Top 10 Wrestlemania Matches of the 21st Century

Here are my top 10 matches taking place in Wrestlemania this century, (Wrestlemania 2000 - Wrestlemania XXV) The matches aren't on the standard of wrestling but a mixture of entertainment and wrestling ability.

I hope you enjoy and please leave a comment with your top 10 or any disagreements (think that's a word) you have with my list.

10. Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania XIX

I was just 11 when I saw this and remember being completely into it. Shawn Michaels had came back from injury less than six months ago and I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about (Didn't watch it when I was 6, I think).

Chris Jericho represented this arrogant stuck up young superstar trying to prove his place and make a name for himself (bigger name), and Shawn Michaels was an older face attempting to show he still has it, whatever "it" is. Talent, I guess.

The start of the match had a great atmosphere with everyone rooting for HBK.

The match itself was back and forward, and had a huge unpredictability factor.

After a hard fought brilliant match they went in for the sportsmanship handshake, (which seems to do it for me everytime I see one), but Jericho in his typically self-centered way went and kick Michaels square in the nuts, never saw it coming.

9 - TLC II - E&C vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz - Wrestlemania X-Seven

How could this match possibly not be included in this list. Anyone who has ever watched professional wrestling should have watched this match. It summarized the Attitude era.

The greatest tag teams in the prime of their [tag team] careers battling out for the titles, OK, I reckon that's enough build up.

Many people consider this to be the greatest Wrestlemania in recent history. I personally don't although it was my first Wrestlemania event, they used to be free to watch on SkySports in the UK :(....

The match has to be the best mixture of wrestling and hardcore action the wrestling world has ever seen. When you begin to think the match is going to calm down from the previous OMG moment there's an even bigger one.

If you haven't seen this match yet then your mental and should watch it before going to the No. 8 match, watch it, you won't be disappointed; I've seen it about four times now I think.

8 - Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle - Wrestlemania XIX

First off, told you it was Angle and Lesnar. This was one of the best, if not THE best rivalries on Smackdown since the brand extension. Their rivarly made Smackdown the No. 1 show in WWE and I looked forward to it so much more than Raw.

Lesnar had been given a huge push going straight to the top and looked unstoppable but Kurt Angle was right on top of his game and was at the peak of his career (Angle's peak lasted about 5 years).

Their rivalry lasted the good half of a year and was brilliant entertainment, would be great to have them both back :(.

The match was wrestling at it's finest and showed 2 of the best workers this decade. There was brilliant ring chemistry with counter after counter along with high speed action meant fans couldn't predict what way the match was swinging.

Both superstars or wrestlers as I prefer to call them showed why they were main event status for this wrestlemania, pushing each other as far as they could, (I won't ruin it in case your planning on watching it)....seriously they push far.

The ultimate show of respect at the end was a fitting end to the show, told you it gets me every time.

7 - Undertaker vs. Triple H - Wrestlemania X-Seven

For the first time these two icons faced off. Many felt Triple H was going to be the man to be THE STREAK, DUN DUN DUN DUN.

But seriously this was an extremely good contest between most peoples favourite wrestlers. You may feel this is a bit low on the list, well that's because I really didn't like the American Badass character Undertaker had going on, he lost loads of credibility with me on that one, and when I watch it I get put off by it.

It was Undertakers hometown (That's right they were in Death Valley) and he was a huge crowd favourite in this one.

Triple Hs entrance was awesome by the way with Motorhead singing (or shouting/screaming/roaring) The Game's entrance, entitled The Game, amazing.

The ref was knocked down quick so they battled through the Death Valley crowd. This match is brilliant a true WrestleMania match that both wrestlers and the WWE can be proud of.

6 - Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock - Wrestlemania X8

The title says it all. This was my first WrestleMania that I can still remember. I watched X-Seven but only remembered it when I watched it back online.

I was amazed at how into it all the fans were. At the age of 10 I wasn't aware how big HulkaMania was but trust me, I found out. The match was booked with Rock as the face and Hogan as the heel/face in a heel faction.

These have to be the two biggest superstars.........wrestlers, to ever compete one on one.

Some may argue Austin was bigger but this match was so intense and "electrifying" it's hard to put into words. Despite Rock being the face Hogan was getting the cheers and chants from the crowd, who were even giving The Great One a bit of heat.

Some of these big matches with all the promos don't live up to the expectations but this one was amazing to watch. I believe some who weren't into wrestling would appreciate what they were watching.

Great match

5 - Kane vs. The Undertaker - Wrestlemania XX

HE'S BACK. This was great. The build up, the promos, the signs he was coming back, the messages, the reactions from Kane, the entrance, PERFECT.

"In my money this is the best Wrestlemania I have ever seen" J.R. at the end of WrestleMania XX, and I agree was mainly helped by this.

Survivor Series 2003 - Kane buries Undertaker after interfering in buried alive match between taker and Vince.

Royal Rumble 2004 - Lights go out the dong of Taker hits the arena and Kane is elimnated, takes out his anger on Spike Dudley of course.

Rumble - Mania - Signs and Messages and Explosions and Rings moving showing he is coming back at Mania.

The match results was never in doubt, after returning in such a way they wouldn't let Undertaker lose, especially considering THE STREAK, DUN DUN DUN DUN. Paul Bearer returned as an added bonus.

Entertainment at it's highest!

4 - Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - Wrestlemania XX

Many people thought he would never do it. Fighting all his life to get the richest prize in the game. Him along with Eddie Guerrero have such similar stories its remarkable.

Benoit went from No. 1 to win the Royal Rumble and earn his spot in the main event at Madison Square Garden (been there :) effing brilliant).

Unfortunately his chances of winning were made worse when Shawn Michaels adding himself into the mix making it a triple threat match.

Most of the build up was based around Triple H and HBK and many though Benoit would just be the third wheel.

This match was fast paced and unpredictable with one of the best endings I have ever seen. Not only was the end to the match great but after Benoit won (sorry if I ruined it for you) his long time buddy Eddie meet him in the ring, were they had an emotional hug.

This shook me at the time I saw this and watching it back now has honestly bought a tear to my eye. Two amazing competitors unfortunately left us because of the bad side of the sport. R.I.P

3 - Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania XXIV

The photo to the left, at least I predict it's on the left, is a sad photograph as it marks the end of a great wrestler's career.

This match was Match of the Year 2008 and deservedly so, but an even bigger honor is that it comes top 3 in this magnificent list.

One of the most passionate matches you will ever see, these two men have had brilliant careers and was a fitting way for Ric Flair to leave.

2 - The Rock vs. Stone Cold - WrestleMania X-Seven

It doesn't get much bigger than this. The two biggest wrestlers of their generation going one on one for the biggest prize in the business. Who would come out on top.

This was one of the most unpredictable fast paced matches with the best atmosphere ever seen in the WWF/E/K.

Before the match had begun the ring announcer said it would be a no dq match making it even more unpredictable.

The match went on for a good 40 minutes when you-know-who should show up, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, giving us a shocking ending that we're still talking about today.

But what match could possibly top this, click next and you'll find out, obviously

1 - Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker - Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary

What a match! Mark my words, this will go down as one of the greatest if not the greatest matches we have ever seen.

Mr. Wrestlemania vs. THE STREAK, DUN DUN DUN DUN
The Showstopper vs. The Phenom

Earlier this year (in 2009 if your from the future, p.s. Hi) these two legends battled it out in what was a truly remarkable match.

I'm not sure how they could have made it any better. If there was anyone who was going to defeat THE STREAK, DUN DUN DUN DUN, then you have to think it wouldbe the HeartBreak Kid.

This went back and forth, both superstars, cough cough, wrestlers, laying their bodies on the line for our entertainment and the right to be the best.

Have you ever seen anyone kick out of a tombstone, and this was after a last ride and a chokeslam, epic, epic match.

It saved what was a pretty bland show and made it worth watching, terrific atmosphere and once again, great match........

Thanks for reading hope to have more up soon C.Graham 23/05/09

Check out my other slideshow,
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/196342-my-top-finishers-in-wrestling