When Wrestlemania debuted in 1985, it was an high-profile experiment, far from the stadium-filling juggernaut that it is today. In fact, had the closed circuit television event failed, WWE may have gone bankrupt; there would be no Hulkamania, no Austin 3:16, and no Cena Nation. Fortunately for us, WWE's blend of sports entertainment and celebrity involvement was a mainstream, crossover hit.
Since then, there have been 32 sequels to the "Show of Shows." And on April 8, 2018, Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans' Superdome with a star-studded match card. In recognition of over three decades of Wrestlemania moments, here's a gallery of the best individual matches from each PPV. Hopefully, Wrestlemania 34 will live up to its institutional standard.
For more Wrestlemania coverage, check out the biggest rumors leading up to the event. We have a full match card for you to check out, as well as our predictions. And come back to GameSpot Universe on Sunday, April 8 for live coverage of Wrestlemania 34.
Wrestlemania: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff
The best matches at the first Wrestlemania were more about spectacle and crossover appeal than anything else. The first major highlight was seeing Andre the Giant bodyslam Big John Studd and then toss handfuls of cash into the front row. But the most memorable part of the evening was the tag match that closed the show, which paired Mr. T with Hulk Hogan. Mr. T was a high-profile celebrity cameo that set the bar for future celebrity cameos to come. Also present was special guest referee Muhammad Ali, who took a swing at Roddy Piper during the match.
Wrestlemania 2: The British Bulldogs vs. Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake
After its inaugural success with the first Wrestlemania, WWE spread itself way too thin with the sequel. They staged the event in three different cities: Uniondale, Rosemont, and Los Angeles. And out of three cities, Rosemont got the best of it. Andre the Giant won a battle royal consisting of WWE superstars and NFL players. And the British Bulldogs beat the Dream Team for the Tag Team Championship in the best match of the evening. The Bulldogs consisted of Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid. the legendary ring technician who inspired multiple younger wrestlers, including Bret Hart, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit.
Wrestlemania III: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage
The same night that WWE broke the indoor attendance record with over 93,000 spectators--though this is still up for debate--it also showcased two of the most legendary matches in WWE history. The match that makes the highlight reels is Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant; Hogan body slammed the massive man to retain the WWE Championship. But the higher quality match is the Intercontinental championship match between Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and "Macho Man" Randy Savage. It was an exhaustively choreographed clinic, and Steamboat clinched the title after a crucial save by George "The Animal" Steele.
Wrestlemania IV: Randy Savage vs.Ted DiBiase
Wrestlemania IV was a massive tournament to determine the WWE Champion. The final came down to Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase, who had tried to buy the title from Andre the Giant. Before Vince McMahon began playing himself on WWE programming, "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase was his stand-in, and one of the greatest heels of all time. Savage won the main event with his trademark elbow drop, which led to his first of two reigns as WWE Champion.
Wrestlemania V: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage
Hogan and Savage formed the a mighty tag team known as the Mega Powers, but they eventually came to blows over the affections of Savage's valet, Miss Elizabeth. The main event between Hogan and Savage at Wrestlemania V--promoted as "The Mega Powers Explode"--was the best match on an otherwise lackluster card. It led to Hogan winning his second WWE Championship.
Wrestlemania VI: Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan
The Ultimate Warrior had the physique of an action figure, and although he wasn't a good worker, his intensity (and the short lengths of his matches) made up for most of it. Just as Andre vs. Hogan was the "passing of the torch" at Wrestlemania III, Ultimate Warrior vs. Hogan was the corresponding "passing of the torch" at Wrestlemania VI. The two engaged in a prolonged test of strength before Warrior hit his trademark splash and scored the pin.
Wrestlemania VII: Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage
The retirement match between Warrior and Savage at Wrestlemania VII was most memorable for the story surrounding it. The Macho Man was a heel who called himself the Macho King, and he had traded in the management services of Miss Elizabeth for those of Queen Sherri. At the conclusion of the match, Miss Elizabeth, who was a spectator in the front row, climbed over the railing and reconciled with her true love. Often cited as one of the most tear jerking moments in WWE history, it eventually led to an engagement and an on-camera wedding.
Wrestlemania VIII: Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper
If you want to see some fantastic in-ring storytelling, look no further than this match between Hot Rod and The Hitman. Bret, a longtime member of the Hart Foundation, was making a run at singles competition, despite being widely known as a tag specialist. He wasn't one of the muscle bound giants that Vince McMahon tended to favor. But two matches during this time period solidified Bret as a legend in the making. The first was his win over Mr. Perfect at Summerslam (1991). And the second was this win over Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania VIII. Hart ended the evening with blood covering his face, and no one could question his resolve and intensity after that.
Wrestlemania IX: Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers
Wrestlemania IX was widely derided in its day, in large part due to its main event. For months, WWE had built Yokozuna as an unbeatable monster of a man, and when he defeated Bret Hart for the WWE Championship, it made sense. But then, Hulk Hogan came out to the ring, challenged Yokozuna to an impromptu match, and won the title in less than 30 seconds. The lone standout of the event was this match between the Steiner Brothers and the Headshrinkers. All four men were shockingly agile for their size, and the "Wrestlemania moment" came when Fatu and Samu both body splashed Scott Steiner from the top rope.
Wrestlemania X: Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels
The opening match between Bret Hart and Owen Hart at Wrestlemania X is, technically speaking, the best match on the card. But the ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon was groundbreaking. Its spots looks pretty tame compared to the crazy stunts that WWE superstars pull off today. But back in 1994, this was hardcore and career-threatening. The two men put on phenomenal match with a single steel ladder, weaponizing it in every manner they could think of.
Wrestlemania XI: Lawrence Taylor vs. Bam Bam Bigelow
Wrestlemania XI was, businesswise, the lowest point in WWE's history. The company was struggling after losing some of its biggest stars to WCW; in less than a decade, the flagship PPV had gone from having 93,000 spectators to having 16,000 spectators. The Wrestlemania XI main event between Lawrence Taylor and Bam Bam Bigelow is best on the card, based on pure spectacle and low expectations. LT kept things simple, and Bam Bam, always a professional, carried his opponent to a respectable finish.
Wrestlemania XII: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart
Shawn Michaels won his first WWE Championship in a classic Iron Man match against Bret Hart at Wrestlemania XII. The two men went 60 minutes without a single pinfall or submission. But then, WWE "President" Gorilla Monsoon ordered the match go into "sudden death." Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music, scored the pin, and ignited a feud (both in storyline and in real life) with Hart for years to come.
Wrestlemania 13: Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin
Has a wrestler ever gotten this much mileage over losing a match? Austin, rather than submitting to the Hart's Sharpshooter, passed out from the pain and ended the evening lying face-down in a pool of his own blood. In that moment, Austin went from heel to antihero, while Hart went from babyface to heel. Austin was already well on his way to becoming a legend. But this match hastened his ascent. It stands as one of the most intense matches in Wrestlemania history, especially because Hart took on an uncharacteristically hardcore edge.
Wrestlemania XIV: Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels
This was the official passing of the torch from the New Generation era, as embodied by Shawn Michaels, to the Attitude Era, embodied by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. It was also the beginning of the Vince McMahon vs. Austin feud; McMahon conspired to keep the title off Austin by making Tyson the guest referee. Tyson, however, turned at the last minute, made a quick count, and handed Austin his first WWE Championship. A little bonus trivia: Undertaker was waiting backstage to beat up Michaels if he tried any funny business or refused to drop the title.
Wrestlemania XV: Steve Austin vs.The Rock
This was the first of three Wrestlemania encounters between the two biggest superstars of the Attitude Era. By this point, the McMahon/Austin feud was in full swing, and Rock was Vince's "Corporate Champion." Rock and Austin did battle in a No Disqualification match, which featured several dramatic spots outside the ring and a rotating cast of referees. Eventually, however, Austin hit the stunner, and Mick Foley, wearing a homemade referee shirt, made the 3-count, much to McMahon's chagrin.
Wrestlemania 2000: Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz
For a four year span in the early '00s, from approximately 1999-2002, WWE's tag team division underwent a renaissance, thanks to three tag teams all hitting their prime at the exact same time: The Hardy Boyz, The Dudley Boyz, and Edge & Christian. Their triangular Ladder match at Wrestlemania 2000 was the bright spot of an otherwise lackluster PPV. It was a non-stop highlight reel, filled with spots and stunts that would have ended the average match. Particularly notable was Jeff Hardy performing a Swanton Bomb on Bubba Ray Dudley off the top of a ladder. Both men broke through a table before hitting the floor.
Wrestlemania X-Seven: Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz
This is the bar by which all other Tables, Ladders, Chairs matches are measured against. TLC II, the second in a three-part trilogy, has held up amazingly well over time, and the major spots still look just as as dangerous as they ever did. The match featured run-ins by Lita, Spike Dudley, and Rhyno, each performing their signature moves for their respective teams. The match reached it zenith with another death-defying stunt by Jeff Hardy, who dangled from the suspended WWE tag titles before being speared, mid-air, to the floor by Edge.
Wrestlemania X8: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan
The Rock was the babyface. Hogan was the heel--an evil one at that--and just several weeks prior, he had rammed the Rock's ambulance with a mack truck. But you'd never know that from hearing the Toronto crowd at Wrestlemania X8. Nearly every fan booed The Rock and cheered for Hogan. He was nine years removed from his last Wrestlemania event, and even though he had lost a step since the last time we had seen him, he still had that magnetic stage presence that cannot be quantified.
Wrestlemania XIX: Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle
The biggest match at Wrestlemania XIX was between two All-American collegiate wrestlers, who both made a successful jump to sports entertainment. Angle and Lesnar had wonderful in-ring chemistry, but ironically, this match is best known for what went wrong. Angle talked Lesnar into attempting a Shooting Star Press off the top rope, but Lesnar's foot slipped during the jump, and he landed directly on his head. Fortunately, he didn't paralyzed or kill himself, and the two men improvised the finish to give Lesnar his second WWE Championship reign.
Wrestlemania XX: Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
Triple H and Shawn Michaels were feuding, again, but this time, there was an x-factor in the mix: a Hart Dungeon graduate and Dynamite Kid aficionado named Chris Benoit. After flipping Michaels out of the ring, Benoit locked in the Crippler Crossface on Triple H and submitted him, winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, long-time friend Eddie Guerrero came out to the ring, and the two men celebrated together as confetti fell from the sky.
Wrestlemania 21: Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels
From Wrestlemania XIX to Wrestlemania XXVI, Shawn Michaels put together an incredible run of Wrestlemania matches, each one more epic and laden with emotion than the last. Michaels was one of those rare talents who actually got better with age; for every physical step he lost, he gained a step in ring psychology and timing. This match against Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 21 lived up to both men's reputations. Particularly noteworthy was how Michaels started the match by mat wrestling Angle; he more than held his own against the Olympic gold medalist.
Wrestlemania 22: Shawn Michaels vs. Vince McMahon
This wasn't winning any awards for technical prowess, but that wasn't the point. It was stupid, bloody, violent, theatrical fun, and despite run-ins from both the Spirit Squad and Shane McMahon, Michaels still walked away with the win. One of the best spots from the match was when Michaels handcuffed Shane to the ropes, and then did a mocking Shane O'Mac shuffle before beating the boss' son with a kendo stick.
Wrestlemania 23: Money In The Bank Match
(Mr. Kennedy vs. Edge vs. C.M. Punk vs. Finlay vs. Jeff Hardy, vs. King Booker vs, Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton)
Until it became its own PPV, the Money in the Bank ladder match was a wonderful innovation. Climb the ladder, retrieve the briefcase, and receive a title shot at your chosen time and place, redeemable for an entire year. The MITB match at Wrestlemania 23 was star-studded. CM Punk came close to victory, but it was Mr. Kennedy who climbed the ladder and won the briefcase. Unfortunately, due to a misdiagnosed injury, Kennedy would drop the briefcase to Edge, who then cashed in on The Undertaker to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Wrestlemania XXIV: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
The stipulation of this match was that Ric Flair would be forced to retire if he lost to Shawn Michaels. The feud turned nasty as the event drew closer; Michaels called Flair "Old Yeller" and said the Nature Boy needed to be "put down." At Wrestlemania XXIV, Flair was clearly about to lose, and he encouraged Shawn Michaels to deliver the final blow. Shawn Michaels mouthed the words, "I'm sorry. I love you," and obliged.
Wrestlemania XXV: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
Along with Steamboat vs. Savage at WM III, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXV was a once-in-a-lifetime, transcendent match, beginning with the entrances: Michaels, dressed in white, descended from the heavens, while the Undertaker, dressed in black, ascended from hell. The match was one phenomenal spot after another: a suicide dive that almost killed Undertaker, a kick-out from a Tombstone Piledriver, a punching contest with both competitors on their knees, and a moonsault-into-Tombstone reversal to close things out.
Wrestlemania XXVI: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
The rematch between Michaels and Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVI did not exceed the original. But it had increased emotional stakes because Michaels' career was on the line. And just as Flair urged Michaels to finish him off at Wrestlemania XXIV, Michaels urged Undertaker to finish him off at Wrestlemania XXVI. Undertaker obliged with a jumping Tombstone Piledriver, which sent The Heartbreak Kid into retirement and improved the Dead Man's Wrestlemania streak to 18-0.
Wrestlemania XXVII: Undertaker vs. Triple H
This was the second time that Triple H faced Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVII, but you would never know it from the video packages, which promoted this match as a long-awaited, generational showdown. This was the first time that Undertaker's age and deterioration played a role in the storyline. Triple H explicitly referenced it in their buildup, and Undertaker entered WM XXVII to Johnny Cash's "Ain't No Grave." And after winning the match by submission with the Hell's Gate, Undertaker was in worse shape than his opponent. He couldn't stand, and he had to be stretchered out of the arena.
Wrestlemania XXVIII: Undertaker vs. Triple H
The rematch between Undertaker and Triple H was a Hell in a Cell match at Wrestlemania XXVIII, with the retired Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. Nearly two decades of storytelling came to a head in a single match, as the three men's complicated relationships played out in the ring. Michaels was particularly brilliant in this regard and showed every bit of conflict on his face: his respect for the Undertaker, his friendship with Triple H, and his desire to be impartial. After the match, all three men walked to the back together, acknowledging the "End of an Era."
Wrestlemania 29: Undertaker vs. CM Punk
Paul Bearer had died, for real. And WWE decided to turn a tragic loss into sports entertainment gold. For weeks, CM Punk tormented his opponent by imitating Bearer's voice and tossing the urn around like a toy. And the week before Wrestlemania 29, Punk covered himself in the urn's ashes. The culminating match between Undertaker and Punk was the final win of Undertaker's 21-match Wrestlemania streak. In hindsight, it should have been the main event instead of the rematch between The Rock and John Cena.
Wrestlemania XXX: Daniel Bryan vs. Batista vs. Randy Orton
This was the match that was never supposed to be. Daniel Bryan didn't figure into WWE's Wrestlemania XXX plans until fan backlash forced the writers to redraw them. Daniel Bryan had to beat Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista in a single night to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and he succeeded after submitting Batista with the Yes Lock in the main event. It was an incredible underdog narrative, similar in presentation to Chris Benoit's Triple Threat victory at Wrestlemania XX. Just as they did back then, entire crowd celebrated with the victor as confetti fell from the ceiling.
Wrestlemania 31: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins
The main event between Lesnar and Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 31 had already exceeded expectations; Reigns endured a hellacious amount of punishment at the hands of The Beast, and Lesnar was bleeding profusely from the head. And then, Seth Rollins elevated the match to classic status by cashing in his MITB briefcase, Curb Stomping both men, and pinning Lesnar to win the WWE Championship. It kept Lesnar looking strong. It saved Reigns from a vicious audience backlash. And it swerved the audience completely.
Wrestlemania 32: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
There were matches with more hype, such as The Undertaker vs Shane McMahon or Roman Reigns vs. Triple H. There were matches with better ring work, such as AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho. But the best match of the evening was Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's championship. All three women had standout performances, especially Banks, who paid tribute to her idol, Eddie Guerrero, and Flair, who did a corkscrew moonsault off the top rope to the floor.
Wrestlemania 33: AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon
At Wrestlemania 33, the best worker in WWE took on one of the weakest workers in WWE. McMahon kept his offense minimal but impactful--a Coast 2 Coast here, a Shooting Star Press there. And Styles carried McMahon the rest of the way to a phenomenal match. This year, Styles will take on Nakamura for the WWE Championship, and McMahon will tag with Daniel Bryan to take on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Either showdown, booked properly, has the potential to be this year's best Wrestlemania match.
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