On April 3, 2005, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) got down and dirty with its WrestleMania 21 pay-per-view (PPV) event from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Headlining the event was the long-awaited title bout pitting World Heavyweight Champion Triple H against former "Evolution" stablemate Batista. Their match at the big show was a culmination of "The Animal's" agonizingly long face turn that (finally) ended in his win over "The Game."

It was a clean pinfall (Batista Bomb) despite the ringside presence of Ric Flair, and as a special bonus fans got a live performance from Motorhead playing Trips walkout theme.

"It's time to play the gaaaaaaaame," right here...





Anyone miss Batista?

It should also be noted that John Cena won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 as well, defeating John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL), while Edge won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Cue the changing of the guard. Well, kinda.

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And now, from the desk of our CSS Senior Editor, for your viewing pleasure we bring to you:

Additional posts dusted off from the --

3 - APRIL

3 April 2012

Contract details emerge on Brock Lesnar's return to WWE; how often will we see the big guy? by Sergio Hernandez Apr 3, 2012 3:52 PM CDT - 77 comments

Video: Lord Tensai debuts on Raw and squashes Alex Riley by The General Apr 3, 2012 2:00 PM CDT - 24 comments

WWE Raw results and reactions from last night (April 2): Brock Lesnar is back by The General Apr 3, 2012 12:10 PM CDT - 80 comments

WWE news: Randy Orton's 'Marine 3' movie role pulled due to dishonorable discharge by Sergio Hernandez Apr 3, 2012 11:11 AM CDT - 40 comments

TNA fails to get mentioned on WWE television despite Ric Flair's Hall Of Fame appearance by Keith Harris Apr 3, 2012 7:00 AM CDT - 12 comments

Video: Brock Lesnar returns to WWE by hitting John Cena with an F-5 by The General Apr 3, 2012 3:26 AM CDT - 31 comments

Video: Daniel Bryan post-Raw speech for hot Miami crowd last night (April 2) on Raw by The General Apr 3, 2012 2:26 AM CDT - 47 comments

3 April 2011

WWE Wrestlemania 27 results liveblog: Streak lives, no title changes by bix Apr 3, 2011 6:02 PM CDT - 175 comments

Will Keith Kizer let UFC's Chael Sonnen coach the next season of TUF? by Keith Harris Apr 3, 2011 6:01 PM CDT - 1 comment

WWE Wrestlemania 27 predictions: A look at every match tonight by bix Apr 3, 2011 2:50 PM CDT - 3 comments

3 April 2010

Chris Kanyon dead at 40 by Bill Hanstock Apr 3, 2010 11:22 AM CDT - 2 comments