The biggest show on the WWE calendar got underway with one of the biggest matches of the night, as Alberto Del Rio took on Edge for the WWE Championship. Strange choice for an opener, in my opinion, but I'm not running things here. Christian was in the corner of his best friend Edge for this one, while Del Rio was seconded by the 360-pound monster known as Brodus Clay.
Del Rio took an early advantage over the Rated "R" Superstar, whose left arm was heavily bandaged thanks to Del Rio's cross-armbreaker Friday night on Smackdown. Edge gained a temporary advantage over Del Rio, but lost it when he went to the top rope and had Del Rio arm drag him off the top rope by that injured left arm. Edge managed to get another flurry in, lost it, and then countered Del Rio's attempt at the cross-armbreaker for a near fall.
Immediately after the near fall, Del Rio DID manage to counter a move by Edge into the cross-armbreaker, but Edge managed to reach the ropes. Edge went to the top again, and was foiled again, this time by an enzuigiri by Del Rio. Christian and Brodus Clay then got into it on the outside, and while Christian was getting tossed around like a rag doll, Edge rolled the Mexican aristocrat up for another near fall.
Edge then went for a spear, missed it, and had Brodus Clay pull his injured arm into the ring post. Del Rio then locked in the cross-armbreaker, and Edge managed to counter his way out of it, transitioning from a near fall into the Edgecution submission hold. Brodus Clay attempted to break up the hold, but was met by a tornado DDT from the apron to the floor by Christian. Del Rio managed to make his way out of the hold, but was immediately met by a spear from Edge for the three count.
Surprising result in this one, in my opinion. . .I figured they'd pull the trigger on Del Rio and give him the championship, but Edge retains in a pretty darn good match to kick off Wrestlemania XXVII.
Winner: Edge by pinfall via the spear.
After the match, Edge put some very nice dents in the expensive Rolls Royce that Del Rio made his way into the arena in. Edge then took a crowbar to the ride while Christian held Del Rio at bay.