I got lots of feedback from readers last week - so big thanks to everyone who e-mailed me about Excess or the Best Of Wrestlemania thingy that aired on Tuesday. Apparently it aired in Canada on Monday night before RAW. Had I even thought about it - I could've had that report out REALLY on time, and wouldn't that have scored some brownie points with management huh? ;-)

Anyway, let's hit the mail bag.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talked about America The Beautiful being a part of all 17 Wrestlemania's. That confused me - since I didn't remember anyone doing it last year. Well, Victor Garcia was good enough to confirm that: "I was there 2 row from ringside, and there was no national athem or american the beautiful. Weird!!?"

On the topic of Hulk Hogan being pinned cleanly - I got a lot of responses about that one. Something in the area of 25. It was a bit of a topic of debate but I think we were finally able to come up with:

Lex Luger in July of 1997.
Arn Anderson in early 1996. (I remember Arn winning one with powder to the eyes - which I wouldn't qualify as clean. Does anyone remember how he won the second one? Some readers were POSITIVE he won a couple matches.)
Tony Atlas in 1981.
Andre The Giant in 1980.

I wouldn't accept Sting at Starrcade 1997 - because if ANYONE saw that match…well, we're probably better not bringing that up again.

I'll steal a quote from one of my readers on the topic of Scott Hall and alcohol: "It would be like having a convicted pedophile teach kindergarten." Amen.

Finally, if you like making PPV predictions (and who doesn't) I run a monthy game complete with leaderboard and what not. It's been going since InVasion - and I'd like to invite all of the LOP readers to participate because I LIKE E-MAIL. Please click here to find out how to play. (Get your picks in before 4:00pm EST on Sunday, PLEASE!) Just do it AFTER reading this Excess recap. I like readers too!

On to Excess!

WHATCHU GONNA DO WHEN HULKAMANIA RUNS WILD ON YOU? GROWL! THE ROCK WILL TAKE HIS VITAMINS, BUT IF I WERE YOU, I'D SAY MY PRAYERS!

Welcome to WWF Excess. He's The Coach, she's Terri. We're ONE DAY AWAY from Wrestlemania! So let's talk about…

Terri's shirt! She can't wait to get on the plane wearing that shirt to go to Wrestlemania. Uh huh.

TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUEST: Chris Benoit. He was last on the show in December. We'll see what he's got to say since then.

Anyway, let's go back to RAW. Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall vs. The Rock and Steve Austin. To everyone who was complaining about workrate or whatever - go to hell. Clearly those people don't remember how poor Kevin Nash was wrestling in the dying days of WCW. He was kicking it harder than he's kicked it in ages. I get the feeling some people formed their opinions before the match happened - and couldn't watch it with an open mind. Hey, if Rocky and Hogan suck at the PPV, I'll be the first to say it. But the match on RAW rocked my world - and should have rocked yours too! This was a great way to screw the babyfaces clean - which is something we never see anymore. Hogan pins Rocky via Big Leg Drop. Post match, Austin tries to clean house, but takes a Stunner.

The Coach says Rocky never really went one on one with Hogan - and he was battling the n.W.o. the whole match. Exactly. That's why it was so cool. It was completely legal. Anyway, on Smackdown! Hogan was busy gloating about the win, so Rocky came out to retaliate. Let's head over to that.

Rocky accepts his loss to Hogan - but doesn't accept Hulkamania, calling it a fantasy world. The Rock knows it, and the millions know it. While the fantasy is going on, this Sunday reality is going to hit. Hogan can beat The Rock in a tag-team match, he can use a hammer to the back of the head, but there's going to be no way he's gonna walk into the biggest match ever and whoop The Rock's ass 1, 2, 3. Hogan admits Rocky isn't a flavor of the month - and he's partially responsible for making this the biggest match in history. There's only one question he has yet to ask The Rock. Whatchu gonna do when the biggest icon this industry has ever seen puts you in your place at Wrestlemania? Whatchu gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you? "Rock-ee, Rock-ee, Rock-ee!" The Rock tells Hogan he's going to put an end to Hulk Hogan's legend. Until then, he'll take his vitamins, but Hogan better say his prayers. The mics drop and we get a staredown. This segment reeked of all kinds of awesomeness.

STILL TO COME: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs II. Sorry guys - no blow by blow this week. I don't own Wrestlemania X-7 strangely enough.

Terri reminds us that a few months ago, she couldn't stand Ric Flair. But since The Undertaker's been attacking him and his family, she's felt empathetic towards him. Here's why:

A VIDEO PACKAGE! Taker wants a match, Ric won't give it to him, Taker forces him to. That's the short story. You guys can fill in the blanks.

It's No Disqualification - Flair vs. Taker - tomorrow night, on Pay-Per-View.

STILL TO COME: Fan Axxess live from Toronto!

11 great matches tomorrow night! (11? I only count 10, unless they're hiding something.) Coach mentions he looks forward to the women's match. In fact, the issues between Lita and Trish heated up on Smackdown!

This is a REALLY weird segment. They were buddy buddy one second, and the next they were slapping eachother around. It was stiff - but Christ what brought that on?

Terri says she's never done anything like that in her life. Quickly, move on! We're moving faster than a Vince Russo booked show here.

Kane wasn't in attendance on RAW - so Edge found The Big Show as a partner. The Big Show and Kurt Angle on opposite sides of the ring is never fair to me, because I'm always torn. Kurt makes Big Show tap which makes me smile and cry simultaneously. The Big Show does not turn on Edge for ruining the match, which sucks.

Terri thinks anyone who can pick up The Big Show and suplex him is scarier than Show himself. After seeing that strength on RAW, he may be able to take out Kane. (MAY? He'd better kill that waste of space and move on to a real opponent.)

Here's a video package about that damn dog. I DON'T CARE!

The injury HHH suffered last year was well documented - and then that low down Chris Jericho expose it. Tsk tsk. Anyway, speaking of guys who know about injury…

Chris Benoit is here and he's really mad. Chris Benoit is here and he's really an-GRY!

How's he doing? He's about 90% at this point, and is ready to step into the ring next week in the HWA. It's not his choice, it's the first time the doctors gave him the go-ahead.

He's hungrier now than he's ever been, and he also feels he lost a lot of opportunities when WCW came in, and then the n.W.o.

The worst thing about being off for so long was sitting at home and watching the shows not being on them. The best part, spending time with Nancy (Woman) and his son Daniel.

Let's go watch a segment from RAW. Okay!

Oh, MORE STEPHANIE! She tells me Dr. Andrews violated the doctor / patient confidentiality by telling all about HHH. HHH admits he has problems with his leg, but come hell or high water, he'll win that title. Her lackey, Jericho, attacks HHH but gets beaten down. HHH goes to Pedigree Steph on the announce table (exposing her breasts), but it's broken up by Jericho and he's put in the Walls Of Jericho.

Benoit says the first thing that goes through his mind in the morning is to come back and make a statement. He can't imagine how HHH feels having gone through all that rehab, and then having the injury attacked again.

He thought he knew Chris Jericho really well. He's seen him since he first started, and he's really driven. The World Title has caused him to do anything to keep it.

One thing about HHH - he's one person who never gives up. He's determined. Benoit doesn't see much holding him back, even with the injury.

Terri wonders if it's mental rather than physical. Benoit agrees it may be that way.

Last Monday, Christian pins Billy with DDP's help. Christian immediately turns on DDP.

Coach wants to know what Benoit looks forward to. He's looking forward to Taker vs. Flair, and of course Hogan vs. Rocky. Benoit than says something really weird:

"There's going to be a lot of n.W.o. questions answered."

I know it's only Excess, and it doesn't mean a thing…or does it. I must be reading far too much into that on a nothing show like this - but man that caught my attention.

Terri wonders how hard it is for Chris not to wrestle in a Wrestlemania in his home country. He says it sucks, and he'll have to be chained up backstage in order not to run out.

Coach wonders what he's been up to. Well he's spent a lot of time with the kids, and done some promotional stuff for the company. Recently he went to Asia and toured the Orient. He said there's a lot of hardcore fans down there.

Terri wonders if the fans are getting louder there? Benoit says he's spent a lot of time wrestling there, but lately he's been there and they've been yelling and stuff which isn't like them.

We head over to watch some highlights from Japan. DDP runs down all the countries they'll be visiting. Molly says she's never seen a group of finer looking men, which upsets Hurricane. Torrie Wilson says it's crazy out there, with a million signs for Tajiri. Lita says they feel the same way in Asia as they do in the States. The Big Show says he's good friends with the Prince Of Brunei, and even got a card as well as his home phone number. He doesn't have it on him though. Flair says they're gracious fans. Shane McMahon thanks the fans on behalf of the McMahons. Uh oh, I smell a rant from Chris…

WHAT THE HELL is Shane McMahon doing on TV - even in promotional work? According to the storylines, he's GONE. Finished, kaput! Last time I heard, he had not been re-hired, and Vince had no intention of bringing him back. Shane McMahon (along with Stephanie, who I'm none to pleased to see on TV, but at least she has a reason to be there) spent MONTHS trying to take his father out of business with The Alliance, and I highly doubt Vince is going to be as forgiving to his kid without the large breasts. I KNOW some of you are going to say I'm being far too picky, but if the fans aren't picky, when are they going to fix the small things?

Benoit says the crowd response down there was unparallel. And everyone is psyched for the Skydome tomorrow.

When does he think he'll be back? He'd love to come back at Wrestlemania, but realistically he's looking at May.

Terri has a secret. She loves watching Chris Benoit wrestle, and he's her favorite wrestler. Wow, she's putting over someone for their in ring skills!

Chris heads off.

LUGZ BOOT OF THE WEEK: Al Snow wins the Hardcore Title from Goldust.

Terri is really happy for Al. He's sacrificed his career for the kids on Tough Enough, and deserves it. However, it ended too quickly. Back to Smackdown!

Maven steals a pin in the Hardcore Title match, and wins the title. Ouch! Not a smart move kid.

Tomorrow night at Wrestlemania, Goldust vs. Maven for the Hardcore Title. Ahh, there's match #11. I would've booked Big Show vs. Goldust vs. Maven vs. Al Snow myself after Smackdown!, but I'm guessing those guys get involved during the match somehow.

Speaking of Tough Enough, here's our recap of the show.

Aaron came out of the hospital and returned to Tough Enough. Then they got their first chance to wrestle. One of the girls is too aggressive (I didn't catch her name) and it upsets some of the others. Big Show arrives. He says in his first match, he won the WCW World Title. They created an egomaniac. When he came to the WWF, he was sent to the minors and was forced to change his attitude. The girl who was aggressive says she might lay off a little bit and wait her turn. Off to the beach for an endurance challenge. Robert's confidence was gone after that. Al Snow takes the kids and tells the kids either to sit down and stay or their cut. Robert is cut, and he was happy because he didn't quit, he was cut. Aaron was cut, and he feels it's because he passed out.

Terri says the first episodes are for weeding out the crap, and Coach agrees. Think you could go just a little easier on these kids? Christ - their confidence levels already have to be shot. They don't need those two rubbing it in!

Here's a video package looking back at the n.W.o. vs. Steve Austin.

Terri thinks the one thing that stands out in her mind are the Stunners hit by Scott Hall on Steve Austin. Scott Hall vs. Steve Austin, at Wrestlemania!

Tomorrow is officially less than an hour away, and tomorrow is Wrestlemania!

Here's this week's From The Vault request:

Fans always talk about the first tag team ladder match between Edge & Christian and the Hardy Boyz or the first ever TLC match from SummerSlam, but I think that last year's TLC 2 match from Wrestlemania was just as spectacular if not more so, because of all the elements that were added. I'd love to see that match on from the vault.
Keith Cranford
Branford, FL

EDGE and CHRISTIAN vs. THE HARDY BOYZ vs. THE DUDLEY BOYZ (for the WWF World Tag-Team Titles in a TLC Match)

Well, I disagree with the reader. I think I've been spoiled to death by all the highspots we've received, and I didn't appreciate this one as much as the one at the Wrestlemania prior to this. Doesn't help any that we've run through every other combination of these teams on From The Vault. If you haven't seen it - go find a copy of Wrestlemania X7, the show will blow you away. Not sure what I'd give this one on the star scale - I'd rather see an unclipped version one more time. Edge and Christian, with the help of Rhyno, win the tag-team titles for their 7th and final time.

Terri says if this year's tag-team title match is ANYTHING like last year's, she's plunking down her money already. Don't get your hopes up sweetheart!

WRESTLEMANIA MOMENT: Hulk Hogan slams Andre The Giant and pins him to retain his World Title.

Coach wonders if Hogan's performance will be anywhere near that of Wrestlemania 3. I certainly hope it's above that!

Here's another video package, this time with Hulk Hogan and The Rock.

Tomorrow night, one icon will reign supreme. Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock - at Wrestlemania!

Terri wishes she was in Toronto now - having missed out at Axxess so far. Well, here's some clips!

Some girl named Michelle says it kicks ass. Edge wishes when he'd gone that they'd had Axxess. Michael Cole and Tazz get to commentate with fans who want to call matches with them. HHH thinks it's the perfect compliment to Wrestlemania. Booker T plays videogames with kids. Jerry Lawler thinks this is the first chance for a lot of fans to meet the wrestlers - and it's as much fun for the wrestlers. Some fans get to pose with a replica of Stacy's legs and butt. Ewww. I'd be a little disturbed. Kurt's just having a ball.

Tomorrow night, Sunday Night Heat at 7:00. Then at Wrestlemania, Taker vs. Flair, Austin vs. Hall, Jericho vs. HHH, Hogan vs. Rocky. They can do no more. Terri asks Coach if he wants to go have a drink with her. Coach agrees - and they take off.

Well, Wrestlemania's tomorrow night. Do YOU have any traditions that you do with your friends on Wrestlemania? E-mail me and tell me about it - I'll reprint the best ones next week.