10 WrestleMania Openers Better Than The Main Event
3. Money In The Bank Ladder Match ('Mania XXV)
In strikingly similar fashion to his match against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania X8, Triple H failed to really excite when facing Randy Orton at 'Mania XXV. The build to the match had actually been pretty good, and there was at least some interest in seeing Triple H paste his foe.
However, an anaemic lack of speed badly hurt their collision. There was no way Triple H and Orton could top what had happened in the curtain-raising match of the show, at least not without going hell for leather and brawling with intensity.
'Money In The Bank' opened the pay-per-view, and, while it was formulaic to an extent, it was still wholly captivating.
For the second straight year, CM Punk grabbed the briefcase and bagged himself a guaranteed World Title shot. Strangely, fans didn't seem too pleased by the conclusion of the match, but they could have no complaints with the incredible bumps and the effort on display during it.
As supporting cast members to Punk's victory, Kofi Kingston, Christian, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay, MVP and Kane worked wonders. In just 15 minutes, the participants in the opener did what Triple H and Orton failed to do in 25, i.e. produce an enthralling spectacle worthy of the WrestleMania banner.