida-orange-county-citrus-bowl|url-status=live}}</ref> The Central Florida Sports Commission reported that the event created jobs and brought approximately 60,000 visitors to the city. Over one million people ordered the event on pay-per-view, grossing $23.8 million in revenue. It was also the first WrestleMania PPV broadcast in [[High-definition television|high definition]].<ref name="buyrate24">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/1Q2008PressRelease_000.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225215906/http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/1Q2008PressRelease_000.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 25, 2009|page=3|title=WWE Reports 2008 First Quarter Results|date=May 6, 2008|access-date=May 6, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
Tickets for the event commenced sale to the public on November 3, 2007.<ref name="WrestleMania info">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wmxxivfacts|title=What you need to know about WrestleMania XXIV|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=October 1, 2007|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310130813/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wmxxivfacts|url-status=live}}</ref> WWE and the City of Orlando hosted festivities that spanned a five-day period within the central Florida region.<ref name="Orlando">{{cite web|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2007/3/19/wrestlemania_24.html|title=WrestleMania 24 Coming To Orlando|publisher=Central Florida News 13|access-date= March 20, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070321220059/http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2007/3/19/wrestlemania_24.html |archive-date = March 21, 2007}}</ref> For the second consecutive year, WrestleMania broke the record for the highest-[[gross (economics)|grossing]] pay-per-view in WWE history. It also set a gate record for the Citrus Bowl, grossing US$5.85&nbsp;million in ticket sales. According to a study by Enigma Research Corporation of Toronto, the Citrus Bowl's record-breaking attendance brought an estimated $51.5&nbsp;million – surpassing the projected $25&nbsp;million – into the local economy and generated $1.8&nbsp;million in local tax revenue.<ref name="corporate">{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-tourism0108dec01,0,259821.story|title=WrestleMania XXIV brought more than the Undertaker to Central Florida.|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 1, 2008|access-date=December 1, 2008|archive-date=May 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527125930/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-12-01/business/tourism01_1_central-florida-orange-county-citrus-bowl|url-status=live}}</ref> The Central Florida Sports Commission reported that the event created jobs and brought approximately 60,000 visitors to the city. Over one million people ordered the event on pay-per-view, grossing $23.8 million in revenue. It was also the first WrestleMania PPV broadcast in [[High-definition television|high definition]].<ref name="buyrate24">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/1Q2008PressRelease_000.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225215906/http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/1Q2008PressRelease_000.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 25, 2009|page=3|title=WWE Reports 2008 First Quarter Results|date=May 6, 2008|access-date=May 6, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
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On March 21, 2007, a press conference was held at City Hall in [[Orlando, Florida]], formally announcing that WrestleMania XXIV would be held in Orlando at the [[Florida Citrus Bowl]] on March 30, 2008, which would be the first WrestleMania held in Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_21_02.jsp|title=Orlando to host WrestleMania 24 at Citrus Bowl in 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 21, 2007|access-date=October 4, 2009|archive-date=August 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803031757/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_21_02.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="McMahonInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032207.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609095734/http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032207.htm|title=Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando|first=Jeff|last=Wilen|publisher=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online|date=March 22, 2007|archive-date=June 9, 2007 |access-date=October 4, 2009}}</ref> According to an interview with ''[[The Daytona Beach News-Journal]]'' at the press conference, WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon]] mentioned Orlando being one of three front-runners to host the event, the other two being [[Las Vegas]] and Paris. McMahon explained that Orlando was chosen as geographically, a WrestleMania was never held in the [[Southeastern United States|southeast]] before.<ref name="McMahonInterview" />
On March 21, 2007, a press conference was held at City Hall in [[Orlando, Florida]], formally announcing that WrestleMania XXIV would be held in Orlando at the [[Florida Citrus Bowl]] on March 30, 2008, which would be the first WrestleMania held in Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_21_02.jsp|title=Orlando to host WrestleMania 24 at Citrus Bowl in 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 21, 2007|access-date=October 4, 2009|archive-date=August 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803031757/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_21_02.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="McMahonInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032207.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609095734/http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032207.htm|title=Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando|first=Jeff|last=Wilen|publisher=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online|date=March 22, 2007|archive-date=June 9, 2007 |access-date=October 4, 2009}}</ref> According to an interview with ''[[The Daytona Beach News-Journal]]'' at the press conference, WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon]] mentioned Orlando being one of three front-runners to host the event, the other two being [[Las Vegas]] and Paris. McMahon explained that Orlando was chosen as geographically, a WrestleMania was never held in the [[Southeastern United States|southeast]] before.<ref name="McMahonInterview" />


As the second WrestleMania to be held entirely outdoors (after [[WrestleMania IX]]), McMahon also announced that the show would have taken place regardless of the weather conditions.<ref name="WrestleMania XXIV will go on, even if it rains.">{{cite web|url= http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032708.htm |title=It's time for WrestleMania XXIV|author=Jeff Wilen Jawbreaker|publisher=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online (archived by [[WebCite]])|date= March 27, 2008|access-date=April 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512040655/http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032708.htm|url-status= dead |archive-date=May 12, 2008}}</ref> In the March 2008 issue of ''[[WWE Magazine]]'', WWE [[scenic design|set designer]] Jason Robinson revealed that a steel rig with a [[tarpaulin]] roof would be built above the ring itself to prevent rain from falling on the ring;<ref name="WWEMagazine">{{cite journal|date=March 2007|title=WrestleMania XXIV Set Design|journal=WWE Magazine|pages=34–35}}</ref><ref name="roof">{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-wrestling1608mar16,0,5091124.story|access-date=March 15, 2008|title=Countdown to WrestleMania: Citrus Bowl's transformation is already underway|last=Adelson|first=Andrea|work=[[The Orlando Sentinel]]|date=March 16, 2008|archive-date=May 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523180618/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-03-16/sports/wrestling16_1_steel-structures-wwe-wrestlemania|url-status=live}}</ref> during the [[Money in the Bank ladder match]], it rained briefly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/wwe-forces-of-nature|title=WWE's Forces of Nature|publisher=WWE|last=Clayton|first=Corey|date=August 27, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629003438/https://www.wwe.com/wwe-forces-of-nature|url-status=live}}</ref> In that same issue, an initial design of the ring setup was revealed showing a larger rig surrounding the tarpaulin rig, with [[lighting]] and two giant screens attached.<ref name="WWEMagazine"/> The final design had the lighting and video screens on the tarpaulin rig, as well as the sound system.<ref name="finaldesign">{{cite web|url= http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2008/3/28/the_stage_is_set_for_wrestlemania_xxiv.html|access-date=March 29, 2008|first= John|last=Handiboe|title=The Stage Is Set For WrestleMania XXIV|publisher=Central Florida News|date=March 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330131345/http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2008/3/28/the_stage_is_set_for_wrestlemania_xxiv.html|archive-date=March 30, 2008}}</ref> During an interview, WWE production manager Brian Petree mentioned that video reinforcement should prevent anyone's view from being obstructed by the steel structure. Up to seven [[Electrical generator|generators]] were used to power up the show.<ref name="roof"/>
As the second WrestleMania to be held entirely outdoors (after [[WrestleMania IX]]), McMahon also announced that the event would have taken place regardless of the weather conditions.<ref name="WrestleMania XXIV will go on, even if it rains.">{{cite web|url= http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032708.htm |title=It's time for WrestleMania XXIV|author=Jeff Wilen Jawbreaker|publisher=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online (archived by [[WebCite]])|date= March 27, 2008|access-date=April 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512040655/http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Angle/colJAW032708.htm|url-status= dead |archive-date=May 12, 2008}}</ref> In the March 2008 issue of ''[[WWE Magazine]]'', WWE [[scenic design|set designer]] Jason Robinson revealed that a steel rig with a [[tarpaulin]] roof would be built above the ring itself to prevent rain from falling on the ring;<ref name="WWEMagazine">{{cite journal|date=March 2007|title=WrestleMania XXIV Set Design|journal=WWE Magazine|pages=34–35}}</ref><ref name="roof">{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-wrestling1608mar16,0,5091124.story|access-date=March 15, 2008|title=Countdown to WrestleMania: Citrus Bowl's transformation is already underway|last=Adelson|first=Andrea|work=[[The Orlando Sentinel]]|date=March 16, 2008|archive-date=May 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523180618/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-03-16/sports/wrestling16_1_steel-structures-wwe-wrestlemania|url-status=live}}</ref> during the [[Money in the Bank ladder match]], it rained briefly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/wwe-forces-of-nature|title=WWE's Forces of Nature|publisher=WWE|last=Clayton|first=Corey|date=August 27, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629003438/https://www.wwe.com/wwe-forces-of-nature|url-status=live}}</ref> In that same issue, an initial design of the ring setup was revealed showing a larger rig surrounding the tarpaulin rig, with [[lighting]] and two giant screens attached.<ref name="WWEMagazine"/> The final design had the lighting and video screens on the tarpaulin rig, as well as the sound system.<ref name="finaldesign">{{cite web|url= http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2008/3/28/the_stage_is_set_for_wrestlemania_xxiv.html|access-date=March 29, 2008|first= John|last=Handiboe|title=The Stage Is Set For WrestleMania XXIV|publisher=Central Florida News|date=March 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330131345/http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2008/3/28/the_stage_is_set_for_wrestlemania_xxiv.html|archive-date=March 30, 2008}}</ref> During an interview, WWE production manager Brian Petree mentioned that video reinforcement should prevent anyone's view from being obstructed by the steel structure. Up to seven [[Electrical generator|generators]] were used to power up the event.<ref name="roof"/>


The [[Stagecraft|set design]] for the entrance stage was at the north end of the stadium and consisted of another steel structure with various video screens hanging from it.<ref name="roof"/><ref name="finaldesign"/> The steel beams for the structure were custom built in Belgium and shipped over to Orlando.<ref name="roof"/> According to ''WWE Magazine'', the amount of [[pyrotechnics]] used would be ten times that of the amount used on ''Raw''.<ref name="WWEMagazine"/> Without the restriction of a roof, the pyrotechnics for the show shot as high as {{convert|2000|ft|m|lk=on}} as compared to [[WrestleMania 23]]'s height of {{convert|150|ft|m}}.<ref name="pyro">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/exclusives/sundaynightlights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402234931/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/exclusives/sundaynightlights|archive-date=April 2, 2008|access-date=March 30, 2008|first=Aubrey|last=Sitterson|title=Sunday night lights|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 30, 2008}}</ref> The fireworks were set off from boats on one of the lakes nearby the stadium. WWE has been said to have spent an estimated $300,000 on the fireworks alone.<ref name="fireworks">{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/custom/wrestling/orl-wrestlemania3008mar30,0,3096674.story|access-date=March 30, 2008|title=Tonight, WrestleMania makes Citrus Bowl center of the professional wrestling world|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|date=March 30, 2008|work=Orlando Sentinel|archive-date=April 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402232413/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/custom/wrestling/orl-wrestlemania3008mar30,0,3096674.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[Stagecraft|set design]] for the entrance stage was at the north end of the stadium and consisted of another steel structure with various video screens hanging from it.<ref name="roof"/><ref name="finaldesign"/> The steel beams for the structure were custom built in Belgium and shipped over to Orlando.<ref name="roof"/> According to ''WWE Magazine'', the amount of [[pyrotechnics]] used would be ten times that of the amount used on ''Raw''.<ref name="WWEMagazine"/> Without the restriction of a roof, the pyrotechnics for the show shot as high as {{convert|2000|ft|m|lk=on}} as compared to [[WrestleMania 23]]'s height of {{convert|150|ft|m}}.<ref name="pyro">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/exclusives/sundaynightlights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402234931/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/exclusives/sundaynightlights|archive-date=April 2, 2008|access-date=March 30, 2008|first=Aubrey|last=Sitterson|title=Sunday night lights|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 30, 2008}}</ref> The fireworks were set off from boats on one of the lakes nearby the stadium. WWE has been said to have spent an estimated $300,000 on the fireworks alone.<ref name="fireworks">{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/custom/wrestling/orl-wrestlemania3008mar30,0,3096674.story|access-date=March 30, 2008|title=Tonight, WrestleMania makes Citrus Bowl center of the professional wrestling world|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|date=March 30, 2008|work=Orlando Sentinel|archive-date=April 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402232413/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/custom/wrestling/orl-wrestlemania3008mar30,0,3096674.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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===Storylines===
===Storylines===
WrestleMania XXIV featured nine [[Mock combat|professional wrestling matches]] with wrestlers involved in pre-existing [[script (recorded media)|scripted]] feuds, [[plot (narrative)|plot]]s, and [[Narrative thread|storylines]]. Wrestlers were portrayed as either [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]] or [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorites]] as they followed a series of tension-building events, which culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. All wrestlers belonged to either the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]], [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]], or [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand – [[WWE Brand Extension|storyline divisions]] in which WWE assigned its employees to different programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|publisher=HowStuffWorks|access-date=December 2, 2008|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022202331/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
WrestleMania XXIV featured nine [[Mock combat|professional wrestling matches]] with wrestlers involved in pre-existing [[script (recorded media)|scripted]] feuds, [[plot (narrative)|plot]]s, and [[Narrative thread|storylines]]. Wrestlers were portrayed as either [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]] or [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorites]] as they followed a series of tension-building events, which culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. All wrestlers belonged to either the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]], [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]], or [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand – [[WWE Brand Extension|storyline divisions]] in which WWE assigned its employees to different programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|date=January 13, 2006 |publisher=HowStuffWorks|access-date=December 2, 2008|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022202331/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>


[[File:Orton WWE Champion.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Randy Orton]] defended his WWE Championship.]]
[[File:Orton WWE Champion.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Randy Orton]] defended his WWE Championship.]]
The predominant [[Feud (professional wrestling)|rivalry]] scripted into WrestleMania on the Raw brand was between [[Randy Orton]], [[John Cena]], and [[Triple H]], over the [[WWE Championship]]. At the [[Royal Rumble (2008)|Royal Rumble]] pay-per-view event in January, Orton successfully defended the WWE Championship against [[Jeff Hardy]] and later that night, Cena returned from an injury and won the [[Royal Rumble match]] when he last eliminated Triple H. Instead of challenging Orton for the title at WrestleMania, Cena decided to challenge him at [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]], where Orton got himself intentionally [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualified]] by [[Professional wrestling attacks#Slap|slapping]] the referee, thus retaining the WWE Championship.<ref name="OrtonCenaHHH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6235888/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319105036/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6235888/results/|archive-date=March 19, 2008|title=Robbery on the Strip: 'Mania Gamble Goes Bust|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 17, 2008|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> Later, Triple H also became a top contender to the WWE Championship by defeating five other men in an [[Elimination Chamber|Elimination Chamber match]].<ref name="OrtonCenaHHH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/5908216/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313180121/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/5908216/results/|archive-date=March 13, 2008|title=The Game gets his title match at WrestleMania|first=Corey|last=Clayton|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> The next night on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', Cena argued that he deserved another WWE Championship match. Raw [[Professional wrestling authority figures|general manager]] [[William Regal]] then announced that Cena would face Orton later in the night, where if Cena won, he would be added to the WrestleMania match between Triple H and Orton, making it a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]]. If Orton won, the main event would remain as Orton versus Triple H in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|singles match]]. However, Cena won the match and was added to the bout at WrestleMania. After the match, Triple H, who was the [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|special guest referee]], executed a Pedigree on both Cena and Orton.<ref name="OrtonCenaHHH4">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/articles/triplegauntlet|title=Triple the Threat, Double the Gauntlet|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|publisher=WWE|date=February 18, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020164002/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/articles/triplegauntlet|url-status=live}}</ref>
The predominant [[Feud (professional wrestling)|rivalry]] scripted into WrestleMania on the Raw brand was between [[Randy Orton]], [[John Cena]], and [[Triple H]], over the [[WWE Championship]]. At the [[Royal Rumble (2008)|Royal Rumble]] pay-per-view event in January, Orton successfully defended the WWE Championship against [[Jeff Hardy]] and later that night, Cena returned from an injury and won the [[Royal Rumble match]] when he last eliminated Triple H. Instead of challenging Orton for the title at WrestleMania, Cena decided to challenge him at [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]], where Orton got himself intentionally [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualified]] by [[Professional wrestling attacks#Slap|slapping]] the referee, thus retaining the WWE Championship.<ref name="OrtonCenaHHH2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6235888/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319105036/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6235888/results/|archive-date=March 19, 2008|title=Robbery on the Strip: 'Mania Gamble Goes Bust|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 17, 2008|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> Later, Triple H also became a top contender to the WWE Championship by defeating five other men in an [[Elimination Chamber|Elimination Chamber match]].<ref name="OrtonCenaHHH3">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/5908216/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313180121/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/5908216/results/|archive-date=March 13, 2008|title=The Game gets his title match at WrestleMania|first=Corey|last=Clayton|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> The next night on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', Cena argued that he deserved another WWE Championship match. Raw [[Professional wrestling authority figures|general manager]] [[William Regal]] then announced that Cena would face Orton later in the night, where if Cena won, he would be added to the WrestleMania match between Triple H and Orton, making it a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]]. If Orton won, the main event would remain as Orton versus Triple H in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|singles match]]. However, Cena won the match and was added to the bout at WrestleMania. After the match, Triple H, who was the [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|special guest referee]], executed a Pedigree on both Cena and Orton.<ref name="OrtonCenaHHH4">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/articles/triplegauntlet|title=Triple the Threat, Double the Gauntlet|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|publisher=WWE|date=February 18, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020164002/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/articles/triplegauntlet|url-status=live}}</ref>


The predominant rivalry on the SmackDown brand was between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[The Undertaker]], over the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. On the February 1 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'', [[Professional wrestling authority figures|assistant general manager]] [[Theodore Long]] announced that at No Way Out, an Elimination Chamber match would be held to determine the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.<ref name="EdgeTaker1">{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02012008/|title=Chamber Mates|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 1, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=April 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427011047/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02012008|url-status=live}}</ref> The Undertaker won the match by last eliminating Batista.<ref name="EdgeTaker2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6364982/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310020822/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6364982/results/|archive-date=March 10, 2008|title=The Deadman doubles down|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Edge predicted that The Undertaker's 15–0 undefeated streak at WrestleMania would come to an end once he defeated him.<ref>{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|date=February 22, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02222008/|title=Two roads diverge|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|quote="You think I'm afraid", Edge asked our fans, only to vehemently state: "I'm not afraid. Undertaker is an opportunity to cement my legacy." The Rated-R Superstar then made the boldest statement of his career, telling our fans and The Deadman that "The Streak" would be broken this year. "I will not fall like those before me."|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020180728/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02222008/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later on the March 7 episode of ''SmackDown'', the team of Edge and [[Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder]] defeated The Undertaker in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|Handicap match]] after Edge pinned The Undertaker.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mitch|last=Passero|date=March 7, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03072008/|title=Fired-up for Florida|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020181024/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03072008/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, [[La Familia (professional wrestling)|La Familia]] ([[Chavo Guerrero]], Edge, Hawkins and Ryder) defeated [[Ric Flair]] and [[Shawn Michaels]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]]. During the match, Undertaker interfered and attacked La Familia. However, Edge escaped the cage to win the match for his team.<ref>{{cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=March 14, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03112008/articles/runningnumbers|title=Running the numbers|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020181339/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03112008/articles/runningnumbers|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later on ''SmackDown'', Edge, along with [[Vickie Guerrero]], Hawkins and Ryder, held a mock burial entitled "Burial of The Undertaker's WrestleMania Undefeated Streak", to celebrate Edge's early victory over The Undertaker. During the "burial", however, The Undertaker emerged from a casket, which was inside the ring, and attacked Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder, knocking Hawkins and Ryder outside the ring and chokeslamming Edge through the casket.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mitch|last=Passero|date=March 28, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03282008/articles/livingdead1|title=Night of the living dead|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020181451/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03282008/articles/livingdead1|url-status=live}}</ref>
The predominant rivalry on the SmackDown brand was between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[The Undertaker]], over the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. On the February 1 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'', [[Professional wrestling authority figures|assistant general manager]] [[Theodore Long]] announced that at No Way Out, an Elimination Chamber match would be held to determine the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.<ref name="EdgeTaker1">{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02012008/|title=Chamber Mates|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 1, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=April 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427011047/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02012008|url-status=live}}</ref> The Undertaker won the match by last eliminating Batista.<ref name="EdgeTaker2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6364982/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310020822/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6364982/results/|archive-date=March 10, 2008|title=The Deadman doubles down|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=February 17, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Edge predicted that The Undertaker's 15–0 undefeated streak at WrestleMania would come to an end once he defeated him.<ref>{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|date=February 22, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02222008/|title=Two roads diverge|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|quote="You think I'm afraid", Edge asked our fans, only to vehemently state: "I'm not afraid. Undertaker is an opportunity to cement my legacy." The Rated-R Superstar then made the boldest statement of his career, telling our fans and The Deadman that "The Streak" would be broken this year. "I will not fall like those before me."|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020180728/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02222008/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later on the March 7 episode of ''SmackDown'', the team of Edge and [[Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder]] defeated The Undertaker in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|Handicap match]] after Edge pinned The Undertaker.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mitch|last=Passero|date=March 7, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03072008/|title=Fired-up for Florida|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020181024/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03072008/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, [[La Familia (professional wrestling)|La Familia]] ([[Chavo Guerrero]], Edge, Hawkins and Ryder) defeated [[Ric Flair]] and [[Shawn Michaels]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]]. During the match, Undertaker interfered and attacked La Familia. However, Edge escaped the cage to win the match for his team.<ref>{{cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=March 14, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03112008/articles/runningnumbers|title=Running the numbers|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020181339/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03112008/articles/runningnumbers|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later on ''SmackDown'', Edge, along with [[Vickie Guerrero]], Hawkins and Ryder, held a mock burial entitled "Burial of The Undertaker's WrestleMania Undefeated Streak", to celebrate Edge's early victory over The Undertaker. During the "burial", however, The Undertaker emerged from a casket, which was inside the ring, and attacked Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder, knocking Hawkins and Ryder outside the ring and chokeslamming Edge through the casket.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mitch|last=Passero|date=March 28, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03282008/articles/livingdead1|title=Night of the living dead|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020181451/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03282008/articles/livingdead1|url-status=live}}</ref>


[[File:Mayweather.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Professional boxing|Professional boxer]] [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]], who took on [[Paul Wight|Big Show]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]]]]
[[File:Mayweather.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Professional boxing|Professional boxer]] [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]], who took on [[Paul Wight|Big Show]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]]]]
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On the February 25 episode of ''Raw'', [[WWE Hall of Fame#Specialty inductees|2008 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee]] Ric Flair challenged Shawn Michaels to a match at WrestleMania.<ref name="FlairHBK1">{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02252008/|title=A Showstopper for Orlando|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 25, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182544/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02252008|url-status=live}}</ref> Michaels accepted after some reluctance, knowing that due to a previous announcement from WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]] the next match Flair lost would result in his forced retirement.<ref name="FlairHBK1"/><ref name="FlairHBK2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|title=Win or go home – for good|last=Robinson|first=Bryan|date=November 26, 2007|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=December 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207153620/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|url-status=live}}</ref> Flair said that "it would be an honor for [him] to retire at the hands of Shawn Michaels."<ref name="FlairHBK1"/>
On the February 25 episode of ''Raw'', [[WWE Hall of Fame#Specialty inductees|2008 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee]] Ric Flair challenged Shawn Michaels to a match at WrestleMania.<ref name="FlairHBK1">{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02252008/|title=A Showstopper for Orlando|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 25, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2008|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182544/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02252008|url-status=live}}</ref> Michaels accepted after some reluctance, knowing that due to a previous announcement from WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]] the next match Flair lost would result in his forced retirement.<ref name="FlairHBK1"/><ref name="FlairHBK2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|title=Win or go home – for good|last=Robinson|first=Bryan|date=November 26, 2007|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=December 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207153620/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|url-status=live}}</ref> Flair said that "it would be an honor for [him] to retire at the hands of Shawn Michaels."<ref name="FlairHBK1"/>


On February 18, WWE announced via its website that the fourth annual [[Money in the Bank ladder match]] would take place at WrestleMania XXIV, a match where the objective is to retrieve a briefcase suspended in the air using a ladder. The match involved wrestlers from all three WWE brands. The winner would earn a contract to challenge for any of the three WWE [[World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)|World Championships]] (the WWE Championship of Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship of SmackDown, or the [[ECW Championship]] of ECW) at any time and any place over a one-year period. Qualifying matches occurred to determine the participants in the match at WrestleMania, starting on that night's ''Raw'' with [[Jeff Hardy]] and [[Mr. Kennedy]] defeating [[Gene Snitsky|Snitsky]] and [[Sean Morley|Val Venis]] respectively to qualify. [[Shelton Benjamin]] became the third participant when he defeated [[James Yun|Jimmy Wang Yang]] on the following episode of ''SmackDown''. During the next two weeks on ''Raw'', [[Chris Jericho]] defeated Hardy, and [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]] defeated [[Cody Rhodes]] to qualify. At a non-televised SmackDown/ECW [[house show]] held on March 8, [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] qualified when he defeated [[Jamie Noble]]. On the March 11 episode of ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]'', [[CM Punk]] became the seventh entrant when he defeated [[Viscera (wrestler)|Big Daddy V]]. [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]] was the final person to qualify when he beat [[The Miz]] on the March 14 episode of ''SmackDown''. Hardy was later removed from the match after a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] suspension by WWE for a drug violation of the company's [[WWE#Wellness Program|Wellness Policy]]. WWE decided not to add another superstar in his place, making that year's Money in the Bank ladder match the first year to have seven participants.<ref name="Hardy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/jeffhardysuspended|access-date=March 11, 2008|title=Jeff Hardy Suspended|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=March 11, 2008|archive-date=May 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521233109/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/jeffhardysuspended|url-status=live}}</ref>
On February 18, WWE announced via its website that the fourth annual [[Money in the Bank ladder match]] would take place at WrestleMania XXIV, a match where the objective is to retrieve a briefcase suspended in the air using a ladder. The match involved wrestlers from all three WWE brands. The winner would earn a contract to challenge for any of the three WWE [[World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)|World Championships]] (the WWE Championship of Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship of SmackDown, or the [[ECW Championship]] of ECW) at any time and any place over a one-year period. Qualifying matches occurred to determine the participants in the match at WrestleMania, starting on that night's ''Raw'' with [[Jeff Hardy]] and [[Mr. Kennedy]] defeating [[Gene Snitsky|Snitsky]] and [[Sean Morley|Val Venis]] respectively to qualify. [[Shelton Benjamin]] became the third participant when he defeated [[James Yun|Jimmy Wang Yang]] on the following episode of ''SmackDown''. During the next two weeks on ''Raw'', [[Chris Jericho]] defeated Hardy, and [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]] defeated [[Cody Rhodes]] to qualify. At a non-televised SmackDown/ECW [[house show]] held on March 8, [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] qualified when he defeated [[Jamie Noble]]. On the March 11 episode of ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]'', [[CM Punk]] became the seventh entrant when he defeated [[Viscera (wrestler)|Big Daddy V]]. [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]] was the final person to qualify when he beat [[The Miz]] on the March 14 episode of ''SmackDown''. Hardy was later removed from the match after a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] suspension by WWE for a drug violation of the company's [[WWE#Drug testing and wellness program|Wellness Policy]]. WWE decided not to add another superstar in his place, making that year's Money in the Bank ladder match the first year to have seven participants.<ref name="Hardy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/jeffhardysuspended|access-date=March 11, 2008|title=Jeff Hardy Suspended|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=March 11, 2008|archive-date=May 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521233109/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/jeffhardysuspended|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Event==
==Event==
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|[[William Regal]] {{small|(Raw vs. SmackDown)}}
|[[William Regal]] {{small|(Raw vs. SmackDown)}}
|-
|-
|[[Justin Roberts]] {{small|(SmackDown)}}
|[[Justin Roberts]] {{small|(SmackDown/Money in the Bank match)}}
|-
|-
|rowspan=10|[[Referee (professional wrestling)|Referee]]
|rowspan=10|[[Referee (professional wrestling)|Referee]]
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===Preliminary matches===
===Preliminary matches===


The first match was a [[Hardcore wrestling|Belfast Brawl]] between [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] and [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL), a match in which there were no disqualifications or countouts and the match outcomes could have occurred anywhere. Finlay was accompanied to the ring by his [[Kayfabe|storyline]] son, [[Hornswoggle]], who was returning from a scripted injury suffered at the hands of JBL.<ref name="FinlayJBLResult">{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Zoldan|date=March 30, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515958/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402210238/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515958/results/|archive-date=April 2, 2008|title=JBL picks up brutal win in Belfast Brawl|access-date=April 8, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> During the match, JBL hit Finlay with a [[trash can]] lid when the latter was about to perform a suicide dive on him through the ropes on the outside.<ref name="slam">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania24/2008/03/31/5148416.html|date=March 30, 2008|title=Mayweather, Orton survive Mania; Edge, Flair don't|publisher=SLAM! Sports|first=Dale|last=Plummer|access-date=April 8, 2008|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018055136/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania24/2008/03/31/5148416.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later on, Finlay tossed JBL through a [[table (furniture)|table]] that he had set up earlier on the turnbuckle. Hornswoggle also got involved during the match by hitting JBL with a [[Shinai|kendo stick]], while later on JBL threw a trash can at him. Attacking Finlay's knee with a [[kendo stick]], JBL delivered a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|Clothesline from Hell]] to Finlay to score a successful [[pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]]. This was an interpromotional match.<ref name="FinlayJBLResult"/>
The first match was a [[Hardcore wrestling|Belfast Brawl]] between [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] and [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL), a match in which there were no disqualifications or countouts and the match outcomes could have occurred anywhere. Finlay was accompanied to the ring by his [[Kayfabe|storyline]] son, [[Hornswoggle]], who was returning from a scripted injury suffered at the hands of JBL.<ref name="FinlayJBLResult">{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Zoldan|date=March 30, 2008|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515958/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402210238/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515958/results/|archive-date=April 2, 2008|title=JBL picks up brutal win in Belfast Brawl|access-date=April 8, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> During the match, JBL hit Finlay with a [[trash can]] lid when the latter was about to perform a suicide dive on him through the ropes on the outside.<ref name="slam">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania24/2008/03/31/5148416.html|date=March 30, 2008|title=Mayweather, Orton survive Mania; Edge, Flair don't|publisher=SLAM! Sports|first=Dale|last=Plummer|access-date=April 8, 2008|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018055136/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania24/2008/03/31/5148416.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later on, Finlay tossed JBL through a [[table (furniture)|table]] that he had set up earlier on the turnbuckle. Hornswoggle also got involved during the match by hitting JBL with a [[Shinai|kendo stick]], while later on JBL threw a trash can at him. Attacking Finlay's knee with a [[kendo stick]], JBL delivered a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|Clothesline from Hell]] to Finlay to score a successful [[pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]]. This was an interpromotional match.<ref name="FinlayJBLResult"/>


The next match of the evening was the fourth-annual [[Money in the Bank ladder match]], in which there were no disqualifications or countouts, and the only way to win the match was to climb a ladder in the ring and retrieve a contract briefcase hanging above. The match featured [[Chris Jericho]], [[Mr. Kennedy]], and [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]] from the [[WWE Raw|Raw]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]]; [[CM Punk]], [[Shelton Benjamin]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]] from the [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand; and [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (MVP) from the [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]] brand. [[Jeff Hardy]] was supposed to be in the match, but he violated the wellness program and was taken out of the match. Early in the match, Morrison climbed a [[turnbuckle]] and performed a [[moonsault]] onto other competitors outside the ring while holding a ladder against his chest. Later, while Kennedy and Morrison were battling on top of a ladder, Benjamin climbed another ladder placed adjacent to the first one and performed a [[Powerbomb#Sunset flip powerbomb|sunset flip powerbomb]] on Kennedy, who in turn [[Suplex#Superplex|superplexed]] Morrison from the top of the ladder. Later, Carlito and Kennedy flipped Benjamin off a ladder in the ring, sending him crashing through another ladder set-up between the [[barricade]] and the ring apron.<ref name="slam"/> When MVP was close to retrieving the contract briefcase, [[Matt Hardy]] (returning to action after suffering a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] injury), entered the ring from the crowd, climbed the ladder, and delivered a [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Twist of Fate|Twist of Fate]] to MVP off that ladder.<ref name="MITBResult">{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|title=Perseverance makes Punk 'Mr. Money' in Orlando|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464426/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163828/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464426/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 30, 2008|access-date=April 8, 2008}}</ref> As soon as Morrison started to climb a ladder, [[see-saw]]ing with another ladder, Jericho flipped the other one and Morrison landed on the ring-ropes [[groin]]-first. Jericho even performed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Double knee facebreaker|Codebreaker]] on Punk using a ladder. In the end, Jericho and Punk fought each other on a ladder, but Punk trapped Jericho's one leg in the ladder's steps and retrieved the briefcase to win the match. This was an interpromotional match.<ref name="slam"/>
The next match of the evening was the fourth-annual [[Money in the Bank ladder match]], in which there were no disqualifications or countouts, and the only way to win the match was to climb a ladder in the ring and retrieve a contract briefcase hanging above. The match featured [[Chris Jericho]], [[Mr. Kennedy]], and [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]] from the [[WWE Raw|Raw]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]]; [[CM Punk]], [[Shelton Benjamin]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]] from the [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand; and [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (MVP) from the [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]] brand. [[Jeff Hardy]] was supposed to be in the match, but he violated the wellness program and was taken out of the match. Early in the match, Morrison climbed a [[turnbuckle]] and performed a [[moonsault]] onto other competitors outside the ring while holding a ladder against his chest. Later, while Kennedy and Morrison were battling on top of a ladder, Benjamin climbed another ladder placed adjacent to the first one and performed a [[Powerbomb#Sunset Flip Powerbomb|sunset flip powerbomb]] on Kennedy, who in turn [[Suplex#Superplex|superplexed]] Morrison from the top of the ladder. Later, Carlito and Kennedy flipped Benjamin off a ladder in the ring, sending him crashing through another ladder set-up between the [[barricade]] and the ring apron.<ref name="slam"/> When MVP was close to retrieving the contract briefcase, [[Matt Hardy]] (returning to action after suffering a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] injury), entered the ring from the crowd, climbed the ladder, and delivered a [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Twist of Fate|Twist of Fate]] to MVP off that ladder.<ref name="MITBResult">{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|title=Perseverance makes Punk 'Mr. Money' in Orlando|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464426/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163828/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464426/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 30, 2008|access-date=April 8, 2008}}</ref> As soon as Morrison started to climb a ladder, [[see-saw]]ing with another ladder, Jericho flipped the other one and Morrison landed on the ring-ropes [[groin]]-first. Jericho even performed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Double knee facebreaker|Codebreaker]] on Punk using a ladder. In the end, Jericho and Punk fought each other on a ladder, but Punk trapped Jericho's one leg in the ladder's steps and retrieved the briefcase to win the match. This was an interpromotional match.<ref name="slam"/>


Next after that match, [[Howard Finkel]] introduced the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2008)|2008 WWE Hall of Fame]] class: [[Jack Brisco|Jack]] and [[Gerald Brisco]], [[Gordon Solie]] (represented by his family), [[Rocky Johnson]], [[Peter Maivia|High Chief Peter Maivia]] (represented by his wife Lia and daughter Ata), [[Eddie Graham]] (represented by his son Mike), [[Mae Young]], and [[Ric Flair]] (represented by his family).
Next after that match, [[Howard Finkel]] introduced the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2008)|2008 WWE Hall of Fame]] class: [[Jack Brisco|Jack]] and [[Gerald Brisco]], [[Gordon Solie]] (represented by his family), [[Rocky Johnson]], [[Peter Maivia|High Chief Peter Maivia]] (represented by his wife Lia and daughter Ata), [[Eddie Graham]] (represented by his son Mike), [[Mae Young]], and [[Ric Flair]] (represented by his family).


The next match, which was billed as a "Battle for Brand Supremacy", was between ''SmackDown's'' [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] and ''Raw's'' [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]]. Early in the match, both Batista and Umaga exchanged blows and Batista knocked Umaga outside with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Shoulder block|shoulder block]]. Umaga later [[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|kicked]] Batista in the face, which caused him to fall back-first outside the ring from the ring-apron. As a result, Umaga started targeting Batista's injured back. In the end, however, when Umaga tried to perform his [[Professional wrestling attacks#Throat thrust|Samoan Spike]], Batista countered the attempt and gave him a [[Professional wrestling throws#Spinebuster|spinebuster]]. Batista won the match by pinning Umaga after a [[Powerbomb#Sitout powerbomb|Batista Bomb]].<ref name="batistawin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515946/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163849/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515946/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Animalistic bulldozing|first=Michael|last=Dinan|date= March 30, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
The next match, which was billed as a "Battle for Brand Supremacy", was between ''SmackDown's'' [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] and ''Raw's'' [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]]. Early in the match, both Batista and Umaga exchanged blows and Batista knocked Umaga outside with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Shoulder block|shoulder block]]. Umaga later [[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|kicked]] Batista in the face, which caused him to fall back-first outside the ring from the ring-apron. As a result, Umaga started targeting Batista's injured back. In the end, however, when Umaga tried to perform his [[Professional wrestling attacks#Throat thrust|Samoan Spike]], Batista countered the attempt and gave him a [[Professional wrestling throws#Spinebuster|spinebuster]]. Batista won the match by pinning Umaga after a [[Powerbomb#Sit-Out Powerbomb|Batista Bomb]].<ref name="batistawin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515946/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163849/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6515946/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Animalistic bulldozing|first=Michael|last=Dinan|date= March 30, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>


The fourth match for the event featured Chavo Guerrero defending his ECW Championship against Kane. Kane surprised Chavo by emerging from underneath the ring instead of from the entrance stage during his ring entrance.<ref name="KaneChamp">{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6514336/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163844/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6514336/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|first=Ryan|last=Murphy|title=Big Red champion|date=March 30, 2008|access-date= April 10, 2008}}</ref> Kane instantly pinned Chavo after a [[chokeslam]] and won the ECW Championship in eleven seconds.<ref name="Guerrero/Kane">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/29/fastest-wrestlemania-matches/page-11|title=A monstrous 11 seconds|author=Clapp, John|date=April 3, 2012|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-date=August 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814042023/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/29/fastest-wrestlemania-matches/page-11|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the only ECW match on the show and the only ECW Championship match in WrestleMania history.<ref name="KaneChamp"/>
The fourth match for the event featured Chavo Guerrero defending his ECW Championship against Kane. Kane surprised Chavo by emerging from underneath the ring instead of from the entrance stage during his ring entrance.<ref name="KaneChamp">{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6514336/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163844/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6514336/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|first=Ryan|last=Murphy|title=Big Red champion|date=March 30, 2008|access-date= April 10, 2008}}</ref> Kane instantly pinned Chavo after a [[chokeslam]] and won the ECW Championship in eleven seconds.<ref name="Guerrero/Kane">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/29/fastest-wrestlemania-matches/page-11|title=A monstrous 11 seconds|author=Clapp, John|date=April 3, 2012|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-date=August 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814042023/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/29/fastest-wrestlemania-matches/page-11|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the only ECW match on the show and the only ECW Championship match in WrestleMania history.<ref name="KaneChamp"/>
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===Main event matches===
===Main event matches===


[[Ric Flair]]'s [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|"Career Threatening" match]] against [[Shawn Michaels]] was next, which stipulated that Flair would have to retire from [[Professional wrestling|wrestling]] if he had lost. At the start of the match, both superstars engaged in a series of counters, and then Flair shoved Michaels in a corner, making "[[Old Yeller]]" comments to him. In retaliation, Michaels slapped Flair in the face, which caused him to start bleeding from the mouth. Later, Michaels attempted [[Superkick|Sweet Chin Music]], but stopped in the process and Flair capitalized by trapping him in his [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|figure four leglock]].<ref name="slam"/> Afterward, Michaels finally delivered the Sweet Chin Music to Flair for a near-fall. Michaels then trapped Flair in his [[Professional wrestling holds#Modified figure four leglock|modified figure four leglock]], but Flair delivered a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Eye poke|thumb to the eye]] to Michaels to break the submission. As Flair was delivering [[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|chops]] to Michaels' chest, Michaels executed a second Sweet Chin Music.<ref name="slam"/> After getting up on his feet with a worried face, Michaels said to Flair "I'm sorry, I love you", before nailing a final Sweet Chin Music and thus pinning Flair to end his 35-year-long wrestling career.<ref name="flairover">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402210202/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/|archive-date=April 2, 2008|title=The End|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|access-date=March 30, 2008|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> After the match, Michaels left quickly and Flair got a standing ovation from the crowd. An emotional Flair embraced his family at ringside and then, as he proceeded to go backstage, he thanked the crowd for their support.<ref name="slam"/><ref name="flairover"/>
[[Ric Flair]]'s [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|"Career Threatening" match]] against [[Shawn Michaels]] was next, which stipulated that Flair would have to retire from [[Professional wrestling|wrestling]] if he had lost. At the start of the match, both superstars engaged in a series of counters, and then Flair shoved Michaels in a corner, making "[[Old Yeller]]" comments to him. In retaliation, Michaels slapped Flair in the face, which caused him to start bleeding from the mouth. Later, Michaels attempted [[Superkick|Sweet Chin Music]], but stopped in the process and Flair capitalized by trapping him in his [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure-four leglock|figure four leglock]].<ref name="slam"/> Afterward, Michaels finally delivered the Sweet Chin Music to Flair for a near-fall. Michaels then trapped Flair in his [[Professional wrestling holds#Reverse figure-four leglock|modified figure four leglock]], but Flair delivered a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Eye poke|thumb to the eye]] to Michaels to break the submission. As Flair was delivering [[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|chops]] to Michaels' chest, Michaels executed a second Sweet Chin Music.<ref name="slam"/> After getting up on his feet with a worried face, Michaels said to Flair "I'm sorry, I love you", before nailing a final Sweet Chin Music and thus pinning Flair to end his 35-year-long wrestling career.<ref name="flairover">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402210202/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/|archive-date=April 2, 2008|title=The End|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|access-date=March 30, 2008|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> After the match, Michaels left quickly and Flair got a standing ovation from the crowd. An emotional Flair embraced his family at ringside and then, as he proceeded to go backstage, he thanked the crowd for their support.<ref name="slam"/><ref name="flairover"/>


[[File:BunnyMania.jpg|left|thumb|[[Snoop Dogg]] at WrestleMania XXIV with [[Ashley Massaro]] and tag team partner [[Maria Kanellis|Maria]]]]
[[File:BunnyMania.jpg|left|thumb|[[Snoop Dogg]] at WrestleMania XXIV with [[Ashley Massaro]] and tag team partner [[Maria Kanellis|Maria]]]]
The sixth match was the ''[[Playboy]]'' [[Professional wrestling match types#Lumberjack match|BunnyMania Lumberjack match]], in which [[Maria Kanellis|Maria]] and [[Ashley Massaro|Ashley]] (the latter who replaced [[Candice Michelle]] due to injury) faced [[Beth Phoenix]] and [[Melina Perez|Melina]], who were accompanied to the ring by [[Santino Marella]]. [[Rapping|Rapper]] [[Snoop Dogg]] served as the official "[[Master of Ceremonies]]" for the match. In the match, several [[WWE Diva]]s surrounded the ring and were able to interfere in the match without disqualifications.<ref name="playboy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6522694/results/|title=Santino tamed by rabid Dogg|first=Michael|last=Burdick|access-date=March 30, 2008|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530051614/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6522694/results/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to some technical difficulties, the lights at Citrus Bowl temporarily went out during the match.<ref name="slam"/> Near the end, a pin attempt by Maria was prevented when Marella pulled Maria's leg. In response, Raw commentator [[Jerry Lawler]] approached and knocked Marella down with a punch. Phoenix executed a [[Suplex#Fisherman suplex|Fisherman Suplex]] and pinned Maria to win the match. After the match, Snoop Dogg executed a Clothesline on Marella and kissed Maria, before leaving with her and Ashley.<ref name="playboy"/>
The sixth match was the ''[[Playboy]]'' [[Professional wrestling match types#Lumberjack match|BunnyMania Lumberjack match]], in which [[Maria Kanellis|Maria]] and [[Ashley Massaro|Ashley]] (the latter who replaced [[Candice Michelle]] due to injury) faced [[Beth Phoenix]] and [[Melina Perez|Melina]], who were accompanied to the ring by [[Santino Marella]]. [[Rapping|Rapper]] [[Snoop Dogg]] served as the official "[[Master of Ceremonies]]" for the match. In the match, several [[WWE Diva]]s surrounded the ring and were able to interfere in the match without disqualifications.<ref name="playboy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6522694/results/|title=Santino tamed by rabid Dogg|first=Michael|last=Burdick|access-date=March 30, 2008|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530051614/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6522694/results/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to some technical difficulties, the lights at Citrus Bowl temporarily went out during the match.<ref name="slam"/> Near the end, a pin attempt by Maria was prevented when Marella pulled Maria's leg. In response, Raw commentator [[Jerry Lawler]] approached and knocked Marella down with a punch. Phoenix executed a [[Suplex#Fisherman suplex|Fisherman Suplex]] and pinned Maria to win the match. After the match, Snoop Dogg executed a Clothesline on Marella and kissed Maria, before leaving with her and Ashley.<ref name="playboy"/>


Next was [[Randy Orton]] defending his [[WWE Championship]] against [[Triple H]] and [[John Cena]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]], which is a standard match involving three wrestlers with no disqualifications. For his entrance, Cena had the [[Jones High School (Florida)|Jones High School Marching Tigers]] [[marching band]] perform an instrumental version of his theme song "[[The Time Is Now (John Cena song)|The Time Is Now]]" live.<ref name="slam"/> During the match, when Triple H had held Orton in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|sleeper hold]], Cena picked up both Orton and Triple H for an [[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry slam|FU]], but Triple H dropped down and [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blowed]] him. Orton then dominated the match for some time; one highlight of the match featured Orton performing a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving crossbody|crossbody]] from the top rope on Cena, while the latter was held on Triple H's shoulders in a [[Facebuster#Electric chair facebuster|seating]] position. Orton also performed an [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Elevated DDT|DDT]] to both Cena and Triple H simultaneously. Orton then tried to perform an [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Jumping cutter|RKO]] on Cena, but he countered and threw Orton onto Triple H. Triple H then started targeting Orton's legs and using some submissions on him.<ref name="slam"/> The match came to an end when Cena had Triple H on his shoulders for the FU, but was countered into a [[Facebuster#Double underhook facebuster|Pedigree]]. As Triple H was in the pin, Orton [[Professional wrestling attacks#Punt|punted]] Triple H and pinned Cena to win the match and retain the WWE Championship.<ref name="ortonretain">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6199854/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402205956/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6199854/results/|archive-date=April 2, 2008|title=One-Man Dynasty Indeed?|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=March 30, 2008|access-date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
Next was [[Randy Orton]] defending his [[WWE Championship]] against [[Triple H]] and [[John Cena]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]], which is a standard match involving three wrestlers with no disqualifications. For his entrance, Cena had the [[Jones High School (Florida)|Jones High School Marching Tigers]] [[marching band]] perform an instrumental version of his theme song "[[The Time Is Now (John Cena song)|The Time Is Now]]" live.<ref name="slam"/> During the match, when Triple H had held Orton in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|sleeper hold]], Cena picked up both Orton and Triple H for an [[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry slam|FU]], but Triple H dropped down and [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blowed]] him. Orton then dominated the match for some time; one highlight of the match featured Orton performing a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving crossbody|crossbody]] from the top rope on Cena, while the latter was held on Triple H's shoulders in a [[Facebuster#Electric chair facebuster|seating]] position. Orton also performed a [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Elevated DDT|DDT]] to both Cena and Triple H simultaneously. Orton then tried to perform an [[Cutter (professional wrestling)#Jumping cutter|RKO]] on Cena, but he countered and threw Orton onto Triple H. Triple H then started targeting Orton's legs and using some submissions on him.<ref name="slam"/> The match came to an end when Cena had Triple H on his shoulders for the FU, but was countered into a [[Facebuster#Double underhook facebuster|Pedigree]]. As Triple H was in the pin, Orton [[Professional wrestling attacks#Punt|punted]] Triple H and pinned Cena to win the match and retain the WWE Championship.<ref name="ortonretain">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6199854/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402205956/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6199854/results/|archive-date=April 2, 2008|title=One-Man Dynasty Indeed?|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=March 30, 2008|access-date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>


[[File:Edge before his title defense at WrestleMania XXIV.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] lost the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] to [[The Undertaker]]]]
[[File:Edge before his title defense at WrestleMania XXIV.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] lost the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] to [[The Undertaker]]]]
The next match was the [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]] between Big Show and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Early in the match, Mayweather repeatedly escaped Big Show's grasp and delivered body shots to him.<ref name="slam"/> Mayweather and his accomplices tried to "walk out" of the match, but Big Show walked up the ramp and brought Mayweather back in the ring. As Big Show was about to chokeslam Mayweather, one of Mayweather's accomplices struck a [[folding chair|steel chair]] on Big Show's back, and the latter chokeslammed him in retaliation. Capitalizing from this distraction, Mayweather grabbed that chair and hit Big Show multiple times on the head with it. Finally, Mayweather removed his right glove and put on a pair of [[brass knuckles]] to hit Big Show in the face. As a result, Big Show was [[knockout|knocked out]] as he could not answer the referee's [[Professional wrestling#Countout|ten count]], and Mayweather was declared the winner.<ref name="Mayweather/Show">{{cite web|date=March 28, 2008|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008NewsRelease.jsp|title=Mayweather vs. Big Show – "There Is Going To Be A Winner"|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] Corporate|access-date=March 29, 2008|archive-date=August 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810102625/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008NewsRelease.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mayweatherwin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464482/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163839/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464482/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Show-n up|date= March 30, 2008|first=Louie|last=Dee|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
The next match was the [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]] between Big Show and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Early in the match, Mayweather repeatedly escaped Big Show's grasp and delivered body shots to him.<ref name="slam"/> Mayweather and his accomplices tried to "walk out" of the match, but Big Show walked up the ramp and brought Mayweather back in the ring. As Big Show was about to chokeslam Mayweather, one of Mayweather's accomplices struck a [[folding chair|steel chair]] on Big Show's back, and the latter chokeslammed him in retaliation. Capitalizing from this distraction, Mayweather grabbed that chair and hit Big Show multiple times on the head with it. Finally, Mayweather removed his right glove and put on a pair of [[brass knuckles]] to hit Big Show in the face. As a result, Big Show was [[knockout|knocked out]] as he could not answer the referee's [[Professional wrestling#Countout|ten count]], and Mayweather was declared the winner.<ref name="Mayweather/Show">{{cite web|date=March 28, 2008|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008NewsRelease.jsp|title=Mayweather vs. Big Show – "There Is Going To Be A Winner"|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] Corporate|access-date=March 29, 2008|archive-date=August 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810102625/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008NewsRelease.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mayweatherwin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464482/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163839/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464482/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Show-n up|date= March 30, 2008|first=Louie|last=Dee|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>


The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] of the night saw [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] putting his [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] on the line against [[The Undertaker]]. The early going of the match was slow-paced, in which both superstars countered each other's maneuvers. During the match, Undertaker ran and leapt over the top rope from the ring onto Edge on the outside.<ref name="slam"/> Then throughout the match, Edge was able to counter Undertaker's numerous signature moves, including the [[Chokeslam]], [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Arm twist ropewalk chop|Old School]] and the [[Powerbomb#Elevated powerbomb|Last Ride]], a variation of the powerbomb.<ref name="undertakerwin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6208634/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163823/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6208634/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Sweet Sixteen|date=March 30, 2008|first=Craig|last=Tello|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Near the end, Edge hit Undertaker with a television camera while the referee was knocked down. When he proceeded to deliver a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]] to Undertaker, Undertaker countered it into his own version and successfully delivered it to Edge for a two-count. [[Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder]] came to the ring for Edge's aid, but Undertaker took them out. Because of their distraction, Edge was able to execute a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|spear]] on Undertaker, but was unable to pin him. When Edge delivered another spear to Undertaker, Undertaker applied [[Gogoplata|Hell's Gate]] and forced Edge to submit to win the World Heavyweight Championship, improving his WrestleMania record to 16–0.<ref name="undertakerwin"/>
The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] of the night saw [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] putting his [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] on the line against [[The Undertaker]]. This was The Undertaker's first WrestleMania main event in 11 years, last main eventing against [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] at [[WrestleMania 13]]. The early going of the match was slow-paced, in which both superstars countered each other's maneuvers. During the match, Undertaker ran and leapt over the top rope from the ring onto Edge on the outside.<ref name="slam"/> Then throughout the match, Edge was able to counter Undertaker's numerous signature moves, including the [[Chokeslam]], [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Arm twist ropewalk chop|Old School]] and the [[Powerbomb#Elevated Powerbomb|Last Ride]], a variation of the powerbomb.<ref name="undertakerwin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6208634/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163823/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6208634/results/|archive-date=April 5, 2008|title=Sweet Sixteen|date=March 30, 2008|first=Craig|last=Tello|access-date=April 10, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Near the end, Edge hit Undertaker with a television camera while the referee was knocked down. When he proceeded to deliver a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]] to Undertaker, Undertaker countered it into his own version and successfully delivered it to Edge for a two-count. [[Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder]] came to the ring for Edge's aid, but Undertaker took them out. Because of their distraction, Edge was able to execute a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|spear]] on Undertaker, but was unable to pin him. When Edge delivered another spear to Undertaker, Undertaker applied [[Gogoplata|Hell's Gate]] and forced Edge to submit to win the World Heavyweight Championship, improving his WrestleMania record to 16–0.<ref name="undertakerwin"/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
Approximately 1,058,000 people ordered WrestleMania XXIV, grossing $23.8 million in revenue. This number was fewer than the 1,188,000 buys that [[WrestleMania 23]] achieved.<ref name="buyrate24"/><ref name="buyrate23">{{cite web|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/documents/PressReleaseAugust18pmweb.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120223075616/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/documents/PressReleaseAugust18pmweb.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= February 23, 2012|title=World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Reports 2007 Second Quarter Results|page=3|date=August 2, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> [[Canadian Online Explorer]]'s professional wrestling section gave the entire event 9 out of 10 stars. The rating was higher than WrestleMania 23 which received 8 out of 10 stars. The main event between The Undertaker and Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship was rated a 9.5 out of 10 stars. The Career Threatening match between Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels was rated a perfect 10 out of 10. Big Show vs. Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. was rated 7 out of 10 stars, and the Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between Randy Orton, Triple H and John Cena was rated 8.5 out of 10 stars.<ref name="slam"/>
Approximately 1,058,000 people ordered WrestleMania XXIV, grossing $23.8 million in revenue. [[Canadian Online Explorer]]'s professional wrestling section gave the entire event 9 out of 10 stars. The rating was higher than WrestleMania 23 which received 8 out of 10 stars. The main event between The Undertaker and Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship was rated a 9.5 out of 10 stars. The Career Threatening match between Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels was rated a perfect 10 out of 10. Big Show vs. Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. was rated 7 out of 10 stars, and the Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between Randy Orton, Triple H and John Cena was rated 8.5 out of 10 stars.<ref name="slam"/>


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Line 168: Line 168:
After the show, WWE was criticized for a malfunction in the pyrotechnics during The Undertaker's victory celebration. During the celebration, a hot cable for pyrotechnics was sent flying into audience members in the upper seating bowl of the stadium, leaving 45 injured, with some hospitalized. The accident was apparently due to a cable which fireworks were traveling across snapping, thus resulting in the fireworks exploding into the top rows of the upper bowl of the stadium.<ref name="injury">{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/31/wrestlemania_0331.html|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=December 3, 2008|title=Pyrotechnics malfunction hurts WrestleMania fans|publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629052857/http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/31/wrestlemania_0331.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="injury2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wftv.com/news/15748647/detail.html|access-date=March 31, 2008|title=Dozens Injured At WrestleMania When Fireworks, Cables Fall On Crowd|publisher=[[WFTV]]|date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813101937/http://www.wftv.com/news/news/dozens-injured-at-wrestlemania-when-fireworks-cabl/nJj8s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> WWE's corporate website released a statement afterward stating that they would investigate the incident, but the results of the investigation were never released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/200_03_31.jsp|title=WWE Statement On Fireworks|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810085202/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/200_03_31.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
After the show, WWE was criticized for a malfunction in the pyrotechnics during The Undertaker's victory celebration. During the celebration, a hot cable for pyrotechnics was sent flying into audience members in the upper seating bowl of the stadium, leaving 45 injured, with some hospitalized. The accident was apparently due to a cable which fireworks were traveling across snapping, thus resulting in the fireworks exploding into the top rows of the upper bowl of the stadium.<ref name="injury">{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/31/wrestlemania_0331.html|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=December 3, 2008|title=Pyrotechnics malfunction hurts WrestleMania fans|publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629052857/http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/31/wrestlemania_0331.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="injury2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wftv.com/news/15748647/detail.html|access-date=March 31, 2008|title=Dozens Injured At WrestleMania When Fireworks, Cables Fall On Crowd|publisher=[[WFTV]]|date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813101937/http://www.wftv.com/news/news/dozens-injured-at-wrestlemania-when-fireworks-cabl/nJj8s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> WWE's corporate website released a statement afterward stating that they would investigate the incident, but the results of the investigation were never released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/200_03_31.jsp|title=WWE Statement On Fireworks|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810085202/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/200_03_31.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On the following episode of ''Raw'', Ric Flair made his farewell speech, which led to Triple H introducing various people from Flair's past, such as the [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]], [[Ricky Steamboat]], and others, each coming out to give an emotional farewell. Afterward, the entire WWE roster came out to say thank you to Flair (Including Undertaker, who came out after Raw went off the air and hugged Flair and did his kneeling stance). Shawn Michaels, who was clearly upset about retiring Flair, was forgiven by Flair.<ref name="raw0331">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03312008/articles/longgoodbye|title=The Long Goodbye|first=Greg|last=Adkins|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025054508/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03312008/articles/longgoodbye|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite Flair's forgiveness, his former protégé Batista later started a feud with Michaels, citing Michaels' "selfishness" at WrestleMania for not lying down for Flair.<ref name="smackdown0404">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04042008/|title=Mixed Emotions|date=April 4, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008|first=Mitch|last=Passero|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=April 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429140030/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04042008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="raw0407">{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008/|title=For honor or ego?|date=April 7, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182819/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008|url-status=live}}</ref> The two had a match booked at [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]], and after a confrontation between Michaels and Chris Jericho, Jericho was later added into the match as a [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|Special Guest Referee]].<ref name="raw0414">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008/|title=Intercontinental interjections|date=April 14, 2008|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|access-date=April 28, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182819/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008|url-status=live}}</ref> Michaels won with a superkick.<ref name="BLHBKBatista">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6826876/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113926/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6826876/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Play It Again, Shawn|first =Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref>
On the following episode of ''Raw'', Ric Flair made his farewell speech, which led to Triple H introducing various people from Flair's past, such as [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|the Four Horsemen]], [[Ricky Steamboat]], and others, each coming out to give an emotional farewell. Afterward, the entire WWE roster came out to say thank you to Flair (Including Undertaker, who came out after Raw went off the air and hugged Flair and did his kneeling stance). Shawn Michaels, who was clearly upset about retiring Flair, was forgiven by Flair.<ref name="raw0331">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03312008/articles/longgoodbye|title=The Long Goodbye|first=Greg|last=Adkins|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025054508/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03312008/articles/longgoodbye|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite Flair's forgiveness, his former protégé Batista later started a feud with Michaels, citing Michaels' "selfishness" at WrestleMania for not lying down for Flair.<ref name="smackdown0404">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04042008/|title=Mixed Emotions|date=April 4, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008|first=Mitch|last=Passero|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=April 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429140030/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04042008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="raw0407">{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008/|title=For honor or ego?|date=April 7, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182819/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008|url-status=live}}</ref> The two had a match booked at [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]], and after a confrontation between Michaels and Chris Jericho, Jericho was later added into the match as a [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|Special Guest Referee]].<ref name="raw0414">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008/|title=Intercontinental interjections|date=April 14, 2008|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|access-date=April 28, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707182819/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04072008|url-status=live}}</ref> Michaels won with a superkick.<ref name="BLHBKBatista">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6826876/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113926/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6826876/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Play It Again, Shawn|first =Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref>


The feud between Randy Orton, John Cena and Triple H continued after WrestleMania with the added involvement of John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) leading to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Fatal Four-Way Elimination]] match between all four at Backlash. At Backlash, Triple H won his seventh WWE Championship by last pinning Orton.<ref name="BLWWETitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6803660/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113921/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6803660/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Twelfth Knight|first=Craig|last=Tello|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> With Matt Hardy's return at WrestleMania, his feud with Montel Vontavious Porter over the [[WWE United States Championship]], that had started in July 2007, was revived with a match booked at Backlash, which Hardy won.<ref name="BLHardyMVP">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6842240/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113931/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6842240/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Better than the Baller|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> The rivalries between The Undertaker and Edge and the one between Kane and Chavo Guerrero both continued with successful title defenses at Backlash. On the May 2 episode of ''SmackDown'', General Manager [[Vickie Guerrero]] stripped The Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Championship because of his continued use of his illegal chokehold, claiming she did it to protect the other wrestlers.<ref name="BLTakerEdge">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6347966/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113911/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6347966/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Second verse, same as the first|first=Louie|last=Dee|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="BLKaneChavo">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6752876/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113916/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6752876/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Flames continue to fly in ECW|first=Andrew|last=Rote|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref>
The feud between Randy Orton, John Cena and Triple H continued after WrestleMania with the added involvement of John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) leading to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Fatal Four-Way Elimination]] match between all four at Backlash. At Backlash, Triple H won his seventh WWE Championship by last pinning Orton.<ref name="BLWWETitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6803660/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113921/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6803660/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Twelfth Knight|first=Craig|last=Tello|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> With Matt Hardy's return at WrestleMania, his feud with Montel Vontavious Porter over the [[WWE United States Championship]], that had started in July 2007, was revived with a match booked at Backlash, which Hardy won.<ref name="BLHardyMVP">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6842240/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113931/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6842240/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Better than the Baller|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> The rivalries between The Undertaker and Edge and the one between Kane and Chavo Guerrero both continued with successful title defenses at Backlash. On the May 2 episode of ''SmackDown'', General Manager [[Vickie Guerrero]] stripped The Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Championship because of his continued use of his illegal chokehold, claiming she did it to protect the other wrestlers.<ref name="BLTakerEdge">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6347966/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113911/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6347966/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Second verse, same as the first|first=Louie|last=Dee|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="BLKaneChavo">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6752876/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113916/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6752876/results/|archive-date=May 1, 2008|title=Flames continue to fly in ECW|first=Andrew|last=Rote|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref>


===DVD/Blu-ray release===
===DVD / Blu-ray release===
The event was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] by [[WWE Home Video]] in the U.S. on May 20, 2008, after it had completed broadcast on [[pay-per-view]]. It was the first WWE event to be released via the Blu-ray format. As well as the event, the DVD/BD release features bonus material in the form of the 2008 Hall of Fame ceremony in its entirety and the battle royal that took place before the event.<ref name="WWEDVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.wweshop.com/product_detail.asp?productId=35-00613|title=WrestleMania 24 DVD 3-Disc Set|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 22, 2008|archive-date=June 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608013247/http://www.wweshop.com/Product_detail.asp?productId=35-00613|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SunCoast DVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.suncoast.com/WWE--Wrestlemania-24--Blu-ray---2-Discs--Sports_stcVVproductId41358221VVcatId460062VVviewprod.htm|title=WWE: WrestleMania XXIV|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 22, 2008|archive-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510094100/http://www.fye.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FirstWWEBluRay">{{cite web|date=March 25, 2008|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1145|title=WWE Announces First Blu-ray Title|publisher=Blu-ray.com|access-date=March 11, 2010|archive-date=February 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225044511/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1145|url-status=live}}</ref>
The event was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] by [[WWE Home Video]] in the U.S. on May 20, 2008, after it had completed broadcast on [[pay-per-view]]. It was also released on [[Universal Media Disc|UMD]] on August 23 2008. It was the first WWE PPV event to be released via the Blu-ray and UMD format. As well as the event, the DVD/BD release features bonus material in the form of the 2008 Hall of Fame ceremony in its entirety and the battle royal that took place before the event.<ref name="WWEDVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.wweshop.com/product_detail.asp?productId=35-00613|title=WrestleMania 24 DVD 3-Disc Set|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 22, 2008|archive-date=June 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608013247/http://www.wweshop.com/Product_detail.asp?productId=35-00613|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SunCoast DVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.suncoast.com/WWE--Wrestlemania-24--Blu-ray---2-Discs--Sports_stcVVproductId41358221VVcatId460062VVviewprod.htm|title=WWE: WrestleMania XXIV|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 22, 2008|archive-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510094100/http://www.fye.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FirstWWEBluRay">{{cite web|date=March 25, 2008|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1145|title=WWE Announces First Blu-ray Title|publisher=Blu-ray.com|access-date=March 11, 2010|archive-date=February 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225044511/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1145|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Results==
==Results==
{{Pro Wrestling results table
{{Pro Wrestling results table
| times = <ref name="slam"/>
|pre1 = yes
| note1 = pre
|times = <ref name="slam"/>
|match1 = [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] won by last eliminating [[Mark Henry]]<ref group=Note>Order of elimination: [[Jimmy Reiher Jr.|Deuce]], [[Cliff Compton|Domino]], [[Jim Duggan]], [[Stevie Richards]], [[Elijah Burke]], [[The Miz]], [[Shannon Moore]], [[Jimmy Wang Yang]], [[Ray Gordy|Jesse]], [[Trevor Murdoch]], [[Luke Gallows|Festus]], [[The Brian Kendrick]], [[Lance Cade]], [[Kofi Kingston]], [[Cody Rhodes]], [[Jamie Noble]], [[Chuck Palumbo]], [[The Great Khali]], [[Hardcore Holly]], [[Tommy Dreamer]], [[Snitsky]], [[Mark Henry]]. Participated but elimination unmentioned: [[Val Venis]]</ref>
| match1 = [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] won by last eliminating [[Mark Henry]]<ref group=Note>Order of elimination: [[Jimmy Reiher Jr.|Deuce]], [[Cliff Compton|Domino]], [[Jim Duggan]], [[Stevie Richards]], [[Elijah Burke]], [[The Miz]], [[Shannon Moore]], [[Jimmy Wang Yang]], [[Ray Gordy|Jesse]], [[Val Venis]], [[Trevor Murdoch]], [[Luke Gallows|Festus]], [[The Brian Kendrick]], [[Lance Cade]], [[Kofi Kingston]], [[Cody Rhodes]], [[Jamie Noble]], [[Chuck Palumbo]], [[The Great Khali]], [[Hardcore Holly]], [[Tommy Dreamer]], [[Snitsky]], [[Mark Henry]]. </ref>
|stip1 = [[Professional wrestling battle royal|24-Man Battle Royal]] to determine the #1 contender for the [[ECW Championship]]
| stip1 = [[Professional wrestling battle royal|24-Man Battle Royal]] to determine the #1 contender for the [[ECW Championship]]
|time1 = 06:22
| time1 = 06:22
|match2 = [[John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] defeated [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] (with [[Hornswoggle]])<ref name="FinlayJBLResult"/>
| match2 = [[John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] defeated [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] (with [[Hornswoggle]])<ref name="FinlayJBLResult"/>
|stip2 = [[Hardcore match|Belfast Brawl]]
| stip2 = [[Hardcore match|Belfast Brawl]]
|time2 = 08:43
| time2 = 08:43
|match3 = [[CM Punk]] defeated [[Shelton Benjamin]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[Carly Colón|Carlito]], [[Montel Vontavious Porter]], [[Mr. Kennedy]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]]<ref name="MITBResult"/>
| match3 = [[CM Punk]] defeated [[Shelton Benjamin]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[Carly Colón|Carlito]], [[Montel Vontavious Porter]], [[Mr. Kennedy]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]]<ref name="MITBResult"/>
|stip3 = [[Money in the Bank ladder match]]
| stip3 = [[Money in the Bank ladder match]]
|time3 = 15:12
| time3 = 15:12
|match4 = [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] (SmackDown) defeated [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] (Raw)<ref name="batistawin"/>
| match4 = [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] (SmackDown) defeated [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] (Raw)<ref name="batistawin"/>
|stip4 = Smackdown Brand vs Raw Brand [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]
| stip4 = 'Battle for Brand Supremacy' [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]
|time4 = 07:03
| time4 = 07:03
|match5 = Kane defeated [[Chavo Guerrero]] (c)<ref name="KaneChamp"/>
| match5 = [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] defeated [[Chavo Guerrero]] (c)<ref name="KaneChamp"/>
|stip5 = Singles match for the ECW Championship
| stip5 = Singles match for the [[ECW Championship]]
|time5 = 00:11<ref name="Guerrero/Kane" />
| time5 = 00:11<ref name="Guerrero/Kane" />
|match6 = [[Shawn Michaels]] defeated [[Ric Flair]]<ref name="flairover"/>
| match6 = [[Shawn Michaels]] defeated [[Ric Flair]]<ref name="flairover"/>
|stip6 = [[Retirement match|Career Threatening match]]<br>{{small|Since [[Ric Flair|Flair]] lost, he had to retire from in-ring competition.}}
| stip6 = [[Retirement match|Career Threatening match]]<ref group=Note>Since [[Ric Flair|Flair]] lost, he had to retire from in-ring competition (though he would later wrestle more matches outside WWE.)</ref>
|time6 = 20:34
| time6 = 21:34
|match7 = [[Beth Phoenix]] and [[Melina Perez|Melina]] (with [[Santino Marella]]) defeated [[Maria Kanellis|Maria]] and [[Ashley Massaro|Ashley]]<ref name="playboy"/><ref>{{cite web|title=WrestleMania attracts Snoop Dogg|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0610836020080306|work=Reuters|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=March 7, 2008|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429134748/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/03/06/us-wrestle-idUSN0610836020080306|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group=Note>The lumberjills were: [[Eve Torres]], [[Cherry (wrestler)|Cherry]], [[Jillian Hall]], [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]], [[Katie Lea Burchill]], [[Layla El|Layla]], [[Michelle McCool]], [[Mickie James]] and [[Lisa Marie Varon|Victoria]]</ref>
| match7 = [[Beth Phoenix]] and [[Melina Perez|Melina]] (with [[Santino Marella]]) defeated [[Maria Kanellis]] and [[Ashley Massaro]] (with [[Snoop Dogg]])<ref name="playboy"/><ref>{{cite web|title=WrestleMania attracts Snoop Dogg|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0610836020080306|work=Reuters|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=March 7, 2008|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429134748/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/03/06/us-wrestle-idUSN0610836020080306|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group=Note>The lumberjills were: [[Eve Torres]], [[Cherry (American wrestler)|Cherry]], [[Jillian Hall]], [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]], [[Katie Lea Burchill]], [[Layla El|Layla]], [[Kelly Kelly]], [[Michelle McCool]], [[Mickie James]] and [[Lisa Marie Varon|Victoria]]</ref><ref group=Note>[[Ashley Massaro]] replaced [[Candice Michelle]], who could not participate due to injury</ref>
|stip7 = ''[[Playboy]]'' [[Lumberjill match|BunnyMania Lumberjill match]]
| stip7 = ''[[Playboy]]'' [[Lumberjill match|BunnyMania Lumberjill match]]
|time7 = 05:00
| time7 = 05:00
|match8 = [[Randy Orton]] (c) defeated [[Triple H]] and [[John Cena]]<ref name="ortonretain"/>
| match8 = [[Randy Orton]] (c) defeated [[Triple H]] and [[John Cena]]<ref name="ortonretain"/>
|stip8 = [[Triple threat match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]
| stip8 = [[Triple threat match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]
|time8 = 14:10
| time8 = 15:10
|match9 = [[Floyd "Money" Mayweather]] defeated [[Big Show]] by [[knockout]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/24/wrestlemaniaxxivphotos/mayweathervsshow |title=There Must be a Winner: Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show {{!}} WWE<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 28, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426151116/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/24/wrestlemaniaxxivphotos/mayweathervsshow |url-status=live }}</ref>
| match9 = [[Floyd "Money" Mayweather]] defeated [[Big Show]] by [[knockout]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/24/wrestlemaniaxxivphotos/mayweathervsshow |title=There Must be a Winner: Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show {{!}} WWE<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 28, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426151116/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/24/wrestlemaniaxxivphotos/mayweathervsshow |url-status=live }}</ref>
|stip9 = [[No Disqualification match]]
| stip9 = [[No Disqualification match]]
|time9 = 11:40
| time9 = 11:40
|match10 = [[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (c) by [[Professional wrestling#Submission|submission]]<ref name="undertakerwin"/>
| match10 = [[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (c) by [[Professional wrestling#Submission|submission]]<ref name="undertakerwin"/>
|stip10 = Singles match for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]]
| stip10 = Singles match for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]
|time10 = 24:03
| time10 = 24:03
}}
}}
<references group=Note/>
<references group=Note/>
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wrestlemania 24}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wrestlemania 24}}
[[Category:2008 in professional wrestling in Florida]]
[[Category:2008 in professional wrestling in Florida]]
[[Category:Events in Orlando, Florida]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling shows in Orlando, Florida]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling in Orlando, Florida]]
[[Category:WrestleMania]]
[[Category:WrestleMania]]
[[Category:2008 WWE pay-per-view events]]
[[Category:2008 WWE pay-per-view events]]

Latest revision as of 16:05, 2 August 2024

WrestleMania XXIV
Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers and boxer Floyd "Money" Mayweather
PromotionWorld Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)Raw
SmackDown
ECW
DateMarch 30, 2008
CityOrlando, Florida
VenueFlorida Citrus Bowl
Attendance74,635[1]
Buy rate1,041,000[2]
Tagline(s)"The Biggest WrestleMania Under the Sun"[3]
Pay-per-view chronology
← Previous
No Way Out
Next →
Backlash
WrestleMania chronology
← Previous
23
Next →
25

WrestleMania XXIV was the 24th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brand divisions. The event took place on March 30, 2008, at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida and was the first WrestleMania to be held in the state of Florida. It was also the second WrestleMania to be held outdoors (the first was WrestleMania IX in April 1993). American socialite Kim Kardashian served as the hostess of the event.

Nine professional wrestling matches were scheduled for the event, which featured a supercard, a scheduling of more than one main event. In the final match of the event, which was the main match from SmackDown, The Undertaker defeated Edge to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Raw's main match was a triple threat match, in which Randy Orton defeated Triple H and John Cena to retain the WWE Championship. The main match from the ECW brand was a singles match in which Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero to win the ECW Championship. From the six scheduled bouts on the undercard, three received more promotion than the others. In a No Disqualification match, professional boxer Floyd "Money" Mayweather defeated Big Show. The other featured undercard matches saw CM Punk win the inter-promotional Money in the Bank ladder match and a retirement match in which Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair, leading to Flair's departure from the WWE and a period of retirement from active wrestling.

Tickets for the event commenced sale to the public on November 3, 2007.[4] WWE and the City of Orlando hosted festivities that spanned a five-day period within the central Florida region.[5] For the second consecutive year, WrestleMania broke the record for the highest-grossing pay-per-view in WWE history. It also set a gate record for the Citrus Bowl, grossing US$5.85 million in ticket sales. According to a study by Enigma Research Corporation of Toronto, the Citrus Bowl's record-breaking attendance brought an estimated $51.5 million – surpassing the projected $25 million – into the local economy and generated $1.8 million in local tax revenue.[6] The Central Florida Sports Commission reported that the event created jobs and brought approximately 60,000 visitors to the city. Over one million people ordered the event on pay-per-view, grossing $23.8 million in revenue. It was also the first WrestleMania PPV broadcast in high definition.[7]

Production

[edit]

Background

[edit]
A steel rig with a tarpaulin was placed over the ring at WrestleMania XXIV

WrestleMania is considered World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) flagship pay-per-view (PPV) event, having first been held in 1985. It has become the longest-running professional wrestling event in history and is held annually between mid-March to mid-April.[8] It was the first of WWE's original four pay-per-views, which includes Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, referred to as the "Big Four".[9] WrestleMania XXIV featured wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands.[10][11]

On March 21, 2007, a press conference was held at City Hall in Orlando, Florida, formally announcing that WrestleMania XXIV would be held in Orlando at the Florida Citrus Bowl on March 30, 2008, which would be the first WrestleMania held in Florida.[12][13] According to an interview with The Daytona Beach News-Journal at the press conference, WWE chairman Vince McMahon mentioned Orlando being one of three front-runners to host the event, the other two being Las Vegas and Paris. McMahon explained that Orlando was chosen as geographically, a WrestleMania was never held in the southeast before.[13]

As the second WrestleMania to be held entirely outdoors (after WrestleMania IX), McMahon also announced that the event would have taken place regardless of the weather conditions.[14] In the March 2008 issue of WWE Magazine, WWE set designer Jason Robinson revealed that a steel rig with a tarpaulin roof would be built above the ring itself to prevent rain from falling on the ring;[15][16] during the Money in the Bank ladder match, it rained briefly.[17] In that same issue, an initial design of the ring setup was revealed showing a larger rig surrounding the tarpaulin rig, with lighting and two giant screens attached.[15] The final design had the lighting and video screens on the tarpaulin rig, as well as the sound system.[18] During an interview, WWE production manager Brian Petree mentioned that video reinforcement should prevent anyone's view from being obstructed by the steel structure. Up to seven generators were used to power up the event.[16]

The set design for the entrance stage was at the north end of the stadium and consisted of another steel structure with various video screens hanging from it.[16][18] The steel beams for the structure were custom built in Belgium and shipped over to Orlando.[16] According to WWE Magazine, the amount of pyrotechnics used would be ten times that of the amount used on Raw.[15] Without the restriction of a roof, the pyrotechnics for the show shot as high as 2,000 feet (610 m) as compared to WrestleMania 23's height of 150 feet (46 m).[19] The fireworks were set off from boats on one of the lakes nearby the stadium. WWE has been said to have spent an estimated $300,000 on the fireworks alone.[20]

An attendance record setting 74,635 fans at the Citrus Bowl for WrestleMania XXIV

With the Citrus Bowl's locker rooms on the south side and the entrance set on the north side, a tented 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) mini-city outside the north end served as the show's backstage area and included air conditioning, trailers, VIP areas, showers and restrooms.[16] As a consequence, the road next to the north end zone, W. Church Street, was closed down until a day after the event.[21] Numerous other roads were also closed to allow trucks and forklifts to move in mega equipment for the event.[22] The ring itself was built on the 50-yard line of the Citrus Bowl to give the best view for fans.[15] Heavy-duty plastic flooring had been put over the field, to protect the turf, provide seating, and serve as the steel structures' foundation.[16]

Development on the set design began in the middle of 2007.[23] The building of the actual set began in the middle of March 2008. 100 people worked 16 hours a day to construct the set for the event. The construction finished on March 29.[16][22] WrestleMania XXIV was the first WrestleMania event to be filmed in high-definition. It was also the first WWE show and sports related title to be released on the Blu-ray Disc format by WWE Home Video.[24][25] WrestleMania also led to an increase in sales for musical artists related to the event, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album Stadium Arcadium, John Legend's album Live from Philadelphia, Rev Theory's single "Light It Up", and Fuel's single "Leave the Memories Alone", which was used as part of a tribute to Ric Flair.[26]

Storylines

[edit]

WrestleMania XXIV featured nine professional wrestling matches with wrestlers involved in pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines. Wrestlers were portrayed as either villains or fan favorites as they followed a series of tension-building events, which culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. All wrestlers belonged to either the Raw, SmackDown, or ECW brand – storyline divisions in which WWE assigned its employees to different programs.[27]

Randy Orton defended his WWE Championship.

The predominant rivalry scripted into WrestleMania on the Raw brand was between Randy Orton, John Cena, and Triple H, over the WWE Championship. At the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in January, Orton successfully defended the WWE Championship against Jeff Hardy and later that night, Cena returned from an injury and won the Royal Rumble match when he last eliminated Triple H. Instead of challenging Orton for the title at WrestleMania, Cena decided to challenge him at No Way Out, where Orton got himself intentionally disqualified by slapping the referee, thus retaining the WWE Championship.[28] Later, Triple H also became a top contender to the WWE Championship by defeating five other men in an Elimination Chamber match.[29] The next night on Raw, Cena argued that he deserved another WWE Championship match. Raw general manager William Regal then announced that Cena would face Orton later in the night, where if Cena won, he would be added to the WrestleMania match between Triple H and Orton, making it a triple threat match. If Orton won, the main event would remain as Orton versus Triple H in a singles match. However, Cena won the match and was added to the bout at WrestleMania. After the match, Triple H, who was the special guest referee, executed a Pedigree on both Cena and Orton.[30]

The predominant rivalry on the SmackDown brand was between Edge and The Undertaker, over the World Heavyweight Championship. On the February 1 episode of SmackDown, assistant general manager Theodore Long announced that at No Way Out, an Elimination Chamber match would be held to determine the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.[31] The Undertaker won the match by last eliminating Batista.[32] On the following episode of SmackDown, Edge predicted that The Undertaker's 15–0 undefeated streak at WrestleMania would come to an end once he defeated him.[33] Two weeks later on the March 7 episode of SmackDown, the team of Edge and Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder defeated The Undertaker in a Handicap match after Edge pinned The Undertaker.[34] The following week, La Familia (Chavo Guerrero, Edge, Hawkins and Ryder) defeated Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels in a steel cage match. During the match, Undertaker interfered and attacked La Familia. However, Edge escaped the cage to win the match for his team.[35] Two weeks later on SmackDown, Edge, along with Vickie Guerrero, Hawkins and Ryder, held a mock burial entitled "Burial of The Undertaker's WrestleMania Undefeated Streak", to celebrate Edge's early victory over The Undertaker. During the "burial", however, The Undertaker emerged from a casket, which was inside the ring, and attacked Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder, knocking Hawkins and Ryder outside the ring and chokeslamming Edge through the casket.[36]

Professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who took on Big Show in a No Disqualification match

At No Way Out, Big Show made a return to the company after taking time off for injuries beginning in December 2006.[37] In his return promotional interview, Big Show threatened to give Rey Mysterio a chokeslam. Professional boxer and WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather, who was in attendance and a close friend of Mysterio's, came to his aid and confronted Big Show. After Big Show dropped to his knees, Mayweather attacked him with a combination of punches, which caused Big Show to bleed from the nose and mouth.[38] The following night on Raw, Big Show challenged Mayweather to a wrestling match, which Mayweather accepted.[39] As part of the storyline, Big Show arranged an exhibition match with fighter Brandon Hill, who was similar in size and stature to Mayweather. Unimpressed with Big Show's display of dominance over Hill, Mayweather told Big Show that "at WrestleMania, I'm going to break your jaw". At their weigh-in for their WrestleMania match, Big Show threw Mayweather into a crowd of wrestlers to emphasise the disparity in size.

Ric Flair before his last WWE match at WrestleMania XXIV

On the February 25 episode of Raw, 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Ric Flair challenged Shawn Michaels to a match at WrestleMania.[40] Michaels accepted after some reluctance, knowing that due to a previous announcement from WWE chairman Mr. McMahon the next match Flair lost would result in his forced retirement.[40][41] Flair said that "it would be an honor for [him] to retire at the hands of Shawn Michaels."[40]

On February 18, WWE announced via its website that the fourth annual Money in the Bank ladder match would take place at WrestleMania XXIV, a match where the objective is to retrieve a briefcase suspended in the air using a ladder. The match involved wrestlers from all three WWE brands. The winner would earn a contract to challenge for any of the three WWE World Championships (the WWE Championship of Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship of SmackDown, or the ECW Championship of ECW) at any time and any place over a one-year period. Qualifying matches occurred to determine the participants in the match at WrestleMania, starting on that night's Raw with Jeff Hardy and Mr. Kennedy defeating Snitsky and Val Venis respectively to qualify. Shelton Benjamin became the third participant when he defeated Jimmy Wang Yang on the following episode of SmackDown. During the next two weeks on Raw, Chris Jericho defeated Hardy, and Carlito defeated Cody Rhodes to qualify. At a non-televised SmackDown/ECW house show held on March 8, Montel Vontavious Porter qualified when he defeated Jamie Noble. On the March 11 episode of ECW, CM Punk became the seventh entrant when he defeated Big Daddy V. John Morrison was the final person to qualify when he beat The Miz on the March 14 episode of SmackDown. Hardy was later removed from the match after a legitimate suspension by WWE for a drug violation of the company's Wellness Policy. WWE decided not to add another superstar in his place, making that year's Money in the Bank ladder match the first year to have seven participants.[42]

Event

[edit]
Other on-screen personnel[43]
Role: Name:
English commentators Jim Ross (Raw)
Jerry Lawler (Raw)
Michael Cole (SmackDown)
Jonathan Coachman (SmackDown)
Joey Styles (ECW)
Tazz (ECW)
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Interviewer Mike Adamle
Todd Grisham
Hostess Kim Kardashian
Master of Ceremonies Snoop Dogg
Ring announcers Tony Chimel (ECW)
Armando Estrada (ECW Championship)
Howard Finkel (WWE Hall of Fame)
Lilian Garcia (Raw)
Theodore Long (Raw vs. SmackDown)
William Regal (Raw vs. SmackDown)
Justin Roberts (SmackDown/Money in the Bank match)
Referee Scott Armstrong (ECW)
Mike Posey (ECW)
John Cone (Raw)
Mike Chioda (Raw)
Jack Doan (Raw)
Marty Elias (Raw)
Mickie Henson (SmackDown)
Jim Korderas (SmackDown)
Chad Patton (Raw)
Charles Robinson (SmackDown)

Pre-show

[edit]
The WrestleMania XXIV stage set-up before the start of the show

Before the show aired live on pay-per-view, Kane won a 24-man Interpromotional Battle Royal, an elimination style match where the last person remaining was the winner, to win an ECW Championship match against Chavo Guerrero later that night.[44] The event officially began with John Legend singing a rendition of "America the Beautiful".[45]

Preliminary matches

[edit]

The first match was a Belfast Brawl between Finlay and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), a match in which there were no disqualifications or countouts and the match outcomes could have occurred anywhere. Finlay was accompanied to the ring by his storyline son, Hornswoggle, who was returning from a scripted injury suffered at the hands of JBL.[46] During the match, JBL hit Finlay with a trash can lid when the latter was about to perform a suicide dive on him through the ropes on the outside.[47] Later on, Finlay tossed JBL through a table that he had set up earlier on the turnbuckle. Hornswoggle also got involved during the match by hitting JBL with a kendo stick, while later on JBL threw a trash can at him. Attacking Finlay's knee with a kendo stick, JBL delivered a Clothesline from Hell to Finlay to score a successful pinfall. This was an interpromotional match.[46]

The next match of the evening was the fourth-annual Money in the Bank ladder match, in which there were no disqualifications or countouts, and the only way to win the match was to climb a ladder in the ring and retrieve a contract briefcase hanging above. The match featured Chris Jericho, Mr. Kennedy, and Carlito from the Raw brand; CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison from the ECW brand; and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) from the SmackDown brand. Jeff Hardy was supposed to be in the match, but he violated the wellness program and was taken out of the match. Early in the match, Morrison climbed a turnbuckle and performed a moonsault onto other competitors outside the ring while holding a ladder against his chest. Later, while Kennedy and Morrison were battling on top of a ladder, Benjamin climbed another ladder placed adjacent to the first one and performed a sunset flip powerbomb on Kennedy, who in turn superplexed Morrison from the top of the ladder. Later, Carlito and Kennedy flipped Benjamin off a ladder in the ring, sending him crashing through another ladder set-up between the barricade and the ring apron.[47] When MVP was close to retrieving the contract briefcase, Matt Hardy (returning to action after suffering a legitimate injury), entered the ring from the crowd, climbed the ladder, and delivered a Twist of Fate to MVP off that ladder.[48] As soon as Morrison started to climb a ladder, see-sawing with another ladder, Jericho flipped the other one and Morrison landed on the ring-ropes groin-first. Jericho even performed a Codebreaker on Punk using a ladder. In the end, Jericho and Punk fought each other on a ladder, but Punk trapped Jericho's one leg in the ladder's steps and retrieved the briefcase to win the match. This was an interpromotional match.[47]

Next after that match, Howard Finkel introduced the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame class: Jack and Gerald Brisco, Gordon Solie (represented by his family), Rocky Johnson, High Chief Peter Maivia (represented by his wife Lia and daughter Ata), Eddie Graham (represented by his son Mike), Mae Young, and Ric Flair (represented by his family).

The next match, which was billed as a "Battle for Brand Supremacy", was between SmackDown's Batista and Raw's Umaga. Early in the match, both Batista and Umaga exchanged blows and Batista knocked Umaga outside with a shoulder block. Umaga later kicked Batista in the face, which caused him to fall back-first outside the ring from the ring-apron. As a result, Umaga started targeting Batista's injured back. In the end, however, when Umaga tried to perform his Samoan Spike, Batista countered the attempt and gave him a spinebuster. Batista won the match by pinning Umaga after a Batista Bomb.[49]

The fourth match for the event featured Chavo Guerrero defending his ECW Championship against Kane. Kane surprised Chavo by emerging from underneath the ring instead of from the entrance stage during his ring entrance.[50] Kane instantly pinned Chavo after a chokeslam and won the ECW Championship in eleven seconds.[51] This was the only ECW match on the show and the only ECW Championship match in WrestleMania history.[50]

Main event matches

[edit]

Ric Flair's "Career Threatening" match against Shawn Michaels was next, which stipulated that Flair would have to retire from wrestling if he had lost. At the start of the match, both superstars engaged in a series of counters, and then Flair shoved Michaels in a corner, making "Old Yeller" comments to him. In retaliation, Michaels slapped Flair in the face, which caused him to start bleeding from the mouth. Later, Michaels attempted Sweet Chin Music, but stopped in the process and Flair capitalized by trapping him in his figure four leglock.[47] Afterward, Michaels finally delivered the Sweet Chin Music to Flair for a near-fall. Michaels then trapped Flair in his modified figure four leglock, but Flair delivered a thumb to the eye to Michaels to break the submission. As Flair was delivering chops to Michaels' chest, Michaels executed a second Sweet Chin Music.[47] After getting up on his feet with a worried face, Michaels said to Flair "I'm sorry, I love you", before nailing a final Sweet Chin Music and thus pinning Flair to end his 35-year-long wrestling career.[52] After the match, Michaels left quickly and Flair got a standing ovation from the crowd. An emotional Flair embraced his family at ringside and then, as he proceeded to go backstage, he thanked the crowd for their support.[47][52]

Snoop Dogg at WrestleMania XXIV with Ashley Massaro and tag team partner Maria

The sixth match was the Playboy BunnyMania Lumberjack match, in which Maria and Ashley (the latter who replaced Candice Michelle due to injury) faced Beth Phoenix and Melina, who were accompanied to the ring by Santino Marella. Rapper Snoop Dogg served as the official "Master of Ceremonies" for the match. In the match, several WWE Divas surrounded the ring and were able to interfere in the match without disqualifications.[53] Due to some technical difficulties, the lights at Citrus Bowl temporarily went out during the match.[47] Near the end, a pin attempt by Maria was prevented when Marella pulled Maria's leg. In response, Raw commentator Jerry Lawler approached and knocked Marella down with a punch. Phoenix executed a Fisherman Suplex and pinned Maria to win the match. After the match, Snoop Dogg executed a Clothesline on Marella and kissed Maria, before leaving with her and Ashley.[53]

Next was Randy Orton defending his WWE Championship against Triple H and John Cena in a triple threat match, which is a standard match involving three wrestlers with no disqualifications. For his entrance, Cena had the Jones High School Marching Tigers marching band perform an instrumental version of his theme song "The Time Is Now" live.[47] During the match, when Triple H had held Orton in a sleeper hold, Cena picked up both Orton and Triple H for an FU, but Triple H dropped down and low blowed him. Orton then dominated the match for some time; one highlight of the match featured Orton performing a crossbody from the top rope on Cena, while the latter was held on Triple H's shoulders in a seating position. Orton also performed a DDT to both Cena and Triple H simultaneously. Orton then tried to perform an RKO on Cena, but he countered and threw Orton onto Triple H. Triple H then started targeting Orton's legs and using some submissions on him.[47] The match came to an end when Cena had Triple H on his shoulders for the FU, but was countered into a Pedigree. As Triple H was in the pin, Orton punted Triple H and pinned Cena to win the match and retain the WWE Championship.[54]

Edge lost the World Heavyweight Championship to The Undertaker

The next match was the No Disqualification match between Big Show and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Early in the match, Mayweather repeatedly escaped Big Show's grasp and delivered body shots to him.[47] Mayweather and his accomplices tried to "walk out" of the match, but Big Show walked up the ramp and brought Mayweather back in the ring. As Big Show was about to chokeslam Mayweather, one of Mayweather's accomplices struck a steel chair on Big Show's back, and the latter chokeslammed him in retaliation. Capitalizing from this distraction, Mayweather grabbed that chair and hit Big Show multiple times on the head with it. Finally, Mayweather removed his right glove and put on a pair of brass knuckles to hit Big Show in the face. As a result, Big Show was knocked out as he could not answer the referee's ten count, and Mayweather was declared the winner.[55][56]

The main event of the night saw Edge putting his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against The Undertaker. This was The Undertaker's first WrestleMania main event in 11 years, last main eventing against Sycho Sid at WrestleMania 13. The early going of the match was slow-paced, in which both superstars countered each other's maneuvers. During the match, Undertaker ran and leapt over the top rope from the ring onto Edge on the outside.[47] Then throughout the match, Edge was able to counter Undertaker's numerous signature moves, including the Chokeslam, Old School and the Last Ride, a variation of the powerbomb.[57] Near the end, Edge hit Undertaker with a television camera while the referee was knocked down. When he proceeded to deliver a Tombstone Piledriver to Undertaker, Undertaker countered it into his own version and successfully delivered it to Edge for a two-count. Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder came to the ring for Edge's aid, but Undertaker took them out. Because of their distraction, Edge was able to execute a spear on Undertaker, but was unable to pin him. When Edge delivered another spear to Undertaker, Undertaker applied Hell's Gate and forced Edge to submit to win the World Heavyweight Championship, improving his WrestleMania record to 16–0.[57]

Reception

[edit]

Approximately 1,058,000 people ordered WrestleMania XXIV, grossing $23.8 million in revenue. Canadian Online Explorer's professional wrestling section gave the entire event 9 out of 10 stars. The rating was higher than WrestleMania 23 which received 8 out of 10 stars. The main event between The Undertaker and Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship was rated a 9.5 out of 10 stars. The Career Threatening match between Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels was rated a perfect 10 out of 10. Big Show vs. Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. was rated 7 out of 10 stars, and the Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between Randy Orton, Triple H and John Cena was rated 8.5 out of 10 stars.[47]

Aftermath

[edit]
The Undertaker, after defeating Edge at WrestleMania XXIV

After the show, WWE was criticized for a malfunction in the pyrotechnics during The Undertaker's victory celebration. During the celebration, a hot cable for pyrotechnics was sent flying into audience members in the upper seating bowl of the stadium, leaving 45 injured, with some hospitalized. The accident was apparently due to a cable which fireworks were traveling across snapping, thus resulting in the fireworks exploding into the top rows of the upper bowl of the stadium.[58][59] WWE's corporate website released a statement afterward stating that they would investigate the incident, but the results of the investigation were never released.[60]

On the following episode of Raw, Ric Flair made his farewell speech, which led to Triple H introducing various people from Flair's past, such as the Four Horsemen, Ricky Steamboat, and others, each coming out to give an emotional farewell. Afterward, the entire WWE roster came out to say thank you to Flair (Including Undertaker, who came out after Raw went off the air and hugged Flair and did his kneeling stance). Shawn Michaels, who was clearly upset about retiring Flair, was forgiven by Flair.[61] Despite Flair's forgiveness, his former protégé Batista later started a feud with Michaels, citing Michaels' "selfishness" at WrestleMania for not lying down for Flair.[62][63] The two had a match booked at Backlash, and after a confrontation between Michaels and Chris Jericho, Jericho was later added into the match as a Special Guest Referee.[64] Michaels won with a superkick.[65]

The feud between Randy Orton, John Cena and Triple H continued after WrestleMania with the added involvement of John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) leading to a Fatal Four-Way Elimination match between all four at Backlash. At Backlash, Triple H won his seventh WWE Championship by last pinning Orton.[66] With Matt Hardy's return at WrestleMania, his feud with Montel Vontavious Porter over the WWE United States Championship, that had started in July 2007, was revived with a match booked at Backlash, which Hardy won.[67] The rivalries between The Undertaker and Edge and the one between Kane and Chavo Guerrero both continued with successful title defenses at Backlash. On the May 2 episode of SmackDown, General Manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Championship because of his continued use of his illegal chokehold, claiming she did it to protect the other wrestlers.[68][69]

DVD / Blu-ray release

[edit]

The event was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc by WWE Home Video in the U.S. on May 20, 2008, after it had completed broadcast on pay-per-view. It was also released on UMD on August 23 2008. It was the first WWE PPV event to be released via the Blu-ray and UMD format. As well as the event, the DVD/BD release features bonus material in the form of the 2008 Hall of Fame ceremony in its entirety and the battle royal that took place before the event.[70][71][72]

Results

[edit]
No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[47]
1PKane won by last eliminating Mark Henry[Note 1]24-Man Battle Royal to determine the #1 contender for the ECW Championship06:22
2John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated Finlay (with Hornswoggle)[46]Belfast Brawl08:43
3CM Punk defeated Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Carlito, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mr. Kennedy and John Morrison[48]Money in the Bank ladder match15:12
4Batista (SmackDown) defeated Umaga (Raw)[49]'Battle for Brand Supremacy' Singles match07:03
5Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero (c)[50]Singles match for the ECW Championship00:11[51]
6Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair[52]Career Threatening match[Note 2]21:34
7Beth Phoenix and Melina (with Santino Marella) defeated Maria Kanellis and Ashley Massaro (with Snoop Dogg)[53][73][Note 3][Note 4]Playboy BunnyMania Lumberjill match05:00
8Randy Orton (c) defeated Triple H and John Cena[54]Triple threat match for the WWE Championship15:10
9Floyd "Money" Mayweather defeated Big Show by knockout[74]No Disqualification match11:40
10The Undertaker defeated Edge (c) by submission[57]Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship24:03
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show
  1. ^ Order of elimination: Deuce, Domino, Jim Duggan, Stevie Richards, Elijah Burke, The Miz, Shannon Moore, Jimmy Wang Yang, Jesse, Val Venis, Trevor Murdoch, Festus, The Brian Kendrick, Lance Cade, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, Jamie Noble, Chuck Palumbo, The Great Khali, Hardcore Holly, Tommy Dreamer, Snitsky, Mark Henry.
  2. ^ Since Flair lost, he had to retire from in-ring competition (though he would later wrestle more matches outside WWE.)
  3. ^ The lumberjills were: Eve Torres, Cherry, Jillian Hall, Maryse, Katie Lea Burchill, Layla, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Mickie James and Victoria
  4. ^ Ashley Massaro replaced Candice Michelle, who could not participate due to injury

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