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Monday, March 20, 2017

Favorite WRESTLEMANIA Matches


We are so close to WrestleMania 33! I’ve never been more excited for one before, because well I’ll be in Orlando for it live for the first time in my life. In being in WrestleMania mode, I’ve watched so many past WrestleMania’s from the past 17 years or so these past few weeks. I started watching WWE around Mania’ 19, so if you’re expecting matches from before 16, well that just wasn’t my era. Not that there weren’t amazing matches prior. These matches have just always resonated with me, and made my wrestling experience as a fan awesome over the course of my personal WWE experience.



20. The Shield vs Randy Orton, Sheamus, and Big show

WrestleMania 29

 This match is kind of special to me because it was my very first live WrestleMania on PPV experience. I was never able to afford them in the past(ya know being a kid and all), and I finally was able to this time being out on my own working and what not. This match right here was my first one I ever got to see, since it opened the show. Now looking back, it’s awesome to see the Shield trio going over on three former world champions on the biggest stage. These three guys are three of the biggest stars WWE has actually done a good job building up, and they will main event Manias for years to come.


19. Randy Orton Vs Triple H for the WWE Title.

WrestleMania 25

I remember the build to this match was pretty great, granted it was kind of 5 years late, since the turn on Orton happened 5 years ago. But Randy is one of my favorites of all time, and this is the year when he legitimized himself as one of my all-time favorites, the “voices in my head” Orton was born. Even though this match didn’t live up to the hype, it’s Orton’s only one of two WrestleMania’s he main evented. Both of which he sadly lost.




18. Randy Orton vs Triple H vs John Cena for the WWE Title

WrestleMania 24

I personally love this match for the mere fact nearly everyone thought Cena or Triple H was walking out champ, and then boom Randy takes the win and keeps his title.



17. John Cena Vs The Rock

WrestleMania 28

In my wrestling watching experience, I’m not sure there was ever a match that had a yearlong build like this one. What was crazier to me is that I heard people who weren’t even big wrestling fans talking about who’s going to win. That was a hard match to live up to no matter who you are, but for The Rock being out for so long, I thought it was pretty cool and a dream match you thought you’d never see. I was also happy The Rock got the win in their first match, the second one was to predictable and we all knew Cena would win.



16. Money In The Bank Ladder Match Randy Orton vs Jeff Hardy vs Finlay vs Edge vs Matt Hardy vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Booker T vs CM Punk

WrestleMania 23

This was the third money in the bank ladder match ever, when it was still at Mania’, although I never cared for Mr. Kennedy who ended up winning it, the match was great. We saw Matt and Jeff Hardy back in ladder matches. Then that amazing moment when Jeff jumped off a ladder onto Edge through another ladder. It was the first time a ladder was broken in half like a table, a trend that was used over and over afterwards. Plus, that RKO to CM Punk off the ladder!


15. Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho

WrestleMania 19

This was right around when I first tuned into WWE when I was in about 3rd grade. One of the earliest feuds I remember these guys being in. Although as I said I never got to watch every PPV live, due to nobody expecting any one’s parents to fork over $50 a PPV, I still enjoyed this match later on. What an awesome match between two of the greatest of all time.



14. Jeff Hardy Vs Matt Hardy Extreme Rules Match

 WrestleMania 25

This was a pretty cool match, considering The Hardys were always my favorite team when I was a kid. The match had a few big spots, although I was rooting for Jeff. That twist of fate with the chair wrapped around Jeff’s neck was brutal, when Matt took the win.



13. Triangle Ladder match for the Tag Team Titles. Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz vs Edge & Christian

 WrestleMania 16

This was before my time, this was an attitude era type of match. However, I have seen this match many times. I remember getting a boxset anthology set that included WrestleMania 16 through WrestleMania 20 for a birthday or something. I loved this one, so much awesomeness from these three teams. That amazing Swanton from Jeff to Bubba off a ladder and through a table is a Mania’ moment I will never forget.



12. Randy Orton vs Seth Rollins

WrestleMania 31

This may be surprising to some people, but there’s something about this match that’s just great. For one these guys mix well together, and the fact Orton delivered four RKO’s in this match between Rollins and his two security guards, was awesome. One of my original favorites taking on one of my new favorites. Not to mention one of my favorite Mania’ moments when Orton delivered that amazing RKO off the curb stomp at the end of the match to take the win.



11. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock

WrestleMania 19

This was the third Mania’ match for these two guys and Stone Cold had the last two victories over The Rock. The Rock was out to prove he could beat Stone Cold on the big stage, this would also be the last time Stone Cold would ever compete in a match, and man what a way to go out in a blaze of glory. Even though he lost, it’s a damn good match. A great way to close his in-ring career and for one of the biggest rivalries to ever grace our screens, to come to an end. It’s sad when my WWE experience began, two of the all-time greats were coming to an end of their wrestling careers. But that’s why the network is great because we can go back and re-live this stuff. Don’t get me wrong I’ve seen plenty of stunners and beer guzzling, after this, because Stone Cold may not have been in matches, but he was still kicking ass.

10. Money In The Bank Ladder Match Edge vs Chris Benoit vs Kane vs Shelton Benjamin vs Chris Jericho vs. Christian

WrestleMania 21

To me this was a history making match, considering how many money in the bank matches have followed it. The very first one, and still one of the best. You take three of the very best mid card guys and they put on a clinic. Shelton really shined in this match, but this is what started Edge’s first world title run, and making him a main eventer. I miss this match at Mania’ over a PPV of its own.



9. John Cena vs Shawn Michaels for the WWE Title

 WrestleMania 23

From what I understand, originally this was supposed to be Cena vs Triple H, but he got injured so they changed it for Michaels to fill in. But I’m glad they did, because this match had it all. You can say what you want about Cena, but when it comes to big matches, he always puts on a good show. And of course, when you have Mr. WrestleMania Shawn Michaels himself in basically any Mania’ match it’s probably going to be good. Although this particular time, I wanted Shawn to win, but Cena took the win.





8. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker

WrestleMania 25

What do you get when you put two of the greatest of all time in WrestleMania matches in one match? You get arguably one of the best matches of all time. These two stole the show that night, I’m not sure if anyone was expecting any less from these guys. Undertaker put on some of his best Mania’ matches, from 21 through 29, I think most would agree.



7. Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels Career vs Streak Match

 WrestleMania 26

To follow their match from a year prior, they went at it again, only this time Michaels puts his career on the line. Obviously, you know Michaels lost. But it was the best way he could’ve possibly went out. Putting this as the main event over both world title matches, was the right call. A very emotional match, and Shawn hasn’t wrestled a match since.



6. Randy Orton vs The Undertaker

 WrestleMania 21

An Undertaker Mania match I feel that is very underrated as time has gone on. Orton’s first solo bout at WrestleMania against a huge legend. What some might not remember is the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Mania’ wasn’t even really a big thing until this match. This was the first time someone was out to beat The Undertaker to end his streak at WrestleMania. What was a start to Undertaker’s next ten Mania’ matches where his streak became almost a mythical thing and a huge deal to beat him. So, in a way we can thank Orton for starting this trend and that choke slam into an RKO was amazing!



5. Stone Cold vs The Rock for the WWE Title No DQ Match

WrestleMania 17

The second match in the trilogy of Mania’ matches between these guys, and arguably the best one. This entire WrestleMania is considered one of the best of all time, and it is the first WrestleMania I ever saw if I remember correctly. My brother and I rented it on VHS, and were blown away by the whole card. Especially this main event, and then seeing Stone Cold team with Vince.




4. Undertaker Vs Tripe H Hell in a Cell End of an Era match

WrestleMania 28

If you haven’t noticed there’s a trend here, with thinking Undertaker matches are some of the best. But who would argue that? This was an intense bout following their bout from the year before, and Shawn Michaels was the special guest referee, a perfect set up. These two beat the holy hell out of each other. Two men who have more WrestleMania matches than anyone else in the history of the business. Then the walk with all three of them to the ramp together was very heart wrenching. I feel privileged after a match like this, to grow up when I did, in that era.




3. Kurt angle vs Shawn Michaels

WrestleMania 21

I actually remember their feud going into this match and not being super excited for it. Granted I was still a newer fan to the WWE. But I was a dumb kid, because this match is amazing. Two totally different styles of wrestling, that mixed so well. I don’t think anyone expected Angle to pull out the win, let alone for Shawn to tap out. It’s matches like this that make me feel honored I get to see Kurt Angle inducted into the Hall of Fame this year live.



2. Edge vs Mick Foley Hardcore Match

WrestleMania 22

I’ll never forget that Christmas as a kid I got WrestleMania 22 on DVD. I was so pumped, and this match here always blew my mind. So much awesomeness, that burning table spear to me is an under rated Mania’ moment they should show more when thinking of past Mania’ moments. Edge looked genuinely petrified afterwards like he was a different person.



1.      TLC #2 for the Tag Team titles Edge & Christian vs. Dudley Boyz vs The Hardy Boyz

WrestleMania 17

This match right here, also on that VHS tape we rented so long ago, certainly solidified me as a fan for life. Wow is really all you can say, these three teams literally put everything on the line. There’s so many amazing moments in this match. I would give anything to have seen it live, be it on TV or in person. Most of these other matches are pretty even as far as how much I like each of them but this one I have to say is probably my favorite WrestleMania match of all time thus far.



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