WrestleMania is the one day each year that you don’t have to pretend you stopped watching pro wrestling back in junior high. The WWE calls it "The Showcase of the Immortals," and while that’s a bit much, it’s a big deal—WrestleMania is reported to generate $1.25B for host cities. But WrestleMania is more than just a moneymaker. Every wrestling fan knows that the best matches tend to take place on the biggest stage, and this year, John Cena will enter the squared circle in a showdown against Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania XLI.
What makes a WrestleMania match great isn’t just the athleticism—it’s the story. The build-up. The chaos. And this year’s main event has all of it. Cody Rhodes is stepping into the ring to finish his story (again), this time against a returning John Cena, in what’s being billed as Cena’s final WrestleMania match. That alone would be massive. But throw in the fact that Travis Scott actually punched Cody at the contract signing on Raw, and now we’re cooking with high-octane drama. It’s a match years in the making, packed with legacy, hype, and the kind of spectacle that only WrestleMania can deliver.
So before we find out how this year stacks up, let’s run through the top-tier classics that brought us here: the 41 greatest matches in WrestleMania history.
41. Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel, WrestleMania XI
Date: 4/2/1995
Location: Hartford, CT
Michaels won the Royal Rumble to become the No. 1 contender, setting up a clash with his old bodyguard, Diesel.
While it doesn’t quite measure up to their April 1996 showdown, this match delivered a classic big man-little man dynamic, with Michaels bumping all over the place for Big Daddy Cool. Seriously, he hits the floor three times in the first few minutes. Despite a botched power bomb, this match stands as the high point of Diesel’s otherwise lackluster (and unfortunately long) title reign. — Thomas Golianopoulos
40. John Cena vs. Batista, WrestleMania XXVI
Date: 3/28/2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Batista had just turned heel, rocking a questionable (or badass, depending on your view) leather vest and obnoxious sunglasses, and he was out to prove he was the biggest star of the post-Attitude era.
The match was fascinating for the way their careers paralleled—both debuted around the same time and won their first world titles at WrestleMania XXI. Batista’s powerhouse moves and the hot storyline made for an exciting clash. The final sequence, with Cena escaping Batista's finisher to lock in the STF, capped off the match perfectly. — Thomas Golianopoulos
39. The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Mick Foley vs. Big Show, WrestleMania 2000
Date: 4/2/2000
Location: Anaheim, CA
Triple H and Mankind spent the winter swapping the title and beating the hell out of each other, but the chaos didn’t stop there. The Rock and The Big Show got thrown into the mix, thanks to some classic Attitude Era nonsense.
Triple H came out on top after 36:28 when Vince McMahon nailed The Rock with a chair shot. Now, let’s get the bad out of the way: With a McMahon in every corner (Vince for The Rock, Shane for The Big Show, Linda for Mankind, and Stephanie for Triple H), the family drama ended up stealing the spotlight. Plus, Vince’s heel turn was a bit too obvious. But despite all that, this match made Triple H, as he became the first heel to walk out of WrestleMania with the championship. — Thomas Golianopoulos
38. The Brain Busters (Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson) vs. Strike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel), WrestleMania V
Date: 4/2/1989
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Martel had been out with an injury for nearly a year and teamed back up with Santana to face off against Bobby Heenan's new tag team.
The Brain Busters took the win at 9:16 with a spike piledriver. The match kicked off with some solid mat wrestling, including a nice exchange between Blanchard and Santana. There was strong psychology at play, too, with Strike Force showing some ring rust—Santana accidentally hitting Martel after a miscommunication. Martel wasn’t having it and, in true Martel fashion, abandoned Santana, leaving his partner high and dry. — Thomas Golianopoulos
37. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, WrestleMania III
Date: 3/29/1987
Location: Pontiac, MI
Andre the Giant was undefeated but had never gotten a shot at the title. With the scheming Bobby “The Brain” Heenan whispering in his ear like Iago to Andre’s Othello, the Giant finally set his sights on his former best friend, Hulk Hogan.
At 12:01, Hogan picked up the win with his signature Atomic Leg Drop. While the match was slow and plodding—Andre locking Hogan in a bear hug for what felt like forever—it remains iconic because of the sheer magnitude of the event and Hogan's legendary body slam of the Giant. It might have been sluggish, but that moment? Pure wrestling history. — Thomas Golianopoulos
36. Undertaker vs. Triple H, WrestleMania XXVII
Date: 4/3/2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
Having conquered everything in WWE, Triple H set his sights on ending The Undertaker’s legendary unbeaten streak at WrestleMania.
At 29:25, The Undertaker sealed the win with his Hell's Gate chokehold. The match aimed for “epic,” clearly trying to surpass his legendary bouts with Shawn Michaels, but it never quite hit that level. A little too much happened too soon—within the first two minutes, announcer tables were getting destroyed and rest spots were being set up. Still, despite its flaws, the match was an entertaining brawl with an ending that reminded fans of Undertaker's vulnerability. After all, even dead zombie legends have their expiration dates. — Thomas Golianopoulos
35. Steve Austin vs. The Rock, WrestleMania XIX
Date: 3/30/2003
Location: Seattle, WA
With one foot already in Hollywood, The Rock made his return to WWE to finally achieve what had eluded him—beating Austin at WrestleMania.
The match ended at 17:53 with The Rock securing the win via his signature Rock Bottom. Though both stars were past their prime and Austin was physically worn down, the two most bankable names of the past decade delivered one last memorable moment, with The Rock getting his win and setting off into retirement... and an endless run of ridiculous action movies. — Thomas Golianopoulos
34. Undertaker vs. Edge, WrestleMania XXIV
Date: 3/30/2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Edge had taken down The Undertaker twice over the last year, but things really heated up after ‘Taker earned the No. 1 contender spot at the Elimination Chamber.
The match went down at 23:50, with Undertaker securing the win via his Hell's Gate chokehold. Edge played the part of the "Ultimate Opportunist" perfectly, working a smart match and countering ‘Taker's signature moves. But in the end, it was the Deadman who turned Edge’s spear into a devastating Hell's Gate submission to claim victory. — Thomas Golianopoulos
33. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Edge vs. Kane, WrestleMania XXI
Date: 4/3/2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
The storyline? Six men, a ton of ladders, and a briefcase hanging from the rafters with the winner earning a world title shot within the year.
Edge snatched the win with a briefcase retrieval at 15:17, but it’s the chaos of the match that stands out. While these ladder matches have been a staple ever since, the original is still the best. It's a total car crash of a match, filled with brutal bumps, insane spots, and an astonishing performance from Shelton Benjamin. — Thomas Golianopoulos
32. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan, WrestleMania X8
Date: 3/17/2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
The storyline? After eight years away from WWE, Hulk Hogan made his return, kicking things off by picking a fight with The Rock—he hit him with a hammer, rammed an 18-wheeler into Rock’s ambulance, and even grew out his evil black beard.
In Toronto, the crowd refused to boo Hogan, making the match an intriguing back-and-forth with both guys playing heel and babyface at different times. Hogan wasn’t the worker he was in his 80s, and by this point, he was downright prehistoric in the ring. But despite that, the match is wildly entertaining. The Rock eventually wins with the People’s Elbow at 16:23, but it’s the crowd’s unpredictable energy that really makes this one stand out. — Thomas Golianopoulos
31. Edge and Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz, WrestleMania X-Seven
Date: 4/1/2001
Location: Houston, TX
The storyline? All three teams had been battling and swapping belts for the past year, and now they were adding tables, ladders, and chairs into the mix.
While this one wasn’t as fresh or jaw-dropping as their match at WrestleMania 2000 (or the SummerSlam rematch), there were still plenty of memorable spots. Edge’s spear off the ladder onto Jeff Hardy stands out as a highlight. In the end, Edge and Christian snatched the win with the belt retrieval at 15:53, keeping the chaos and excitement high. — Thomas Golianopoulos
30. Evolution (Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista) vs. The Rock and Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley), WrestleMania XX
Date: 3/14/2004
Location: NYC, NY
The storyline? Evolution had been attacking Foley for months, so he called in his old buddy The Rock for some backup.
While the three legends—Rock, Flair, and Foley—served up some great nostalgic moments (seriously, Flair and Rock impersonating each other was gold), this was really about showcasing the future stars. Batista looked like an absolute powerhouse, while Randy Orton picked up the clean pin on Foley with an RKO at 17:03. It was a passing of the torch moment, with the veterans setting the stage for the next generation. — Thomas Golianopoulos
29. Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania XIV
Date: 3/29/1998
Location: Boston, MA
Austin won the Royal Rumble, securing his spot as No. 1 contender, but this match is more about Austin’s coronation than anything else.
Both guys were pretty battered—Austin was still recovering from a near-paralyzing injury at SummerSlam, and Michaels was fighting through his last match before a back injury forced him into a temporary retirement. Yet, Michaels delivered a Herculean effort, wrestling through real pain, taking a stunt punch from Mike Tyson, and somehow rocking a ponytail full of cornrows. In the end, Austin hits the Stone Cold Stunner for the win at 20:02, but this one’s all about the grit and the moment. — Thomas Golianopoulos
28. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit, WrestleMania X-Seven
Date: 4/1/2001
Location: Houston, TX
The story was simple: Benoit made Angle tap out to the Crippler Crossface, and Angle wanted to prove it was just a fluke.
As expected with Angle, the match kicks off with some solid amateur wrestling, but the real magic happens in the counters and reversals—ankle-lock to ankle-lock, Crippler Crossface to Crippler Crossface. It’s technical brilliance on display. The finish comes with Angle pulling off a sneaky school-boy roll-up at 14:02, but it’s the back-and-forth that makes this one a must-see. — Thomas Golianopoulos
27. Steve Austin vs. The Rock, Wrestlemania XV
Date: 3/28/1999
Location: Philadelphia, PA
This match? The grand finale of a year-long war between Steve Austin and McMahon’s evil stable, The Corporation, led by none other than The Rock.
It’s chaos in the best way possible—an overbooked, all-out brawl that takes you all around the arena, with Austin and Rock battling into the crowd. Four referees (including Mankind and Vince McMahon) get involved, because why not? It’s the Attitude Era, after all. The structure’s predictable, but that doesn’t stop this from being a total blast. Austin hits the Stone Cold Stunner for the win at 16:52, but the real highlight is the insane spectacle that is this match. — Thomas Golianopoulos
26. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho, WrestleMania XIX
Date: 3/30/2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Jericho’s whole thing? He wanted to prove he was the younger, smarter, faster, and—most importantly—more charismatic version of his idol, Shawn Michaels. In other words, he was out to kill the legend.
The match itself was a masterclass in psychology, with Jericho relentlessly targeting Michaels’ back using the Walls of Jericho, a brutal backbreaker, and a beautiful Northern Lights suplex. It wasn’t just a fight—it was a battle of egos. In the end, Michaels took the win with a flying leg roll at 22:33, but the real twist came after the bell. Jericho, ever the snake, feigned a face turn, hugged Michaels... then kicked him straight in the balls. Classic Y2J move. — Thomas Golianopoulos
25. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania XXIII
Date: 4/1/2007
Location: Detroit, MI
The storyline was simple: Michaels won a triple threat to become the No. 1 contender.
The match? Classic Shawn Michaels—he sold like a champ and covered for his opponents’ shortcomings, making it look effortless. Cena eventually won with an STF at 28:22, but honestly, this felt like one of those times where the wrong guy went over. Still, it was a hell of a performance from HBK, even if the ending didn’t quite hit the mark. — Thomas Golianopoulos
24. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio, WrestleMania XXI
Date: 4/3/2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Tag Team Champions explode! Well, not really. After losing his confidence as a singles wrestler, former WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero challenged his tag partner Rey Mysterio to a match.
The result? A clinic. These two had wrestled each other more times than you could count and their chemistry was off the charts. The match flowed effortlessly, with near-perfect high-flying action—highlighted by Mysterio’s jaw-dropping running corkscrew plancha. It’s everything you’d expect from two masters of the ring going at it. A roll-up finish kept things tight, but it was the journey that made this one unforgettable. — Thomas Golianopoulos
23. Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon, WrestleMania X-Seven
Date: 4/1/2001
Location: Houston, TX
Where do you even start with this one? Vince McMahon, in his power-mad, horny glory, dumps his wife Linda for a ridiculously oiled-up Trish Stratus. Linda, naturally, flips out, has a breakdown, gets drugged, falls into a vegetative state, and winds up in a wheelchair. Enter Shane McMahon—defending his mom’s honor, and somewhere along the way, buying WCW right out from under his dad’s nose. Yep, wrestling is basically just a male soap opera, and this storyline was proof.
As for the match? Pure chaos. The kind of ridiculous, overbooked violence that’s so tasteless, it loops back into classic territory. You’ve got street signs, kendo sticks, TV monitors, chairs, and trash cans getting bashed all over the place. There’s also a catfight between Trish and Stephanie McMahon, and Shane throwing himself off anything that wasn’t nailed down.
And let's be real—this whole storyline? It might’ve cost Linda a shot at the U.S. Senate. Wild. — Thomas Golianopoulos
22. Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair, WrestleMania VIII
Date: 4/5/1992
Location: Indianapolis, IN
So the story goes: Flair pulled a classic scumbag move and claimed he had receipts—doctored photos, of course—of Miss Elizabeth cozying up with the Nature Boy himself. Savage didn’t take that well. At all.
This was supposed to be the big Hogan vs. Flair showdown, but Vince fumbled it and let WCW cash in later. Luckily, Savage and Flair stepped up. Savage was absolutely unhinged, out for blood, swinging on Flair like he caught him in the DMs.
It’s a wild one—full of drama, great selling, and Savage in full “defend my woman” rage mode. Yeah, it’s a little overbooked, and the rollup finish comes out of nowhere, but it still hits. Pure chaos. Pure Macho. — Thomas Golianopoulos
21. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair, WrestleMania XXIV
Date: 3/30/2008
Location: Orlando, FL
First off: Flair’s robe? Absolutely majestic. Full peacock mode. This wasn’t about five-star workrate or perfect execution (though, yeah, there’s a rough botch on a bridge spot). This was all about the feels.
Flair, chasing one last WrestleMania Moment, put it all on the line against Shawn Michaels. And Michaels? He didn’t want to pull the trigger—but he knew he had to. The final scene plays like the end of a Western. HBK, standing over a defiant Flair, mouths “I’m sorry. I love you,” then bam—Sweet Chin Music. Curtain closed. Nature Boy down.
Technically, Flair retired here. Emotionally, we all did. (And then Flair un-retired and ended up in TNA, but let’s just not talk about that part.) — Thomas Golianopoulos
20. Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan, WrestleMania VI
Date: 4/1/1990
Location: Toronto, Canada
This was less a wrestling match and more a clash of mythological forces. Hulkamania vs. The Power of the Warrior. Who had the stronger brand of cosmic energy and insane yelling?
Warrior showed up with a wild airbrushed chest tattoo and perfectly feathered hair, looking like a He-Man fever dream. Both guys were gassed by minute five, but somehow they powered through, hitting big move after big move in a match that shouldn’t have worked—but totally did. In the end, Hogan did the unthinkable: he lost clean and handed the reins to Warrior.
Of course, the “passing of the torch” didn’t exactly pan out. But for one night? Warrior stood tall, and the crowd lost their minds. — Thomas Golianopoulos
19. Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage, WrestleMania V
Date: 4/2/1989
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
The Mega Powers blew up in the most soap-operatic way possible. What started as the ultimate tag team—Hogan and Savage, best bros with matching bandanas—crumbled fast when Savage got jealous over Hogan’s not-so-subtle interest in Miss Elizabeth. Title? Sure. But Liz was the real spark.
She tried to stay neutral, even posted up in a “neutral corner,” but got dragged into the drama almost immediately—literally blocking Hogan from smashing Savage into a steel post. Savage responded by scolding her like a disappointed dad, and the ref eventually gave her the boot.
But let’s give it up: both guys showed up to work. Savage was dialed in. Hogan sold like he cared. The comeback was vintage Hulk—hulking up, finger wagging, and of course, the atomic leg drop. One, two, three. Mega Powers, officially exploded. — Thomas Golianopoulos
18. Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper, WrestleMania VIII
Date: 4/5/1992
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper was part technical showcase, part bar fight, and somehow it all worked. The backstory made it personal—Piper was a longtime family friend, Hart was banged up and trying to bounce back after losing the IC title, and both had something to prove.
Things got real when the ref went down. Piper grabbed the ring bell—classic heel move loading—but then had a moment of internal crisis. Old Rowdy might’ve cracked Hart’s skull in another life, but here? He dropped it and went for the sleeper instead. That’s when Bret pulled a fast one—pushed off the ropes, rolled Piper up, and stole the win.
It’s gritty, emotional, and way more layered than people remember. One of Bret’s most underrated gems. — Thomas Golianopoulos
17. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker, WrestleMania XXV
Date: 4/5/2009
Location: Houston, TX
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker—WrestleMania magic from the jump. This was the first of their two back-to-back classics, and while the sequel gets more love, this one set the tone. Shawn came in knowing he couldn’t outpower The Deadman, so he played it smart—quick strikes, aerial attacks, even tried to sneak a count-out win. (That little move was chef’s kiss.)
Michaels sold like a madman, flying all over the place, and Taker’s reactions—those dead-eyed stares, the “I can’t believe this guy won’t stay down” energy—were pitch-perfect. It wasn’t flawless—some moments were a little clunky—but the drama, the pacing, the near-falls? Still top-tier WrestleMania. — Thomas Golianopoulos
16. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart, WrestleMania XII
Date: 3/31/1996
Location: Anaheim, CA
Real talk: Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart could not stand each other in real life, but in the ring? Magic. This was billed as the Iron Man Match, and it lived up to the hype—an hour-plus of two dudes trying to outwrestle, outlast, and out-ego each other.
Yeah, it starts slow. But that’s the point—these guys were so evenly matched they couldn’t score a single fall in 60 minutes. Not one. So when the bell rang, everyone thought it was a draw. But then Gorilla Monsoon popped up and said nope, we’re going to sudden death. Moments later, Michaels landed a perfect Sweet Chin Music, and just like that, the boyhood dream was real.
Meanwhile, Bret dipped out without a handshake, salty as hell—and that little move right there? Planted the seeds for the greatest heel turn of his career. — Thomas Golianopoulos
15. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge and Christian, WrestleMania 2000
Date: 4/2/2000
Location: Anaheim, CA
This wasn’t just a match—it was a car crash in the best possible way. The Hardy Boyz, the Dudley Boyz, and Edge & Christian turned their three-way tag feud into pure ladder-fueled chaos, and it ruled.
Yeah, some of the setups took a minute, but every payoff hit. Matt Hardy getting powerbombed through a table like he owed someone money. Jeff flying through the air with a Swanton off a ladder onto Bubba Ray. And the finish? Edge and Christian scrambling up a makeshift scaffold to snag the belts while the crowd absolutely lost it.
Even Jerry Lawler was speechless. “These guys are all crazy,” he said, and honestly? No lies detected. — Thomas Golianopoulos
14. Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle, WrestleMania XX
Date: 3/14/2004
Location: NYC, NY
This one had it all: top-tier wrestling, sharp storytelling, and a finish that was straight-up genius. Kurt Angle, the smug Olympic hero, thought Eddie Guerrero didn’t deserve to be champion—too much lying, cheating, stealing, and, of course, that past drug addiction. (Which is rich coming from Angle, but hey, that’s what makes a great heel: they actually believe they’re the good guy.)
The match itself was exactly what you’d expect from two absolute technicians. They started with some beautiful mat work, transitioned into flawless suplexes—Eddie’s triple verticals deserve their own wing in the Hall of Fame—and kept the pace tight the whole way through.
And the ending? Masterclass. Eddie slips out of the ankle lock, unlaces his boot, and plays possum. When Angle grabs for the ankle again, the boot pops right off—he’s left holding it like a cartoon character while Eddie rolls him up for the win. Crowd pops, Eddie smirks, Angle loses his mind. Perfect. — Thomas Golianopoulos
13. Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania XIX
Date: 3/3/2003
Location: Seattle, WA
The fact this match even happened is kind of wild. Kurt Angle’s neck was hanging on by a thread, but he put off surgery just to make it to WrestleMania—and still managed to put on an absolute clinic.
Classic Kurt stuff here: reversals, chain wrestling, crisp timing. But Brock Lesnar held his own, matching Angle's intensity move for move. And then came the moment—Lesnar goes for a Shooting Star Press, a move he hadn’t busted out since his early days. He completely whiffs it and lands right on his head. It looked bad. Like, career-ending bad. But somehow, the man stands up, dazed and clearly concussed, and still manages to hit the F5 and win the match.
It was gritty, it was reckless, it was unforgettable. The kind of finish that makes your heart stop—and then start chanting “holy sh*t.” — Thomas Golianopoulos
13. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania X
Date: 3/20/1994
Location: NYC, NY
This is the one that changed everything. The ladder match that made ladder matches a thing. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania X wasn’t just about who the real Intercontinental Champ was—it was about who could turn a metal ladder into a storytelling weapon.
Both guys went all in. HBK bounced off steel like a crash test dummy. Razor used the ladder like a battering ram. Every spot felt fresh, every bump meant something. It wasn’t just chaos for chaos’ sake—it was smart, violent, creative, and way ahead of its time. This was the blueprint for the spot-heavy, stunt-show style that would come to define a whole era of pro wrestling. And yeah, the image of Michaels getting tangled in the ropes while Razor climbs up to grab the gold? Still iconic. — Thomas Golianopoulos
12. Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage, WrestleMania VII
Date: 3/24/1991
Location: Los Angeles, CA
This one had everything you want in a WrestleMania match—stakes, spectacle, and a full-blown emotional rollercoaster. Warrior kicked out of five top-rope elbow drops like it was nothing. Savage somehow survived Warrior’s press slam/splash combo. And then Warrior, in peak ‘90s action figure mode, pinned Macho Man with one foot on his chest like a damn final boss.
But the real moment—the one that stuck—came after the bell. Sensational Sherri turned on Savage, stomping him while he was still laid out. And just when it looked like no one was coming to help, out came Elizabeth from the crowd. She hadn't been part of his act in forever, but she was still his person. She threw Sherri out of the ring, and Savage, broken and humbled, embraced her like it was the only thing that mattered. The crowd lost it. Grown men cried. The reunion was pure magic—soap opera wrestling at its absolute best. — Thomas Golianopoulos
11. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania XX
Date: 3/14/2004
Location: NYC, NY
Triple Threats can get messy fast—usually just a game of musical chairs where two guys go at it while the third recovers off-camera. But this one? This one clicked. Every transition felt smooth, every combo hit hard, and the chaos was balanced in the best way. One second you’ve got Benoit trading holds with Michaels, the next you’ve got HHH and HBK suplexing Benoit from one announce table through another. Absolute carnage.
The match never let up, and the finish was fire: Michaels gets dumped, Benoit slaps the Crippler Crossface on HHH, and the crowd goes nuclear when Hunter taps. It was the crowning moment of Benoit’s career, and the image of Eddie Guerrero walking out to hug his best friend—both of them world champions—felt like the culmination of years of hard-fought grind.
But it’s impossible to talk about this match without acknowledging what came after. Guerrero passed away less than two years later. And in 2007, Benoit took the lives of his wife and son before taking his own. It’s a dark, painful chapter that will forever change how this moment is remembered. — Thomas Golianopoulos
10. Daniel Bryan vs. Batista vs. Randy Orton, WrestleMania XXX
Date: 4/6/2014
Location: New Orleans, LA
In the months leading up to WrestleMania 30, it felt like the moment had passed Daniel Bryan by. Bryan seemed destined to be sequestered off into a program with the Wyatt Family or featured in a bout against Triple H. Instead, he opened and closed the show, battling Triple H to earn his way into the main event against WWE’s chosen champion, Randy Orton, and Batista, who’d returned after nearly four years away to win the Royal Rumble.
From the opening bell, the storytelling was beautiful. As fans reeled from watching The Undertaker’s streak end earlier in the evening, Bryan brought hope and energy to the Superdome. Bryan found a way out at every roadblock and seemed destined to end the night with championship gold. Triple H and his sledgehammer couldn’t stop Bryan. Neither could a devastating Batista Bomb - RKO combination through an announce table. False finishes followed, with Orton and Batista teasing ruining Bryan’s big moment. As Batista’s hand eventually slapped the mat in submission to Bryan, one of the greatest underdog stories in WWE history had been completed on its grandest stage. — Raj Prashad
9. Edge vs. Mick Foley, WrestleMania XXII
Date: 4/2/2006
Location: Chicago, IL
A brutal hardcore match with blood, barbed wire, and a flaming table—what more could you want? This one didn’t just steal the show, it gave Mick Foley the WrestleMania Moment he’d been chasing his whole career.
Foley is one of the greatest to ever do it, no question. But up until this point, he didn’t have that one iconic Mania match to hang his flannel on. Sure, he’d had appearances, but nothing that truly stood the test of time. Enter: Edge. The Rated R Superstar stepped up to the plate and helped deliver the chaos.
Foley came out of retirement for this one, and together, he and Edge went to war. It was violent, it was unhinged, it had all the greatest hits—and then some. The image of Edge spearing Foley through the ropes and into a flaming table is forever burned (literally) into wrestling history. Neither guy held anything back. Foley didn’t win the match, but he walked away with something better: his name etched into WrestleMania legend. — Jamie Iovine
8. John Cena vs. The Rock, WrestleMania XXVIII
Date: 4/1/2012
Location: Miami Gardens, FL
If there were two poster children for WWE, the first that would come to mind are John Cena and The Rock. It’s a tale of two eras—one of an elder looking at a younger version of itself, and instead of gracefully passing down the torch, they fought for it—or at least, for the belt.
Both were strong, physically imposing performers, a fact underscored by The Rock’s revealing ring attire at the time, and more than apparent when muscle met muscle. From the start of the match, The Rock was being dominated—inside the ring, at ringside, and throughout the arena. It seemed an unlikely matchup for the People’s Champion, until a pivotal moment: Rock took Cena down from between his legs and stood over him, asserting his claim on the match and more symbolically on the WWE franchise.
Cena got too cocky and tried to execute The Rock’s own finishing move—the People’s Elbow but got caught in the process. The Rock hit the Rock Bottom and ended up winning the match. — Tiana Randall
7. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart, WrestleMania X
Date: 3/20/1994
Location: New York City
Bret Hart, the shining star of wrestling’s royal family, the Harts, more than lived up to his moniker: “The Best There Is, The Best There Was, And The Best There Ever Will Be.” People used to say Bret could have a good match with a broomstick—and during his prime, he pretty much did. A true technician, a ring general of the highest order, there weren’t many who could hang with him. But one of the few who could? His younger brother, Owen.
Owen Hart was the real deal too—an insanely skilled wrestler who carved out his own path, even while living in Bret’s shadow. The two teamed up plenty of times, but eventually, Owen’s jealousy boiled over. He turned on big bro, which led to the opening match of WrestleMania X—a straight-up five-star classic.
Behind the scenes, both guys knew this was their moment. Bret wanted to make sure Owen got to shine on the biggest stage of them all, and man, did they deliver. The chemistry, the storytelling, the pacing—it all clicked. Bret vs. Owen didn’t just set the tone for the night; it raised the bar for what a WrestleMania match could be. — Jamie Iovine
6. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle, WrestleMania XXI
Date: 4/3/2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
This was a match driven entirely by ego. A first-time showdown between Kurt Angle and "Mr. WrestleMania" himself, Shawn Michaels—two legends whose paths hadn’t crossed until the 2005 Royal Rumble. Angle is a flashy, Hollywood-styled wrestler on one side, theatrical and explosive. On the other hand, Michaels is methodical, precise, almost surgical in his execution. Their contrasting performance styles weren’t just personal signatures—they represented opposing ideologies within the WWE itself.
It was a story told between the lines: two men who believed their approach to wrestling was the right one. Rather than shying away from the narratives built around them in WWE, they embraced them. They wanted the weight of it all and, more importantly, to be remembered.
The match reflected that. No steel chairs or blood-soaked drama, this was about pacing, control, and tension. It unfolded like a dance. The dramatics came in the form of restraint: holds and releases, a slow build that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. And he didn't let go when Angle finally locked in the Ankle Lock. Michaels reached for the ropes, nearly breaking free more than once. But in the end, he tapped. — Tiana Randall
5. The Rock vs. Steve Austin, WrestleMania X-Seven
Date: 4/1/2001
Location: Houston, TX
For some lore, at this time in the year 2001, The Rock was the clear maverick of the WWE. But one person possibly stood in the way of that clear competition—and it was Stone Cold Steve Austin. It was the peak of the Attitude Era. This was a highly anticipated and coveted rematch that happened after their first WrestleMania clash, and it not only signified their hatred for each other but also Steve Austin's hatred for the authority and institution that was the WWF, as The Rock was the poster boy of it at that time.
So for Austin, the ability to retain his title was not a want, but a need, driving him to almost unthinkable lengths to win it. And because of that, this match was a bloody one.
Steve Austin’s desperation was so apparent that he teamed up with longtime nemesis Vince McMahon. In the heel turn of the event, McMahon handed Austin a steel chair, which he used to bludgeon The Rock 16 times.
This match wasn’t just a turning point for WrestleMania; it truly changed the majority's perspective on Austin. — Tiana Randall
4. The Undertaker vs. Triple H, WrestleMania XXVIII
Date: 4/1/2012
Location: Miami Gardens, FL
This match truly was something to behold. The physicality, the drama, the legacy all combined into one must-see match for the ages. At the time, the Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak was still intact. Many had tried and failed to beat The Deadman at the show of shows, and so far none had succeeded. The legendary Shawn Michaels had failed twice, ultimately retiring from in-ring competition. Michaels’ best friend Triple H also attempted and fell victim to the Taker of Souls at both Wrestlemania 17 and 28.
Still determined to end the Streak, Taker and the Cerebral Assassin decided to have one last match inside the dreaded Hell in A Cell. Throw in the added caveat of Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee, and this was one of the last times we saw three legends of the infamous Attitude Era do what they do best. And man, did they deliver.
Taker and Triple H brutalized each other in the cell, where Michaels had to watch his best friend, and an opponent he had the utmost respect for, tear each other to pieces, hoping that each move would be the last. A beautiful swan song of sorts for these legends. — Jamie Iovine
3. Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage, WrestleMania III
Date: 3/29/1987
Location: Pontiac, MI
When discussing the “perfect match,” this one from WrestleMania III is almost certain to be at the forefront of the conversation. Randy Savage, the reigning Intercontinental Champion, was challenged by Ricky The Dragon Steamboat after Savage almost ended his career. Wrestlemania III was headlined by a blockbuster main event where WWE Champion Hulk Hogan was challenged by Andre The Giant.
Determined to steal the show, and being an extreme perfectionist, Savage concocted what he considered a sure-fire five-star match. Steamboat would later reveal that Savage had laid out every beat of the match from second to second, and both competitors committed it to memory. Being the in-ring savant that he is, The Macho Man delivered along with a great dancing partner in Ricky Steamboat. From bell to bell, it was a hard-hitting, athletically demanding match that saw each competitor leave it all in the ring while telling an incredible story of the babyface challenger overcoming obstacle after obstacle to best his long-time rival. Wrestlers and fans alike go back to this match as a study of how to be a sports entertainer, for good reason. — Jamie Iovine
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker, WrestleMania XXVI
Date: 3/28/2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
It was one of the best WrestleMania matches ever, and it was bigger than any title match at that time. A contest with The Undertaker’s streak on the line became the focal point around WrestleMania season. Shawn Michaels, Mr. WrestleMania, was identified as the perfect dance partner to push the Deadman’s unbeaten run to its limit, and fans knew they’d knock it out of the park before they even locked up.
Everything about this felt WrestleMania-worthy, from their entrances to the unpredictable nature of what would transpire over the following 30-plus minutes. The two legendary performers in the prime of their careers played all the hits, with drama tightly packed into false finishes and a desperate Michaels yearning to win however he could. The pacing of the match gave the audience time to breathe, flexing between eager anticipation and a total frenzy. As the duo wobbled, standing in front of each other on their last legs, it genuinely felt like anything could happen. Ultimately, Michaels's moonsault attempt led to his undoing. The Undertaker would catch him in the air before dropping him on his head for a tombstone piledriver and the end to an instant classic. — Raj Prashad
1. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, WrestleMania XIII
Date: 3/29/1997
Location: Chicago, IL
Widely considered one of the greatest matches of all time, both for its in-ring performance and storytelling, Bret Hart vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 is pure wrestling perfection. And now, it's officially getting its flowers: Before WrestleMania 41 this weekend, it will become the first match ever to receive the “WWE Immortal Moment” award.
Heading into the bout, Hart had grown disillusioned with the WWE Universe. Once the company’s top babyface, The Hitman suddenly found himself in a world he didn’t recognize. Clean-cut good guys were out, and a new kind of star was on the rise—one who didn’t care about vitamins or catchphrases. In the wake of this cultural shift, the beer-swilling, trash-talking antihero Stone Cold Steve Austin, initially cast as a heel, was becoming the voice of a fed-up fanbase.
What followed was a mat classic. Both men came in with something to prove and gave each other nothing—just stiff shots, technical brilliance, and raw emotion. The tide of public opinion turned mid-match: Hart, growing increasingly desperate, leaned into underhanded tactics, while Austin—bloody, defiant, and refusing to quit—fought through the pain. When Hart locked in the Sharpshooter, Austin didn’t tap. He passed out.
It’s one of the most iconic visuals in WWE history: Austin, face drenched in blood, unconscious but unbroken. Hart won the match, but Austin walked out the hero. This was the double turn to end all double turns—and the moment a legend was born. — Jamie Iovine
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