I was thinking about all of the great mania matches of all time including Hogan vs. Andre, Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, etc. These matches are legendary/iconic matches in the history of WrestleMania but I had to dig deeper than just that. I had to think what my favorite matches were. What are the 10 matches I think and talk about the most when Mania season comes to town? Now I know a lot of wrestling fans have their opinion on what the best matches of WrestleMania are and that’s okay because there are so many great matches. Trust me I could make another top 10 list because there are so many great matches. WrestleMania 37 is upon us and I thought it would be best to put out another WrestleMania top 10 list. Anyway let’s get to the list, let’s get to what I think are 10 of the best/greatest/iconic matches of WrestleMania history. Let’s get to my Top 10 WrestleMania Matches of All Time.
My Top 10 WrestleMania Matches of All Time
10. Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X-8) – Jerry Lawler said it best in the beginning of the match, “we never got to see Mike Tyson vs. Ali, Babe Ruth vs. Barry Bonds but we got to see Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock”. Like this was the match where the iconic Hulk Hogan, the man who left WWE for WCW and became one of their top stars, taking on The Rock, the veteran who became an icon over the years he spent with the company. Now I’m not saying this wrestling match is a masterpiece because quite frankly it’s not. However what we got were two iconic wrestlers battling it out for no titles, no recognition and putting on a fantasy match-up to life. Back in 2002 if you were watching WWE like I was then you were lucky enough to say you got to see this moment come to life. First of all as I said before the match wasn’t a masterpiece but when the fans are cheering and going crazy from beginning to end you know you have a top 10 match going on. Fuck even the stare down between the two was iconic, so iconic that Jim Ross said we are looking at a WrestleMania moment. I love this match because it was a fantasy match no one thought we would ever see. We have yet to see Sting vs. Taker (probably won’t at this point), Shawn Michaels vs. AJ Styles (we could possibly get that) and CM Punk vs. Stone Cold (You may never know). Those fantasy matches will possibly never happen, but the fact that we got Hogan vs. Rock at WrestleMania, now that is something to talk about. Even though it wasn’t the main event, it was the one match everyone wanted to see that night and Rock going over Hulk Hogan and winning the match was a pretty big deal. Hulk Hogan never lost unless there was good reason and I mean it’s the Rock, he’s a legend and he deserves the win. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SLEDuK3uwA
9. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Edge vs. Christian vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shelton Benjamin (1st ever Money in the Bank match) (WrestleMania 21) – Now I know what you non-wrestling fans may be thinking: What is a money in the bank match? Well it was created by Chris Jericho and it’s a ladder match where the winner who gets the briefcase gets a contract for a WWE championship match, anytime and anywhere for up to one year. This match is the beginning of an every mania tradition up until I believe Wrestlemania26 as it then got its own PPV. First of all let’s talk about how there were six of the best high mid card/talented wrestlers in this match. Benoit a great technician, Edge a charismatic opportunist, Shelton an upstart future big name for the company, Christian an underrated future world champion, Kane a powerhouse giant and Jericho one of the best to lace the wrestling boots. All of these wrestlers at the time were power hungry for a world title shot and then this match was born. The amazing spots in this match were out of this world. First of all, Shelton Benjamin gets the MVP of this match. He might not have won, but he pulled off 3 memorable moments in this match that people still talk about today including running up a tilted ladder and clotheslining Jericho. Also Chris Benoit head butting Kane while diving down a ladder, now that was scary but also amazing. The match had a lot of moments in this match and each money in the bank match someone does something new or out of this world that hasn’t been done yet. You can thank this gem of a match because of that. Edge ended up winning the match and since then he has become quite frankly one of the best wrestlers in WWE history. This match created legends and future hall of famers and for that it defiantly deserves a spot on my list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi1yDlWrnGA
8. Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX (30) – WrestleMania XXX will be remembered for two things. First it will be remembered for the night Brock Lesnar defeated the Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania, making Taker 21-1. But most of all it was the Mania that Daniel Bryan became World Champion. Before he could get to that main event for the world title he had to get through his first match against Triple H. The Authority vs. Daniel Bryan throughout the end of 2013 and going into 2014 finally came to an end on this night. Daniel Bryan had to face and beat HHH in order to put himself in the main event between Randy Orton and Batista. When Batista won the Royal Rumble, winning the opportunity to get the main event match, people were furious. Plus Bryan wasn’t even in the match and was a fan favorite so the fans took over and started going off on the WWE and created the Yes Movement. HHH had enough and wanted to destroy Bryan. Bryan went into this match with a injury so the fact that he not only competed in two matches and won them both with an injury, now that is not only a mania moment but that just shows how great of a wrestler Daniel Bryan is. I love this match because of the story HHH and Bryan put on within the months leading up to this match and the fact that Daniel was getting brutally beat up in the match but yet he still conquered the victory. WrestleMania XXX might be a very roller coaster Mania but it will be defiantly loved because it was the night Daniel Bryan became the top guy of the company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8tMkywpEYI
7. CM Punk vs. The Undertaker WrestleMania 29 – This was the match where I thought and still think the streak should have ended. Of all the people that deserved to destroy the Undertaker’s streak it should had been CM Punk. Going into this match Undertaker’s former manager and great friend Paul Bearer passed away and his passing lit a fire into the feud. CM Punk and Paul Heyman doing a promo about Bearer’s death might be too soon but it was actually brilliant timing. This feud started a month and a half after Punk lost his world title, so you can defiantly say this was the perfect timing to call out the most legendary name in Mania history. But I think if Paul Bearer didn’t die, rip Paul, then this feud and match would had been less great. There would be no storyline other than defeating the streak, but that added fire put on probably one of Punk’s best matches in WWE but it also was Taker’s last great match while he was in the best shape. I’m not saying after this match all his other matches were bad, they just weren’t as good as this iconic match. Taker has had many great matches in Mania, we will talk about one later, but this one was to me an important match to win. Punk at the time was the top guy in the company, the most loved wrestler. Taker was a part time wrestler at the time looking to get another win. Punk was the first person after 4 years to be someone new and young if I may add to challenge the Deadman. CM Punk and Taker have fought in the past before, but not on the biggest stage of WrestleMania. I still believe that if Punk would of won the match then he would of maybe stayed in the company, maybe even get that main event match at mania that he wanted. I didn’t care for the actual main event of Rock and Cena for the second straight year. WrestleMania 29 was not a good mania, but for this match to be the best match of the night says something. It was the main event at heart for me and many others and I think is the best Punk match in his mania career. All we could think now is what could have been if Punk won, what would have happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAc1Jy8UtHw&pbjreload=10
6. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair WrestleMania 24 – Ever wonder why men cry ladies? Well in that case let’s talk about this match then as this made real men cry. If you don’t know the name then something is wrong with you the man has his own song about him. He is the stylin', profilin', limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' and dealin' son of a gun, 16 time World Champion, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, WOOOOOOOO!!!! Man that felt fucking good to say. Ric Flair is legendary and is probably one of the best wrestlers ever in wrestling history. In the other corner though is another goat, Shawn Michaels. Now I know I called Taker a legendary name in Mania history but Shawn is Mr. WrestleMania, so he kind of is a big deal too. Ric put his career on the line in this match and what we got was a spectacular matchup between two goats. Ric Flair’s entrance by far is one of the best mania entrances ever. Seeing the fireworks behind him while he strut to the ring with that beautiful dark blue and white robe, yeah that’s badass I don’t fucking care. Flair at 59 years old btw put on a match of the year candidate with Shawn Michaels and the finale of this match is very heartbreaking. HBK saying I’m sorry I love you and finally pulling the trigger and hitting the sweet chin music to get the victory was very upsetting to watch. The crowd gave the two a standing ovation, but after the match Flair got a standing ovation from the crowd. This match is loved by many wrestling fans and it was Ric’s final match in his wrestling career, until 2011 when he wrestled in TNA. Well at least it was his final match in WWE lol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrpezOnenBw
5. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle WrestleMania 21 – Back in 2005 this match was considered a fantasy matchup to many people as those people didn’t believe we would see these two go one on one in the ring. Once again Mania season comes around and wrestling fans got their wish. On the night of Cena and Batista winning their 1st world titles, Edge winning the Money in the Bank, Taker becoming 11-0 at Mania and Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio putting on a classic match, this match up was the most talked about match. Without this match I feel like WrestleMania 21 wouldn’t been as great as it was, trust me this mania is one of the best mania’s ever. But this match took Kurt and Shawn into their limits. The reversals in this matchup was so intense, like I can swear there was like 20 reversals in the first 15 minutes and that was just the 1st half of the match. They put their bodies on the line for sure as Shawn went for a cross body onto Kurt on the announce table and Kurt jumped up to the turnbuckle and gave Shawn an avalanche Angle Slam. Like I can promise you this is a wrestling fan’s wet dream coming to reality. If you want to become a wrestler then this is a match to watch and study. It was two greats battling it out just to see who would win. There was no title opportunity; there was nothing on the line except just to see who the better man was. It was literally a regular warfare match. That was the beauty of it; it was just a regular match. This match by far is one of the best matches in both men’s career and in Mania history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruUyamdOEkw
4. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock WrestleMania X-Seven – Probably the greatest rivalry of the Attitude Era, these two men changed the game for WWE. Not only that but they had three matches at Mania so it was kind of hard to say which one was the best. Wrestlemania 15 match was good, but not great and their match at 19 was great but the match at X-Seven was iconic and the most memorable. First of all the entire video package before the match is legendary. The video package includes their rivalry during the two months after the Royal Rumble and it includes the song My Way by Limp Bizkit. Yeah I know Limp Bizkit, lol that fucking nerd. But trust me on this, the video package is top 5 video packages of all time. The match was just as amazing and awesome as the video package. You have two legendary wrestlers taking each other on trying to win the World Title but also trying to see who the better man was. Did I like the finish of this match, not really but it has a memorable Mania moment that has lasted for 20 years. Stone Cold Steve Austin turned heel (bad for you non wrestling fans) and turned his back on the fans to work with….Vince McMahon. Yeah that shit made the fans go nuts. I feel like it’s the heel turn of the century because no one has left a moment like that like Stone Cold did. Like Hulk Hogan turning heel in WCW was a memorable moment as well and Stone Cold turning heel felt just like that. The match was a spectacular, even if it had a bad finish. To be honest I didn’t care for Stone Cold’s heel turn because it really did nothing for him but I can’t lie his heel turn did make a great moment at Mania. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmPD3OEHcoQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srhd2fZyDB4 – the video package
3. Undertaker vs. Triple H Hell in a Cell Match (End of an Era) (WrestleMania 28) – I talked about this match in my top 10 matches of the 2010’s but fuck it’s such a good match First of all HHH, Taker and HBK as the special referee in a Hell in a Cell match with the streak on the line as Taker was 19-0, bro this match had it fucking all. Literally 3 legends in one ring you damn well know for sure you’re going into a great match. There was a point in this match where I thought Triple H won and conquered the streak, like that’s how great of a match this match was. Like people need to understand how intense of a match this was because there are so many moments in this match where Taker could have lost and that’s how intense this match was. You have to realize that the streak wasn’t a big thing until WrestleMania 21 when Randy Orton took on Taker. 9 mania’s later and Taker being close to 20-0 it finally becomes a big deal in wrestling undefeated streaks. It was a big deal in general but no person goes undefeated in one big event. I love this match so much like I know its two 40 plus year olds fighting in a match at Mania and this should be a spot for younger talent, but let’s be honest, not one person cared. Fuck this match was also in the middle of the card so it wasn’t even a main event, but it had that main event feel. And this is my number three match out of 10 and I was tempted to make this my number 2 or possibly my number one but the next two matches for some reason are more iconic to me. That being said, this match is one hell of a match and it sure as hell is one of taker’s and HHH’s best matches in WrestleMania history. Plus the ending of the match as the three legends looked to the crowd for one last thank you was the piece of resistance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewTfH6YRi2o
2. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge and Christian (TLC match) (WrestleMania X-Seven) - The Hart Foundations, The Rockers, Legion of Doom, Demolition, The British Bulldogs, all great tag teams in WWE history and made a name for themselves winning tag titles and making tag team wrestling great. These three teams in WrestleMania 2000 made names for themselves in the triangle ladder match, one of the best ladder matches ever. One year later, they were not only fighting for the tag titles, they were trying to join that list of great tag teams. These three were on a mission to prove a point to the fans that they were in the same league as the great tag teams of WWE history. This matchup also had their valets/people involved in their teams including Spike Dudley, Rhyno and Lita and even they were able to put on a good show in the match. The spots in this match was very intense and very hardcore including Jeff Hardy doing a Swanton Bomb off a ladder and Edge spearing a dangling Jeff Hardy in the air. All three teams have made a name for themselves the last 2 years prior, but on this night they had one of the best tag team matches in wrestling history. They also joined that list of tag team greats and years later, even to this day, these tag teams are talked about so much when it comes to talking about the greatest tag teams of all time. And the very first thing they do talk about is the TLC match at WrestleMania. This match is probably my favorite TLC match period and I have watched this match so many times because of all the great spots, because of the moments they left in that ring and because it’s one of those matches that has been talked about and highlighted the most. It’s been 20 years and The Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian and Dudley Boyz are still being praised to this day for the match and if that doesn’t make this match so iconic then I don’t know what will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ_FsUXbQn4
1. TripleH vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit (WrestleMania XX) – I know what Chris Benoit did is horrible and not forgivable but when I think of Chris Benoit I think of his wrestling career and how much success he had in his time in the WWE. This night was his biggest accomplishment and it sucks that WWE doesn’t acknowledge him or this moment anymore because of his actions. 3 years before his death, Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels and Triple H had probably the greatest match ever in Mania history, my opinion of course. The crowd was loud throughout the match and all three men were fighting for the top spot on WWE Raw but also the World Heavyweight Championship. Now at the time people like Benoit, smaller wrestlers, weren’t given these big opportunities for either main eventing PPV’s or getting a World Title opportunity. It changed on this night. This match was a great back and forth match and then it got bloody and it got really intense. Shawn Michaels looked like he went through a horror movie as he was very bloody and was even looking very weak. But he still made it through the match. The crowd though was chanting “Benoit”, mainly because they wanted the underdog to win the match. He was never World Champion in WWE and the fans wanted the title off of Triple H and in the hands of Benoit. In the end of the night, Benoit tapped out Triple H and finally captured the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. However another reason why this match is on the top is my favorite WrestleMania moment that happened after the match. Benoit’s best friend Eddie Guerrero, who also won his World Title match earlier on in the night, joined Benoit in the ring. He gave him a hug and they celebrated in the ring. Two smaller wrestlers with the World Titles, two men that people nobody thought would ever capture the big championship. They changed the game for the WWE as without them guys like Rey Mysterio, Cm Punk, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins and many more wouldn’t have been given these big opportunities. This moment in the ring of the two raising each other’s arms up while they hold the World Titles is a very iconic moment in WrestleMania history. And as I said before, not many young fans know this moment and this match is not talked about because of Chris Benoit’s actions. Plus WestleMania XX is my favorite WrestleMania of all time, one because it was in Madison Square Garden, but also because of this amazing match and this beautiful moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US0l1qh1dRg
Honorable Mentions: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels WrestleMania 25 Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle WrestleMania 19 Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold WrestleMania 13 Kofi Kingston Vs. Daniel Bryan WrestleMania 35 Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks WrestleMania 32
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