For thirty years WrestleMania has produced some of the most memorable moments in professional wrestling history. Title changes, face/heel turns, classic matches, each event has always delivered moments that will stand the test of time. With the thirty-first instalment due to take place this weekend let’s look at ten of the greatest moments WrestleMania’s history.
10. Surviving ‘The Deadman’ - Wrestlemania XXV
A clash of two of WrestleMania’s greatest competitors, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker delivered one of the best matches in the history of the WWE. The back-and-forth match looked over when ‘Taker caught Michaels with a Tombstone Piledriver, but ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ shocked audiences...and his adversary by kicking out of the devastating move.
9. Champion vs. Champion - Wrestlemania VI
1990’s event saw two of the WWE’s biggest superstars meet in an unprecedented title-for-title blockbuster. Hulk Hogan had never before been defeated outright at a Wrestlemania, but that all changed when his opponent, The Ultimate Warrior, pinned him after the Ultimate Splash. An important passing of the torch moment that proved to fans that there was a future after Hulkamania.
8. The Nature Boy’s Showstopper - Wrestlemania XXIV
8. The Nature Boy’s Showstopper - Wrestlemania XXIV
Bringing the curtain down on a career spanning three decades, Ric Flair’s match with Shawn Michaels was a highlight of that year’s event. Winding back the clock and delivering his finest match in years, Flair’s career was ultimately, and emotionally ended by Michaels after a second Sweet Chin Music superkick.
7. End of an Era - Wrestlemania XXVIII
Desperate for closure after his beating suffered the year prior, The Undertaker faced Triple H inside the dreaded Hell in a Cell. With former foe Shawn Michaels serving as special guest referee, the three delivered a brutal and dramatic epic that served as a fitting finale to an era dominated by these great superstars.
6. A Deal with the Devil - Wrestlemania X-Seven
The biggest rematch in the event’s history at the time, Attitude Era megastars Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock continued their bitter rivalry in the main event of the 2001 extravaganza. Wrestling in his own Texan backyard, Austin, determined to regain the WWE championship, would do the unthinkable...aligning with longtime enemy Vince McMahon to dethrone ‘The Great One’.
5. Iron Man - Wrestlemania XII
7. End of an Era - Wrestlemania XXVIII
Desperate for closure after his beating suffered the year prior, The Undertaker faced Triple H inside the dreaded Hell in a Cell. With former foe Shawn Michaels serving as special guest referee, the three delivered a brutal and dramatic epic that served as a fitting finale to an era dominated by these great superstars.
6. A Deal with the Devil - Wrestlemania X-Seven
The biggest rematch in the event’s history at the time, Attitude Era megastars Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock continued their bitter rivalry in the main event of the 2001 extravaganza. Wrestling in his own Texan backyard, Austin, determined to regain the WWE championship, would do the unthinkable...aligning with longtime enemy Vince McMahon to dethrone ‘The Great One’.
5. Iron Man - Wrestlemania XII
Leading the new era following Hulk Hogan’s departure were Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, two superstars whose deepening rivalry came to a head at the 1996 event. Wrestling in the first 60 minute match in WWE history, the two competitors pushed each other to the limit for the entire duration. With the scores tied in overtime, Michaels finally caught Hart with Sweet Chin Music, pinning him to capture his first WWE Championship.
4. Stone Cold Stubbornness - Wrestlemania 13
Bringing a raw and aggressive persona that the WWE desperately needed to combat industry leading competitors WCW, the brash Stone Cold Steve Austin battled Bret Hart in the now classic submission match in 1997. Bloodied and trapped in Hart’s dreaded Sharpshooter submission, Austin refused to quit before eventually passing out. An iconic moment that cemented his status as not only a main event superstar, but the company’s savoir as well.
3. Icon vs. Icon - Wrestlemania X8
A meeting of old school and new that no-one thought they would ever see, ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan returned to the WWE after a decade long absence to face third-generation superstar The Rock in a highly anticipated supermatch. Proving that he could still go with his younger opponent, Hogan may have ultimately lost to ‘The People’s Champ’, but his performance arguably rejuvenated his legendary career.
2. 21-1 - Wrestlemania XXX
The Undertaker’s undefeated winning streak at WrestleMania has been one of the primary attractions for well over two decades. Even with the legendary superstar’s career nearing its end few predicted that the streak would ever be broken...that was until last year’s event. Challenging ‘The Deadman’, former WWE and UFC champion Brock Lesnar left the wrestling world stunned as his finally snapped his opponent’s long run of victories after a third F-5.
1. Moving the Immoveable - Wrestlemania III
The first real WrestleMania moment also remains its most famous and celebrated. With Hulkamania running wild in 1987, Hulk Hogan defended his WWE Championship against friend-turned-foe; André the Giant. Undefeated for over 15 years, no-one had never successfully slammed the colossal Frenchman. Battling against the odds, the champion eventually overcame his giant rival, lifting André in the air and delivering the famous bodyslam for the victory.
What is your favourite WrestleMania moment? Leave your comments below!
Images courtesy of WWE.com
4. Stone Cold Stubbornness - Wrestlemania 13
Bringing a raw and aggressive persona that the WWE desperately needed to combat industry leading competitors WCW, the brash Stone Cold Steve Austin battled Bret Hart in the now classic submission match in 1997. Bloodied and trapped in Hart’s dreaded Sharpshooter submission, Austin refused to quit before eventually passing out. An iconic moment that cemented his status as not only a main event superstar, but the company’s savoir as well.
3. Icon vs. Icon - Wrestlemania X8
A meeting of old school and new that no-one thought they would ever see, ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan returned to the WWE after a decade long absence to face third-generation superstar The Rock in a highly anticipated supermatch. Proving that he could still go with his younger opponent, Hogan may have ultimately lost to ‘The People’s Champ’, but his performance arguably rejuvenated his legendary career.
2. 21-1 - Wrestlemania XXX
The Undertaker’s undefeated winning streak at WrestleMania has been one of the primary attractions for well over two decades. Even with the legendary superstar’s career nearing its end few predicted that the streak would ever be broken...that was until last year’s event. Challenging ‘The Deadman’, former WWE and UFC champion Brock Lesnar left the wrestling world stunned as his finally snapped his opponent’s long run of victories after a third F-5.
1. Moving the Immoveable - Wrestlemania III
The first real WrestleMania moment also remains its most famous and celebrated. With Hulkamania running wild in 1987, Hulk Hogan defended his WWE Championship against friend-turned-foe; André the Giant. Undefeated for over 15 years, no-one had never successfully slammed the colossal Frenchman. Battling against the odds, the champion eventually overcame his giant rival, lifting André in the air and delivering the famous bodyslam for the victory.
What is your favourite WrestleMania moment? Leave your comments below!
Images courtesy of WWE.com