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The 10 Best WrestleMania Matches Ever

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There’s been a lot of classic WrestleMania matches and equally as many classic WrestleMania moments. Stars such as Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have had numerous “WrestleMania moments” and as I found out while working on this list, were also part of some of the best WrestleMania matches of all time. Narrowing this list down to 10 wasn’t easy but after much debate, here are the results.

10. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon—WrestleMania 10 Ladder Match

 

The match that popularized the ladder match and inspired generations of wrestling dare devils stole the show at the 10th edition of WrestleMania and comes in 10th place in the list of best WrestleMania matches. Looking back on it, it featured a lot more psychology than today’s ladder matches but it was seen as being extremely innovative and action packed for the era. This match and feud would be the push HBK needed to be propelled to the main event scene, and while it didn’t quite do the same for Hall, his time wasn’t too far behind.

9. Randy Savage vs The Ultimate Warrior—Career vs. Career Match at WrestleMania 7

 

By the time WrestleMania 7 rolled around, both Savage and Warrior had already had their career defining Mania moments, with Savage winning a title tournament at ‘Mania 4, and the Warrior defeating Hogan the year before at ‘Mania 6, in a title vs. title match. Both also had their runs ended by Hogan, whether it was directly or indirectly. At WrestleMania 7, the idea of one of these men being forced to retire felt really crazy, as both were still in their primes. WWE (then WWF) didn’t agree and wanted to transition Savage to a broadcasting role. While both men might be remembered for other years, this match was full of intensity and drama and was not only the best match of Warrior’s career, it was also one of the best WrestleMania matches of all time.

8. Bret Hart vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper—Intercontinental Title Match at WrestleMania 8

 

Bret Hart has a long list of Mania classics and this one has never really got the respect it deserves. The Intercontinental title had been hot potatoed from Hart to The Mountie to Piper in the span of a few days in January of that year, with the story being that Hart was sick when he lost the title, setting up this “Face vs. Face” match, with the story being how close as friends they were. The match started off clean but got intense, featured a blade job from “The Hitman” and a classic Bobby Heenan line: “You know the old saying. What the hell, use the bell,” as Piper debated hitting Hart with the ring bell. He didn’t, Hart won with a rollup and, half a year later, would be the WWE (WWF) Champion.

7. The Hardys vs. The Dudleys vs. Edge & Christian—TLC 2 for the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 17

TLC 2 can be seen as the end of one of the greatest eras for tag team wrestling in WWE history. By this point, all 3 teams had been feuding for years and had already competed in many classic matches together. TLC 2 stands out becomes the teams set out to surpass TLC 1 and did. The run-ins from Lita, Spike Dudley and Rhino only added fuel to the fire and at one of the biggest events in WWE history, these 3 teams stole the show. While nobody knew it at the time, a brand extension was coming and tag team wrestling was about to be deemphasized. TLC 2 was the division’s swan song and one of the best WrestleMania matches of all time.

6. Randy Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat—Intercontinental Title Match at WrestleMania 3

 

This might feel sacrilegious to some. Don’t get me wrong, this match is a classic and certainly one of the best WrestleMania matches of all time, but it’s been passed up over the years. At the time, WWE (WWF) fans were not used to an athletic, back and forth, “work rate”-heavy match. It simply wasn’t the WWE’s style and fans went nuts over this more NWA-style match. It’s unfortunate that this would be really the only major highlight of Steamboat’s WWE career but damn, what a highlight and match it was.

5. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart—WrestleMania 10

 

WrestleMania 10 would be a major creative success for WWE. The storyline heading into the show was that both Bret Hart and Lex Luger would get shots at WWE (WWF) Champion Yokozuna. Lex would go first, so to keep things fair, Bret Hart would also have a second match, opening the show again his brother and rival, Owen Hart. The brother vs. brother and championship drama lingered in the background of an amazing, pro wrestling match that, much like Savage and Steamboat before them, wasn’t the kind of match fans were used to seeing from the promotion at the time. It was pure wrestling with a solid story behind it. To be blunt, the match was magic, and despite competing with the HBK vs Razor Ramon ladder match on the same show, is easily one of the best WrestleMania matches of all time.

4. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle—WrestleMania 21

 

This match had an amazing build, all centering around Kurt’s claim that anything Shawn did, he could do better. Shawn was really finding his groove in his comeback and was putting on some amazing matches. Angle was one of the best in the world at the time. This match was truly a dream match between 2 of the best big money performers in the world. Despite not having any matches before this, Angle and Michaels’ in-ring chemistry was undeniable and if you were to say this was the best WrestleMania match of all time, it would be a tough claim to refute.

3. Austin vs. The Rock—WWE Championship Match, WrestleMania 17

 

Much like how TLC 2 was the ending of an era, Rock vs. Austin at WrestleMania 17 was also the end of an era, in several ways. The match itself was off the charts, full of intensity and easily one of the best WrestleMania matches of all time. But it was more than that. It was the end of the Attitude Era. Austin and McMahon joining forces at the end of the match was symbolic of the fact that the most profitable era in WWE history was over. WWE was regrouping, with new stars and we were now living in a post WCW and ECW world. Things were different and it was only right that the era ended with its 2 biggest stars having perhaps their best all time match.

2. Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin—I Quit Match, WrestleMania 13

 

Many people consider this the best WrestleMania match of all time, and that’s a point that’s hard to argue. For me, it’s Number 2 on the list but that’s not to take away from its brilliance at all. To pull off a double turn like this was a true stroke of brilliance. The iconic image of Austin’s bloody face, refusing to tap out, will live on forever. This match was hard hitting, intense and a precursor to the more aggressive era WWE was preparing to move into. It was also a clinic in ring psychology and crowd control. For Hart, it would be part of his final run in WWE. For Austin, it was the moment that made him as a top guy. For fans, it’s a match that will be celebrated and enjoyed for many years to come.

1. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker—WrestleMania 25

If you weren’t watching WWE in the few years leading up to this match, it’s impossible to express how much fans wanted this match. HBK and Taker had feuded back in the 90s but here, during Shawn’s comeback run, fans had been begging for this match for years and WWE wisely teased it. They would cross paths, face off in the Rumble and fans would lose their minds. Finally, the day came and the result was not only the best WrestleMania match ever, it was also the best match in WWE history. In-ring action, old school storytelling, selling in ways we just don’t see anymore, false finishes and drama in its purest form—this match had it all. You genuinely thought Shawn could be the one to break The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak. For the first time, the streak felt in danger. Everything about this match felt real: every move, every expression and every reaction. This was a master class in professional wrestling.

What did you think of my 10 Best WrestleMania matches of all time list. Drop us a line in the comments and tell us yours! 

Written by Andrew Grevas

Andrew is the Founder / Editor in Chief of 25YL. He’s engaged with 2 sons, a staunch defender of the series finales for both Lost & The Sopranos and watched Twin Peaks at the age of 5 during its original run, which explains a lot about his personality.

One Comment

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  1. I agree with all 10 but steamboat savage should have been higher. No way was austin rock better

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