WWE: WrestleMania's 27 Most Underrated Matches Ever (Part 3)

Ladies and gentlemen, here it is: part three of Wrestlemania's 27 Most Underrated Matches Ever!

Thus far, we have seen Hall of Famers lined up and down this list. That trend will continue here, and those all-time greats will be joined by some of the most popular stars in the history of sports entertainment.

There are ladders, tables, chairs and blood. There are daddy's boys and degenerates, giants, machines and extremists. This is the hardest-hitting series of matches yet, so sit back, relax and enjoy.

Let's get this countdown started.

WrestleMania XV: X-Pac vs. Shane McMahon

Unfortunately, I was unable to find this match on Youtube. Therefore, you will have to settle for the pre-match promo video until you can track it down elsewhere. Sorry.

Sean Waltman rarely gets the credit he deserves for being the worker he was. This match is evidence of that.

By the time X-Pac and Shane McMahon took to the ring at Wrestlemania XV, the event was well on its way to being compared to the worst WrestleMania of all-time. Vince Russo’s writing had become messy and incoherent and as a result, the card was riddled with bad matches and even more questionable booking decisions.

Thankfully, the two combatants in the European Championship match told a tremendous story and stole a show that, to that point, desperately needed it. Shane was the rich daddy’s boy who won his title only because of outside interference. He was flanked by Corporation member Test and had his friends, affectionately known as the Mean Street Posse, seated at ringside.

X-Pac was the anti-authority degenerate whose attitude alone made him a target of the McMahon’s and their faction. By the time the World Wrestling Federation trucks pulled into Philadelphia, fans could not wait to see X-Pac get revenge on Shane and give him the butt-kicking no one had ever given him.

The match was perfectly laid out. X-Pac thwarted every attempt at interference from everyone around the ringside area. He beat Shane down to the delight of the rabid Philly fans and appeared poised to win the European Championship—a title he and D’Lo Brown brought back to prominence throughout 1998—when a shocking betrayal shook the entire WWF up.

Triple H stabbed his buddy in the back, selling out to the Corporation and allowing Shane to retain his title following a Pedigree. After fighting off everyone and overcoming every obstacle, X-Pac could have never guessed his D-X teammate would be the one to end his chase for the championship.

The match was a spectacular piece of storytelling, if nothing else. Shane was not the entertaining performer he would later become and the over-booked nature of the match overshadowed any of the actual wrestling. But wrestling is not and never has been about how many different types of suplexes were thrown or who did the best sit-out power bomb. This match was the perfect example of fan emotion and perfect performance by all involved.

WrestleMania 2000: The Hardy Boyz vs. the Dudley Boys vs. Edge and Christian

Matt, Jeff, Bubba, D’Von, Edge and Christian had so many matches together from late 1999 to 2001 that it is not hard to see why a few of their matches may go unrecognized. Factor in the fact that, just months later, all six men would set the bar inconceivably high with the first TLC match, and you have another reason why this gem may be forgotten in the grand scheme of things.

Entering WrestleMania 2000, the Hardys and Edge and Christian were fresh off a career-making tag team ladder match at No Mercy. They had been building fanbases since and appeared poised for big things.

The Dudleys, on the other hand, were having trouble establishing themselves. Yes, they were given a tag title run by defeating the New Age Outlaws, but they still had yet to achieve the fandom they would post-WrestleMania. Heading into the biggest event of the year, they had as much or more to prove than just about anyone else on the card.

Edge and Christian were in the “shades of grey” area in that they were babyfaces in the process of a heel turn that would redefine the rest of their careers. The Hardys were clearly the “good guys” in the match and well on their way to becoming one of the most popular acts in the history of the World Wrestling Federation.

The match was as chaotic and unpredictable as you would expect. Tables, chairs and ladders were used as weapons. Bodies were demolished. Fans were enthralled. It was a match unlike any on the card, a display of death-defying maneuvers and excitement.

Jeff Hardy’s Swanton from the top of a 20-foot ladder onto Bubba Ray Dudley and through a table in the entranceway remains a WrestleMania moment. Edge winning his first tag team title at WrestleMania, just 10 years after attending the sixth incarnation of the event in Toronto, was a moment of triumph.

The Triangle Ladder match at WrestleMania 2000 is a match that laid the foundation for every other gimmick match these three teams partook in during their run atop the tag team wrestling world. The TLC matches were a direct result of the performances of the three teams in this match. While not to the level of those after it, in terms of quality, this match from WrestleMania 2000 has been overlooked for its greatness.

WrestleMania X-7: Kane vs. the Big Show vs. Raven

Wrestlemania X-7 is the greatest wrestling event in the history of the business. Some will argue. That is their prerogative. Receiving that much praise, and sporting a card as stacked as it was, it is difficult to convince anyone that any single match was underrated.

Somewhere amongst the epic Stone Cold-The Rock showdown, the Undertaker-Triple H war, the grudge match between the McMahons and Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle’s technically-sound match, there was a hardcore match that combined storyline and brutality to create one of the best Hardcore Championship matches in the history of the title.

Raven was the champion heading into the show and still trying to gain momentum with his new employer. Jumping from ECW did not provide the spark to reignite his career as he had hoped but, through a series of strong hardcore matches, he earned the trust of Vince McMahon and the creative team to carry the division. Whether he would be trusted to continue to carry that division was the question.

Kane and Big Show had had an interesting 2001 up until the day of April 1. Kane had the single greatest run in the history of the Royal Rumble match just three months prior and many thought he may be in line for a push. That did not happen and his inclusion on the WrestleMania card was in limbo until the very last minute.

Big Show had returned at the Royal Rumble and had been featured in a three-way feud with The Rock and Kurt Angle over the WWE Championship for most of February. When Rock won the title and set his sights on Stone Cold Steve Austin, Big Show was left without a “dance partner” for the big show (pun intended).

Perhaps sensing that little was expected of their triple-threat, Hardcore Championship match, the champion and challengers crafted a brutal match that even saw Raven get run over by a golf cart. He was tossed through windows and slammed off the stage while his gargantuan opponents slugged it out. And that is where the story of the match comes into play.

Raven was the crafty, intelligent heel. He took his lumps, but he also knew when to pick his spots, when to take a swing at one of the bigger guys or attempt to pick up the win. It was solid storytelling but a mastermind such as Raven, someone widely considered to be, legitimately, one of the smartest in the business. The story was helped along by Paul Heyman, who undoubtedly understood what Raven was trying to portray.

Big Show and Kane played their part to perfection. They were the massive individuals dishing out punishment to each other and their opponent, and the fans bought it. For all the pain they inflicted, fans still thought that Raven might have just been able to pull off the upset by sneaking in at the right time. They also would not have been surprised if Kane or Show handily captured the title. It worked because of the talent and because of the intelligence of the talent.

WrestleMania X-8: The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair

Continuing a streak of hard-hitting, brutal matches…

The Undertaker and Ric Flair were in the midst of a personal, emotional rivalry when Wrestlemania X-8 kicked off from Toronto in 2002. Flair had cost “Big Evil” a match against The Rock and the “American Bad Ass” (take a drink every time I mention a different Undertaker nickname) was out for revenge. The on-screen co-owner of the WWF, Flair denied “the Dead Man’s” request for a match on numerous occasions, each time resulting in pain and punishment for someone close to the Nature Boy.

First, Undertaker targeted and bloodied former Four Horsemen member Arn Anderson. Then he attacked David Flair, escalating the personal aspect of the feud. Finally, Flair risked his stature as co-owner of WWF to accept the match. What resulted was, to that point, one of Undertaker’s best WrestleMania encounters.

Undertaker dominated the match, as one would expect from one of the all-time greats in the prime of his career. But Flair did just enough to stay in the match and allow fans to think he may pull out a win. He also bled buckets, which enhanced the match and made “Booger Red” look that much more dangerous and demented.

The high spot of the match was Arn Anderson’s surprise appearance and his “Double A Spine Buster” on Undertaker. It popped the crowd and, again, created a sense of danger—even a threat—to the undefeated streak. Of course, Undertaker was able to fight him off and return his attention to Flair.

The finish was slightly botched in that Undertaker attempted the Last Ride, but Flair couldn’t create the flip and, as a result, they had to settle for the Tombstone piledriver. It concluded the first very good match of the night and was a nice appetizer to the main course of Hogan-Rock to come later in the night.

On a card with a match as epic as Rock-Hogan, it is easy to become overlooked. Triple H versus Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Championship was not a bad match. But it had to follow a match the fans were so emotionally invested in. There was nothing inherently wrong with Stone Cold’s match against Scott Hall. But it is very difficult to make an impression when one of the biggest matches in the history of the sport shares the same card. Undertaker and Flair suffered for that very reason.

WrestleMania XIX: Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon

The trails of YouTube strike again. I was only able to find the match separated into parts. Above is part one. From there, links to parts two and three can be found very easily. Again, sorry.

Anyone ordering Wrestlemania XIX expecting to see a wrestling classic between Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon was either an idiot or simply had no idea what they were purchasing.

Since returning early in 2003, a debate had raged on between Hulk Hogan and WWE owner Vince McMahon over who deserved the most credit for the creation of WrestleMania and the big wrestling boom that followed. McMahon would oversee the screwing of Hogan, in Montreal, by The Rock and special referee Sylvan Grenier. From there, the rivalry would intensify. It turned into a personal vendetta, one that would come to a head in Seattle at Wrestlemania XIX.

The match was everything it needed to be. It was sports entertainment at its best. Hogan and McMahon tossed all semblance of wrestling out the window and, instead, engaged in a brawl worthy of such personal animosity and hatred. Stories were told via facial expressions and the blood spilled by McMahon.

The most memorable moment of the match was the surprise appearance of Roddy Piper. Some hated the fact that so many “old-timers” filled a spot at WrestleMania when there were so many talented individuals left off the show. But the involvement of Piper was genius. For years, he disputed the fact that it was Hogan that was responsible for the success of WrestleMania. He argued that it was because fans wanted to see him get beat up as the reason they wanted to see the mega-event. To have him at the center of this rivalry made all the sense in the world.

I personally believe the match is overlooked (or forgotten) because of the sheer and utter crap that followed it. It is purposely ignored because of Mr. America, because of Piper’s increased role, because the feud did not die on the grandest stage of them all. Truthfully, 2003 was not a great year quality-wise for McMahon’s company, and most of it stems from the events that came after Hogan-McMahon at Wrestlemania XIX.

WrestleMania XX: Chris Jericho vs. Christian

If this match were on any other card, it would easily have stolen the show. But because it was on the epic WrestleMania XX show, a five-hour telecast with no less than three 4-star-plus matches, it falls short of achieving that goal.

Leading into WrestleMania XX, Chris Jericho was in the midst of a face turn. As 2003 concluded, he and Christian had made a one dollar (Canadian) bet to see which one could bed their targeted WWE Diva first. Jericho had his sights set on Trish while Christian favored Lita. The Divas found out about this and denounced both of their would-be suitors. Christian, it was revealed, had no real emotions for Lita but Jericho did find himself smitten with Trish.

Christian found this budding relationship to be a threat to his friendship with Jericho and set out to dissolve it any way possible. He turned on Jericho and physically attacked Trish. This added another element to the newborn-feud between the former friends and a match was signed for Wrestlemania XX.

The match was a masterfully wrestled one, with each man knowing and understanding the other’s weaknesses, leading to several reversals and counter holds. It was, to this point, Christian’s finest singles effort and a definite slump-buster for Jericho, whose 2003 (outside of the Michaels match) was disappointing.

As expected, Trish Stratus became involved in the match, inadvertently elbowing Jericho and setting up Christian’s pin-fall victory. The crowd was stunned as the cocky Torontonian celebrated his win, leaving Jericho and Trish to sulk in defeat. Trish would attempt to go after Christian but Chris would hold her back, preventing it. Then it happened. Trish hauled off and slapped Jericho, giving Christian the opening to slide into the ring and deliver the Unprettier. To the shock and dismay of many, Christian and Trish then engaged in a long kiss for the cameras while Jericho was forced to watch from the ring.

The match was the perfect storm. It had two Superstars the fans cared about who were capable of putting together a great wrestling match. There was a story the fans became enthralled with, elevating the stock of everyone involved. And it had the most beloved women’s wrestler in the world attached so that, when her turn came, people were legitimately shocked.

Much like the X-Pac versus Shane McMahon match from Wrestlemania XV, this match excelled because of the performances of those involved. It exceeds that match because of the tremendous in-ring action that preceded the sports-entertainment finish.

WrestleMania 21: Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio

Take two of the all-time great in-ring performers, mix it with the grand stage that is WrestleMania and all signs point to an all-time classic, right? Not necessarily. A consistent wardrobe malfunction prevented Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio from having the greatest match in WrestleMania history, but it did not keep them from having the most underrated match on the 2005 edition’s card.

The match at WrestleMania foreshadowed a rivalry between Eddie and Rey that would last throughout the spring and summer of 2005. But it was billed solely as a match of respect between the co-WWE Tag Team Champions and best friends. Eddie arrived in his low rider, coming off the greatest year of his long career. He was a bona fide main event talent, a former WWE Champion and one of the most popular stars on the roster. Rey Mysterio was coming off of a solid 2004 and was also one of the more popular guys on the roster.

It was clear from the get-go that Rey’s mask would cause issues. Unlike his other, full-headed masks with a snap underneath the chin, it featured straps around the back and Velcro closures. It did not have the support of the regular masks and as a result, continued to shift back and forth, creating a distraction for Rey.

The match was still a fast-paced, crisp affair between the two. Eddie was his normal ring general self, guiding the frazzled Mysterio through the action and reminding fans that he could play an effective heel when need be. Rey picked up the upset win and Eddie reluctantly congratulated his partner, further planting the seeds of his impending heel turn.

Too many fans believe that, because a match fails to meet lofty expectations, it is a bad match. Rey Mysterio versus Eddie Guerrero from WrestleMania 21 is far from a bad match. In fact, it was better than either of the title matches that night, behind only Money in the Bank and the stellar Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle bout.

It was a fitting way for Eddie Guerrero to spend his final WrestleMania. His professionalism, his craftsmanship and his ability overcome in-match obstacles were on display. He carried Rey through rough patches in the contest and further cemented his legacy as one of the very best in the history of the business.

That's All...For Now!

With only 13 days until arguably the biggest WrestleMania of all time, that is a wrap for part three of our countdown.

As you could see, the Attitude Era was responsible for a harder-hitting, more violent style of match. Brawling and weapon use were encouraged to help aid the story and pop the crowd. Fans ate it up. As the company segued out of that influential period, the focus was put back on in-ring work, as can be seen by the Chris Jericho-Christian and Eddie Guerrero-Rey Mysterio matches towards the end of the countdown.

Next Monday, the countdown concludes with a wide array of talent. There are dead men, cerebral assassins, "Rated R Superstars" and Divas. There are title matches, grudge matches, undercard bouts and main events.

All of these await you next Monday, March 26, in the wrap up to WrestleMania's 27 Most Underrated Matches Ever! I will be there, will you?