Cheers And Cringes
The bell rings. Millions watch. Legends rise or fall at WrestleMania. WWE's signature event has produced timeless classics worth rewatching forever. However, it's also delivered shocking duds that make us question our fandom.
Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania 26
“I'm sorry, I love you”. These words from The Undertaker echoed Michaels' famous line to Ric Flair before delivering the match-ending Tombstone Piledriver. The stipulation enhanced what was already a technical masterpiece, as Michaels staked his legendary career against The Phenom's undefeated streak.
Story of Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels | Wrestlemania 26 by Eliminator Kane - DKL
Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels (Cont.)
Within WWE, this match was regarded as the pinnacle of psychological wrestling, primarily due to the final ten minutes, which displayed an emotionally grueling sequence. Michaels, despite being battered, repeatedly slapped The Undertaker, daring him to end what Mr. WrestleMania knew was his final performance.
FULL MATCH: The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels - Streak vs. Career No Disqualification Match by WWE
Daniel Bryan Vs Batista Vs Randy Orton: WrestleMania 30
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome erupted as Bryan took over WWE's top prize. He overcame both a legitimate neck injury and years of creative resistance from the executives. Statistics show Bryan was WWE's top merchandise seller even though he was never positioned as the company's centerpiece.
FULL MATCH: Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Batista – Triple Threat Match: WrestleMania 30 by WWE
Daniel Bryan Vs Batista Vs Randy Orton (Cont.)
WWE's original plan for WrestleMania 30 featured Batista defeating Randy Orton in the main event. Instead, Batista was relentlessly booed upon winning the Royal Rumble. The "Yes Movement" grew so powerful that WWE changed direction entirely, creating an unexpected parallel to the "Yes" chants.
FULL MATCH: Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Batista – Triple Threat Match: WrestleMania 30 by WWE
Cody Rhodes Vs Roman Reigns: WrestleMania 40
Lincoln Financial Field's attendance record was shattered as fans witnessed wrestling's most satisfying conclusion to a multi-year arc. The match had 12 separate near-falls. After being forcibly removed from WWE's team in 2016, Rhodes returned in 2022 following his success in AEW.
Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes — Bloodline Rules Match: WrestleMania XL Sunday highlights by WWE
Cody Rhodes Vs Roman Reigns (Cont.)
Behind the scenes, Rhodes' victory represented a dramatic shift in WWE's creative philosophy under Triple H. The win overturned Vince McMahon's previous decision at WrestleMania 39, where Rhodes' loss was widely criticized by critics and fans alike. WWE expertly incorporated real-life executive decisions into the storyline.
Stone Cold Vs The Rock: WrestleMania 17
A shocking betrayal of fans punctuated this historic main event when Austin aligned with McMahon to defeat The Rock. The match represented the peak Attitude Era, featuring 28 minutes of brutal action. These culminated with multiple chair shots that would be banned today.
Stone Cold Vs The Rock (Cont.)
Jim Ross's legendary call, “Stone Cold has sold his soul to Satan himself!” perfectly captured the crowd's reaction. Apparently, WrestleMania X-Seven generated 1.3 million PPV buys, establishing the financial ceiling that WWE would chase for over a decade. The Houston Astrodome exploded with each near-fall.
Bret Hart Vs Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania 12
In this technical masterclass, the Arrowhead Pond fell silent as the two superstars fought to a score of 0-0 at the end of sixty minutes. Medical personnel documented both men's heart rates over 170 beats per minute for more than 40 minutes of the competition.
FULL MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels – WWE Title Iron Man Match: WrestleMania XII by WWE
Bret Hart Vs Shawn Michaels (Cont.)
WWE's production group devised a cool entrance for Michaels, where they lowered him from the arena ceiling on a zip line. Besides, the sudden-death overtime rule was a smart way to ensure a clear winner while still acknowledging the tough competition they had during the match.
FULL MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels – WWE Title Iron Man Match: WrestleMania XII by WWE
Brock Lesnar Vs Kurt Angle: WrestleMania 19
Lesnar, a former NCAA heavyweight champion with a 106-5 amateur record, fought against Olympic gold medalist Angle. This match saw seamless transitions between amateur wrestling, submissions, and professional wrestling psychology. Their legitimate backgrounds crafted a unique in-ring tension rarely seen at WrestleMania.
FULL MATCH - Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar – WWE Title Match: WrestleMania XIX by WWE
Brock Lesnar Vs Kurt Angle (Cont.)
Despite the match's brilliance, it is often remembered for Lesnar's botched Shooting Star Press. This was a high-flying move, surprising for a 286-pound athlete. What many fans don't know is that Angle competed with a serious neck injury that required surgery just days after the event.
FULL MATCH - Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar – WWE Title Match: WrestleMania XIX by WWE
Hulk Hogan Vs Ultimate Warrior: WrestleMania 6
Wrestling's first true superhero collision thrilled thousands of fans at Toronto's SkyDome. Both men entered as champions. Hogan with the WWF Championship and Warrior with the Intercontinental title. The iconic "double clothesline" spot remains a blueprint moment repeatedly imitated in wrestling's biggest matches.
FULL MATCH — Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior — Champion vs. Champion Match: WrestleMania VI by WWE
Hulk Hogan Vs Ultimate Warrior (Cont.)
Well, the match's greatest achievement was making pedestrian wrestling feel monumental through sheer star power and audience investment. Warrior securing a clean victory over Hulkamania was a revolutionary instance. After all, Hogan had never lost without interference since becoming champion.
FULL MATCH — Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior — Champion vs. Champion Match: WrestleMania VI by WWE
Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens Vs The Usos: WrestleMania 39
Childhood friends reunited to topple The Bloodline's yearlong dominance. This rare tag team main event marked the first time in WrestleMania's 39-year history that tag titles headlined a show. Michael Cole's emotional commentary of "They did it! They finally did it!" is unforgettable.
Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens Vs The Usos (Cont.)
Sami Zayn's betrayal and redemption arc generated authentic emotional investment. The match had just two false finishes before the climactic victory, which was quite unusual restraint for a WrestleMania main show. Wrestling Observer awarded it 4.75 stars, the highest-rated tag match ever.
Sasha Banks Vs Bianca Belair: WrestleMania 37
History unfolded at Raymond James Stadium when Banks and Belair became the first Black women to headline WrestleMania. Their emotional exchange before the opening bell gave rise to one of wrestling's most powerful visual moments. The match maintained a relentless pace.
Sasha Banks Vs Bianca Belair (Cont.)
Basically, Banks targeted Belair's braid, and Belair countered with her superior athletic prowess. WWE's pandemic-era programming had suffered from empty arenas, but this match witnessed the triumphant return of live fans after 13 months. Belair's victory via her KOD finisher established her as WWE's newest star.
Brock Lesnar Vs Roman Reigns Vs Seth Rollins: WrestleMania 31
"The Heist of the Century" changed a predictable main event into an all-time WrestleMania moment. Seth Rollins' Money in the Bank cash-in during the fight saw the first and only mid-match cash-in. The audience erupted when Rollins opportunistically pinned Reigns after Lesnar had dominated much of the contest.
Brock Lesnar Vs Roman Reigns Vs Seth Rollins (Cont.)
Wrestling media reported that the original finish had Lesnar retaining until just days before the tournament, when WWE creatives recognized the hostile crowd reaction to Reigns. The match innovation solved three problems simultaneously: preserving Lesnar's dominance, protecting Reigns from fan rejection, and uplifting Rollins to championship status.
Undertaker Vs Edge: WrestleMania 24
Although Edge had previously defeated The Undertaker and was the World Heavyweight Champion going into the fight, he was unable to resist The Streak's supernatural strength. Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely, two of Edge's teammates, interfered brilliantly throughout the bout.
Undertaker Vs Edge (Cont.)
They delivered a stunning spear that almost ruined The Undertaker's unbeaten WrestleMania run. Within wrestling circles, facing The Undertaker had become the industry's ultimate credential. This win was his sixth World Heavyweight Championship reign and extended his undefeated streak to 16–0.
Shawn Michaels Vs Stone Cold: WrestleMania 14
Believe it or not, but Mike Tyson's involvement made this match a mainstream pop culture moment that helped WWE gain momentum in the Monday Night Wars. The controversial boxing champion, fresh off his ear-biting incident with Evander Holyfield, brought unprecedented media attention to the show.
Shawn Michaels Vs Stone Cold (Cont.)
Beyond its quality, the match also carries historical significance. After all, it was the official beginning of the "Austin Era" that would propel WWE past WCW in TV ratings. Behind the scenes, Michaels fought despite a career-threatening back injury that would force his retirement until 2002.
Roman Reigns Vs Cody Rhodes: WrestleMania 39
Supporters watched Cody Rhodes' unexpected loss in what was mostly predicted to be his defining moment. Reigns’ 950+ day championship reign was maintained by the contentious conclusion of the match. During this time, Solo Sikoa's interference proved decisive after 34 minutes of action.
Roman Reigns Vs Cody Rhodes (Cont.)
According to industry sources, Vince McMahon had a say in the decision to postpone Rhodes' victory, even though he had resigned from his formal position. Anyway, Rhodes and Reigns delivered exceptional ring psychology, with Rhodes abandoning his technical approach for a more violent style.
Hulk Hogan Vs Andre The Giant: WrestleMania 3
This is where Hogan lifted the 520-pound Andre. The legendary slam wasn't the first time Hogan had lifted Andre, but the storytelling raised it to an iconic position. Commentary by Jesse Ventura masterfully sold Andre's dominance, making Hogan's comeback feel truly miraculous.
FULL MATCH - Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant - WWE Championship Match: WrestleMania III by WWE
Hulk Hogan Vs Andre The Giant (Cont.)
Cultural significance outweighs technical quality in this match, which remains wrestling's definitive showdown between hero and villain. Interestingly, the event was overshadowed by Ricky Steamboat versus Randy Savage earlier on the card, proof that WrestleMania's best match isn't always its main event.
John Cena Vs The Rock: WrestleMania 28
An unprecedented year-long build-up generated massive anticipation for this "once-in-a-lifetime" showdown. The match, announced a full 365 days in advance, broke traditional wrestling promotion patterns and demonstrated WWE's confidence in sustained storyline development. Both superstars used social media extensively during the build.
FULL MATCH - The Rock vs. John Cena: WrestleMania XXVIII by WWE
John Cena Vs The Rock (Cont.)
This event was so well-received that it was rebroadcast on NBC and released on DVD/Blu-ray under the title The Rock vs John Cena: Once in a Lifetime. Now, let's shift from the pantheon to the pit where even wrestling's grandest stage isn't immune to catastrophic failure.
FULL MATCH - The Rock vs. John Cena: WrestleMania XXVIII by WWE
Michael Cole Vs Jerry Lawler: WrestleMania 27
Wrestling analytics reveal the unbelievable truth. This announcer versus announcer match received 30 minutes of ring time, longer than The Undertaker versus Triple H on the same card. Cole, a non-wrestler, somehow defeated WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler in a match of countless rest holds.
FULL MATCH — Michael Cole vs. Jerry
Michael Cole Vs Jerry Lawler (Cont.)
Former WWE writers confirmed this match represented McMahon's misguided belief that “all publicity is good publicity”. Wrestling Observer Newsletter awarded it the dubious "Worst Match of the Year" distinction, with Dave Meltzer calling it “possibly the worst match on a major WWE card in company history”.
FULL MATCH — Michael Cole vs. Jerry
Hulk Hogan Vs Yokozuna: WrestleMania 9
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas hosted perhaps wrestling's most egregious political power play. Hulk Hogan happily destroyed months of Yokozuna's momentum in around 30 seconds. The impromptu match occurred immediately after Yokozuna had defeated Bret Hart for the WWF Championship.
A salty misfire by Mr. Fuji at WrestleMania IX by WWE
Hulk Hogan Vs Yokozuna (Cont.)
Hogan supposedly rushed to check on his "injured friend" before accepting an immediate title shot from Mr. Fuji. One leg drop later, he became champion without any buildup or logical storyline foundation. The aftermath included further controversy, with Hogan soon leaving the company.
The Miz Vs John Cena: WrestleMania 27
Here comes a heavily promoted championship contest that culminated in a double count-out, only for The Rock to restart it under No Disqualification rules. Out of nowhere, The Rock suddenly jumped in and took out Cena with a Rock Bottom.
WWE Network: John Cena vs. The Miz: Raw, August 27, 2012 by WWE
The Miz Vs John Cena (Cont.)
This move made it super easy for The Miz to keep his title, which no one really wanted to happen. The match's 15-minute runtime saw precisely zero memorable sequences beyond a dangerous outside dive spot that appeared to genuinely injure The Miz.
WWE Network: John Cena vs. The Miz: Raw, August 27, 2012 by WWE
Bret Hart Vs Vince McMahon: WrestleMania 26
Many medical professionals questioned WWE's decision to set up this match, given Hart's history of concussions. The 62-year-old McMahon and a physically struggling Hart put on a slow show that had several members of the Hart family jumping in to attack McMahon.
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart calls out Mr. McMahon by WWE
Bret Hart Vs Vince McMahon (Cont.)
The crowd at University of Phoenix Stadium grew quieter as what was supposed to be a revenge fantasy for the 1997 "Montreal Screwjob" turned into an awkward display of Hart's limited abilities. The bout lasted only 11 minutes but felt longer, displaying multiple chair shots.
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart calls out Mr. McMahon by WWE
Goldberg Vs Brock Lesnar: WrestleMania 20
Industry analysts noted this match's unique position as the only WrestleMania contest where both participants were knowingly performing their final contracted appearance. WWE production staff attempted to mitigate damage by reducing crowd microphone levels, an unusual step for a company that usually amplifies audience response.
Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar: WrestleMania XX by WWE
Goldberg Vs Brock Lesnar (Cont.)
In terms of the fight, the action was minimal, with long periods of stalling and little chemistry between the two competitors. Goldberg eventually won after nearly 14 minutes, but the crowd only erupted when Austin delivered Stunners to both men after the match.
Goldberg’s greatest moments: WWE Playlist by WWE
Big Show Vs Akebono: WrestleMania 21
Akebono Taro, a legitimate yokozuna (the highest rank in sumo), deserved better than this poorly conceived exhibition. Big Show later confessed in his autobiography that this was "the most humiliating moment" of his wrestling life, forced to wear a mawashi (sumo loincloth) that left little to the imagination.
FULL MATCH: Big Show vs. Akebono – Sumo Match: WrestleMania 21 by WWE Vault
Big Show Vs Akebono (Cont.)
The match originated from WWE's expanding Japanese television market, with executives hoping to capitalize on Akebono's celebrity status. What they failed to recognize was that sumo's pacing and technical nuances couldn't translate to WWE's entertainment-focused presentation. The LA crowd responded with uncomfortable silence and scattered laughter.
FULL MATCH: Big Show vs. Akebono – Sumo Match: WrestleMania 21 by WWE Vault
The Fiend Vs Randy Orton: WrestleMania 37
Wrestling took a wild turn when Alexa Bliss popped out of a giant jack-in-the-box with black goo dripping down her head. Despite high expectations and a lengthy supernatural storyline, the match lasted only about six minutes and was marred by confusing booking and a lackluster payoff.
The Fiend Vs Randy Orton (Cont.)
It mainly was about The Fiend dominating Orton for most of the short runtime, with Orton barely able to mount any offense. According to former writer Freddie Prinze Jr, the original storyline conclusion involved a more elaborate cinematic sequence that was scrapped due to budget constraints.
