The Top 10 WrestleManias

With WrestleMania 26 around the corner, it's worth looking back and examining the best editions—from its inception in 1985 to the heights of the Attitude Era in 2001.

WrestleMania is the pinnacle of professional wrestling. It transcends into the mainstream media and showcases the best of the best. With 25 years worth of WrestleMania, it was hard to pick the top 10. After long consideration, here are the Top 10 WrestleManias of all time.

No. 10: WrestleMania

Mar. 31, 1985
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden

The inaugural WrestleMania. It had no great matches, but it has to be on the list for the sole purpose that it launched the phenomenon that we know today. The main event featured Hogan and Mr. T defeating Roddy Rowdy Pipper and Paul Ondroff.

With 25 editions to its name WrestleMania continues to be the standard for professional wrestling.

No. 9: WrestleMania VIII

Apr. 5, 1992
Indianapolis, IN
Hoosier Dome

Why is WrestleMania VIII on the list? One reason. Randy Savage Vs. Ric Flair. The match had drama, excitement and an excellent conclusion. It also was the first WrestleMania for Shawn Micheals as a singles competitor.

Interesting to note this would be the last WrestleMania that was held at a stadium until WrestleMania XVII.

No. 8: WrestleMania IV

Mar. 27, 1988
Atlantic City, NJ
Trump Plaza

This is the dark horse of the list, but I loved this WrestleMania. I enjoyed the opening battle royal and the tournament to declare a new WWF Championship. My favorite match was between Jake "The Snake" Roberts and "Ravishing" Rick Rude.

Of the early WrestleManias, this was the best.

No. 7: WrestleMania X

March 20, 1994
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden

WrestleMania X was highlighted by the ladder match between Razor Ramon and Shawn Micheals. It is considered to be one of the greatest matches in Mania's history. The event also saw Owen Hart beat his older brother in the opening match. Bret Hart would win the WWF Championship from Yokozuna later in the evening.

With a decade of WrestleManias, this event showcased the innovation and special moments that make WrestleMania great.

No. 6: WrestleMania III

Mar. 29, 1987
Detroit, MI
The Silverdome

WrestleMania III is best remembered for the enormous crowd of 93,173 that filled the Silverdome. It featured a WWF Championship match of Hulk Hogan going up against Andre The Giant. The night belonged to Hogan as he would go on to defeat Andre. Randy Savage and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat tore the house down in their Intercontinental Title match.

It was the pinnacle of the wrestling boom in the '80s, and for that reason alone it makes this list.

No. 5: WrestleMania XIV

Mar. 29, 1998
Boston, MA
Fleet Center

This is the event that turned the tide of the Monday Night War. It also officially started the Attitude Era. Stone Cold Steve Austin ascended to the top by defeating Shawn Micheals, and Undertaker continued his streak by defeating his "brother" Kane.

This WrestleMania belongs on this list for the fact that without it, WrestleMania would no longer exist. It saved the WWF and lunched the greatest superstar in wrestling history.

No. 4: WrestleMania XXIV

Mar. 30, 2008
Orlando, FL
Citrus Bowl

This WrestleMania is remembered for being Ric Flair's "last" match. The emotion of his match vs. Shawn Michaels was out of this world. The main event saw Undertaker defeat Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship. Randy Orton was able to retain his WWE Championship against Triple H and John Cena.

With Flair's send-off and the two championship matches to go along with a good Money In The Bank and a much hyped Floyd Maywhether Vs. Big Show showdown, this edition of WrestleMania had a little of everything. Plus the outdoor venue added an extra spice to the event.

No. 3: WrestleMania XIX

Mar. 30, 2003
Seattle, WA
Safeco Field

This was an awesome card: Jericho/HBK, McMahon/Hogan, Triple H/Booker T, Rock/Austin 3 and the main event between Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle. This was the first WWE WrestleMania, and it happened after the brand split.

This WrestleMania is on the list because it was the last chapter to what is considered the best feud in wrestling history: The Rock and Stone Cold. Top to bottom, the event was excellent, and the main event did not disappoint.

No. 2: WrestleMania XX

Mar. 14, 2004
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden

The last image of WrestleMania XX saw Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero embrace. While this moment has been erased from the WWE video library, the moment still gives me goosebumps. This event had a multitude of great matches: Undertaker/Kane, Jericho/Christian, Evolution/The Rock & Mick Foley and the two main events of Guerrero/Angle and the triple threat match of HBK/Tiple H/Beniot.

With a packed Madison Square Garden and almost four hours of non-stop action, this was truly a WrestleMania to remember.

No. 1: WrestleMania XVII

Apr. 1, 2001
Houston, TX
Reliant Astrodome

This event marked the end of the Attitude Era and the Monday Night War. The WWF had purchased WCW just seven days earlier. Matches like TLC II, Angle/Benoit, Undertaker/Triple H, and one of the greatest main events in history as Stone Cold Steve Austin faced The Rock for the WWF Championship, made this WrestleMania a special night.

Add to that the electricity of the 67,925 that filled the Astrodome, and Austin's alliance with Vince McMahon, and you got the elements of what a WrestleMania should be.