WrestleMania: The 42 Greatest Matches in History
Over 41 WrestleManias have graced the wrestling world, showcasing 473 matches – some legendary, others quickly forgotten. Here’s a deep dive into what I consider the 42 best matches in ‘Mania history, a ranking born from countless hours revisiting these pivotal moments.
A quick note: I’ve intentionally excluded matches featuring Chris Benoit. Revisiting them honestly felt impossible. Also, the Iron Man match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels from WrestleMania 12, while ambitious, didn’t quite deliver. It lacked the compelling storytelling and pacing needed to justify its length. I prioritize rewarding successful execution over failed ambition.
1. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)
This match is arguably the one that saved the WWF. In 1997, WCW held all the momentum in the “Monday Night Wars.” WCW was the cooler, hipper promotion, backed by significant financial resources, while the WWF was still a family business. Had you predicted the wrestling landscape in 1997, WCW would have been the clear favorite to remain dominant. However, Hart and Austin delivered a match so compelling, with such masterful storytelling, that it began to shift the tide.
Austin entered as a heel, but the crowd’s energy was firmly behind him, transforming him into a babyface. Hart, portrayed as the hero, left as the villain, wrestling with a palpable frustration. He was a man of honor, challenged by Austin’s brashness. Hart’s heel turn wasn’t born of evil, but of feeling unappreciated. While Hart won, Austin’s iconic image – bloodied and struggling within the Sharpshooter – launched him into superstardom and propelled the WWF into a phenomenon.
2. Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 18)
A clash of two of WWE’s most iconic characters, this match nearly resulted in a double-turn. Hogan entered as a heel, part of the invading nWo faction, but felt the energy of the crowd and reverted to his 1980s red-and-yellow superhero persona. The Rock responded in kind, feeding into Hogan’s every move, making the crowd feel like they were witnessing the Hogan of a bygone era. It wasn’t about athletic execution; it was about two masters of crowd work doing what they do best.
3. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (WrestleMania 3)
This match marked a turning point for fast-paced professional wrestling. Before Savage-Steamboat, wrestling was one thing; after, it was entirely different. The current style, often characterized by relentless action, owes a debt to these two athletic marvels at their peak. With 22 false finishes in just over 14 minutes, both men took incredible bumps, fueled by the energy of a massive crowd. This match set the tone for a new era of high-octane wrestling.
4. Ric Flair vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 18)
This felt like a throwback to the territory-era wrestling feuds of the past. It belonged in the Omni or the Mid-South Coliseum, not a WrestleMania ring. Flair came out fired up, throwing punches, only to be met with equally impactful shots from Taker. The match quickly became a bloody brawl, with Flair saturated in blood and Taker relentlessly targeting the wound. An Arn Anderson spinebuster added to the chaos. WrestleMania is known for polished, epic matches, but this was a gritty fistfight, and that contrast made it all the more impactful.
5. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 25)
Considered by WWE as the best match in WrestleMania history, and it’s easy to see why. It embodies everything that defines a major WWE match – dramatic finishers, tension-filled two-counts, and shocked reactions. The history between these two characters – Undertaker’s undefeated streak, Michaels’s past injuries – added layers of significance to every near-fall and big moment. The Undertaker sidestepping Michaels’ moonsault and Michaels pulling the cameraman into a tope were truly wild spots. While it might have gone a beat too long, they earned it.
6-42
You can find the rest of the list here.
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