About this episode
With 23 weeks in the books in its 30-week WrestleMania journey, you could say The Lapsed Fan is all grown up. As was the WWE, apparently, on the dawning of Wrestlemania 23, which hit the massive Ford Field in Detroit with an eclectic array of matches, storylines, and moments both famous and infamous. Join hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro as they chronicle the most bought pay-per-view event in WWE history, and recap of what it was like attending all of the weekend festivities live and what does and doesn’t resonate eight years later. The co-chairmen cover: - Fan Axxess, and the surprisingly hollow feeling one gets after a turn in the “Call Your Own Match” booth (complete with audio of Jack and JP’s 2007 call of a Shane Helms v. Matt Hardy match) - “The Condemned” premiere, and what it’s like when a theater full of moviegoers react to an action film on the screen like it’s a live wrestling match - The Mania spots where they dress kids up like WWE stars, including a prepubescent Steve Austin chugging milk instead of beer - Jeff Hardy risks it all one last time on the grand stage by breaking a ladder, and Edge, in half - Flashes of brilliance and promise from Mr. Kennedy - Khali channels Andre, and calls for Kane to slam him on the fly (not really) - The final WrestleMania appearance of Chris Benoit - “Mr. Fuji will investigate” - Why Batista v. Taker deserves praise - Sandman somehow ends up working WrestleMania - How Bobby Lashley was undercut at every turn in the booking of Trump v. Vince - Trump so botches a Stunner sell job that the cameras must completely cut away - HBK v. Cena, better or worse than you remember? - Cena takes a moment to soak it all in after tapping HBK with the best-looking STF he’s ever done That and a full rundown of why WrestleMania 23 was so successful, and how the landmark night will be remembered, from guru Dave Meltzer. It’s all part of the freight train that is TLF’s 30-week WrestleMania journey, so jump on boardat stop No. 23 by downloading the show now!