40 Greatest WrestleMania Moments
What’s your favorite WrestleMania moment?
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 moments …
40. Vince Screws The Rock
This was my first WrestleMania moment and I still haven’t recovered. WrestleMania 2000 was the first pay-per-view I begged my parents to splurge on. My mom agreed to order it on the condition that I record it, go to bed at 10 p.m. and then watch the rest after school the next day. When I woke up, I asked my dad what happened in the main event. He said Triple H won after Vince McMahon hit The Rock with a chair. He must be mistaken, I thought, because Vince was in Rock’s corner. Maybe he meant Shane because there’s absolutely no way that Vincent Kennedy McMahon would ever screw someone out of the WWF Championship…
39. American Made
This angle involves two characters that will never again appear on WWE TV: Muhammad Hassan and Eugene. As Hassan trapped the mentally challenged wrestling superfan in the dreaded camel clutch, the familiar chords of “Real American” blasted throughout the Staples Center. Hulk Hogan, fresh off his WWE Hall of Fame induction the night prior, rescued yet another Hulkamaniac to a thunderous pop.
38. Down Goes Michaels
Mike Tyson, the man responsible for turning the tide in the Monday Night War, made the three count as Stone Cold won the WWF Championship from Shawn Michaels. The count was pretty fast, too, which pissed off Michaels, who believed he had Iron Mike in his back pocket. Too much poking the bear led to Tyson knocking out HBK with a right hand.
37. Gorilla Monsoon’s Swansong
In his last live appearance on WWE TV, Gorilla Monsoon served as one of the judges of the disastrous Brawl For All match between Butterbean and Bart Gunn. The WWE Hall of Famer received such a tremendous ovation from the Philadelphia crowd – the same city he wrestled his retirement match in 1980 – that even Jerry Lawler was surprised. Sadly, Monsoon passed away seven months later at the age of 62.
36. Shane O’Mac Leaps Off The Cell
Even though we all knew as soon as Hell in the Cell was announced that Shane McMahon was jumping off it somehow, it didn’t diminish the moment.
35. Brutus Becomes The Barber
If you didn’t read his autobiography, let me give you the SparkNotes on how Brutus Beefcake became a barber. In a six-man tag a few weeks before WrestleMania III, Adrian Adonis accidentally snipped some hair off his partner Beefcake’s head. Full of vainglory, Beefcake couldn’t let that slide and decided to return the favor after Adonis lost to Roddy Piper at Mania. Thus, began a life of cuttin’ and struttin’.
34. Asuka Taps Out
Streaks come to die in New Orleans. We found that out at WrestleMania XXX, and then confirmed it four years later as Asuka submitted to Charlotte in a fantastic battle for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Her WWE undefeated streak maxed out at 914 days, the longest in company history.
33. HBK Glides
In one of the greatest entrances in WrestleMania history, Shawn Michaels soared above the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA, at WrestleMania XII.
32. Linda Rises
Many years before Linda McMahon served as administrator of the Small Business Administration, she was heavily sedated by her husband after suffering a mental breakdown when he demanded a divorce for her scheduling a six-man Hell in a Cell for the WWF Championship. While Linda was comatose and wheeled around arenas across the United States, Vince carried on a dalliance with Trish Stratus and beat up his son. At WrestleMania X-7, as he bashed his son with a trash can, Linda rose from her chair in one of the biggest pops of the night. She stared her stupefied hubby in the face and kicked him right in the grapefruits.
Ah, the Attitude Era.
31. Deadman Returns
After four years as the American Badass, Undertaker returned to his Deadman roots at WrestleMania XX, resurrecting his iconic entrance theme, mysterious druids and – oooooh yessss – Paul Bearer.
30. The Prodigal Son
Even though it was rumored for a couple months, nobody was certain that Cody Rhodes would be Seth Rollins’ mystery opponent. After all, everybody was still stunned that the AEW co-founder had already returned to McMahonland after half a decade of disparaging his former employer. However, the “American Nightmare” proved that you can go home again, and of course, the fans will welcome you with open arms.
29. Mount Rushmore
Three-fourths of a WWE Mount Rushmore shared the ring at WrestleMania XXX: Hulk Hogan (who confused the Superdome with the Pontiac Silverdome), Stone Cold (who used to have beef with The Hulkster) and The Rock. It’s highly unlikely we’ll see all three in the same place again, and there was no better place for it to happen than the Grandaddy of Em’ All.
28. Nostalgic Warfare
Almost 15 years after the Monday Night War, we finally got to see D-X battle the NWO at WrestleMania 31. It was brief, but it was unexpected and fun. It’s also the only thing worth remembering from Sting losing to Triple H in the biggest headscratcher of all time.
27. HotRod Returns
When it comes to who made WrestleMania, you have to include Roddy Piper in the discussion. That’s why the Rowdy One returned to WWE in 2003, attacking Hulk Hogan in his bloody war with Vince McMahon. The crowd wasn’t happy that he sided with McMahon, but Piper’s a villain after all!
26. Andre’s Final Ride
Andre the Giant’s heel turn was wildly successful, but it just wouldn’t feel right if he faded into the sunset as a bad guy. Thankfully, Andre came to his senses at WrestleMania VI after Bobby Heenan slapped him for losing the Tag Team Titles. The Brain quickly learned that you don’t piss off a giant.
25. Vince Goes Bald
Probably would have been more epic if he never grew his hair back, but Vince McMahon being shaved bald by arch-nemesis Stone Cold and future President Trump was hilarious, especially after all those years of Lawler claiming McMahon wore a toupee.
24. Trish Goes Bad
Even though she came into WWE as a villain, I couldn’t fathom Trish Stratus going back to the dark side. That’s what made her slapping Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XX so shocking. Not only wasn’t our Canadian goddess so innocent, she was truly a heartbreak, as evident by her makeout sesh with Jericho’s ex-buddy Christian.
23. Satan Incarnate
Vince McMahon peaking above the ring apron at WrestleMania XIX, donning a bloody grimace, is perhaps the best visual Kevin Dunn has ever captured.
22. End of an Era
I’m not putting the entire Hell in a Cell between Triple H and Undertaker on this list. Just the greatest near fall in wrestling history: Triple H slid out of a tombstone, allowing special guest referee Shawn Michaels to hit Sweet Chin Music on Undertaker, who turned into a Pedigree. The crowd exploded because it appeared that D-X had finally ended The Streak, playing off the all-too-real narrative of Triple H using his pull to once again emerge victorious. Thankfully, Undertaker kicked out, with Michaels astutely selling the frustration over their failed master plan to vanquish the Deadman.
21. Mickie Licks Fingers
This was so salacious for WWE that it’s been removed from all recordings of WrestleMania 22. But I sure as hell won’t forget my schoolboy crush Mickie James countering Stratusfaction by grabbing her schoolgirl crush Trish Stratus in the maple leaf, and then licking her fingers to the whistles of the crowd.
20. A Deal with The Devil
A colossal mistake at the time that marked the end of the highly profitable Attitude Era, fans just weren’t ready to see their hero join forces with his arch-nemesis. It left a bad taste in my mouth as a kid (as intended), but watching it now, my eyes have been opened to how brilliant Stone Cold was in reverting to his heel persona throughout his battle with The Rock. Having Mr. McMahon – Satan incarnate – aid Austin in capturing the WWF Championship was the ultimate act of evil and desperation.
19. Edge Soars
Moves like this – leaping off a ladder to spear Jeff Hardy mid-air – is why Edge went into retirement for nearly a decade. But it was all worth it.
18. The Final Stunner
After 19 years away from the ring, Stone Cold came out of retirement to fight Kevin Owens on Night 1 of WrestleMania 38. The “Texas Rattlesnake” must have been fending off Father Time because he looked pretty damn good, and was even suplexed on the concrete. Ending the show with his hand raised, it was a feel-good moment and a proper farewell for one of the greatest ever.
Until the next night, when the glass shattered and Steve Austin re-emerged to stun Austin Theory into the nosebleeds. Eye to eye with his mortal enemy, Austin delivered one more Stunner to a nearly 80-year-old Vince McMahon, who crumbled in hilarious fashion. Even Pat McAfee ate a stunner!
17. Ultimate Warrior Returns
It’s the only bright spot in the main event of WrestleMania VIII, as Papa Shango caused a disqualification in Hulk Hogan’s brawl with Sid. After being away since SummerSlam, Ultimate Warrior dashed to the ring to save the Hulkster, re-energizing the company for the rest of the year and sparking the conspiracy theory that there were two Ultimate Warriors.
16. Kane vs. Pete Rose
The best running gag in WrestleMania history, Kane began his unhealthy obsession with Pete Rose at WrestleMania XIV. As Charlie Hustle roasted the Boston crowd (“How bout it?”), the real Big, Red Machine trudged to the ring to tombstone baseball’s all-time hit king.
15. Jealous Brother
WrestleMania X was supposed to be the night that Owen Hart escaped his brother’s shadow. After all, he defeated Bret fair and square in the opener. Yet, by the end of the night, Bret was hoisted above his fellow fan favorites, celebrating another WWF Championship victory. All while Owen stood in the aisle way, seething with jealousy.
14. Slap Heard Round the World
While Shawn Michaels’ parting words to Ric Flair hit that rare emotional pitch in pro wrestling, HBK’s slap to the Undertaker hit a similar chord. It was one final act of defiance for the pioneer of the Attitude Era before being put down by the Deadman.
13. Flaming Table
Before WrestleMania 22, Mick Foley never had a WrestleMania moment. He was hellbent on changing that in his hardcore match with Edge. Unfortunately, the Hardcore Legend was on the receiving end of it, being speared off the apron into a flaming table.
12. Macho Man’s Moment
WrestleMania IV belongs to “Macho Man” Randy Savage, who went the distance in a one-night tournament to win the WWF Championship. It was his final elbow drop off the top rope, with cameras flashing as Savage soared through the air, that instantly takes you back to a simpler, sweeter time.
11. Hardyz Return
Ditching the Broken Matt and Brother Nero personas, the legendary duo returned to WWE after seven years away, instantly winning the Tag Team Titles in four-way ladder match. I was fortunate enough to be at WrestleMania 33 and when their music hit, that crowd went bananas. Two girls I didn’t know hugged me in all the excitement. When they realized I wasn’t their friend, I became obsolete.
10. Best Friends
The ending of WrestleMania XX is obviously bittersweet in retrospect. At the time, it was two best friends finally reaching the top of their profession and celebrating their success on the Grandest Stage. Just three years later, both were dead: Eddie Guerrero canonized a saint in the industry, Chris Benoit becoming a pariah. If only time stopped that night in the Garden.
9. Dreams Still Come True
Similar to the Yes! Movement starting out of a squash, KofiMania began immediately after an impressive, yet unsuccessful effort in the Elimination Chamber. Despite Vince McMahon fucking around with the 11-year veteran, leading to his New Day brethren running their own gauntlet, Kofi Kingston finally earned his shot at WrestleMania 35. After years of paying his dues, delivering night after night, never causing controversy and never missing time, Kingston had proven his worth to the company and had earned the respect of the people. His battle with Bryan was an instant classic, with Kingston finally winning the WWE Championship. It was one of those rare feel-good moments that makes you remember why you fell in love with pro wrestling.
8. Heist of the Century
Perhaps the greatest cash-in in Money in the Bank history, Seth Rollins bucked tradition and interfered in the main event of WrestleMania 31, costing Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
7. Austin Era Has Begun
J.R.’s classic call of Stone Cold defeating Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania XIV signaled the turning of the tide in the Monday Night War and marked the unofficial beginning of the Attitude Era.
6. Crimson Mask
We wouldn’t have made it to the Austin Era without his classic war with Bret Hart the previous year. Stone Cold came into his own during that feud, establishing his profane, agitated, hungry and rebellious persona that we all fell in love with. That love ignited as Austin was trapped in the Sharpshooter with blood pouring down his face but no sign of submission in sight. That resiliency resonated with wrestling fans around the world, and the Texas Rattlesnake officially became the man.
5. Miracle on Bourbon Street
After being squashed by Sheamus in 18 seconds at WrestleMania XXVIII, Daniel Bryan immediately became the crowd’s beloved underdog, as “Yes!” chants ascended to the Miami sky. For the next year, Bryan built momentum as part of Team Hell No before defeating John Cena for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2013. A few minutes later, he was screwed out of the title by Triple H and Randy Orton, kicking off The Authority. The screwjob only added more piss and vinegar to the Yes! Movement, who chanted for Bryan at every arena on every show.
While Triple H and Stephanie McMahon did everything in their power to hold the B+ Player down, Bryan proved that the cream always rises to the top, eventually beating Triple H and to earn a spot in the main event of WrestleMania XXX. Randy Orton and Batista tried to eliminate him by doing a combo Batista Bomb/RKO through the announce table, but the resilient warrior summoned the strength to get off the stretcher, return to the ring and force Batista to tap out to win the WWE Championship in one of the all-time classic WrestleMania moments.
4. Reunited
Fairytale endings don’t happen in pro wrestling, but we came close at WrestleMania VII.
Randy Savage and Elizabeth’s love story was familiar. The cocky jock who treats the pretty, innocent girl as his possession. The soft-spoken angel who sees past his flaws at what kind of man that boy can become. As in any relationship, there were trials and tribulations, even a separation for a couple years.
But after Savage lost a retirement match to Ultimate Warrior, and his new squeeze Sensational Sherri put the boots to her lost meal ticket, Elizabeth couldn’t bare to see her former love take any more abuse. Never one for confrontation, Liz hopped the barricade and stormed the ring, tossing Sherri to the floor. As Savage came to his feet, he had an epiphany: his guardian angel never truly left his side.
Savage and Elizabeth embraced, drawing happy tears and pissed tissues from the crowd in the best payoff to a storyline in WWE history.
3. I’m Sorry, I Love You
Ric Flair’s retirement was as equally emotional as Savage and Liz’ reunion. After all, the G.O.A.T. was finally hanging up the tights after an illustrious 36-year career. Being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night prior, we all knew that Shawn Michaels was going to end the Nature Boy at WrestleMania XXIV. Yet, we weren’t ready for it to happen.
Michaels was, though. He’s said the final words came to him in a dream. As he tuned up the band one more time, he told his childhood hero and role model the truth: “I’m sorry, I love you.” And put Old Yeller out of his misery.
Of course, Flair wrestled a couple more years in Impact, but that remains his final match in WWE.
2. The Streak Ends
Forget Montreal, this is the most shocking ending to a pro wrestling match.
Undertaker losing at WrestleMania was unfathomable. It was an attraction as part of the annual spectacle, sometimes more important than the world title. There were times you thought it could end, like against the Legend Killer or in the End of an Era match. But after 21 years, there were three things you could guarantee in life: death, taxes and Undertaker’s hand being raised on the Grandest Stage.
And then there was Brock Lesnar. In 2014, The Beast was fresh off an incredible victory over CM Punk at SummerSlam and then mauling Big Show at Royal Rumble. Although he was regarded as one of the most dominant forces in WWE, he wasn’t expected to beat Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. But that’s exactly what he did after a lengthy, dull match.
Hitting his third F-5 on the Deadman, Lesnar covered Undertaker and the ref’s hand hit the mat three times. Inside the Silverdome, the crowd gasped. (It felt like my eyes popped out of my head like in a cartoon.) There was a hushed silence throughout the arena for minutes, like we were all attending a funeral. And it really was a death – the end of the greatest record in wrestling history, the demise of a piece of our childhood.
1. Hogan Slams Andre
It’s the first WrestleMania moment.
It’s the image that encapsulates the spectacle, the physical feats and the triumph we’ve come to associate with pro wrestling’s biggest event. It’s a symbol of Vince McMahon’s expansion – the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Era – when pro wrestling transformed into sports-entertainment, entering the mainstream conscience with its larger-than-life characters. Forget WWE mythology that nobody slammed Andre before that night or Hulk Hogan’s claims that Andre weighed 700 pounds and didn’t commit until it was time for the move.
The undisputed fact is that Hogan slamming Andre defined a generation and became the cornerstone of WWE as we know it today.
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