Instead of Howard Finkel being the ring announcer for the main event like always, baseball legend Pete Rose was the announcer. He was booed at first, largely because he was on the Cincinnati Reds team that beat the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 World Series. Acting like a heel, Rose berated the irate Boston crowd, telling them that for 80 years, the town has been known as "The City That Can't Win A Fucking World Series." As the crowd got even more upset, the controversial Rose then said that Red Sox Nation is a piece of crap, and stated that he invited Bill Buckner to the show and mailed in his ticket, but he couldn't pick it up. Rose was referring to Buckner's infamous booted grounder at first base that cost the Red Sox Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets. Had Buckner made that grounder and touched first base, the BoSox would have won the championship. Instead, the Mets ended up winning that game, and ultimately Game 7 to win the title. OK, enough baseball talk. Let's get back to WrestleMania. Randy Orton, the WWE Champion, entered first to a chorus of boos. He came out to a new theme song. It was called "Voices" and performed by Rev Theory's Rich Luzzi. Once The Legend Killer entered the ring, he confronted Rose. The all-time hits leader said that he respects Orton, but the St. Louis Cardinals aren't very good and won't win a World Series for a long time. St. Louis is The Viper's hometown. Orton responded with an RKO to the loudmouthed Rose, which got a big pop from the crowd. Despite being the heel, The Legend Killer shut Rose up. Then "Rowdy" Roddy Piper came out to a standing ovation. "This will be one of the best matches in the history of WrestleMania!", said an excited Jim Ross as Orton and Piper stared each other down. Mike Chioda raised up the WWE Championship as the two took their positions. So this is it. The student versus the master. The British Cab versus the RKO. The Brogue Kick versus the Punt Kick. The sleeperhold versus Orton's new submission, the Viper Grip. At WrestleMania. For the WWE Championship. The bell rung, and The Viper's brains were scrambled by a Brogue Kick. Piper posed as the FleetCenter cheered. He then went for the pin, but Orton kicked out at 2 1/2. The match really got going as The Legend Killer took an early advantage. He kicked Piper several times in the corner as The Hot Rod's world spun. Orton then took his position for the Punt Kick. Piper did a Matrix trick as The Viper's knee crashed into the ring post. This was surreal. Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler remained silent as medics came to attend to Orton. I've mentioned The Legend Killer's knee issues in the past, and the match had just began to pick up steam. A few minutes later, Piper regained the advantage with Muay-Thai style kicks. The Viper then fell victim to a spinning powerslam. Once again, Orton kicked out. Showing a cold, sadistic side like his ex-mentor, the Scottish sensation rammed Orton's knee into the ring post. Then, in a sick spot, Piper stuck The Legend Killer's knee into the steel steps, took position, and then dropkicked the steps as Orton held his knee in pain. Piper took The Viper as the two went to the top rope. The Hot Rod prepared for the British Cab, but Orton countered it into a snap powerslam. The stoic, demented look crept onto the WWE Champion's face as he set up for the RKO. Orton was ready to strike. BAM! The Legend Killer made the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Orton rolled his eyes as Piper stood up. Another RKO, perhaps? NO! The Hot Rod hit another spinning powerslam. He then climbed to the top rope, and hit the Warrior's Way on The Viper. Piper then hit another Brogue Kick. BAM! No cover. This time, the Scottish sensation wanted to finish the job. He hit the British Cab finally. BAM! Piper made the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! The crowd was 50-50. They wanted a new WWE Champion, but also wanted an awesome match. But there had to be a compromise. And rightfully so. Orton locked in the Viper Grip, which is a legit submission hold that immobilizes the arm and stretches out the shoulder joint. I interviewed Piper after the match, and he said that the hold was highly excruciating. As The Legend Killer shouted uncensored insults, The Hot Rod was not about to have his spirit broken. He got out, kicked Orton's knee so hard you could hear it a mile away, and went to the top rope to hit the British Cab again. BAM! The cover was made again. ONE! TWO! THREE! The FleetCenter rejoiced. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper has become the new WWE Champion! The Scottish sensation spun his new gold as confetti and balloons rained down. It was the defining moment in Piper's young career-from wondering if he'd make it as New York's favorite hobo to winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. The biggest thrill of all. In what will go down as the most shocking moment in WrestleMania history, Orton raised up Piper's hand as the crowd was nearly reduced to tears. In your dreams. The Viper teased a babyface turn and was about to hit the RKO, but Piper powered out and hit the Brogue Kick, which sent Orton over the ropes. As the show came to a close, new champion Piper came over the barricade and celebrated with the emotional fans. And that was WrestleMania XIV. To see how the Piper/Orton storyline is advanced, as well as if John Cena finally gets his revenge on The Undertaker, check out my next story, Backlash 1998. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
