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| source// wwe.com |
In Vince McMahon’s own words, the biggest event of the year mixes rock concerts, Broadway, Hollywood and sports to create the ultimate ‘Sports Entertainment’ event. That’s exactly what WrestleMania is, and it has transcended – in McMahon’s mind – merely being a professional wrestling event.
WrestleMania is supposed to make people feel good, which is precisely why heel victories in the main event picture have been kept to a real minimum in the 31 iterations of the infamous pay-per-view (thus far).
To date, only Triple H, The Miz and (arguably) Steve Austin have won in the featured bout whilst portraying a villain.
In the case of Austin, the link is blurred by virtue of the fact he entered his bout opposite The Rock at ‘Mania X-Seven as a babyface. Stone Cold only turned rogue whilst the match was in progress, aligning himself with Vince McMahon for an ill-fated attempt at a bad guy run.
That victory was still popular for Austin, and it’s true that heel wins at WrestleMania haven’t always been treated with judging eyes. This article looks at a mix of those that have been well-received and shocking, alongside those that fans really didn’t think were a good idea to begin with.
10. Kurt Angle's Win Over Shawn Michaels ('Mania 21)
It’s pretty rare for pro wrestlers to come along who excel as both a babyface and a heel, but Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle are considered amongst those who do both excellently. Angle always shone more brightly when portraying a villain, which fit in nicely with regards to his match opposite HBK at WrestleMania 21.
Fans were desperate to see another big Shawn Michaels win at ‘Mania in 2005, having journeyed with him since his return from injury in 2002. The previous year, he had lost in a Triple Threat bout also involving Triple H and Chris Benoit. At ‘Mania 21, he’d lose again, submitting to Angle following close to 30 minutes of sheer wrestling perfection.
Some fans cheered the decision, but it’s true (oh, it’s !*$% true) that Kurt was playing the role of heel in the lead up to the bout. His general mannerisms seemed much colder than before, and he was even handed a win over Marty Jannetty (Shawn’s old partner) in the lead up to ‘Mania.
It was also a major win for the man generally, defeating the guy commonly known as ‘Mr. WrestleMania’ whilst playing the role of a calculating and vicious wrestling machine.
9. Edge & Christian Emerge From TLC 2 ('Mania X-7)
Back at SummerSlam 2000, there were many who believed The Hardy Boyz would emerge victorious from the very first ‘Tables, Ladders & Chairs’ match, since the show was taking place in their home state. Alas, it would be the Canadian duo of Edge and Christian who bagged the win.
Looking to up the ante, management booked a rematch for WrestleMania X-Seven. Interest in the bout was high, with most fans generally agreeing that either The Hardyz or The Dudley Boyz would be the ones to leave with their hands raised. Once again, Edge and Christian threw a spanner into the works.
The Dudleyz were the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions heading into the match, but they’d leave empty handed. The same applied to The Hardyz, and it was the heels of the affair who departed with the straps. Few could claim to have foreseen that one, because the situation seemed perfect for a babyface triumph on the grand stage.
It didn’t happen, the company seemed determined to make Edge and Christian look like the masters of the TLC bouts. The fact they won the first pair of matches under the stipulation proves that.
8. Triple H Cuts Off Booker T ('Mania XIX)
2003 was a bit of an odd year in Triple H’s career. Just a few years earlier, the man had been at the peak of his performing powers, having great matches against all comers. By ’03, however, his career felt ominously flat, the man’s matches not living up to his billing as one of the greatest around.
The build to Triple H vs. Booker T at WrestleMania XIX left a lot to be desired. Racism is a hard sell in pro wrestling, especially in the modern era, but it was something WWE tried to incorporate. ‘The Game’ assessed that “people like” Booker didn’t belong in the World Title picture, and the whole thing felt a tad unsavoury.
Perhaps things could have been rectified had Booker been chosen to win at ‘Mania, but he wasn’t. Instead, the heel Triple H dominated much of the match, before pinning the babyface challenger with ease.
The defending champ even waited an unnecessary amount of time post-Pedigree before pinning his rival, making Booker look like he didn’t belong at the top after all.
Triple H looked like a cruel heel, yes, but there had to be a babyface victory. The story before the match demanded it, but instead the villain came out on top of the supposed underdog face.
7. Evolution Defeat The Rock N' Sock Connection ('Mania XX)
The Rock and Mick Foley were no ordinary tag-team, they were one of the most unique in WWE history. Collectively known as ‘The Rock N’ Sock Connection’, the duo were a curiously entertaining part of the ‘Attitude’ Era.
In 2004, WWE made the decision to reunite the tandem for one match only.
At WrestleMania, Rocky and Foley teamed to take on Evolution. In a handicap situation, they were then defeated by ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista. The match was an interesting one, mainly because there was such a vibrant mix of legendary names and fledgling young stars involved.
Many fans were likely expecting either Orton or Batista to take the fall come the end of the match, allowing for that one big nostalgia pop for the babyfaces. WWE chose a different path, booking Orton to score a pin over Foley to end the bout.
This was a smart decision, because it only made Randy and Batista (specifically) look like a bigger deal. It was also a major victory for the heels at WrestleMania, in another match which seemed tailor-made for that good guy win.
Fittingly, this would act as yet another step on the road to the top for Batista and Orton.
6. Yokozuna Captures The Title From Bret Hart ('Mania IX)
Technically, Yokozuna vs. Bret Hart didn’t end up being the main event of WrestleMania IX. Shortly after that particular match, Mr. Fuji nonsensically made the challenge to Hulk Hogan for a bout against his client. Almost every wrestling fan knows what happened next.
‘Hulkamania’ ran wild all over the then-WWF’s new top heel and Hulk was once again on top of the proverbial mountain. Within 20 seconds or so, Hogan dropped a leg on Yoko and became the new WWF Heavyweight Champion.
It completely overshadowed the importance of what had just transpired moments before.
In a fairly short match, Yokozuna – the winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble and recipient of a mega push – defeated Bret Hart. Even with Hulk’s later interference and subsequent spotlight stealing, this was a huge win for a heel at WrestleMania.
Up until that point, no villain had ever captured the WWF’s top title at ‘Mania. Yokozuna became the first, and it’s just a shame that the whole Hogan scenario was booked shortly afterwards.
5. The Rock Finally Beats Stone Cold ('Mania XIX)
WrestleMania XIX marked the third time that Steve Austin and The Rock had met on the largest show of the year. In 1999, they concocted quite the brawl at ‘Mania XV, arguably topping themselves at 2001’s ‘Mania X-Seven.
2003’s ‘Mania XIX looked to be their last ever match together.
In the previous encounters, Austin had left with his hand raised in victory. WrestleMania XIX would mark a change, this was The Rock’s turn to gain revenge, and his peer was only too willing to return the favour.
The bout didn’t really live up to the lofty standards of their previous epics, but it was still an enjoyable collision nonetheless.
It was also genuinely interesting to see The Rock playing heel for the first time in years, using his Hollywood career as a reason to rub his success in the faces of fans. This would prove to be Austin’s final match in a pro wrestling ring, and it’s somewhat remarkable that he put over a major heel on his way out.
It’s even more significant that The Rock was not a full-time WWE performer by this point, his focus was mainly on building his career in Hollywood. Fans were starting to cotton onto that, so it felt massive that he defeated Austin.
4. Owen Wins Battle Of The Hart Brothers ('Mania X)
Has there ever been a more solid pro wrestling match in WrestleMania history than Bret vs. Owen? The Hart brothers had previously been working together as a tag-team before ‘Mania X, splitting just in time to set up a match to open the show. There may never have been a better curtain-raiser.
In his autobiography, Bret revealed that he wanted to do the honours for his younger sibling and help put him on the map. Meanwhile, Vince McMahon wasn’t entirely convinced that Owen was ready for a main event push.
Sticking to his guns, Bret was able to get what he wanted, the chance to hand his brother a major win at WrestleMania.
Later, Bret would leave the pay-per-view as WWF Heavyweight Champion. It was smart business to have Owen beat him, because it gave the heel a legitimate claim that he should be next in line for a title shot.
A later Steel Cage Match at SummerSlam was equally as enthralling, but nothing could top the glory of seeing a heel Owen outsmart babyface hero Bret at WrestleMania.
To defeat the man who would leave WrestleMania X as World Champion? That’s momentous, and helped pad-out the WWF’s Summer going forward.
3. Edge Beats Mick Foley ('Mania 22)
Diving towards his peer, Edge connected with Mick Foley’s midsection, sending both men careening off the ring apron and through a nearby table. Only adding further excitement, the wood was engulfed in flames, set on fire to add an exclamation mark to what was quite the brawl.
Edge had become one of the absolute best heels of his generation by 2006, the Canadian had truly found his calling and ticket to the main event pack. As a babyface, he often floundered, but as the ‘Rated-R Superstar’ he was on fire (no pun intended).
WrestleMania 22 marked one of the biggest wins of his entire career.
Dubbed a Hardcore Match, Edge vs. Foley was suitably hard-hitting and lasted the perfect amount of time. Around 15 minutes after the first bell sounded, another did to signal Edge’s dominance over his legendary opponent.
Edge had already become a top name by ‘Mania 22, but there’s little doubting that beating Mick Foley helped further establish him as a marquee villain.
2. Triple H Conquers All ('Mania 2000)
As aforementioned, Yokozuna’s WWF Heavyweight Title win over Bret Hart from ‘Mania IX technically wasn’t the show’s main event. The same can’t be said for WrestleMania 2000, meaning Triple H was the very first heel to topple babyfaces in the history of the event’s featured bouts.
Going in to the pay-per-view, it made sense to imagine that the rogue Triple H would lose his WWF Title at the event. After all, he was set to take on The Rock, Mick Foley and The Big Show in a colossal 4-Way Elimination Match with the gold on the line.
There was also the not-so-small matter of a McMahon family member being in every corner.
A title change seemed imminent, but it wouldn’t come. Instead, Triple H lastly pinned The Rock to retain the championship and depart WrestleMania with quite the feather in his cap. Many fans remain unhappy about the end result, but it still must be considered one of the biggest heel wins in WrestleMania’s rich history.
Triple H dominated three top stars, including two top babyfaces in Foley and The Rock.
1. Brock Lesnar Ends The Undertaker's Streak ('Mania XXX)
There will never be another match like The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar from WrestleMania XXX. It’s highly unlikely that any other wrestler will build a record on the long-running pay-per-view like ‘Taker did before his winning run was smashed by the vicious Lesnar.
Post-WrestleMania XXX, ‘The Streak’ was over, and Undertaker’s record sat at 21-1.
This meant that one of the most historic runs in WWE history had been ended, following 21 consecutive victories at WrestleMania. Brock Lesnar was the man chosen to end such a run, and nobody around ringside for the event could quite believe what they were seeing.
There were even tears in the eyes of some, who felt – if nothing else – they could depend on an Undertaker victory on the show.
The callous bragging of Paul Heyman after the fact only added fuel to the fire. Now, Brock Lesnar is one of the most popular stars in WWE, but he was playing heel back in 2014. This means he holds the distinction of having the biggest heel win in WrestleMania history.
There may never be another like it.
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