[quote name='mykevermin']Please remind me of that. I vaguely recall an interview where he defended HHH/Y2J closing WMX8 over Rock/Hogan, saying the champ goes on last, but much more recently defending the title match not closing out the show. Problem is, I don't recall what non-title match went on last b/c HHH never went on last at WM in a non-title match. Was it HBK/UT he was defending?
Anyway, Rock/Cena closes for sure. Even though Rock has been really exposed as someone who is incredibly stale, and Cena's words have impressed in recent weeks, the event is going to be in Miami, FL. The arena is going to asssssploooode for Rock.
I seem to recall that they didn't know anything about his condition until Monday, the day after WM. It was like "okay, Edge wins in a WM curtain jerker, they just ruined ADR's push, blah blah" and then all of a sudden "he has to RETIRE?!?!?!?!"[/QUOTE]
I'd have to dig around to find clips, but he's definitely been on both sides of the X8 debate. The timeframe after X8 was him firmly defending the decision, whereas he's jumped to the other side of the fence more recently... though I'm guessing he's never openly called it a mistake. I think so, anyway... I might be imposing the numerous times Jericho has knocked it onto HHH. Either way, HHH has openly applauded HBK/Taker's position, and I guarantee he and HBK lobbied for Flair/HBK to close out WM24.
I'm assuming a lot here, but I refuse to believe that Vince, and Vince alone, made the call to have Jericho/HHH go on last. Like I pointed out, there was already precedent for the title match not being last, and it was pretty obvious that Rock/Hogan was *big*. I view it as HHH's power play that he was granted because he didn't get to be the first Undisputed champion... and I defy anyone to tell me they honestly believe HHH wouldn't have gotten that nod if he wasn't injured when it happened.
The other point I've always made about WMX8 and egos is this... let's say that match had been what it should have been, Austin/Hogan. You can seriously tell me straight-faced Jericho/HHH still would've been last? Either way, I'm still entirely convinced that WM19 put Lesnar/Angle last over Rock/Austin 3 for no other reason than to tow the WMX8 company line of 'title always last!'.
Just a quick note about Edge, too... yeah, the day after WM was, I believe, when he went in for tests, but let's not forget, too, that they had already booked a rematch (the ladder match) at Extreme Rules before they knew he had to retire. That's what I find amazing about the situation... the booking heavily implies they had no idea of the severity of everything heading into Mania, which means they honestly booked Edge to win. Smart booking 101 would've put that title on ADR at Mania, so it's bizarre it all worked out the way it did.