10 Biggest Babyface Wins at WWE WrestleMania

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The art of creating a true babyface hero is something that has been lost to the sands of time in professional wrestling. Now more than ever, those in charge of the biggest companies are struggling to get fans on board with their hand-picked good guys. 

The most recent example being Roman Reigns, a man WWE are badly failing to present properly as a top babyface heading into a main event match at WrestleMania 32.

Part of the problem lies with the heels on the other side of the presentation. Those who are (supposed to be) bad should make it more simple for the babyface to elicit that killer response to go along with their victory. Unfortunately, that doesn’t look like happening at ‘Mania this year, but history has shown itself to be different. 

Over the years, WWE have been able to present stunning babyface victories on their grandest stage.

In order for a match to qualify, it must have been a babyface win against a top villain. For example, The Undertaker defeating Shawn Michaels at ‘Mania XXV in 2009 doesn’t count, because both men were beloved figures at that point. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of examples to choose from. 

When wrestling’s biggest heroes have vanquished wrestling’s biggest heels, history is usually made…

10. Bret Hart Vs. Vince McMahon (WrestleMania XXVI)

There’s a simple reason this match falls so early on this list; it was not a success from an in-ring perspective. That said, it was a major babyface win, and also one with which Bret Hart was able to enjoy some closure on one of pro wrestling’s most controversial incidents. Pretty much all wrestling fans knows the story of the 1997 Survivor Series and subsequent fallout so we’ll skip the particulars.

In 2010, Hart returned to WWE and ended up in a feud opposite Vince McMahon. Following the ‘Montreal Screwjob’, McMahon was able to reinvent himself as one of the top heels in the industry. That character was back once more to put an exclamation mark on the reignited rivalry heading into WrestleMania XXVI.

At ‘Mania, Vince flopped around for Hart, who was unable to bump due to his fragile physical condition. This created a very weird bout, but it does deserve to be mentioned due to the historical significance. If only it happened years earlier, it could have been something special, but for what it was worth Hart got his babyface redemption on the man who screwed him over.

9. Razor Ramon Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania X)

It’s been said by some fans that the Ladder Match from WrestleMania X was one of the greatest performances in the career of Shawn Michaels. Whilst it’s hard to argue the validity of such a statement, Scott Hall deserves some credit too. After all, Michaels (contrary to popular belief) couldn’t have wrestled the bout on his own and he required a strong babyface to contest the match with.

It’s true that HBK was well on his way to garnering cheers by the Spring of 1994, but he was still technically a villain. By contrast, Hall – as Razor Ramon – had morphed into one of the most popular upper card babyfaces on the entire WWF roster. Positioning both men opposite one another was a masterstroke, and it was even better when Ramon emerged victorious. A babyface win put the cherry on top of the proverbial cake.

Battling to establish exactly who was the undisputed WWF Intercontinental Champion, this ladder match scrap quickly became cherished as one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history. As good as Michaels was in it, it’s important to state that Razor’s triumph only makes it more memorable.

8. Chris Benoit Vs. Shawn Michaels Vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XX)

It’s unlikely that things will change when it comes to WWE’s attitude towards the idea of celebrating the career of one Chris Benoit. On one level, the promotion cannot be blamed for their stance, but it’s important for the wrestling community not to discount his achievements in the industry. His personal life shouldn’t come into things when analysing what happened before things went sour.

The fact is that Benoit was an absolute wrestling machine in 2004, and had been for years. In the main event of WrestleMania XX, he joined Shawn Michaels and Triple H in putting together one hell of a Triple Threat blockbuster. Michaels was very much a babyface hero, but the deciding submission occurred on Triple H, who was very much the top antagonist in WWE at the time.

The post-match emotion was assuredly real from the Canadian, who celebrated mid-ring with one of his oldest friends in the business. As Benoit and Eddie Guerrero shed tears amidst the falling confetti, it was wrestling fans who felt like they had won. Whatever was to come cannot be ignored, obviously, but similarly moments such as those concluding ‘Mania XX shall never be forgotten, either.

7. The Ultimate Warrior Vs. Randy Savage (WrestleMania VII)

Before he locked horns with The Ultimate Warrior in a ‘Retirement Match’ at WrestleMania VII, Randy Savage fell on the heel side of the good and bad divide. Fans were somewhat split, but it’s true that Warrior was the more obvious hero in the equation. By the end of the bout, heat aimed at Savage cooled, and people were ready to embrace him once more.

Maybe it was the ‘Macho Man’ who carried the bulk of proceedings, but the collision exceeded expectations. Even now when shown to those who haven’t seen it – yet are aware of Warrior’s work – it likely comes as a surprise how utterly gripping the match was. After the action was all said and done, and Randy had stared at the lights, he turned babyface by reuniting with Miss. Elizabeth in a tear-jerking love scene.

It was a wonderful way to cap off what had been a stirring contest, but it must not be overlooked that Warrior bagged the win. What makes this one meaningful isn’t only the actual match result however, it’s the fact it paved the way for Savage to return to the babyface kingdom. Fans were there to greet him.

6. Randy Savage Vs. Ted DiBiase (WrestleMania IV)

Years earlier, Randy Savage scored a major win which finally allowed him entrance into the upper card pack for good in the WWF. It’s been rumoured that Ted DiBiase was actually tentatively scheduled to win at WrestleMania IV, but it would be Savage who left with the WWF Heavyweight Title in 1988. Cheerfully, they ended what had been a relatively dull tournament to crown a new champ on a high note.

‘Mania IV needed that big babyface win to end things in fine fettle, otherwise it would have been quite the sour conclusion. The tournament had at times felt interminable, but people were overjoyed when Savage pinned DiBiase (aided by Hulk Hogan) and picked up the win. Making things even more memorable, this would plant the seeds for the bumper bout between Savage and Hulk at the following year’s event.

In the span of around 12 months, Randy Savage went from concocting a quite incredible match with Ricky Steamboat at ‘Mania III, to becoming WWF Champion. His popularity in the Spring months of ’88 can’t be dismissed, and Savage was very much ready to take on the role of champion.

5. John Cena Vs. JBL (WrestleMania 21)

Some may have their pitchforks at the ready, but there’s a reason John Cena vs. JBL takes up space on this list. Despite the popular misconception that he’s a horrendous worker, Cena has at times proven otherwise. WrestleMania 21 may never rank among his most amazing matches, but it’s nonetheless one of the most poignant moments of his entire career.

Back in 2005, Cena hadn’t yet fully crossed into the territory he occupies now. In other words, he was still eliciting some positive responses from WWE audiences, and ‘Mania 21 was his coronation as the promotion’s big babyface hope for the future. Eventually, fans would start to turn their backs on the man, but he was a rightful and popular winner against JBL.

This marked Cena’s first ever WWE World Title victory, and it completed his journey to the top. Love him or hate him, the guy has provided big box office for the organisation ever since. Along the way, he’s had many better matches than this one, but that doesn’t prevent it from being remembered as a truly gargantuan babyface win in WWE history.

4. Daniel Bryan Vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXX)

Much maligned for supposed burials, marrying the boss’s daughter and apparently ensuring he maintained top status, Triple H isn’t popular with every section of the wrestling fan fraternity. That’s quite the understatement, but he was popular on April 6, 2014, all because he ensured that Daniel Bryan would have a night to remember. 

It’d wind up being one WWE fans may never forget.

Going into ‘Mania XXX, it was the fans who made sure that Bryan would have a role. Outraged at Batista’s Royal Rumble win and the apparent exclusion of their favourite from the featured bout on the biggest show of the year, the audience revolted. WWE caved to this and set up a meeting between Bryan and Triple H to open the show. 

It’d be the babyface who had his hand raised afterwards, and he’d go on to defeat both Randy Orton and Batista to win the WWE World Heavyweight Title in the main event.

Just as they had a decade earlier for Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, fans shed tears of joy over a workhorse wrestler being given such a tremendous moment to share with them. Sadly, it’d end up being the apex of Bryan’s career, but it’s a memory few will be able to let slip from their minds.

3. Steve Austin Vs. The Rock (WrestleMania XV)

‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin was an absolutely flawless wrestling character, and exactly what the ‘Attitude Era’ required. Drenched in beer and with more aggression than the entire ‘New WWF Generation’ combined, Austin was a revelation. Similarly, by 1999 The Rock had evolved into one of wrestling’s greatest heels. He was cocky and dripping with charisma, and the pair were a riot when working together.

Their first WrestleMania match occurred at ‘Mania XV, and it was a stunning brawl. Austin’s road to the grand show had been long, mainly due to the intense obstacle Vince McMahon provided. It was a great story, one which had fans simply begging to see their (anti)hero of choice emerge on the winning side come March 28 of that year.

That’s exactly what happened, and the show even ended up with a celebratory foot on the chest of a downed McMahon. Fans had their wish, and WrestleMania XV ended with a bang. Incredibly, it wasn’t the biggest babyface victory Steve Austin would have during his appearances on the annual supershow.

2. Hulk Hogan Vs. Andre The Giant (WrestleMania III)

How could any list looking at the biggest babyface wins in WrestleMania history be complete without the main event of ‘Mania III? His name may have been sullied to some, but in 1987 Hulk Hogan was the hottest thing going in professional wrestling. The WWF were still amidst a golden age, and Hulk was the glue holding the whole situation together.

As good as he was in the holier-than-thou role, Hogan needed someone like Andre The Giant to draw people to the building. There was a feral atmosphere to proceedings by the time both men stared at one another mid-ring, people were bursting with anticipation. When Hogan then hit a slam on his monstrous opponent, things were at a fever pitch and history was being made live and in living colour.

Hyperbole be damned, this almost invented the need for those goosebump-causing WrestleMania video packages to come.

The match has definitely aged, that can’t be denied, but it will not be forgotten. There’s something magical about seeing Hogan vs. Andre, it feels special. Whilst the action may not be as crisp to look back on now, the sheer atmosphere never lessens in impact. That pop when Hulk dropped a leg on his foe and pinned him is insane.

1. Steve Austin Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XIV)

As aforementioned in a previous entry, there were few – if any – like Steve Austin. Arguably, Austin’s ‘Stone Cold’ persona usurped Hulk Hogan’s babyface success. Certainly, when looking at pure numbers, many point to Austin as the biggest star in the history of WWE. Everyone may have their own favourites, but ‘The Rattlesnake’ was killer in terms of business.

WrestleMania XIV featured his first coronation as WWF Heavyweight Champion. A pained Shawn Michaels, suffering from serious back pain, was the opponent, and he helped his successor look like a million bucks. The match itself had thrilling moments, but it’s the conclusion which lives longest in the memory. 

Seeing Austin, a true babyface creation of the people, hoist the top title aloft was history-making.

In his own mind, Steve Austin had been ready to lead for years. Finally, come 1998, Vince McMahon was willing to hand him the proverbial ball and let him run with it. Everything clicked; fans were ferocious in their support of Austin, his character was on fire, and his in-ring work had evolved into a beautiful brawling style. 

History will tell you that ‘Stone Cold’ is the hottest babyface champ in WrestleMania history.

7 WrestleManias Rocked by Injury

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WrestleMania is the showcase of the immortals, but the reality is that WWE superstars are very much mortal. That’s been demonstrated time and time again over the years, with several big name WWE superstars having to sit out the biggest show of the year.

It is a nightmare situation for Vince McMahon. He’ll plan out the best ‘Mania card imaginable, sometimes a year in advance, only to lose one of his biggest stars to injury in the months beforehand. It can cause the entire show to be rewritten, and in many cases match quality ends up dipping as a result.

More importantly, box office performance can be impacted by injury. Main event stars are often what make or break an event when it comes to pay-per-view buys. If one of the big headline stars is missing, it can be a reason for some fans not to bother.

For the wrestlers, it isn’t just their bodies that get hurt, their bank accounts get a whack as well. Everyone on the roster wants to work WrestleMania, not just for the prestige, but for the lucrative pay day it brings.

Fate has been cruel over the years, and the following are the biggest injuries to rock WrestleMania.

7. WrestleMania 13

Injured Star: Shawn Michaels

What Could Have Happened: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart

Unlucky thirteen certainly proved true for WrestleMania, with the 1997 event a commercial disaster. It pulled only 237,000 pay per view buys.

Part of the problem was down to the abrupt injury suffered by WWF Champion Shawn Michaels. He vacated the title a month before the event, citing a knee injury and the fact he had “lost his smile”. He had been scheduled to drop the title to Bret Hart at ‘Mania, leading to accusations that he simply did not want to do the job for his real life nemesis.

McMahon ended up booking Hart to win the vacant belt on February 16 at In Your House Final Four, but then had him drop it to Sycho Sid the next night at Raw. That then set up The Undertaker defeating Sid for the belt at ‘Mania, while Hart worked with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. Despite being a classic match up, it didn’t mean as much for business as a Hart-Michaels ‘Mania rematch would have.

6. WrestleMania 2000

Injured Stars: The Undertaker and Steve Austin

What Could Have Happened: The Undertaker vs. Steve Austin

WrestleMania 2000 was one of those shows which couldn’t fail given it came at the peak of the Attitude Era, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t rocked by some major injuries.

Both The Undertaker and Steve Austin had to sit out the show due to injury. Austin had to take a year off to have his broken neck fixed, and ‘Taker was dealing with a multitude of injuries including a groin and pectoral problem.

When it comes to losing big stars, it doesn’t get much bigger than names like Austin and Taker. Mania 2000 was definitely weaker without them, and there’s a chance they would have been facing each other at the event if fit. That would have been a tremendous match, and even bigger business for Mania 2000.

5. WrestleMania XIX

Injured Stars: Edge and Kurt Angle

What Could Have Happened: Edge & Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerreros vs. Team Angle

Heading into WrestleMania XIX, Edge was one of the WWE’s big babyface prospects. He’d had a solid 2002, including a tag title run with Hulk Hogan, and numerous excellent matches with the vaunted Smackdown Six.

But a month before ‘Mania, he was diagnosed with a serious neck injury and abruptly wrote out of storylines in a still-unexplained backstage attack at No Way Out. He was just there, spread out on the floor, and wasn’t seen again for a year.

Had he been fit, there’s a chance he would have went on to ‘Mania and won the tag team titles with Chris Benoit, before getting a big babyface singles push against champion Brock Lesnar in the summer. He had been due to tag with Benoit and Lesnar at No Way Out against Team Angle, but Rhyno ended up getting the slot alongside Benoit at ‘Mania.

The other big injury going into ‘Mania was WWE Champion Kurt Angle, with his banged up neck a major issue for him and the company. He was scheduled to drop the belt to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XIX in a highly anticipated match between the two decorated amateur wrestlers. Talk of his injury overshadowed much of the final ‘Mania build, with one rumour floating around at the time suggesting that WWE would change the belt to The Undertaker and have him put Brock over.

As it happened, Kurt made it to ‘Mania, only to tear his hamstring early into the action. Lesnar then suffered his own injury, when he sustained a concussion after his infamous botched Shooting Star Press. Amazingly, despite all the injury woes, it was a very good match.

4. WrestleMania 23

Injured Stars: Triple H and Rey Mysterio

What Could Have Happened: Triple H vs. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels

Triple H had firmly established himself as one of WrestleMania’s most important performers by the time 2007 rolled around, having featured in the title match for the previous five ‘Mania shows.

But that success would come screeching to a halt, and there’d be no match at all for him at WrestleMania 23 after he suffered a torn right quadriceps at January’s New Year’s Revolution. The subsequent surgery put him out until the summer.

If he had been fit, suggestions are he would have gone on to win the Royal Rumble. The title match would have then been a WrestleMania rematch against John Cena, or a triple threat also involving Shawn Michaels.

Also missing at WrestleMania was Rey Mysterio. He was sidelined in late 2006 with a knee injury, wiping out whatever WWE had planned for him at the show of shows. Given that he’d won the World Title at the previous ‘Mania, surely he would have had a decent spot in 2007.

3. WrestleMania XXV

Injured Star: Batista

What Could Have Happened: Batista vs. John Cena

Vince McMahon’s planning for WrestleMania XXV was rocked by two of his biggest stars going out injured. It looked like the plan was for John Cena and Batista to do battle at SummerSlam 2008, with the big rematch coming at WrestleMania XXV.

WWE got as far as the SummerSlam bout, with Batista winning, but during the match both stars suffered injuries. Cena damaged his neck, and Batista hurt his hamstring.

Cena ended up taking time out to get the herniated disc repaired, and miraculously ended up returning by Survivor Series. But Batista soldiered on, only to eventually give in and leave for surgery in December for the hamstring tear. It killed any chance of the Cena versus Batista #II bout taking place at WrestleMania XXV, and WWE ended up doing it a year later at WrestleMania XXVI instead.

2. WrestleMania XXX

Injured Star: The Rock

What Could Have Happened: The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar

Vince McMahon already had his WrestleMania XXX main event in mind before WrestleMania 29: The Rock would go one on one with Brock Lesnar.

It was a match over a decade in the making, the long-awaited sequel to SummerSlam 2002. The plan was for a major Rock-Brock angle on the post-Mania 29 Raw, with the idea to do a year’s build for the showdown between the Hollywood star and the former UFC Champion.

But first, Rock had to battle John Cena in the main event of the 2013 show. During that match he suffered torn abdominal and adductor tendons. His agents and insurance people weren’t happy, basically putting Rock’s wrestling days on ice. Rather than shooting the Raw angle with Brock, the big-earning actor abruptly took off the day after WrestleMania 29 and WWE’s big anniversary plans were on the scrap heap.

1. WrestleMania 32

Injured Stars: John Cena, Seth Rollins, Sting, Cesaro, Neville, Randy Orton

What Could Have Happened: John Cena vs. The Undertaker, Seth Rollins vs. Triple H

This year’s WrestleMania is undoubtedly one of the most injury-afflicted in company history. The huge loss of John Cena to a shoulder injury is devastating. He was due to co-main event against The Undertaker, in what would have been one of the biggest ‘Mania matches of all time. Instead, fans are having to make do with Shane McMahon against ‘the Deadman’.

It is now a case of “what if?” Would ‘Taker have retired in Dallas, with a fitting finale against Cena? Would the franchise star have gone heel? Fans will now have to wait until at least WrestleMania 33 to find out.

The other big injury has been Seth Rollins. Having spent most of 2015 as WWE Champion, he was undoubtedly destined for a major main event at Mania 32. As the best wrestler in the world, he’s a huge loss, and is still some way off returning from his knee injury.

10 Biggest WWE WrestleMania PPV Buys Ever

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WrestleMania is a brand name that has grown to define Vince McMahon’s business success. Using the novel concept of closed circuit television back in the 1980’s, McMahon created the opportunity for wrestling shows to expand far beyond just ticket sales.

The first Mania was the bet of his life. He could have easily lost it all on the megashow, but instead he found a success that served as the foundation for the WWF as a mega promotion. Off the back of Hulkamania, Vince was on to a business model that would come to create millions and millions of riches.

The Mania concept evolved into pay-per-view, with big stadium shows becoming the home of WWE’s most prestigious matches. While the level of business did dip in the mid-nineties, by the start of the new millennium Vince was back to producing successful WrestleMania cards. The brand has grown to a point where the name alone sells the event. What’s changed is that the PPV format has become an over-the-top digital means of distribution thanks to the WWE Network.

In looking back to the PPV days, these were the most successful WrestleMania events of all time.

10. WrestleMania 25 – 960,000 Buys

Main Event – Randy Orton Vs Triple H

The WrestleMania 25 line up wasn’t even that strong, but by 2009 the brand was over enough to sell regardless of matches. The main event in particular was arguably one of WWE’s weakest ever headliners. Fans were bored of Triple H in main events, and Randy Orton just wasn’t hot enough. The creative in the build up had been woeful. The 960,000 buys is proof that WrestleMania can draw no matter what is main eventing, although it was down from the year previous, so fans did send some level of message to WWE about unhappiness with the booking.

For the wrestling purist, the big reason to buy was The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels. And it beyond delivered, ending up as one of the best WWE matches of all time. However, it is worth noting, the rematch at WrestleMania 26 saw buys drop to 885,000.

9. WrestleMania 22 – 975,000 Buys

Main Event – John Cena Vs Triple H

WrestleMania 22 came at a time when the ‘Mania brand was really breaking out as an attraction in its own right, and it was also a time when a new generation of stars was emerging. It was John Cena’s first time closing WrestleMania, and he was working an established megastar in Triple H.

Also powering the event to an impressive 975,000 buys was a series of solid undercard offerings. Edge versus Mick Foley in a hardcore bout was of significant appeal to bloodthirsty fans of the hardcore renaissance that was taking hold in 2006. Likewise, Mr McMahon versus Shawn Michaels had a feeling of the Attitude Era to it. Rey Mysterio’s title chase against Randy Orton and Kurt Angle was also appealing, although the match ended up a nine-minute disappointment.

8. WrestleMania 20 – 1,007,000 Buys

Main event – Triple H Vs Chris Benoit Vs Shawn Michaels

WrestleMania 20 was pushed for a full year and ended up pulling one of the most impressive buy rates of the early 2000’s. Particularly when you consider how the company suffered on PPV in the rest of 2004.

A lot of what sold it was sentiment and nostalgia. WWE heavily marketed it as “Where it all begins.. again” with the idea they were returning to Madison Square Garden twenty years after the first show and ten years after WrestleMania 10. It was also the return of the vintage Undertaker character, in addition to featuring big names like The Rock and Mick Foley returning.

Brock Lesnar versus Goldberg, and Eddie Guerrero versus Kurt Angle served as co-main events, but what really stole the show was Chris Benoit winning the title from Triple H in a triple threat also involving Shawn Michaels. It was one of the best WWE matches of all time.

7. WrestleMania 17 – 1,040,000 Buys

Main Event – Steve Austin Vs The Rock

WrestleMania 17 was very much the pinnacle of the Attitude Era. With Steve Austin versus The Rock as the main event, it pulled 1,040,000 buys, up significantly from the 824,000 of WrestleMania 2000.

It also ranks as the greatest WrestleMania ever. There wasn’t a bad match on the card, and several of the bouts ended up being considered timeless classics. There was The Undertaker versus Triple H, Chris Benoit versus Kurt Angle, the TLC II match, and of course, the main event.

The star power was evident, with numerous big names in the prime of their careers. However, the shock Austin heel turn is seen as one of the factors that then caused business to tumble. In many ways, WrestleMania 17 was an end of an era.

6. WrestleMania 29 – 1,048,000 Buys

Main Event – The Rock Vs John Cena #II

Despite its 1,048,000 buys, WrestleMania 29 was considered a box office disappointment. It was down considerably from WrestleMania 28, with The Rock versus John Cena “twice in a lifetime” main event not resonating as much as it had done the previous year. Still, with over a million buys, it was hardly a disaster for WWE.

The event also marked Brock Lesnar’s first Mania since re-joining from UFC. He’d become the biggest PPV draw on the planet when in MMA, so it may have been considered a disappointment that he didn’t illuminate the Mania buys more. Maybe it was due to the lame booking, which had him in a boring feud against Triple H. He even did the job on the night. Having done 1,600,000 buys for UFC 100 a few years earlier, WWE had squandered some of Brock’s value.

Mania 29 also featured CM Punk versus The Undertaker, with The Streak as always playing an important part in Mania’s appeal.

5. WrestleMania 24 – 1,058,000 Buys

Main Event – The Undertaker Vs Edge

WrestleMania 24 is a great example of how the modern day supershow draws. It wasn’t just about The Undertaker versus Edge main event, it was the whole range of matches and Mania brand name that carried the 2008 show to 1,058,000 buys.

A significant factor was Floyd Mayweather. The legendary boxer is the definition of a pay-per-view sensation, and for WWE to book him against Big Show was a major coup. He brought a whole load of mainstream interest, and it had only been a year earlier that he’d earned 2,400,000 PPV buys for his boxing match with Oscar De Lay Hoya.

Also at Mania 24, was Shawn Michaels versus Ric Flair, in an emotionally charged match that ended up being one of the best performances in Mania history.

4. WrestleMania 27 – 1,059,000 Buys

Main Event – John Cena Vs The Miz

WrestleMania 27 was promoted around The Rock’s return to WWE as host of the event. That was more key to the buys than the dire Miz versus John Cena main event.

It was actually a terrible card, but the Mania name and Rock helped to ensure the quality didn’t matter. The only real match of note was The Undertaker versus Triple H, with fans sold on the idea that Hunter was going to avenge Shawn Michaels and end the Streak. It ended up being a top rate performance, which saved an otherwise bland WrestleMania.

3. WrestleMania 21 – 1,085,000 Buys

Main Event – Batista Vs Triple H

In 2005, WrestleMania went Hollywood, with the event taking place in Los Angeles amidst a blitz of publicity. The show benefited from all the media and mainstream interest that comes with the L.A market.

Main eventing was Batista versus Triple H, in one of the most organic and engaging storylines WWE has ever done in a Mania build. Fans just couldn’t wait to see Batista kick Triple H’s ass, and the PPV buys reflected that interest.

The show also featured John Cena chasing down JBL for the WWE Title, Randy Orton challenging The Undertaker’s Streak, and Kurt Angle versus Shawn Michaels in a long-awaited dream match. It is easy to see why the event appealed to so many people; it had something for everyone.

2. WrestleMania 23 – 1,200,000 Buys

Main Event – John Cena Vs Shawn Michaels

Key to WrestleMania 23’s fantastic 1,200,000 buyrate was Donald Trump. It was genius of WWE to promote Trump versus Vince McMahon, with a hair versus hair stipulation. Umaga representing McMahon, and Bobby Lashley representing Trump, it was one of the most intriguing sells in WrestleMania history, with fans eager to see which one of the two billionaires would be shaved bald.

From the wrestling purist perspective, the show was also strong. John Cena versus Shawn Michaels was a great match up, and The Undertaker versus Batista had the selling point of pitting Taker’s Streak versus Batista’s World Title.

1. WrestleMania 28 – 1,217,000 Buys

Main Event – John Cena Vs The Rock

It is fitting that the greatest WrestleMania buy rate of all time belongs to The Rock and John Cena.

WrestleMania 28 had a year long build up, with the greatest star of his generation, against the greatest star of all time. It was a promotional master class, with the event feeling like an absolute must-see and getting over with a mainstream audience. There was a greater sense of occasion to it, with the “once in a lifetime” tag making it feel like it had to be seen.

Also on the card was a rematch between The Undertaker and Triple H, this time with a Hell In A Cell stipulation and Shawn Michaels as special referee. With three big names, a huge stipulation, and the threat of the Streak ending, it made for an enthralling storyline and match.

Also featured on the card was CM Punk defending the WWE Title against Chris Jericho, but really, this show and its success all comes down to John Cena and The Rock.

5 Opening WrestleMania Matches That Ruled (And 5 That Sucked)

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So much importance is placed on the main event of WrestleMania and it’s true that, yes, the so-called main event (or main events) are what a great deal of people are watching the event for. Such importance is placed on the show-closer and other blockbuster matches in the buildup to the event and, traditionally, they are given the most time and all the bells and whistles they need to match expectations.

Nobody is doubting the importance of what is, in theory, the biggest match or matches of the year. Everyone recognises what is riding on them. However, fewer people seem to realise just how crucial the first match of the night is. If the main event is seen as the most important match of the show, then the opener can justifiably be called the second most important.

It is the opener’s job to get the crowd ready for the rest of the show and, ideally, the curtain-raiser will be a well-received and exciting affair that gets the crowd off their feet and excited for whatever is to come after it. WrestleMania has played host to many a rousing opener throughout the years, matches that have got the Showcase of the Immortals off on the right foot.

Saying that, WrestleMania has also presented some truly dire opening matches in its 31-year history, contests that don’t belong anywhere near pay-per-view, let alone the biggest show of the year. Whether it was down to the wrestlers in the match, time constraints or truly baffling booking decisions, these matches started the show on a truly sour note.

With that in mind (and with WrestleMania 32 mere days away) let’s take a look at five WrestleMania opening matches that ruled and their much suckier counterparts.

5 That Ruled…

5. The Rockers Vs. Barbarian & Haku – WrestleMania VII

Leave it to those bundles of endless energy, Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels, to kick off WrestleMania in style! The Rockers had hit something of a glass ceiling at this point (being held in place by the mega-popular Road Warriors), but they could still be counted on to deliver one hell of a match, even if their upward momentum was limited.

Their opponents here, Haku and Barbarian (wearing some very silly ring gear indeed) were not exactly known for contesting barnstorming classics or anything, but they certainly pulled their not inconsiderable weight here.

This was a typical speed versus power match, with The Rockers trying all their flips and tricks, only to constantly be cut down by the brute force of their larger opponents.

Eventually, Marty got the hot tag to Shawn and it was house-cleaning time. After a very good finishing sequence full of sunset flips and dropkicks and all that fiery babyface good stuff, Michaels got the surprise pin on Haku with a crossbody off the top, much to the delight of the frenzied crowd.

Nothing world-changing or anything like that, but a solid and very fun ten minutes with a popular result. Just what you want in an opener, really.

4. Money In The Bank Ladder Match – WrestleMania 23

The third Money in the Bank ladder match in WWE history kicked off WrestleMania 23 in 2007. The concept had been used in the second match of the preceding two WrestleManias, but it was the perfect choice for an opening match. This MITB match also had, arguably, the most star power out of the lot.

Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Edge, Randy Orton, King Booker, Finlay, Ken Kennedy and a young upstart named CM Punk did battle for the heralded briefcase, which would guarantee a World title shot within the space of one year to the victor. The action was fast and furious from the get-go, with all manner of brutal bumps and inventive spots occurring at a breakneck pace.

Things really picked up a notch with Jeff Hardy’s suicidal leg drop from the top of a ladder, through Edge and through another ladder, outside the ring. The breathtaking stunt took both men out of the match and then, one by one the rest of the combatants fell by the wayside, allowing the promising Kennedy to unhook the briefcase and secure himself a WWE title shot*.

This one was almost 25 minutes of non-stop action which had the 80,000 plus in Ford Field on the edge of their seats for the duration. A hell of a way to kick off a PPV, this, and one of the best of the WrestleMania Money in the Bank ladder matches.

*Kennedy didn’t end up receiving his shot after all: Edge beat him for it in an impromptu match on the May 7th 2007 edition of Raw after Kennedy suffered an injury which was thought to be more serious than it actually was.

3. Eddie Guerrero Vs. Rey Mysterio – WrestleMania 21

You can’t put Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio in the same ring and get a bad match. It’s just a physical impossibility, such was the chemistry between these legendary luchadores. The two men had battled in rings in Mexico and WCW, but had never had the chance to have a major one-on-one singles match on a big stage in WWE.

WrestleMania 21 was their chance.

Eddie had been telling everyone in the weeks leading up to the event that he and Rey would steal the show and while the pair didn’t come close to matching the superlative showdown between Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels, they still assembled a damn fine opener, one of the best in WrestleMania history.

Not even Rey’s ill-fitting mask (the chin strap of which broke off within the first exchanges) could hamper this one, as Rey and Eddie put on a clinic full of smooth exchanges and state-of-the-art wrestling. Face versus face matches are hard to pull off, but Latino Heat and Mr. 619 managed to get the balance just right. The crowd were invested, too, popping huge for Rey’s fluke roll-up win.

Eddie was supposedly disappointed after the match, feeling that he and Rey had let themselves down by not matching the quality of their Halloween Havoc 1997 classic. He needn’t have been since, while not an all-time great or anything, he and Rey had managed to put on a supposedly ‘bad’ match that was so much better than the ‘good’ matches you’d expect to see from a great many performer.

2. Daniel Bryan Vs. Triple H – WrestleMania XXX

Ladies and gentlemen, bow down to the…bow down to THE KING. Triple H once again proved that he really is that damn good in the opener of WrestleMania XXX, going toe-to-toe with one of the best in the world for 26 nerve-shredding minutes.

Given Triple H and The Authority’s treatment of Bryan in the weeks and months leading up to the show, many wondered whether Bryan could actually topple The Game on the night, with some fearing that Trips may have used his backstage stroke to get the main event changed to an all-Evolution affair.

This is something that the match played up beautifully, with Bryan narrowly avoiding defeat courtesy of a rarely-seen Tiger Suplex, a crossface submission hold, a Pedigree and some Stephanie McMahon ringside shenanigans. Bryan gave as good as he got, mind, delivering a jumping tornado DDT from the apron to the floor, a huge summersault plancha and the usually dependable Yes Lock.

The bearded wonder and Vince’s son-in-law had the New Orleans fans hooked and biting on every false finish until Bryan finally rallied and hit his running knee strike to secure a very popular briefly. Most remember WrestleMania XXX as either the night the Streak ended or for Bryan’s WWE Title-winning performance in the main event, but this wonderful opener must not be overlooked, either.

1. Bret Hart Vs. Owen Hart – WrestleMania X

The best opener in WrestleMania, and possibly wrestling, history. Bret Hart versus Owen Hart was a masterclass, two guys as close as can be going out there and producing a near-perfect match for twenty wonderful minutes.

It was as good as you can get, and would be considered the standout match of the show, if not for the first ever televised WWE ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon that went on after them. Going into their match, the two brothers got together and started mapping out what they were going to do, including all their high spots and plenty of Owen’s high-flying.

Realising that, if they were going to do the match they were planning on doing, Owen would no doubt get cheered, Bret decided to flip it and had Owen nix all of his showing-off. Instead, Owen did every dastardly heel trick and took every shortcut in the book, en route to a surprising victory over his older sibling.

The exchanges between these two were as smooth as silk and the match just built and built, with the MSG crowd getting more and more into at on every nearfall. The result also casted doubt over Bret’s WWE Title match later in the night and also meant that Owen would be one of the first in line when Bret did capture the gold.

If you haven’t watched this match, do so now.

And 5 That Sucked…

5. Big Show & Kane Vs. Chris Masters & Carlito – WrestleMania 22

There’s nothing terribly wrong with this one or anything. No, there were no major botches and there were at least two worse matches on the card (Boogeyman versus Booker T & Sharmell and Candice Michelle versus Torrie Wilson). But, as an opener for the biggest show of the year it was so very underwhelming and there were plenty of more suitable candidates.

Such as, JBL versus Chris Benoit for the US Title or the second ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Those were both great choices for an opener, and the MITB match in particular was exciting and would have gotten the crowd going. This average, sub-six-minute World Tag Team Title match did not.

Kane and Big Show got the win by pinning Carlito after a double chokeslam, putting an end to this glorified Raw match. For what it’s worth, the crowd were pretty into Carlito here and didn’t really seem to care for the lumbering Kane and Show.

4. Tag Team Battle Royal – WrestleMania XIV

Don’t you just love those battle royals full of way too many guys you don’t even care about? The WrestleMania XIV opener was a fifteen-team affair full of no-hopers like the New Midnight Express, the Headbangers, Too Much, The Rock and Roll Express, Steve Blackman and Flash Funk, the DOA and oh God there were so many crappy teams in this match.

It also featured the return of the ultra-over Road Warriors as LOD 2000, complete with new craptastic entrance gear (which took them about five whole minutes to take off) and Sunny as a manager. Supposedly, Sunny was lumped with them as a way to get her on the show so that her backstage rival, Sable, wouldn’t be the only one with a ‘Mania appearance.

The ‘action’ consisted mainly of kicking, punching, throwing over the top rope, punching, stalling, choking, punching and kicking and throwing and lying around. It was, shall we say, less than inspired. The inevitable LOD win was about as obvious as Tammy Sytch getting a DUI, too. Seriously, no other team could have possibly won the thing.

The whole thing lasted nearly ten full minutes. Triple H versus Owen Hart or Aguila versus TAKA Michinoku, which took place later on the card, would have been so much better in the opening slot.

3. Paul Orndorff Vs. Magnificent Muraco – WrestleMania 2

This must have been some comedown for Mr. Wonderful. One year after headlining with Roddy Piper against Hulk Hogan and, erm, Mr. T, he was jerking the curtain against a past-it Don Muraco. Even with only four minutes to play with, these two still managed to produce something that was so boring it felt like at least twelve.

The majority of the match was Muraco trying to get out of an armbar. Seriously. The bulk of the ‘action’ is one freakin’ hold. I mean, if you wanna work a submission hold for an extended period of time during a longer match, that’s fine. But in a four minute long opener? Come on, guys. This isn’t a house show – it’s WrestleMania.

Eventually, Muraco lands a Samoan drop and they begin brawling. Then they go outside. And then both men are counted out. Oh yeah, and Orndoff at one point makes a very racist gesture towards Mr. Fuji, because wrestling in the 1980s was just horrible.

So, not only was the action barely there, but the finish was inconclusive and insulting, tooand there was some unnecessary racism. Just horrible all-round and a poor way to start what was a poor show overall.

2. Big Boss Man & Bull Buchanan Vs. The Godfather & D-Lo Brown – WrestleMania 2000

The Godfather is a perfect guy to use in the opening match, because he was over like Rover and, despite not being the greatest worker in the world, could work a basic match just fine (after going through his pre-match schtick, of course). D-Lo Brown was, at one point, a hell of a worker. Big Boss Man was a sure and steady veteran, and Bull Buchanan was a damn impressive big man with huge upside (as Jim Ross would call it).

On paper, this one works. In practice, it didn’t really. Sure, it had one or too good moments (Buchanan had a hella fine Axe Kick), but it was pretty damn clunky and way too long at almost ten minutes. When only one guy in the match is really over, you shouldn’t be going that long.

Things got off to an annoying start, with Ice T coming out with Godfather and Brown to sing the conductor of the Ho Train’s new, crappy theme music. No grown man should be saying ‘pimpin’ ain’t easy’ that much. Oddly, the heels went over here, deflating the hot crowd early.

WrestleMania 2000 is generally considered a huge disappointment and it certainly got off to the most disappointing of starts. Well, not the most disappointing…

1. Daniel Bryan Vs. Sheamus – WrestleMania XXVIII

What more really needs to be said? Yes, this had the unintended effect of propelling Daniel Bryan to superstardom to the point where he would actually main event the show two years later, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this was an insult to two very talented performers, not to mention millions of fans who actually wanted to see the match.

Following a kiss from AJ Lee, Sheamus hit a single Brogue Kick and pinned the World Heavyweight Champion in eighteen seconds. EIGHTEEN SECONDS. This, one year after their United States title match was bumped from the main card to the pre-show in order to make way for The Rock’s thirty-minute opening monologue.

There’s no doubt that goat-face and the Celtic Warrior deserve far, far better here. They proved in subsequent weeks and months that they could have some damn fine matches together, if given the time. To deny them the chance to do so on the grandest stage, just to provide a little bit of shock value, was a big mistake and made for a seriously disappointing opener.

Shawn Michaels WrestleMania Matches – Ranked from Worst to Best

source// wwe.com

When all is said and done, Shawn Michaels may well go down in history as the greatest mainstream American professional wrestler of all-time. The Heartbreak Kid did everything there was to do in World Wrestling Entertainment, winning all the gold on offer and doing it at a level higher than most of his peers for a longer time. 

HBK’s career was ended early by a terrible back injury, but  he was able to return to the ring and put together a second career run that surpassed the first in terms of the consistency of his match quality. It was a different Michaels, the cocky youth replaced by the wily veteran, and WWE was all the better for it.

It was at WrestleMania that this particular star shone brightest. Michaels took part in 17 different WrestleManias, featuring in tag team matches, ladder matches, Ironman matches and a whole lot more. He won his first WWE Title at the event, and his career would end there, too. His run of matches in the second half of his career, in particular, beggars belief. A better run of matches one will not find.

But how do the matches rank against each other? Let’s waste no more time and get to separating them, from worst to best.

17. Vs. Big Boss Man & Akeem – WrestleMania V

The debut of Mr. WrestleMania came as early as WrestleMania V. 

At this time Michaels was a member of The Rockers, a high-energy tag team with Marty Jannetty, and at the 5th Mania they took on Big Boss Man and Akeem, known collectively as the Twin Towers. Akeem was previously known as One Man Gang, and I don’t think anyone will ever truly understand why this gimmick changed happened, but there we go. 

There isn’t much to write home about with this match, but don’t let its positioning at the bottom of this particular list fool you; The Rockers were seemingly incapable of putting on a bad match in the 1980s, and what we have here is a nice little Big Team vs. Little Team match. Boss Man in particular was a high quality big man, and Akeem was no slouch either. 

Michaels and Jannetty bumped like lunatics for their larger opposition, with Michaels showing the bumping prowess that would eventually become a trademark of his during his singles run. Akeem would eventually hit Michaels with Air Africa (running splash) to give the big men the win.

16. Vs. El Matador – WrestleMania VIII

From his big show debut to his first match as a singles competitor at WrestleMania. 

By 1992 Shawn Michaels was a star on the rise, fresh off throwing Jannetty through the window of the Barber Shop and embarking on a heel run that would change everything for the man. His first singles match at ‘Mania came against the legendary Tito Santana, albeit a legendary Tito Santana now known as ‘El Matador’.

For someone who seemed like an exciting performer at the time, Santana was pretty snooze-worthy. Most of his offense consisted of punches and headlocks, and whilst this doesn’t exactly capture the imagination 20 years later it is clear to see the importance of working with veteran babyface performers.

Another nothing match, this sits above the tag match purely for the fact that it was Michaels’ first singles match on the grandest stage.

15. Vs. The Orient Express – WrestleMania VI

The Rockers would have a number of excellent matches with variations of the Orient Express in 1990 and 1991, with the finest coming at the 1991 edition of Royal Rumble. This match from WrestleMania VI didn’t quite reach that high level, and it wasn’t helped by a lousy count-out finish. Still, this was The Rockers against The Orient Express at the beginning of the 1990s, so there was a lot to love regardless.

Mr. Fuji accompanied the Express for this match, and if there is one thing we know about Fuji and WrestleMania it is that he brings his most effective and vicious salt to the event. That salt would come in to play at the end of this match too, with poor old Marty Jannetty feeling its wrath, leaving him incapable of beating the count.

Maybe Mr. Fuji is to blame for Marty Jannetty being the Marty Jannetty of The Rockers?

If anything, this match is a little disappointing, but that is only because of the quality of the Royal Rumble 1991 match between the two teams. Seriously, go find it.

14. Vs. Tatanka – WrestleMania IX

One year after making his singles debut at WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels would open the show defending his Intercontinental Championship. Tatanka was the challenger, but the real story here revolved around Sensational Sherri. Michaels had recently put Sherri in harms way, leading to her leaving HBK and looking to gain revenge. 

Luna Vachon seconded Michaels here, meaning Tatanka was essentially the fourth most important individual in his IC Title challenge.

The match could arguably be called Tatanka’s finest, and the development of Michaels into a top tier worker was clear for all to see. Another terrible ending leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but this was the WWF and it was the early 1990s; if you were a heel champion defending against an undefeated babyface, chances were you were losing by DQ.

That is exactly what happened here, as Shawn would put his hands on the referee leading to the match being thrown out. Still, they almost got 20 minutes before that, and it was never any less than good.

13. Vs. Barbarian & Haku – WrestleMania VII

The Rockers took part in three matches at WrestleMania, and their only winning effort is probably the best of these. 

It was another big chaps/little chaps effort, this time against Heenan Family members Barbarian and Haku. Those two chaps were pretty standard big men workers in the 1980s, legitimate tough guys who were credible enough to give a boost to those who defeated them. Michaels and Jannetty were the victors here, following a missile dropkick/top rope crossbody combination.

By 1991, The Rockers had perfected the fast-paced tag team opener. They bumped liked maniacs for their opponents, and their comebacks were defined by the swells of support the crowd would provide. We would grow used to these from Michaels throughout his career, and looking back it is clear that he was always going to outgrow tag team wrestling eventually. 

Shawn performs hot tag duties here, and his babyface fire is clear for all to see.

12. Vs. Vince McMahon – WrestleMania 22

More of an angle than a match in reality, HBK’s violent brawl against Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 22 is the least fantastic of the matches from the man’s second run. Vince McMahon certainly isn’t a professional wrestler, yet the man has been involved in a whole host of fun brawls at WrestleMania. They always come with No Holds Barred/Street Fight stipulations, a load of outside interference and a plethora of shenanigans, and so they should.

The roles in this match are fairly unique, with Michaels in the role of beatdown-giver as opposed to taker. Say what you like about Vince McMahon, but he is willing to do some particularly extreme things to make sure he puts on a show worthy of WrestleMania. He will take insane bumps, he’ll bleed, he’ll do whatever he needs to do. 

The most memorable spot of this match comes with McMahon prone on a table in the centre of the ring, his head and upper body shoved inside a trash can. Michaels comes off the top of a ladder with this Showstopper elbow, taking McMahon, the table and the bin out in the process. A crazy, crazy spot.

One Sweet Chin Music later and that was that.

11. Vs. Diesel – WrestleMania XI

I must confess that memory of this match is dominated by Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy, two of the biggest sex symbols of the 1990s.

It is pleasantly surprising to revisit this match and see just how good it was, especially on a show that pretty much sucked otherwise. Shawn’s rise to the top had taken something of a detour thanks to the popularity of his former bodyguard, Diesel, and the two collided here with Shawn challenging for Diesel’s WWF Championship.

Shawn had been working singles for a number of years at this point, and his rise to the main event the unique feeling of being organic yet pushed as well. By WrestleMania XI he was well and truly comfortable in the role, and was working like a top player to boot. His bumping was impressive as ever, and he was able to put together one of the best matches of Kevin Nash’s career.

1995 was a stellar year for Michaels, having started it off with a coast-to-coast Royal Rumble win. He was unsuccessful in his title challenge here, but his performance was one to be applauded.

10. Vs. Ric Flair – WrestleMania XXIV

If these matches were judged by emotional value alone, there’s a good chance that this would be streets ahead at the top of the lot.

Ric Flair’s career was on the line here, as Vince McMahon had decreed that the next match Flair lost would be his last. All of this led to Naitch obviously losing one last epic battle at WrestleMania, and Shawn Michaels was chosen as the man to do the honours.

Despite the predictability of the finish, this match kept viewers right on the edge of their seats. I watched WrestleMania XXIV with a number of friends, some of whom had no interest whatsoever in professional wrestling, yet each one of them was pleading with Michaels to tap as Flair slapped on the figure four. 

After Michaels administered the last rights to Flair’s career, the silence in the room was one that comes only when a group of viewers have been truly moved by something. 

Take the emotion out of the match and it certainly wouldn’t be regarded as anything more than a competent RAW match. Flair wasn’t the same great worker he once was at this point, completely understandable considering his age and length of career. Michaels helped the great man put on one hell of a show, though. 

It is truly a testament to the quality of Mr. WrestleMania that this, one of the most emotional matches in wrestling history, is his 10th best match at the Showcase of the Immortals.

9. Vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin – WrestleMania XIV

More celebrity involvement at WrestleMania XIV, as Mike Tyson performed special enforcer duties in the main event between Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin. This would be HBK’s last match for over four years, and would also act as something of generational-shift in professional wrestling. Austin took the win, and the Attitude Era was about to begin proper. 

The match itself is remarkable considering the state of Shawn’s back at the time. He shouldn’t have been performing full stop, let alone performing at such a high quality on the biggest stage of them all. Watching back it is almost as if Michaels knew he was done, and he wanted to go out on the highest of highs.

Whilst it is easy to view Austin’s win as the turning point for the WWF as he would spearhead a new era, this can also be interpreted as Michaels being on top during a weak era for the company. The truth is that he helped steer a ship that had no direction, sitting on top as a credible champion whilst the company was embroiled in turmoil. 

Hs final match was another notch in the belt of Michaels’ ‘Mania show-stealing.

8. Vs. John Cena – WrestleMania 23

The main event of WrestleMania 23, John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels is something of an underrated classic. There wasn’t much of a story going into the match, but these two had a chemistry that simply could not be denied. They would go on to better this match in the UK just a few weeks later, too.

The early stages were all power vs. speed, with neither performer getting a clear advantage. Too many wrestling matches descend into a predictable flow and structure, so such an equal match was as refreshing then as it would be now. This isn’t to say there are no shenanigans, however, and once Mike Chioda went down all bets were off.

Michaels hits Cena with a freakin’ piledriver on the steps, a move that is guaranteed to illicit ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaaahs’ from any crowd, not to mention exclamations of shock in that most wrestling crowd of manners. Michaels eventually tapped out to the STFU and, whilst you can pick the odd hole in it, this was a fantastic match overall.

7. Vs. Bret Hart – WrestleMania XII

WrestleMania XII can be seen as the birth of Mr. WrestleMania. In the main event, Shawn Michaels battled Bret Hart for the WWF Championship in a 60-minute Ironman match. Michaels makes his most famous of entrances, flying into the arena via zip line in one of the most impressive arrivals in professional wrestling history. 

Everything about this felt like a big moment, and everything about it felt like the official crowning of a new star.

This is a unique match in modern WWE history, going over one hour as it did, and as such it is difficult to rate it on a normal scale. They start slow for obvious reasons, and the first half could easily be regarded as being tedious and plodding. All of this is forgotten in the second half, and the last 20 minutes or so are particularly thrilling. 

The regulation hour ends with neither man scoring a pinfall, so Gorilla Monsoon heads down to the ring to send the match into overtime. Less than two minutes later, Sweet Chin Music connects and the boyhood dream is realised. 

Mr. WrestleMania had arrived.

6. Vs. Chris Jericho – WrestleMania XIX

WrestleMania XIX marked the grand return of Shawn Michaels to the Showcase of the Immortals, and what a return it was.

Michaels went up against Chris Jericho in a classic wily veteran/cocky upstart bout, and it more than delivered. It isn’t fair to call Jericho a cocky upstart at this point, as he had appeared in the main event of a WrestleMania and won all sorts of championships by this point, but the story revolved around Jericho’s former idolisation of Michaels.

The match starts slow (as many classics do), but once the pace picked up it certainly didn’t relent. Michaels eventually picked up the win with a rollup after a number of false finishes, including a picture-perfect Sweet Chin Music delivered by Y2J to HBK. The two embraced after the match, only for Jericho to boot Michaels in the nuts and spit on his former idol!

Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho have had a whole host of classic matches throughout their two legendary careers, and this stands up with them all as one of the best. It has technical wizardry, impressive athleticism and fantastic character work to boot. Ticking all of the boxes, this one.

5. Vs. Triple H Vs. Chris Benoit – WrestleMania XX

One year after making his WrestleMania return, Shawn Michaels found himself straight back into the main event of the show. It was his longtime friendship/rivalry with Triple H that brought him there, as he did battle against his former DX cohort and Royal Rumble winner Chris Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship. 

This was Benoit’s night, but the role Michaels played as the wildcard element in the triple threat can not be downplayed. The match ticks all of the classic triple threat boxes, but the quality of all three performers adds extra spice to them all. Michaels is particularly impressive with his timing here, most memorably with a saving Sweet Chin Music delivered to a Rabid Wolverine who was moments away from making The Game tap to the Sharpshooter.

History has forgotten this match because you know why, but it still stands up as arguably the greatest singles triple threat of all-time, and one of the greatest WrestleMania main events in history.

4. Vs. Kurt Angle – WrestleMania 21

If this list was an entirely personal and subjective one, I think this match would take top spot. In 2005, WWE was still in its brand-split phase, and this meant that a lot of dream matches could be saved for the biggest show of the year. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle was one of these, and it met every single lofty expectation levied at it.

Simply put, Michaels and Angle are two of the greatest professional wrestlers ever to grace this glorious sport. Both were able to bring their A games here, and their chemistry was as magnetic as any two performers could wish for. Looking at the second half of his career, Michaels was involved in classic after classic after classic at ‘Mania, truly cementing his reputation as Mr. WrestleMania. 

This is one of my all-time favourite matches. The timing is perfect throughout, and some of the counters Angle manages to throw out truly embed him at the top of any and all ‘all-time’ lists. The match builds to a most dramatic finish, as Michaels desperately attempts to escape from the Ankle Lock to no avail.

3. Vs. Razor Ramon – WrestleMania X

Back at WrestleMania X, the ladder match was an entirely new and exciting concept in professional wrestling. Regardless of who invented the idea (Bret Hart claims it was himself), this was the first match of its type at WrestleMania and it set an incredibly high bar for all ladder matches that would follow it. Michaels and Razor were able to work from a clean slate, but they still put the effort into to make every movement memorable.

The match was to unify the Intercontinental Championships, as Michaels had left whilst champion without dropping the strap. Razor had won a battle royal tournament to become champion, and Michaels was back to show who the real champ was. The bout was full of things we simply had never seen at the time, and whilst the violence of the Attitude Era may have lessened the impact over the years they were as jaw-dropping as anything back in 1994. 

The drama towards the end is amazing to witness, as Michaels attempts to free himself from the ropes in order to stop Razor climbing the ladder and retrieving the gold. He would be unsuccessful in his attempt and wouldn’t leave with the gold, but a legend was born that day.

2. Vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania XXV

Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker battled each other across different eras as different characters in different matches, but it is their two battles at WrestleMania that arguably stand longest and loudest in the memory. 

As far as modern Undertaker Streak matches go, this immediately had a different feel to the ones that preceded it as Michaels wasn’t afraid of ‘Taker in the slightest. This was a battle between two men who knew what the other was going to bring to the table and it made for a hell of a human chess match. 

Michaels would use his quickness throughout, as the psychology built leading to the expected yet still effective false finishes towards the end. The biggest botch of the whole match brings one of its most memorable moments, as Taker caught himself diving over the top rope and lands headfirst on the outside, taking a (planted) cameraman out in the process.

I loved the finish of this match watching it at the time, and I still love it now: Michaels went for a moonsault, only to be caught and planted with a gnarly Tombstone Piledriver for the win, putting an exclamation mark on what had been one of the best WrestleMania matches ever witnessed. 

Little did we know they would better it just one year later…

1. Vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania XXVI

After putting on a true all-time classic at WrestleMania XXV, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker somehow managed to top it just a year later.

All of the sloppy or unsure moments from the year prior were erased, and where XXV was built around two veterans facing off, XXVI was a whole different beast. This was the climax of one man’s obsession, a desire to prove his worth and complete his career by doing what no man had ever been able to do at the time, which was to beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

You could put either match at the top of this list, but WrestleMania XXVI will always stand out as the best for me. The psychology throughout was pitch perfect, with Michaels frequently falling foul of his obsession with winning here and ‘Taker capitalising on the mistakes this brought about. The flipside of this was that The Phenom knew he would have to go the extra mile to put HBK away, so a lot of his offensive attacks had extra bite.

The finish is beautiful, with Michaels beckoning Undertaker to finish him off and even going as far as to slap the Deadman to ensure that he did so. One jumping Tombstone later and one of the most storied careers in World Wrestling Entertainment history was done with a match that could easily top any all-time WWE matches list. 

It has everything one could want from an in-ring standpoint, added to WWE storytelling and tight psychology. It is everything that is wonderful about WWE, on top of everything that is wonderful about professional wrestling. It is also the greatest match in the storied career of Mr. WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels.