March 29, 2024

40 Greatest WrestleMania Matches

What’s the best WrestleMania match?

For the past 35 years, WWE has dazzled us on the biggest night of the year. Stunning victories, heartbreaking betrayals and the culmination of championship pursuits have built WWE’s biggest show of the year into a mainstream brand encapsulating all of pro wrestling. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to relive the greatest WrestleMania matches …

40. Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus (WrestleMania 22)

A decade before the women’s revolution, Mickie James burst onto the scene in scintillating fashion, enamored with the Women’s Champion. The storyline was so fun that wacky stalker Mickie won over the fans, entering this battle as the fan favorite. Trish Stratus passed the torch in this match, well, it’s more accurate to say Mickie grabbed it.

39. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch, WrestleMania 38

In a nod to their maligned SummerSlam match, Belair offers a handshake, but Lynch wallops her and goes for the Manhandle Slam again. Clearly learning from her mistakes, Belair was prepared this time, countering the Raw Women’s Champion. From that point on, these elite competitors dished out their best shots, finding counters whenever possible. The EST illustrated her unbelievable athleticism, nailing a 450 splash off the second rope. Lynch, on the other hand, couldn’t quite hit her version of a swanton, and ended up giving Belair quite the shiner. In the end, Belair capitalized on Lynch’s one mistake and the crowd roared as she won back the championship she should’ve never lost.

38. Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon (WrestleMania X-7)

Never have more storylines been paid off in one match. Trish Stratus, Mick Foley, Shane O’Mac and even Linda McMahon all gave Vinnie Mac his comeuppance in this masterfully booked street fight.

37. Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper & Jimmy Snuka (WrestleMania XXV)

A train wreck on paper, this turned out to be one of the most inspirational performances in WrestleMania history. After Snuka and Piper (65 and 55 at the time) were eliminated, Steamboat (56) dazzled the wrestling world by turning back the clock 20 years. After being out of action for 15 years, the Dragon hung with the Best in the World on the Grandest Stage.

36. Evolution vs. Rock & Sock (WrestleMania XX)

Although Mick Foley was disappointed by his performance in this handicap match, New York City was rocking for his reunion with The Great One. Come for Foley’s feud with Randy Orton, but stay for Ric Flair attempting The People’s Elbow.

35. Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins, WrestleMania 38

Hell froze over as Cody Rhodes, a co-founder of AEW, returned to WWE on the Grandest Stage. Although Rollins carried the storyline heading into this emotional encounter, Cody’s presence did the rest. On the surface, this was an excellent technical matchup, but Cody’s tributes to his past, such as the Stardust cartwheel and the Flip, Flop and Fly, added the sizzle to this juicy steak. Even more surprising was that the “American Nightmare” picked up the victory.

34. The Rock vs. John Cena (WrestleMania XXVIII)

This was the match that made me buy tickets to my first WrestleMania. After years of trash talk, The Rock finally returned to WWE to shut John Cena up. He just happened to do in front of his hometown crowd in Miami. (Isn’t everywhere Rock’s home, though?) Even more impressive is that The Great One went 30 minutes after years away from the ring.

33. Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon (WrestleMania 34)

From the moment that Ronda Rousey marched out to “Bad Reputation,” everyone in my row (including me) was on their feet, never sitting back down. The electricity in the Superdome was palpable; you could feel the adrenaline rushing through your veins every time Rousey tagged in. And despite how foolish it would have been for the UFC Hall of Famer to lose her first match, she was facing Triple H, so any tomfoolery was to be expected. It wasn’t a technical clinic and it featured two past-their-prime part-timers, a woman who wrestles maybe once a year and the definition of a rookie, but my God, it had everything that makes pro wrestling fun. Drama, suspense, twists and turns, plenty of signature moves, and most importantly, a very satisfying conclusion.

32. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart (WrestleMania XII)

Polarizing for sure. Either you think it’s an overrated snorefest or it’s a work of art from wrestling’s Picasso and Rembrandt. If you’ve never seen it and don’t know the finish, it’s a fun 60-minute ride. However, it can be a chore to rewatch.

31. Edge & Christian vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz (WrestleMania 2000)

Unofficially the first TLC, this triangle ladder match defined a generation. All three teams became stars with this breath-taking performance, igniting another boom period for tag team wrestling. Jeff Hardy’s swanton off the ladder gets only crazier as time goes by.

30. The Rock vs. Stone Cold (WrestleMania XIX)

The backstory adds a whole other layer to the finale of the Rock-Austin trilogy. Stone Cold spent the previous night in the hospital, so the powers that be weren’t sure if he’d be able to hang. Of course, he and Rock let it all hang out in a precursor to today’s trading finishers and kickouts style. Until 2022, we thought it was the Texas Rattlesnake’s farewell.

29. Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania XX)

As expected, Latino Heat and the Olympic gold medalist put on a technical clinic. Unable to contain Angle’s intensity, the champion ultimately outsmarted his challenger, stealing the victory in true Guerrero fashion.

28. Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania XIX)

You may only remember the botched shooting star press, but the rest of this match is tremendous. Angle, unsure if he’d even be able to wrestle, made Lesnar look like the unstoppable monster we’ve grown to fear.

27. Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan (WrestleMania 35)

Even though women closed the show for the first time, WrestleMania 35 will be remembered as the night Kofi Kingston finally achieved his dream. What makes it even sweeter is that he achieved it by dethroning a man who embarked on a similar journey just five years prior, but had since become corrupted by the WWE system. Kingston’s victory is also the best moment of 2019.

26. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 31)

Perhaps Roman Reigns’ best match, but he had to go to Suplex City for it. Brock Lesnar mauled the Big Dog to the delight of the crowd, forcing Reigns to earn some street cred by firing back. And then came the Heist of the Century…

25. Edge vs. Mick Foley (WrestleMania 22)

Until this brawl, Mick Foley had never achieved his WrestleMania moment. Well, Edge sure gave it to him, spearing the Hardcore Legend through a flaming table. This war stole the show and cemented Edge’s status as a top guy.

24. John Cena vs. Batista (WrestleMania XXVI)

The two pillars of the Ruthless Aggression Era collided in epic fashion. This was a heavyweight boxing fight with both men trading bombs. Of course, Cena ended the night with his arm raised, but the journey to get there was fantastic.

23. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (WrestleMania VII)

Walking instead of dashing to the ring, Ultimate Warrior instantly illustrated the significance of this showdown. Wrestling retirements aren’t a thing, but Warrior and Savage did their best to make fans believe this would be the last match for one of them. Savage dropping five flying elbows still rubs me the wrong way, but that’s a minor gripe for an otherwise perfect match.

22. Undertaker vs. CM Punk (WrestleMania 29)

It’s clobberin’ time! CM Punk’s final WrestleMania match and the last time The Streak remained intact. Punk brought out the best of The Deadman in this show stealer.

21. Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg (WrestleMania 33)

After the clusterfuck of WrestleMania XX, I never thought I’d enjoy another Lesnar-Goldberg match, but this has become my favorite. You had to be there live to truly appreciate this war. Because it had been established that Goldberg could beat Lesnar any second, I was on my feet for the whole match, my heart stopping after every spear. Thankfully, Lesnar took Da Man to Suplex City, and conquered him for the Universal Championship.

20. Charlotte vs. Asuka (WrestleMania 34)

Streaks come to die in New Orleans. Charlotte and Asuka had the best women’s match in WrestleMania history, tearing into each other for the gold. The crowd gasped as the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow finally gave up.

19. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXX)

The heat for this was off the charts as The Authority storyline came to an oh so satisfying payoff. Daniel Bryan and Triple H are both technically proficient, so it should come as no surprise that the match was high quality, but they added that extra level of emotion to propel this to greatness. Stephanie McMahon cheering her despicable hubby on at ringside was the sinful cherry on top.

18. Belair vs. Sasha Banks, WrestleMania 37

They had the best women’s match in WrestleMania history, one of the best main events and the match of the year. It was such a fresh environment with their visible emotion, innovative moves and the excitement of the first live crowd WWE had in a year. Banks once again delivered on the big stage, and Belair became a star. I’ve seen so much wrestling this year that most of it blurs together, but I remember popping for Belair catching Banks outside the ring and military pressing her up the steps. And who could forget Belair whipping Banks with her never-ending ponytail?

While some industry veterans criticized Belair for tearing up before the bell, it only added to the significance of this historic encounter. After all, she was about to headline WrestleMania against one of the best in the sport, and by God, she was about to achieve her dream.

17. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania X)

I didn’t see this match until after being exposed to the insanity and spectacle of TLC, so this was pretty tame in my eyes. However, I appreciate the storytelling and understand that, at the time, a ladder match was fresh and exciting for the WWE audience. The action still holds up, too.

16. TLC II (WrestleMania X-7)

The gold standard for ladder match craziness. Edge and Christian, the Hardyz and the Dudleyz upped the ante from their previous WrestleMania and SummerSlam clashes, incorporating a “cornerman” for each team in Lita, Rhyno and Spike Dudley. The more the messier as all nine participants risked their lives in this human demolition derby.

15. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart (WrestleMania X)

It’s fascinating that Vince McMahon (according to Bruce Prichard) was initially against Bret feuding with Owen because “brothers don’t fight.” The hell we don’t! While some wrestling brothers lacked chemistry, Bret and Owen were an ideal combination, as evidenced in the greatest opener in WrestleMania history.

14. Undertaker vs. Batista (WrestleMania 23)

Undertaker and Batista were pissed that their World Heavyweight Championship match was so low down the card. As a result, they went balls to the wall in this battle of behemoths. Batista proved that he was more than a stereotypical Vinnie Mac big man and Undertaker proved that he could elevate the next generation.

13. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (WrestleMania XXIV)

Emotion over technique in this instance. Who cares if Ric Flair couldn’t make the bridge? There wasn’t a dry eye in Orlando as the G.O.A.T. wrestled his final match in WWE. I’m sorry, I love this match.

12. Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania VI)

Surpassing all expectations, Hulkster and Warrior blew the roof of the Skydome. The crowd was split and absolutely psyched for the first face vs. face main event in WrestleMania history. It’s not all sizzle, though, as both admittedly limited wrestlers gave the performance of their lives. In retrospect, Hogan merely let Warrior keep the torch warm, but at the time, it sure looked like the dawning of a new era.

11. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania XIX)

Fun fact: This is the only WrestleMania match that Chris Jericho feels good about. Easy to see, as he and Shawn Michaels had an instant classic five years before their heralded feud. Remember, Michaels was less than a year back from his sabbatical, so he was out to prove why he was still Mr. WrestleMania. Jericho’s feigned respect afterward deserves an Oscar.

10. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (WrestleMania III)

Those obsessed with star ratings will chuckle at this match’s ranking, but I can rewatch this anytime and still get sucked in. It’s basic storytelling: good vs. evil, David vs. Goliath, irresistible force meeting the immovable object. It put WrestleMania on the map and took pro wrestling to unprecedented heights. It features the greatest WrestleMania moment ever and I love the near fall when Andre collapses on Hogan during the first bodyslam attempt.

9. Stone Cold vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X-7)

I hated the finish to this match as a kid, which was the point. But looking back now, I’ve gained an appreciation for the storytelling. Stone Cold spends the whole match teasing his heel turn, but it’s cloaked in desperation. He’s more physical than usual with The Rock and even brings back his Million Dollar Dream submission. Unable to finish The Great One off by himself, Austin recruits his arch nemesis to get the job done.

8. Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper (WrestleMania VIII)

Possibly the only time that Roddy Piper actually wrestled. Of course, Bret Hart brings the best out of everyone. Two childhood friends colliding over championship and pride – they were willing to do whatever it took to win. Well, almost anything, as Piper went against his instincts and refused to cheat, which ended up costing him the title. Bonus points for Hart being busted open in an era where blood was banned.

7. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XX)

Considered by many to be the best triple threat ever, it’s sadly been swept under the rug by WWE due to Benoit’s involvement. If you’re able to stomach his matches, go back and check this one out. All three competitors clicked, not falling into the trap of three singles matches while someone stays outside the ring. Michaels’ insertion was panned at the time, but he and his blood-soaked face definitely added another layer. Triple H finally tapping out after running roughshod for 18 months was the glorious orgasm fans had been waiting for.

6. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 21)

A dream match that lived up to the hype. Explosive finisher after finisher, dramatic near fall after near fall, intensity off the charts. No matter how many times you’ve seen this instant classic, you’ll still be on the edge of your seat. The only thing keeping this from the top spot is how long Angle locked Michaels in the ankle lock. Realistically, HBK should have tapped at least a minute in!

5. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXVI)

Frustrated over wrestling almost a perfect match last time, Michaels did his best to avoid Undertaker’s signature moves, focusing on the Deadman’s tweaked knee like a shark that smells blood. The crowd gasped after each man kicked out of each other’s finisher, selling in between moves to let the fans digest the unbelievable action. The Heartbreak Kid even kicked out of a tombstone with Undertaker’s tongue out, a surefire sign that the match was over! Finally, HBK gave us one more WrestleMania moment when he gave the throat slash and slapped Undertaker, prompting the Phenom to spike him with a jumping tombstone for the victory.

4. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold (WrestleMania 13)

This is the match that made Steve Austin one of the biggest stars of all time. After a technical masterpiece at Survivor Series, Bret Hart and Stone Cold had a hellacious brawl here, redefining what a submission match could be. Historic for being the most successful double turn, Austin’s crimson mask while locked in the Sharpshooter is iconic. Never has a wrestler gained so much from losing.

3. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X-8)

Many of today’s top stars, including Cody, name this as their favorite match. The Toronto crowd absolutely made this, going nuts for Hulk Hogan and even booing The Rock. Everything these two icons of different generations did drew a huge pop, and with Hogan’s age, they were pretty limited. After the past decade of WWE prioritizing legends and part-timers over the current roster, it’s nice to see an instance where Vince McMahon made the right decision of who put over who.

2. Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage (WrestleMania III)

For 22 years, this was universally regarded as the best WrestleMania match. After all, Randy Savage made Ricky Steamboat rehearse it ad nauseum in the week leading up. All that practice paid off as Macho Man and the Dragon stole the show with an exhilarating exhibition of athleticism and stamina. The finish even paid off the storyline from the year prior, as George Steele (infatuated with Miss Elizabeth) dumped Savage off the top rope, preventing a flying elbow and leading to Steamboat’s ingenious counter to a bodyslam.

1. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXV)

You knew this was No. 1 before even clicking.

From the entrances of Michaels descending from the heavens and Undertaker ascending from hell to the final slap of the mat, this is a masterpiece. Michaels and Undertaker have always had magnificent chemistry, with HBK’s speed and agility matching Undertaker’s size and strength. Plus, they share a rare intensity and penchant to tear the house down.

There are two parts of this match – before and after Undertaker crashed and burned. The cameraman (Jimmy Snuka Jr.) failed to catch the Deadman during his signature dive, leaving fans momentarily wondering if Taker had been paralyzed. Michaels sure as hell didn’t care, demanding the ref count Undertaker out. When he makes it back by 9, HBK tunes up the band…only to be chokeslammed. It’s a series of finishers and reversals after that, taking the audience on a roller coaster of emotion.

Finally, as Michaels mentioned in the buildup to their rematch, he made one mistake. He attempted a moonsault, but got caught and Tombstoned to end the perfect wrestling match.

 

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