36: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant Wrestlemania III
This match helped push Mania really into the mainstream. It was billed as the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. Hogan and Andre for the title. This was why everybody tuned into the 3rd edition of Mania. It was a slow moving match but it did its job. Everybody lost their minds when Hulk slammed the Giant and retained the title. The win, and the bodyslam, were one of the most significant moments in sports entertainment history.
35: Mick Foley vs Edge Wrestlemania 22
One of the more violent matches to ever take place at the show of shows. Hardcore rules and Edge and Foley left it all in the ring. The spear through the flaming table is still one of the more talked about spots in the history of the event. It took this kind of wrestling to another level on this grand of a stage.
34: Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior Wrestlemania VI
Passing of the torch between Hogan and Warrior. This match had a lot of hype going into it as it was the two mega stars at the moment and is what drew a lot of fans attention into the business in the first place. They were larger than life characters and the match was billed as such. Too bad there was a lot of backstage politicking with Hogan down the road, but still for what it was, the match was solid.
33: Bret Hart vs Roddy Piper Wrestlemania VIII
Very underrated technical classic between these two. While the match listed above was a showdown between two muscle bound guys, this was a technical classic in the early years of the show. Hitman and the Hot Rod went out there and showed that a technical match could be just as effective as anything. They went out and had the fans standing by the time the whole thing was over.
32: Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage Wrestlemania V
Battle of the two biggest stars in the company at the time. The Mega Powers had exploded from the year before. It was the biggest wrestler in the business (because he was hyped to the moon) against the best wrestler in the game (because he actually had ability to wrestle). Hulk was good but Macho was so much better. Shame Savage never really got a proper run as a guy of his talent level really deserved.
31: CM Punk vs Undertaker Wrestlemania 29
Last win of the streak. It's the most talked about streak in not only sports entertainment but one of the most talk about in possibly all of sports. Punk put up a good fight, but Taker pulled it out on this night in what turned out to be the last win of the streak. More on that later (authors note: this was an even more enjoyable fight because I was in the crowd at MetLife that night).
30: Undertaker vs Triple H Wrestlemania XXVII
Another end of an era match. This was viewed as the closing of the attitude era with Taker battling Hunter with HBK as the ref inside hell in a cell. It was brutal fight that really saw the Deadman and the Game leave it all in the ring. For as solid as this match was, this wasn't the best match the two ever had at the show of shows, but more on that later.
29: Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho Wrestlemania XIX
Two of the best all around performers of their generation stole the show that night. And you'r going to be seeing Shawn's name come up a lot on this list because they didn't call him Mr Wrestlemania for nothing. What he and Jericho did that night reminded me a little of Hart and Piper from Mania VI. A mat classic which wasn't really done as much anymore.
28: Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns Wrestlemania XXXI
This gets on here for how shocking an ending to the show it was. People weren't really crazy about Roman really getting shot after shot at the title. And Brock annoyed fans for a while because he had the title held up because he was a part timer who showed up when the money was right. It makes sense because Brock is a big market draw but thats not the point. The point here was the shock that Seth Rollins came out and cahsed in his money in the bank contract and, after losing to Randy Orton earlier in the night, walked out as WWE Champion.
27: Daniel Bryan vs Triple H Wrestlemania XXX
Yes movement hit its peak and lead to what would happen later that night. But this gets the nod here because of how far the Authority had pushed down Bryan over the course of the year. He was so over with the fans and wasn't getting the respect he deserved from the higher ups, and this was his chance to kick it right down their throats. he did when he beat Hunter to earn a shot at the title and got inserted into that nights main event with Orton and Batista. More on that later.
26: Shawn Michaels vs John Cena Wrestlemania XXIII
Night that showed that Cena could hang in the ring with anybody. Cena walked in as Champion and walked out the same way. He stepped his game up that night going against one of the very best that this business has to offer. Shawn showed that he could still go with anybody and Cena managed to meet him for the test.
25: Brock Lesnar vs Undertaker Wrestlemania XXX
The night the streak died, and its depressing to write about. This was one thing that anybody who follows the business was hoping one of two things would happen. Either it would keep going, or it should have died four years earlier against Shawn, but again more on that later. This match proved two things. one that Taker was starting to slightly lose a step. And two, that Brock was the big ticket draw he felt he was. He was the guy who snapped the streak. There's a few theories as to why Brock was the one who ended it, but as of now, nobody knows the truth who really pulled the l=plug on the streak.
24: Charlotte vs Becky vs Sasha Wrestlemania 32
First time the Women really got to show their skills at a higher level. It had that big fight feel to it going in. It showcased the talents of all three women involved and it took what we saw in Women's wrestling to another level. Since then it has reached even greater heights, but it kind of really shifted into that higher gear with this fight.
23: Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton vs Batista Wrestlemania XXX
The Yes movement was finally capped off with the Bryan win! He had garnered such a wave of fan support Bryan worked himself into the two matches he had on this night. We talked earlier about the win over Hunter. Now there was this. He had to get through Batista, who nobody wanted there, and Orton, the Champion. Bryan did it against all the odds and walked away with the gold. Sadly the run wasn;'t very long, or worthy of a guy of Bryan's talent level, but this was still an awesome moment
22: Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousy Wrestlemania 35
First time ever that Women headlined Mania. The baddest woman on the planet was the big draw obviously. And she did a good job holding her own as champion. You had Charlotte in there who not only had the name, but could also go. then there was Becky, who basically made herself a big name in the game and had all the momentum in the world, walking away as not only "The Man" but "Becky two Belts" as well.
21: Undertaker vs Triple H Wrestlemania XVII
Fantastic fight from bell to bell and this one is the better match between the two. This was Taker's American Badass gimmick, which was a total changeup from his previous runs with the company. The two took this fight all over the Astrodome in Huston. It was just so well built going into the fight and they pulled it off beautifully.
20: Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair Wrestlemania XXIV
The ending of Ric Flair's in ring WWE Career and it couldn't have come against anybody better. Slick Ric is considered, rightfully so in my mind, as the best performer this business has ever seen. Shawn is considered right there behind Ric in that regards and many would agree. Flair had done it all in almost five decades in the wrestling business. He deserved to have his career go out with grace and style and this was the right way to do it.
19: Money In The Bank Ladder Match Wrestlemania XXI
The original MiTB that started it all. It had it all in the first go around and set the bar for what was to come in this kind of match. Edge (who won the thing), Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Kane and Christian had thrown everything they had at eachother in this fight. High spots all over the place and a fantastic ending. Edge walked away with the briefcase and this would kickstart the run that put Edge on the map as a main event player in this business.
18: Brock Lesnar vs Kurt Angle Wrestlemania XIX
Showcase of two of the best of the 2000's. Brock and Kurt went at it in a classic match that had all the buildup to it. Kurt and Brock were both at thee top of their game. Brock almost broke his neck trying the shooting star press from the top rope. He somehow managed to finish the match and walk away as World Champion. It was a solid fight and a good finish.
17: Stone Cold vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania XIV
The Austin Era has begun! This was what kickstarted the hottest streak in Wrestling. Austin was the top man from here on out. He had started his ascension to the top at the Royal Rumble. He fastrack to the top was put into overdrive with this title win. It was also the final match in the 1990's for Shawn Michaels. He was in a lot of pain with his back injury and still managed to put on an outstanding match. It was a asymbolic passing of the tourch from the biggest star of the early 90s to the man who was going to carry the company flag into the 21st century
16: The Rock vs John Cena Wrestlemania XXVIII
Once in a lifetime. Rock and Cena's first meeting at the big event was talked about for over a month leading up to the big showdown. tow of the biggest stars of this lifetime going head to head at the show of shows and it lived up to the hype. Rock got the win in a celebrity appearance and it was one that would stick with fans for quite some time.
15: The Rock vs Stone Cold Wrestlemania XV
First ever meeting on the biggest stage of them all for the two biggest stars of that era. This had been building since that year's Royal Rumble. Rock was the mega heel and Austin was the working man's hero. It was the perfect matchup for that time, as it was a battle of the two biggest rising star's in the business. Both guys went out and put on a fantastic matchup, with Austin winning the belt for the second year in a row at the show of shows.
14: Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan Wrestlemania 35
Kofi Mania runs wild. For eleven years, Kofi had been busting his ass in this business, and never really getting his proper due for what he had been doing in the company. He had given everything he had to this point and never really got the just due which he had earned. The Company had never seen him as a bigtime player. He walked through hell to get his shot at Bryan and the title at the big event,. And he came through. Kofi won the gold on a very emotional night in Jersey. Of course the title run wasn't what it should have been, but still he was given the shot he had flat out earned.
13: Eddie Guerrero vs Kurt Angle Wrestlemania XX
Eddie gets his mania moment. Eddie had been one of the best high flyers this business had ever seen. He had his demons away from the ring too, sure. But he overcame them and earned himself a title run in 2003. It started at No Way Out that year, beating Brock for the gold. Then, in his first big test with the Title, he had to defend it against the Wrestling Machine in Angle at MSG. No small task. Eddie walked out the same way he walked in, with the Title around his waist. Great match between two great performers.
12: Stone Cold vs The Rock Wrestlemania XVII
First time ever Austin turned and joined sides with Vince. That's what made this match so interesting and vital for the company. It had never EVER been thought of, that the Texas Rattlesnake would ever side with his arch rival in Vince. And it happened against the Great One, two years after their first clash. The first go around may have been the better match, but this one was more important for company direction, with Austin turning Heel and Joining sides with Vince.
11: Shawn Michaels vs Kurt Angle Wrestlemania XXI
A technical classic between two of the in ring best. This one went back and forth the entire night, with Angle getting the win via submission. But you want to take a look at how to tell a good story throughout the course of a match. This is one to watch. It shows how to get a crowd emotionally invested in a big fight.
10: Bret Hart vs Owen Hart Wrestlemania X
Technical classic that kicked off the tenth anniversary show at MSG. It was the battle of brothers which had been building up for so long, and it finally came to a head on the biggest night of the WWE calendar. Owen had wanted for a long time to step out of the shadow of big brother. He got a chance to prove it on this night. He beat Bret in the opening match on the show, proving that he could go. Bret got the last laugh at the end of the night, walking out as WWE Champion, but still this was a very important match, putting Owen on the map as solid worker. Shame he never got a proper shot at the big gold belt.
9: Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon Wrestlemania X
This match took place later on the card and stole the show from the one listed just above. This was the match that put the use of ladders on the map. And it was for the Intercontinental Title no less. Shawn and Razor were both great workers and this match set the standard for others to go out and not only try and match, but surpass. It was, and still is one of the most talked about matches to this day in the history of the show
8: Chris Benoit vs Triple H vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania XX
The night Benoit reached the top of the mountain. I know its not popular because of what happened a few years later, but this match still needs to be talked about. It was almost the same kind of run to the title that Kofi would have fifteen years later. Benoit was one of the best the business had ever seen and had never really gotten his due because he wasn't a high flyer or a really big dude. He just went out every night and beat the crap out of people. He had never really been viewed as a main level guy. But he managed to earn this shot and took the most of it.
7: Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin Wrestlemania XIII
The I quit match that pushed Stone Cold to the next level A knock down, drag out fight that had the people standing by the end of it. Austin went in Heel and Bret the Face. By the time the night ended we had a double turn. Austin passed out in the Sharpshooter, face covered in blood. Bret looked like a total dick, and Austin had become a hero to the fans for not quitting. He had started to become our guy on this night. And the rest is history.
6: Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart Wrestlemania XII
The Iron Man Match. Shining moment for both guys really, at least from a fan point of view. Bret might not have been happy if you believe his side of the ending. Still this is one of the great fights in the history of the show it had it all. The overtime ending made it even more special. And for the record Shawn's entrance is one of the greatest the show ever saw.
5: The Rock vs Hulk Hogan Wrestlemania XVIII
Two of the faces of the wrestling business finally clashed at the grandest stage of them all. Again, this match told an amazing story. It was a battle of old school against new school. It was the biggest star of the eighties against the biggest star of the present day. One of those moments that gave you chills just watching them face off at the start of the match. Wow man wow.
4: Hardy's vs Dudley's vs Edge & Christian Wrestlemania XVII
TLC II and it was fantastic and then some. Any other ladder match that has ever taken place since then has been compared to this. Which is really hard to do since there isn't much that comes even close to this. Edge and Christian walked out with the titles and there were high spots all over the place. I dare you to find me a better ladder match than this one, at any event WWE has ever produced.
3: Shaw Michaels vs Undertaker Wrestlemania XXVI
The end (at the time) of one of the greatest in ring careers ever. Not quite as good as the first encounter, more on that in a moment. Still this one had a lot riding on it. Streak vs Career. Which, looking back on it now I find this almost kind of ironic. Shawn had ended Ric Flair's career at this very show just two years earlier in Orlando. Shaw thought he could be the one to snap the streak and was willing to put his career on the line for it, which he did. It wasn't meant to be and saw the end of the in ring career of the best all around performer of the 90s. What Ric Flair did in the 80's, Shawn was to the 90s he was that good. And this couldn't have been a better way to go out.
2: Ricky Steamboat vs Randy Savage Wrestlmania III
There's a lot of people who have sited this match as the reason they got into this business in the first place, and its obvious to see why. This match was the best match on that show. Sure the main attraction was Hulk against Andre, but this match is talked about just as much. it really was a beautiful masterpiece. It was a perfect blend of technical skill and flying spots. It told a story perfectly.
1. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker Wrestlemnaia XXV
This one will stand the test of time as one of the greatest encounters in wrestling history. It was Shawn really believing he was going to snap the streak of Taker. He came oh so close to being the one who would actually doing it. It had you on the edge of your seat from the time both men started making their way to the ring right up until the final bell. this really is a master class in what makes a great Mania Match!
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