WrestleMania 28: Ranking the Greatest Gimmick Matches in Mania History

While it's tough to go wrong with a traditional singles match, sometimes a feud is so heated that it needs a gimmick to put it to rest. That will be the case at WrestleMania 28 as The Undertaker will put his 19-0 streak on the line against Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match.

There is a long history of WrestleMania matches that have utilized props or special stipulations, and while not all of them have been great, several have become absolute classics. This year's match between The Undertaker and Triple H has that type of potential, but it has some great matches to live up to.

Here are the three best gimmick matches in WrestleMania history.

Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon Ladder Match

It wasn't the first ladder match in WWE history as it is often touted, but it may very well be the most famous as Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon took on Mr. WrestleMania himself, Shawn Michaels, at WrestleMania X. Not only did this match revolutionize the ladder match and make it a staple in WWE and other companies, but it may have been the singular match that catapulted Michaels toward super stardom as he proved that he could perform on the big stage.

Razor came out on top and retained his title as Michaels aimed to prove that he was the true Intercontinental Champion, but it was the Heartbreak Kid who truly stole the show. There have been countless ladder matches since this particular one, but none of them have quite measured up. Many of the spots used in that match are still used regularly in ladder matches today as Michaels and Razor most definitely revolutionized the ladder match for the better.

Edge & Christian vs. Dudleys vs. Hardys TLC Match

The Tables, Ladders & Chairs match is now a WWE staple that even has its own pay-per-view, but it was still a foreign concept when the teams of Edge & Christian, The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz participated in the second ever TLC match at WrestleMania X-Seven. Those same three teams put on a great show in the inaugural TLC match at the previous SummerSlam, but it paled in comparison to what they did at WrestleMania. Not only were the teams involved three of the best the WWE has ever seen, but every participant brought their "A" game.

Many consider WrestleMania X-Seven to be the best ever and the TLC match was a huge reason for that. Not only were the tag teams involved along with various weapons, but Spike Dudley, Rhyno and Lita all got involved as well, and while there was chaos, enough order was maintained to ensure it was exciting. The spot that makes this one of the most iconic gimmick matches of all time was when Edge delivered a flying spear to Jeff Hardy, who was dangling in midair as he hung onto the belts. This match truly had everything.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart Submission Match

A match doesn't necessarily need weapons in order to be considered a gimmick match, and because of that one of the greatest gimmick matches in WrestleMania history and wrestling history in general is the submission match between "Stone Cold" Steven Austin and Bret Hart. Although the match wasn't the headliner of WrestleMania 13, it was the longest match at over 22 minutes, and it was by far the best as it completely stole the show.

It should come as no surprise that this match was a great one since it featured perhaps the best technical wrestler of all time in Hart and the Attitude Era's biggest star in Austin. As good as the match itself was, it is just as famous for what it ultimately led to. At the start of the match, Austin was the heel while Hart was the face, but that completely changed. Austin was locked into the Sharpshooter for several minutes but refused to submit and only lost when he passed out from loss of blood after a ring bell shot. 

This match was masterfully booked and led to one of the greatest periods in wrestling history.