WrestleMania has produced some of the greatest stars to grace the ring, intense rivalries, and some jaw dropping matches. I mean, come on, some of the greatest matches have taken place inside the ring. While fans will of course battle it out for which wrestler and which match is the best, we decided to sift through and rank 21 of the greatest matches in WrestleMania History.
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania XXVI
That’s right, we’re starting off this list with a heart wrenching battle between The Phenom and The Showstopper – where the result was one of tragic proportions for fans everywhere. Either The Streak was coming to an end or Mr. WrestleMania’s career was. There was no alternative and no one could digest this end result. Watching Mr. WrestleMania moonsault from the top rope onto a tabled Deadman was breathtaking. Then the Last Outlaw Tombstoned Michaels on the floor. After pulling out of a second Tombstone, Michaels had one act of defiance left, slapping The Phenom in the face. A high, leaping Tombstone later, and WrestleMania was saying goodbye to its most remarkable performer.
The Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania Xxvi
Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart — WrestleMania X
This was an all out sibling rivalry between two world-class performers. The peevish and talented, Owen, wanted to prove himself that night, he wanted to be held in the same regard as his older, more accomplished big brother. The match’s turning point was when Bret tweaked his knee on a pescado, at the moment, Owen pounced. Bret tried to put The Black Hart away with a victory roll, but Owen reversed it into a compact pin-fall, and proved that not only did he belong in the same class as Bret, he was also a step ahead. Maybe he promised his brother some affordable life insurance after his win.
Bret Hart Vs Owen Hart Wrestlemania X
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock — WrestleMania XV
No rivalry, in our eyes, matches the intensity than that of The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Three times, they battled it out on The Grandest Stage of Them All, and their first ever encounter was during WrestleMania XV. This was fight against Mr. McMahon’s hand-picked corporate champion against the Superstar that The Chairman did not want to be the face of WWE. No fan could tell who would come out victorious and this was a fight where there were no rules, from a headband to a steel chair, anything went. In the end, “Stone Cold” executed a blistering Stunner to insure his win in the hard-fought victory. Do you think he received some corporate gift baskets after this stunner?
Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs The Rock Wrestlemania Xv
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania XII
For fans of the WWE New Generation, their dream match-up was between Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels. WrestleMania XII was a 60-Minute WWE Iron Man Match — a suitable, although unfamiliar, forum for the slow-burn “Hit Man” and cardio-freak Showstopper to duke it out. Not only did this match go over the hour it was granted but it’s universally loved and adored by all. Hart vs. Michaels is nothing short of a piece of art, what with the squared circle serving as their literal and figurative canvas. This was one for the records and I am sure they both got some life insurance quote online after it was all said and done.
Bret Hart Vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania Xii
Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper — WrestleMania VIII
These two superstars were practically family, so watching intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper and challenger Bret Hart battle it out was a tough one. Each man took disheartening shortcuts – including Piper’s plot to initiate the “Hit Man” when the bell was rung and when the referee was down and out. The Hoosier Dome begged “Hot Rod” to stay the course of righteousness, which he actually did. Ultimately, The Excellence of Execution scored the three-count by deftly countering Piper’s sleeper hold into a pin. This match was rattled with uncharacteristic rule-breaking, the winning fall was clean and the post-match was reserved for pure sportsmanship, with Piper strapping the Intercontinental Title around Hart’s waist.
Bret Hart Vs Roddy Piper Wrestlemania Viii
The Undertaker vs. Edge — WrestleMania XXIV
Fans witnessed The Streak go head-to-head against a World Champion — a fearless, Machiavellian World Champion to say the least. Edge sure gave the impression that The Undertaker’s untarnished record was legitimately at risk. Gulp. How could we forget The Undertaker’s dive, which was probably the most graceful in his career; the sinister act where The Rated-R Superstar worked over The Phenom’s hurt back; or watching the ref Charles Robinson’s mad dash down the aisle, which was meaningless when Edge kicked out at two and three-quarters. The Undertaker preserved The Streak in a manner that was equal parts exhilarating and unbelievable. Although Edge Speared The Phenom, The Undertaker suddenly rose from the grave and locked in the Hell’s Gate for the submission victory. I have goosebumps just thinking about it.
The Undertaker Vs Edge Wrestlemania Xxiv
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 23
Shawn Michaels came back after 9 years to battle the WWE Champion, John Cena. What occurred was a classic WWE match as Cena was stretched to his limits and both wrestlers found ways to reverse their opponent’s signature moves. While Cena avoided the Sweet Chin Music, Michaels squirmed his way out of the Attitude Adjustment and the STF. Cena endured and at the height of the action, he finally caught Michaels in a incapacitating STF to get the submission victory on The Grandest Stage of Them All. This was Cena’s moment where he showed the rest of the world that could battle it out with the best of them on The Showcase of the Immortals.
John Cena Vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania 23
Money in the Bank Ladder Match — WrestleMania 21
When there was a ladder match on The Grandest Stage of Them, you just knew it was going to be great. And this battle looked like a Michael Bay movie come alive, which was thrilling to say the least. Fifteen pure minutes of spontaneous carnage led to Edge coming out on top — cementing his role as a villain — but it was Shelton Benjamin who defied physics and stole the show. The man ran up a diagonal ladder to deliver a diving clothesline to Jericho. This was the epitome of a Hollywood summer blockbuster.
Money In The Bank Ladder Match Wrestlemania 21
Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle — WrestleMania XX
This match was dynamite and everyone knows it. Latino Heat was well known for his willingness to lie, cheat and steal when the situation called for it, and when he did, it was because he was adhering to the first of those three pillars. After a grueling, 20-minute-plus contest against The Olympic Gold Medalist, the second-generation Superstar didn’t need to think twice about crafting a creative distraction. Guerrero untied his boot, giving everyone the impression that he was tending to his limb. And as soon as Angle went to reapply his namesake finisher, that boot slipped off, stunning Angle and leaving him vulnerable to a sudden small package. Phew.
Eddie Guerrero Vs Kurt Angle Wrestlemania Xx
Mick Foley vs. Edge — WrestleMania 22
If you don’t already know, the friendship between Foley and Edge goes way back. However, the Rated-R Superstar suffered a great betrayal when his bud performed as a referee in the WWE Championship Match on Raw, and counted the winning pin for John Cena. It was after this that Edge unleashed a brutal attack and finally, Foley accepted Edge’s challenge under the condition that it was in his wheelhouse, a Hardcore Match. Dun, dun, dun. The very first Hardcore Champion believed he couldn’t go wrong using his specialty contest, and boy, was he right. Although Edge came out on top, the image of Foley being Speared off the ring apron and onto a table set ablaze on the floor will never ever be forgotten.
Mick Foley Vs Edge Wrestlemania 22
The Undertaker vs. Triple H — WrestleMania XXVIII
WrestleMania XXVIII was a “Once in a Lifetime” confrontation that no one can ever forget, this was the battle that was coined The End of an Era. Watching the final battle between the old guard’s two most enduring Superstars — The Undertaker and Triple H — waged inside the Hell in a Cell. Watching The Game unleash hell in his final attempt to defeat the man who retired The Showstopper was a sight to witness. While their confrontation a year earlier had all but destroyed The Last Outlaw, The Phenom came into this battle with twice his typical strength. He literally shook off both The Game’s fury and the inevitable, revenge-driven assist from The Showstopper. The Deadman put Triple H to bed, ascended to 20-0, and sent his Era out on a high note.
The Undertaker Vs Triple H Wrestlemania Xxviii
The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian — WrestleMania X-Seven
Was this possibly the best tag team match ever wrestled? Maybe. This final match is an epic trilogy, it had bigger stakes, a bigger stage, bigger ladders and bigger surprises — everyone was captivated. In the weeks leading up to the event, the Hardys, Dudleys and Edge & Christian had exchanged the World Tag Team Titles with world-wind pace, everyone of them was primed for a “WrestleMania moment.” Of course only one unbelievable image from that match comes to everyone’s mind. Picture it, Edge Speared Jeff in mid-air as the daredevil hung from a cable high above the ring, driving him perilously to the canvas below. This set the premise for all future tag team competition.
The Hardy Boyz Vs The Dudley Boyz Vs Edge Christian Wrestlemania X Seven
Undertaker vs. Triple H — WrestleMania XXVII
When Triple H watched as his best friend Shawn Michaels’s career ended, he wanted to be the one to leave a scratch on The Undertaker’s WrestleMania record. What followed was a No Holds Barred showdown as Triple H spearing The Phenom through Michael Cole’s plexiglass booth. At some point, sledgehammers, tables and chairs were out on the ring – it was exhilarating. In the end, The Undertaker was victorious and his Streak was still intact at 19-0, but he looked worse for wear. While Triple H walked out under his own power, watching The Undertaker get carted off the ring was a jaw dropping shock.
Undertaker Vs Triple H Wrestlemania Xxvii
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho — WrestleMania XIX
Shawn Michaels was Chris Jericho’s idol – watching these two superstars battle it out in similar fashion was the icing on the cake. This was a perfect blend of technical skills meets main event appeal. Michaels and Jericho delivered kip-ups and Superkicks in a fast-paced bout that saw HBK walk away with a big Show of Shows victory. Even if these wrestlers shared a short-lived post-match, their meeting went down as one of the true show stealers in the ring.
Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho Wrestlemania Xix
Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H — WrestleMania 30
Now, this match, this was one for the books. Bryan was written down as a “B+ player” who didn’t belong in the main event scene but there he was duking it out with Triple H. The pair went back and forth – throwing everything they had at each other. Fans were actually worried that Bryan’s arm would give out every time he went for the injured limb, meanwhile Stephanie McMahon shouted encouragement to her husband and insults to the supposed “B+ player.” But Daniel Bryan would not be denied that night, not a chance. After a Pedigree silenced the crowd, there was an eruption of joy when Bryan kicked out. When his running knee connected with The Games’s face, it became a magical moment. Moreover, Bryan completed the miracle by capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Title in a Triple Threat Match against Randy Orton and Batista later that same night.
Daniel Bryan Vs Triple H Wrestlemania 30
Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair — WrestleMania 24
Fans knew this match would be legendary before it started, I mean Jim Ross did say so. First off, the stakes were as high as anything as Mr. McMahon said that Flair’s career would end the next time he lost a match, so that led the “Nature Boy” to handpick HBK as his prospective final foe on The Grandest Stage of Them All. The Showstopper flinched at the idea of potentially ending Flair’s livelihood, but the mutual admiration went out the window about five minutes into the match. The Dirtiest Player in the Game used every dirty trick on Michaels, who was slowed by a failed moonsault that splintered the commentary table. But the 16-time World Champ was eventually stuck down and Flair carried on.
Shawn Michaels Vs Ric Flair Wrestlemania 24
Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle — WrestleMania 21
Two of the best ring technicians pinned against one another was an instant classic and how could it not be? This match was easily a tutorial for anyone who wanted to be a WrestleMania star.
These two swapped reversals that no normal person could possibly pull off, the Olympian and the The Showstopper showed exactly what happens when styles clash in the best way possible. It finished with a devastating variation of the Ankle Lock to finally make HBK tap, but this match was an amazing ride.
Shawn Michaels Vs Kurt Angle Wrestlemania 21
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon — WrestleMania X
This was WWE’s first ever high-profile Ladder Match that set a standard for the contest, which many believe still has yet to be matched. Shawn Michaels was no longer the Intercontinental Championship, Razor Ramon took that title in 1993. So the officials of WWE took it upon themselves to announce that the only way to determine which one of two was a true champion was to suspend each title over the ring and declare the first star to climb the ladder and retrieve them was the undisputed Intercontinental Champion. This was unlike any fight to grace the stage. The two men battled it out with sheer force and will, they smashed into one another and tumbled from great heights. Ultimately, Razor Ramon was victorious and everyone at Madison Square Garden stood to their feet, thus inspiring future generations of daredevil Superstars.
Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon Wrestlemania X
Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin — WrestleMania 13
The WrestleMania 13 Submission Match has been dissected by fans all over the globe because every move, every drop of sweat, everything mattered that night. This was a battle where Hart walked into Chicago a hero and Austin a villain and they both left that night the opposite. Trust me, we can’t really explain it but it is pretty incredible.
Bret Hart Vs Stone Cold Steve Austin Wrestlemania 13
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock — WrestleMania X-Seven
Personally, when I think WrestleMania, my mind instantly goes to The Showcase of the Immortals in a No-Disqualification WWE Championship main event, watching the two most iconic superstars, “Stone Cold” and The Rock is nothing short of pure class. However, the jaw-dropping ending, where a Faustian bargain struck by “Stone Cold” and Mr. McMahon still makes the hair on my arms stand up. But before that disturbing turn of events, we witnessed a magical half-hour brawl that refused to let up from its initial breakneck pace. When “Stone Cold” saw red after being run into an exposed turnbuckle was a moment that had people screaming encouragement to The Rock. Then, some 70,000 fans in attendance at Houston’s Astrodome, watched as the legendary Texas Rattlesnake did the unthinkable. He solicited the WWE Chairman’s help in putting down The Great One and everyone’s hearts shattered. WrestleMania and WWE would never be the same again.
Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs The Rock Wrestlemania X Seven
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels — The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania
This match is often considered the most dramatic that WrestleMania has ever seen. That rush of watching as The Deadman fly headfirst over the top rope and land directly on his skull on the outside of the ring. For a split second, everyone expected the worst. And then, shockingly, The Phenom rolled over — leaving a divot behind where forehead met mat — and continued to battle it out for another 15 freaking minutes. That was dedication pure and simple. Everything else that followed was an epic, classic bout that surely goes down as the best battle WrestleMania has even seen.
The Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels The 25th Anniversary Of Wrestlemania