Relive WWE’s most epic moments! See our definitive ranking of the 25 greatest WrestleMania matches ever. Iconic bouts & legendary rivalries ranked.
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The Grandest Stage’s Grandest Bouts: Ranking the 25 Greatest WrestleMania Matches Ever
WrestleMania isn’t just a wrestling show. It’s the ultimate proving ground, the canvas where legends are forged and dreams are realized or shattered. For four decades, “The Showcase of the Immortals” has gifted us moments singed into collective memory.
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But which clashes truly better?
Which battles combined storytelling, athleticism, drama, and consequence to achieve true immortality?
This isn’t just a list, it’s a journey through the defining conflicts that shaped WWE history. Prepare for debates, memories, and awe as we count down the definitive 25 Greatest WrestleMania Matches Ever.
Criteria to Rank the Greatest WrestleMania Matches
While ranking any match as top or lower is not easy.
We judged on a brutal scale:
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In-Ring Execution (technical skill, pacing, innovation), Storytelling & Psychology (emotional investment, character work, narrative logic), Historical Significance (impact on careers, WWE direction, cultural footprint), Crowd Reaction (electric atmosphere, live engagement), and Lasting Legacy (how it’s remembered, its influence on future matches).
25 Greatest WrestleMania Matches Ever
Crowning The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 25) as #1, this list celebrates WWE’s most unforgettable in-ring epics, from Savage-Steamboat’s technical mastery to Austin-Hart’s brutal storytelling and TLC’s high-flying spectacle.
#25. Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz (Triangle Ladder Match WrestleMania 2000)
Three teams revolutionizing tag team wrestling, fueled by a desperate hunger for glory and a willingness to destroy their bodies. The TLC concept was born from their escalating violence.
Pure, unadulterated carnage and innovation. Ladders became weapons and launchpads. Jeff Hardy’s Swanton off a towering ladder, Bubba Ray crashing through tables, Edge & Christian’s opportunistic brilliance, it was a high-wire act of controlled chaos that redefined tag team limits.
It has made the TLC match a WrestleMania highlight. It has made all six men superstars, proving that tag teams can be the main attraction. It has set a new, brutal standard for stunt-based wrestling.
#24. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 23)
The unstoppable force (Cena, WWE Champion) meets the legendary showstopper (Michaels). Fueled by HBK’s resentment of Cena’s spot and his fading chances at the top.
A masterclass in psychology and near-falls. Michaels targeted Cena’s leg relentlessly, grounding the powerhouse. Cena did a great job, fighting from the bottom. The tension built to a painful crescendo, topping in Michaels’ kicking out of the FU before finally succumbing. Over 30 minutes of pure drama.
Solidified Cena as the man against a beloved legend in a critically acclaimed bout. Showcased Michael’s enduring genius. Proved Cena could deliver in epic, technical battles.
#23. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 21)
A dream match years in the making. The Olympic Gold Medalist technical machine vs. Mr. WrestleMania. Pure competitive fire and mutual respect drove the build.
A breathtaking 27-minute technical clinic blended with extreme drama. Chain wrestling flowed seamlessly into high-impact suplexes and desperate counters. Michaels’ moonsault to the floor, Angle’s ankle lock shifts, and the final, painful tap out after Michaels refused to quit showcased both men’s brilliance.
This match is widely regarded as one of the finest pure wrestling matches in WrestleMania history. A testament to the art of in-ring storytelling through holds and counters. Elevated both men’s legacies.
#22. The Ultimate Challenge: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (WWF Championship & Intercontinental Championship WrestleMania VI)
The Rivalry between Icon vs. Icon.
The established superhero champion (Hogan) against the surging, undefeated force of nature (Warrior). Title vs. Title, exceptional stakes. Pure spectacle and power.
A masterclass in big-match feel and crowd manipulation. Two limited workers orchestrated near-perfect drama. The epic staredown, the powerhouse exchanges, the seismic kickouts (Warrior from the leg drop!), Hogan’s hesitation to use the belt and the clean finish sent shockwaves.
The Toronto Skydome was molten.
Passed the torch (briefly) in the most symbolic way possible. Proved WWE could successfully build a new top babyface. Defined the era of larger-than-life characters and spectacle.
An unmatched atmosphere.
#21. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXX Winner Enters WWE World Heavyweight Title Match)
The model of the “Yes!” Movement, the beloved underdog, denied his moment for months, finally facing the tyrannical COO who embodied the establishment blocking his path.
Raw emotion.
High-stakes storytelling incarnate. Bryan fought from the bottom against Triple H’s calculated brutality. The injured shoulder was a constant target. Bryan’s resilience, culminating in the running knee for the win, unleashed pure catharsis. It was Act 1 of a perfect night.
The essential first chapter of Bryan’s WrestleMania XXX triumph. Cemented the power of fan-driven narratives. Elevated Bryan to undeniable main-event status. A victory over “The Game” on the Grandest Stage.
#20. “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair (WWF Championship WrestleMania VIII)
Personal, vicious, and scandalous.
Flair’s claims of a past relationship with Miss Elizabeth ignited Savage’s white-hot rage, a battle of two all-time greats with deeply personal stakes.
Intense brawling blended with Flair’s cunning heel work and Savage’s explosive offense. The visual of Elizabeth being pulled into the fray and Savage protecting her added layers. The finish, with Savage finally trapping Flair in the small package after escaping the figure-four, was electric.
Savage’s emotional coronation after a brutal feud. A masterclass in using personal animosity to fuel in-ring drama. Showcased Flair’s ability to generate nuclear heat on the biggest stage.
#19. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (SmackDown Women’s Championship WrestleMania 34)
The self-proclaimed “Queen” defending her throne against the undefeated, otherworldly Empress of Tomorrow. Asuka’s Royal Rumble win earned this shot, setting up a clash of generational talents defined by technical mastery and arrogance.
A 20-minute technical showcase and psychological duel. Flair targeted Asuka’s leg, grounding the submission specialist. Asuka’s striking and counters were razor-sharp. The tension built through near-submissions (Figure Eight, Asuka Lock) and desperate reversals. Flair’s counter of the Asuka Lock into the Figure Eight for the tapout was a masterstroke.
Asuka’s first undefeated streak ended dramatically on the Grandest Stage. Cemented Charlotte’s reputation for delivering in main-event spots. A benchmark for women’s wrestling at WrestleMania, showcasing athleticism and high-stakes drama on par with any men’s match.
#18. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan (Icon vs. Icon WrestleMania X8)
Past vs. Present.
The defining star of the ’80s vs. the defining star of the Attitude Era. Pure spectacle and ego. Toronto’s allegiance was the wildcard.
Less a technical masterpiece, more a monumental event. The electricity was unparalleled. Hogan’s unexpected babyface reaction forced a dynamic shift mid-match. The staredown, the big boot/leg drop near-fall, the Rock Bottom kickout, it was about moments, aura, and the deafening roar of the crowd willing Hogan to turn back the clock.
Proved the enduring power of Hogan and the transcendent star power of The Rock. A cultural moment that transcended wrestling. The sheer, undeniable spectacle earns its place.
#17. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (vs. Seth Rollins WWE World Heavyweight Championship WrestleMania 31)
The invincible beast (Lesnar) mauling the chosen one (Reigns) in a brutal, one-sided affair at the Royal Rumble set the stage. Reigns was fighting for validation against a destructive force.
Lesnar dominated brutally, suplexing Reigns relentlessly. Reigns showed incredible guts, absorbing inhuman punishment and mounting brief, desperate comebacks. Just as it seemed Lesnar would retain after an F-5, Seth Rollins’ music hit…
The “Heist of the Century.” Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase mid-match is the greatest turn in WrestleMania history. Transformed a potentially divisive main event into a memorable, chaotic spectacle. Defined Rollins’ ascent.
#16. The Undertaker vs. Triple H (Hell in a Cell WrestleMania XXVIII “End of an Era”)
The culmination of a year-long tale, with Shawn Michaels as referee. Pride, legacy, and the Streak itself were on the line. “The End of an Era” promised finality.
A brutal, dramatic war inside Satan’s Structure. Weapons, blood, and callbacks to past battles (Sweet Chin Music, Pedigree, Tombstone). The sheer punishment absorbed by all three men was staggering. The final image of the three icons embracing atop the stage is iconic.
Concluding an epic, violent chapter on the legends of the Attitude Era. Elevated the mythology of the Streak even higher. Instilled a sense of respect and finality for the three legends.
Unmatched drama.
#15. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (c) (World Heavyweight Championship WrestleMania XX)
The ultimate underdog (Benoit) finally reaches the top, battling the two kings of the mountain (HHH, Michaels). Benoit won the Royal Rumble, overcoming years of being overlooked.
A perfect triple threat. Non-stop action, innovative triple-team spots, unbelievable near-falls, and masterful storytelling. Benoit’s resilience, Michaels’ superkick brilliance, and HHH’s relentless attacks. The climax, with Benoit making HHH tap to the Crippler Crossface in the center of the ring as confetti rained down, was pure emotional catharsis.
Benoit’s crowning moment, one of the most emotional victories in Mania history. A technical masterpiece showcasing the triple-threat format at its absolute peak.
(Note: Benoit’s later actions irrevocably tarnish this moment, but the match itself, as a work of in-ring art and storytelling on that night, remains historically significant and critically acclaimed.)
#14. Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle (WWE Championship WrestleMania XX)
Latino Heat’s cunning charisma vs. The Wrestling Machine’s Olympic intensity. Guerrero’s “Lie, Cheat, Steal” persona was pushed to its limit against Angle’s technical perfectionism. Personal pride and the ultimate validation were at stake.
A masterful blend of high-level wrestling and ingenious storytelling. Angle dominated with suplexes and targeted Guerrero’s leg. Guerrero used every trick, feigning injury, using the ropes, even loosening his boot to escape the ankle lock, culminating in a desperate roll-up for the win. The crowd erupted at Guerrero’s resourcefulness.
Eddie’s triumphant WrestleMania moment as champion, proving heart and cunning could overcome pure technical dominance. Showcased Guerrero’s unparalleled character work and connection. A cornerstone of the Ruthless Aggression era’s in-ring excellence.
#13. The Rock vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (WrestleMania XIX No Disqualification)
The epic trilogy finale. Austin’s career hung in the balance; Rock sought redemption after two prior Mania losses. Years of animosity distilled into one final, brutal encounter. Seattle’s energy was palpable.
A savage, emotionally charged war. Rock relentlessly targeted Austin’s surgically repaired neck, grounding the brawler. Austin fought back with pure defiance, hitting multiple Stunners. The dramatic near-falls (Rock kicking out of three Stunners) built unbearable tension. Rock finally prevailed after a third Rock Bottom, leading to a poignant post-match show of respect.
Austin’s (initial) retirement match. The perfect, emotionally resonant conclusion to wrestling’s defining rivalry. Elevated the trilogy into legendary status. Showcased Rock’s evolution into “The Great One” and honored Austin’s legacy.
#12. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania X)
Brother vs. Brother. Younger brother Owen, tired of living in Bret’s shadow, turned on him viciously. Personal, bitter, and fueled by jealousy and a desire for recognition.
A technical masterpiece. Flawless chain wrestling, mat work, counters, and psychology. Owen played the desperate, cunning younger brother perfectly, targeting Bret’s leg and using every trick. Bret sold the injury brilliantly while trying to fight back. Owen’s shocking clean victory with a roll-up was a WrestleMania moment.
Cemented Owen Hart as a main-event caliber performer. Set the stage for a year-long feud. Arguably, the greatest pure wrestling match in early WrestleMania history. A family drama played out in the ring.
#11. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian (TLC II WrestleMania X-Seven)
The sequel to their groundbreaking Triangle Ladder match. Stakes raised: Tag Team Titles, pride, and the desire to outdo their previous insanity. Lita, Spike Dudley, and Rhyno added to the chaos.
TLC perfected. Bigger, higher, crazier. Jeff Hardy’s Swanton from a towering ladder onto Bubba Ray through a table. Edge spearing Jeff mid-air. Rhyno is goring everyone. The sheer innovation and death-defying risks were breathtaking. Edge & Christian retained in the chaos.
The pinnacle of the TLC era.
Arguably the most spectacular stunt-based match in WWE history. A defining match of the Attitude Era’s excess and excitement. Pure, unadulterated car-crash entertainment executed brilliantly.
#10. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (WWF Championship WrestleMania III)
Good vs. Evil.
The unstoppable Immortal vs. The Eighth Wonder of the World, turned bitter and jealous by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Hogan’s title and legacy are on the line.
More spectacle than technical marvel, but the drama was unparalleled. Andre’s size was awe-inspiring; Hogan’s struggle felt real. The bodyslam heard ’round the world and the leg drop for the win created an iconic image and a deafening roar from 93,173 fans.
Cemented WrestleMania as a global phenomenon. The most iconic moment in wrestling history. Defined the 1980s wrestling boom. Hogan slamming Andre is etched into pop culture forever.
The match is the moment.
#9. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXVI Career vs. Streak)
The rematch was born from obsession.
Michaels lost at XXV but couldn’t let it go. He cost Taker the title, demanding another shot. The ultimate stakes: Streak vs. Career.
No more second chances.
Built perfectly on their previous encounter. Higher stakes amplified every near-fall. Michaels was kicked out of a Tombstone, and Taker was kicked out of Sweet Chin Music. The drama was suffocating. Taker’s desperate “Stay Down!” and Michaels’ defiant slap before the final Tombstone was heartbreaking perfection.
The perfect, tragic end to Michaels’ in-ring career. Elevated the Streak to near-mythological status.
A masterclass in emotional storytelling within a wrestling match. “I’m sorry. I love you.”
#8. Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (Iron Man Match WWF Championship WrestleMania XII)
Excellence vs. Showstopping. The established technical master vs. the rising, flamboyant star. Personal tension simmered beneath mutual respect, fueled by jealousy and the quest to be undisputed champion.
A grueling, unprecedented 60-minute Broadway (0-0) escalating into sudden-death overtime. A display of endurance, psychology, and technical mastery. Michaels’ resilience and Hart’s calculated dominance were mesmerizing. The overtime climax, Michael’s tuning up the band and hitting Sweet Chin Music for the win, is iconic.
Cemented the Iron Man match in WWE lore. Propelled Michaels to the absolute pinnacle as a main-event champion. A landmark achievement in in-ring storytelling and athletic endurance. Defined the New Generation era’s potential.
#7. The Ultimate Warrior vs. “Macho King” Randy Savage (Career Ending Match WrestleMania VII)
Savage, driven mad by jealousy after Warrior dethroned him, attacked him with a scepter. Savage’s queen, Sensational Sherri, added venom. Savage put Warrior’s career on the line? No, Warrior put Savage’s career on the line.
Intense, dramatic, and deeply personal. Warrior absorbed Savage’s best shots, “five flying elbows!” and kept rising. The climax, with Sherri attacking the fallen Savage, only for Elizabeth to make her emotional return, save him, and reunite with her Macho Man, is pure wrestling melodrama perfection.
One of the most emotionally resonant moments in Mania’s history. Savage’s career (temporarily) ending led to the iconic Savage/Elizabeth reunion.
It proved wrestling could generate genuine, heartfelt emotion beyond wins and losses.
#6. Daniel Bryan vs. Batista vs. Randy Orton (WWE World Heavyweight Championship WrestleMania XXX)
The culmination of the “Yes!” Movement.
Bryan, the people’s champion, overcame The Authority (represented by Orton and Batista) to claim the title he was denied for months. The entire arena was invested.
The perfect payoff. Bryan fought valiantly against the odds. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon interfered, only to be thwarted by a debuting YES! Army (led by Hulk Hogan). The crowd erupted as Bryan trapped Batista in the Yes! Lock, forcing the Animal to tap out.
The ultimate underdog triumph.
A victory willed into existence by the fans. Cemented Daniel Bryan as a transcendent star. A feel-good moment of unparalleled proportions in the modern era.
WrestleMania’s greatest moment.
#5. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (Intercontinental Championship WrestleMania III)
Savage’s brutal attack on Steamboat, crushing his larynx with the ring bell months prior, created white-hot intensity. Steamboat sought vengeance and the gold.
A revolutionary 14-minute sprint. Unprecedented athleticism, crisp execution, perfectly timed near-falls, and George Steele adding flavor. Savage controlled with power and arrogance; Steamboat countered with speed and fire. The finish, a small roll-up countering Savage’s attempt to use the bell hammer, was perfect.
Blueprint for the modern WWE style. It proved wrestling could be fast-paced, athletic, and tell a compelling story without relying solely on size or gimmicks.
Influenced countless future performers.
#4. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk (WrestleMania 29)
Punk, embittered by the storyline death of Paul Bearer, weaponized his mentor’s memory to torment Undertaker, attacking his family legacy and the Streak itself. Deeply personal and profoundly disrespectful.
A dramatic, hard-hitting masterpiece blending technical skill and raw emotion. Punk matched Taker’s intensity, targeting the leg and using Bearer’s urn. Near-falls were electric (Punk hitting the GTS, Taker surviving). The psychology was impeccable (Punk countering Old School, Taker blocking the Go To Sleep). Taker’s Tombstone onto the urn sealed the win.
Arguably, the last truly great Streak match before its end. Elevated Punk’s legacy even in defeat. A perfect blend of storytelling, technical prowess, and high drama, often hailed as an underrated classic.
#3. The Rock vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (WWE Title Match: WrestleMania X-Seven No Disqualification)
The biggest star of the Attitude Era vs. The People’s Champion. Their third Mania clash, but this time, Austin was darker, more desperate. The Texas crowd was rabid.
A brutal, epic brawl. Chairs, ring bells, blood, and sheer hatred. Vince McMahon’s shocking appearance and alliance with Austin (turning him heel) remains one of Mania’s most jaw-dropping moments. The final image of Austin and McMahon sharing beers over a destroyed Rock was unsettling and unforgettable.
The symbolic end of the Attitude Era. A controversial, game-changing heel turn for Austin. An epic, violent clash between the two defining stars of the era. Unmatched intensity and star power.
#2. Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (Submission Match WrestleMania 13)
The proud technical champion (Hart) vs. the rebellious, unpredictable brawler (Austin). A clash of styles and ideologies, fueled by mutual disrespect and Austin’s quest to dethrone the excellence of execution.
A brutal, bloody war. Ken Shamrock added legitimacy as a ref. Hart targeted Austin’s leg; Austin brawled relentlessly. The iconic image of Austin, face crimson, trapped in the Sharpshooter but refusing to quit, screaming in agony, is etched in history. Hart’s heel turn post-match was seismic.
The definitive double-turn. Made Austin a superstar through sheer guts and turned Hart into a complex, bitter anti-hero. Revolutionized WWE’s presentation towards a more violent, realistic, and attitude-driven product. Arguably, the most important storytelling match in Mania history.
#1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXV)
Mr. WrestleMania challenges The Streak. Pure respect, but Michael’s obsession with being “The Showstopper” demanded he conquer the ultimate challenge.
On that night in Houston, something transcendent happened.
Two legends, defying time, delivered a 30-minute masterpiece. The pacing was perfect, the near-falls were heart-stopping (HBK’s moonsault to the table, Taker’s Last Ride kickout, HBK countering Tombstone into Sweet Chin Music), and the athleticism was breathtaking.
The drama built to an almost unbearable level.
Taker’s eventual Tombstone victory felt earned and monumental.
Why #1?
It represents the pinnacle of in-ring storytelling, athletic performance, drama, and big-match feel on the WrestleMania stage.
Near-perfect drama. High-risk moves (HBK’s moonsault to the announce table), unbelievable near-falls (Taker’s Last Ride kickout, HBK’s Sweet Chin Music counter), and breathtaking athleticism from both men defying their ages. The final Tombstone ended an instant classic.
Immediately called one of the greatest Mania matches ever. Set an incredibly high bar for Streak matches. Proved both legends could still deliver magic. Defined WrestleMania XXV.
Summary
This list is a proof to the magic possible when athleticism, storytelling, character, and high stakes collide on wrestling’s grandest stage.
These 25 battles define what makes WrestleMania endure. They made us gasp, cheer, cry, and believe in the spectacle. They are the foundation upon which “The Show of Shows” is built, forever etched in the annals of sports entertainment.
Disagree with the order?
Good!
That’s the beauty of WrestleMania’s legacy, the debates are as eternal as the moments themselves.
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