Ranking WWE's Top 25 Most Iconic WrestleMania Main Events of All Time
The main event of WrestleMania, more so than on any other show, carries with it a level of pressure and expectation the likes of which no other match does all year.
It is the contest upon which entire cards are built. In 2026, CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns, while Cody Rhodes puts the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Randy Orton.
Time will tell if these matches one day join the 25 most iconic WrestleMania main events, ranked here by B/R's Erik Beaston (EB) and Graham Matthews (GM), based on the following factors:
Until then, these are the matches that have helped define WrestleMania over its first 40 years, the most iconic main events in professional wrestling during that period.
Dishonorable Mentions
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Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice, WrestleMania 8
Not even a shocking surprise return of The Ultimate Warrior could improve a match so bad that it dragged down the overall quality of what had been a fairly strong show to that point.
Hogan and Justice put the fans in Indianapolis to sleep, crafting a truly boring marquee match that should have had fans begging for the retirement Hogan and Co. had teased throughout the show.
Papa Shango missed his cue, leading to Justice kicking out of the almighty Hogan leg drop, and the whole thing fell off a cliff from there. An infamously bad WrestleMania main event, it does not get enough credit for being one of (if not the) worst ever. Until, that is, The Hulkster one-upped himself the following year. (EB)
Hulk Hogan vs. Yokozuna, WrestleMania 9
Hogan returned to WWE in 1993 to save the company from impending doom by committing to WrestleMania 9 and a tag team match with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake against the evil duo of Money Inc.
So imagine everyone's surprise, less than an hour after The Mega Maniacs' showdown with Ted DiBiase and IRS, when Hogan rushed the ring following Yokozuna's tainted win over Bret Hart and accepted an open challenge for the heel's newly won WWE Championship.
In the most blatant example of ego stroking in WrestleMania history, Hogan beat Yokozuna, posed, and celebrated with his fifth WWE title, at the expense of The Hitman. It would be his final title in the company for nearly a decade. (EB)
John Cena vs. The Miz, WrestleMania 27
The return of The Rock made the Road to WrestleMania in 2011 infinitely more interesting than it had any right to be. Miz was playing his role as WWE champion exceptionally well at the time and Cena was the proper babyface foil for him, but as rivals, they didn't have the most electric chemistry.
That was more than evident during their main event match at WrestleMania 27, which was painfully average up until The Rock decided to make his presence felt. It even ended in a double count-out at one point before Rock restarted it, laid out Cena with a Rock Bottom and allowed Miz to retain his title.
In short, this only existed as setup for Rock vs. Cena the following year, resulting in this becoming arguably the worst 'Mania main event of all time. (GM)
Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns, WrestleMania 33
Reigns was already a made man by the time WWE decided to pair him up with Undertaker for WrestleMania 33, with the idea being that he'd benefit big time from being the second (and final) man to beat The Phenom at WrestleMania.
It was hardly worth it.
The story was serviceable with 'Taker not being able to hang with the young gun Reigns, but it was also a reality. He looked far out of his element and there was virtually nothing the then-Big Dog could do to carry him to an acceptable outing.
It was a sad state of affairs all around. (GM)
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania 34
Do you know that clip that gets passed around social media, of a disgusted Brock Lesnar tossing the WWE Championship at an unsuspecting Vince McMahon as he came through the curtain?
That display of frustration would be the result of a negative-star main event against Reigns, in which the soundtrack was the relentless jeers of the fans in New Orleans who neither wanted nor needed another main event featuring The Big Dog.
Especially not one in which he was pummeled, bloodied, and beaten with little to no real drama as to the outcome.
The match was WWE at its most tone deaf, and it suffered for the company's creative sins. (EB)
25. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns and The Rock (WrestleMania 40)
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Date: April 6, 2024
Winner: Rock and Reigns
(GM): After years of teases, WWE finally went forward with Rock vs. Reigns at the onset of 2024. It just so happened to come at the worst possible time, however.
The company was forced to pivot to Rhodes, "finishing his story" against Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 Night 2. Instead of leaving out Rock altogether, his frustration with the 'Mania match being changed was incorporated into the story with him turning heel and joining forces with Reigns and the rest of The Bloodline.
Rock returned to the ring for the first time in over a decade for a high-stakes tag team bout alongside Reigns, opposite Rhodes and Rollins in the main event of Night 1. His victory ensured Reigns vs. Rhodes the next night would be Bloodline Rules, and it also reinforced that he could still "bring it" under the bright lights of WrestleMania.
Why Not Higher?: Reigns vs. Rhodes was obviously the much bigger bout on Night 2, and fans were treated to a much more emotional tag team WrestleMania main event one year earlier, but a Night 1 main event having a direct effect on the Night 2 main event is enough to earn it a spot on the list.
24. John Cena vs. Triple H (WrestleMania 22)
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Date: April 2, 2006
Winner: Cena
(EB): John Cena entered WrestleMania 22 still trying to prove he belonged at the top of WWE, and on that night in suburban Chicago, he encountered his toughest test to date in the form of the King of Kings, Triple H, who arrived at the contest supremely confident that the contest would be a cakewalk.
If that was not bad enough, the fans inside the historic Allstate Arena were passionately against him, booing any mention, image, or hint of Cena hours before the show started.
Despite the hostility, Cena overcame seemingly insurmountable odds (a theme throughout his main event run), survived a sledgehammer shot to the face, and trapped Triple H in the STF for a grueling submission victory.
Cena passed the test, proving he belonged in the ring against one of the industry's most prominent measuring sticks, performing up to the moment and in the face of intense hatred by the very fans who would one day mourn his retirement.
Why Not Higher?: It is hardly either man's best WrestleMania main event, and the lack of a hot build brings it down a notch in comparison to the epic encounters that follow it on this list. That is, even if it is a rather significant chapter in Cena's story.
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23. The Undertaker vs. Edge (WrestleMania 24)
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Date: March 30, 2008
Winner: Undertaker
(GM): By 2008, Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania had taken on a life of its own. There didn't need to be anything on the line in order for Undertaker's 'Mania matches to feel special, but it definitely didn't hurt if there was.
Edge also boasted an undefeated streak (of sorts) going into WrestleMania 24. He had cost 'Taker the World Heavyweight Championship on multiple occasions prior to that point, so it was only appropriate that they settled their score in the WrestleMania main event.
The Rated-R Superstar was already an established headliner at this stage of his illustrious career, but his phenomenal performance here further cemented his place in the history books. He and 'Taker had a terrific, back-and-forth bout that culminated with The Deadman overcoming every obstacle Edge put in his path and regaining the World Heavyweight title.
Why Isn't It Higher?: As huge as Edge ending 'Taker's undefeated streak would have been for him, there was virtually no chance of it happening and the fans knew it. The predictability didn't take much away from the match, but it did make it less iconic than everything else on this list.
22. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Usos (WrestleMania 39)
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Date: April 1, 2023
Winners: Owens and Zayn
(EB): "High tides raise all ships," the saying goes, and for Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and The Usos, the high tide in question was the Bloodline saga.
Their story thread, highlighted by the complicated friendship between Zayn and Jey Uso, culminated in the first tag team title match to headline The Show of Shows.
An intensely personal battle of attrition mixed high spots with dramatic near-falls, and concluded with Zayn rocking Jey with three Helluva Kicks to win the match and the titles.
The imagery of Zayn and Owens, once believed to be too "indie" to succeed in WWE, standing tall on the company's grandest stage, was unforgettable. That it came at the conclusion of a Match of the Year candidate, and as part of pro wrestling's greatest modern storyline, only heightened the significance of the moment and the epic nature of the contest.
Why Not Higher?: As it turned out, there were bigger successes at the expense of The Bloodline to come, particularly the next year. The story was iconic, the match quality was undeniable, but it was definitely a side quest rather than the main story of Reigns getting his comeuppance.
21. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (WrestleMania 41)
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Date: April 19, 2025
Winner: Rollins
(GM): On paper, a Triple Threat pitting three of WWE's biggest stars of the last 15 years was main-event material, but it was the bad blood between the three of them that made the dynamic work so well.
Punk and Rollins had been feuding for months, and there was no love lost when Reigns entered the equation shortly before WrestleMania 41. This match gave them the chance to prove who was the superior Superstar once and for all.
The action alone was excellent, but the intricate storytelling and attention to detail were what put it over the top. Paul Heyman's ties to Reigns and Punk had fans wondering where his allegiance would lie, only for him to partner up with Rollins and help him secure the win.
Why Isn't It Higher?: Doing a non-title Triple Threat in the main event of WrestleMania was questionable, to say the least. The parties involved made it work and delivered an instant classic, but it would have been better as a singles bout between Reigns and Rollins, or between Rollins and Punk, instead.
20. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (WrestleMania 20)
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Date: March 14, 2004
Winner: Benoit
(EB): Chris Benoit won the Royal Rumble match in 2004, then proceeded to interject himself into the rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Triple H, necessitating a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
In what is arguably the greatest Triple Threat in WWE history, the competitors waged war in a grueling battle that saw Benoit overcome a double suplex through the announce table to deposit The Heartbreak Kid on the arena floor. From there, he applied the Crippler Crossface, submitted Triple H, and celebrated a world title victory that once felt unrealistic.
The post-match celebration between the new champion and his best friend, WWE champion Eddie Guerrero, is equal parts heartwarming and haunting at the same time.
Why Not Higher?: The match is excellent, but in terms of build and hype, there was not nearly enough of either considering it was the main event at the biggest show of the year. Also, the Benoit factor.
19. Batista vs. Triple H (WrestleMania 21)
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Date: April 3, 2005
Winner: Batista
(GM): Triple H's dominance during the Ruthless Aggression era of WWE and the damage it did during that time has been well documented by fans, but when The Game was willing to elevate someone to that next level, he did so spectacularly.
Randy Orton being anointed as "the guy" after he was exiled from Evolution didn't pan out, specifically because he didn't organically have the audience behind him as much as Batista would mere months later. It was such a simple story with Triple H trying to undermine his protégé and Batista being one step ahead of the looming betrayal.
This was no five-star mat classic, but it didn't need to be. Fans so desperately wanted to see Batista give Triple H his comeuppance, and when he did, it made for a monumental moment that ushered in a new era for the company.
Why Isn't It Higher?: Interestingly, the bigger star WWE made that night was John Cena, yet his WWE Championship win over JBL was relegated to the undercard. Batista would enjoy a Hall of Fame-worthy career from this point forward, but Cena soon surpassed him in super stardom.
18. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 15)
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Date: March 28, 1999
Winner: Austin
(EB): This 1999 main event came at the height of the Attitude Era and featured two of its biggest, most successful stars ever squaring off with the WWE Championship at stake.
Throw in some interference from the evil Mr. McMahon, who tried to seize referee duties amid injuries suffered by Mankind earlier in the show, the return of the aforementioned masked babyface and a whole lot of dramatic near-falls, and you had a crowd-pleaser.
That it featured Attitude Era tropes, including crowd brawls, a fight up the aisleway, and an abundance of interference, only makes it that much more of a product of a time when less was more and more even better.
Austin won the title, dropped McMahon with a stunner, and swigged his celebratory beers to close out the night in front of a raucous Philadelphia crowd.
Why Not Higher?: Rock and Austin had a better match two years earlier, and, in fact, there is an argument that the WrestleMania 15 match is the worst of the duo's three classic encounters on the grand stage.
17. Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania 19)
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Date: March 30, 2003
Winner: Lesnar
(GM): WWE has yet to nail the ascent of a newcomer quite like Lesnar, who won the WWE Championship in record time in 2002 and became a main event mainstay almost immediately.
He suffered his first major setback at Survivor Series 2002 when he dropped the title to Big Show and fought valiantly to win the Royal Rumble and punch his ticket to the WrestleMania 19 main event. There wasn't anything that stood out as special about the build, other than this being a match for fans of pure technical wrestling.
Angle was an absolute machine between the ropes at this point and Lesnar was also at the top of his game. They had a wonderfully wrestled match that saw The Beast Incarnate come close to killing himself with a top rope Shooting Star Press to put Angle away.
Why Isn't It Higher?: The botched Shooting Star Press alone makes this match a spectacle, but beyond that, it's a fantastic bout from bell to bell, yet it lacks anything that would qualify it as "iconic."
16. Undertaker vs. AJ Styles (WrestleMania 36)
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Date: March 25, 2020
Winner: Undertaker
(EB): The COVID-19 pandemic forced many changes to the plans for WrestleMania 36, including WWE entering the realm of cinematic wrestling for the final chapter in the rivalry between The Undertaker and AJ Styles.
Hellbent on avenging his wife's honor and proving he could still hang with the best, The Deadman took to a makeshift graveyard for his showdown with The Phenomenal One.
Overcoming a numbers disadvantage that included The Good Brothers' Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, a beaten and battered Phenom quite literally rose from the grave in a meme-rrific moment, took down Styles, buried him and rode off into the sunset to win what proved to be his final match.
Undertaker's final match, a stellar production job, great verbal performances within the fight, and more than a few stunning visuals helped this one emerge from an otherwise forgettable card and stand above the rest of the year's field as a legitimate Match of the Year contender.
Why Not Higher?: The surreality of cinematic wrestling, coupled with the lack of an audience, keeps this one from ranking any higher. That said, this is a stellar representation of what creative minds can accomplish when backed into a corner by outside forces.
15. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. Kevin Owens (WrestleMania 38)
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Date: April 2, 2022
Winner: Austin
(GM): The mere thought of Austin ever lacing up the boots again was comical, especially by 2022. He had long been retired from the ring and constantly balked at the suggestion from fans whenever it was brought up.
Sometimes all it takes is for the stars to align, and that's exactly what happened at WrestleMania 38. The event emanated from Austin's native Texas, and Owens had been calling him out for weeks to appear on his chat show.
Little did he know Austin would not only accept the invitation but also challenge him to an impromptu match. A swift Stunner for a three-count would have been understandable, but Austin was all in on proving he still had it in him to be the Texas Rattlesnake of old.
The atmosphere was electric as they brawled up the stage and into the crowd. Even after taking an unbelievable amount of abuse, Austin prevailed to ride off into the sunset and end his career on his own terms.
Why Isn't It Higher?: This was less of a formal match and more of a WrestleMania moment. It made sense not to promote it so fans' expectations weren't sky-high, and it was a blast from start to finish, but it could've been even better had it been treated like an actual main event.
14. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks (WrestleMania 37)
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Date: April 10, 2021
Winner: Belair
(EB): For the first time in WWE history, two Black women competed in the main event of WrestleMania when SmackDown women's champion Sasha Banks defended against 2021 women's Rumble winner Bianca Belair in the marquee bout of WrestleMania 37's Saturday night card.
The enormity of the moment was not lost on the competitors as tears welled in their eyes and the bell rang. From there, Belair proved herself, hanging with one of the best, most respected, and decorated competitors of her generation.
The EST of WWE overcame the experience gap, withstood a nasty 450 splash that landed with her catching her opponent's knees to the midsection, and captured her first main roster championship by whipping Banks with her trademark braid and putting her away with the Kiss of Death.
More than a championship contest, the moment highlighted inclusion in pro wrestling at the highest level and reminded the audience that there is a place for women, particularly those of color, in the biggest matches and moments. That it made one of the biggest stars in the modern era of the sport, Belair, only heightens how iconic the bout is.
Why Not Higher?: Years from now, it is likely that the match will rise in the ranks. For now, it is difficult to look at the others ranked ahead of this one and argue that they belong behind it, no matter how great Belair and Banks were on that night.
13. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista (WrestleMania 30)
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Date: April 6, 2014
Winner: Bryan
(GM): WWE's incompetent booking can be immensely beneficial at times because fans can never be so sure that the company will do the right thing.
That was certainly the case on the Road to WrestleMania in 2014 when the company caved to fan demands and significantly shifted plans in the wake of CM Punk's legitimate departure. That meant putting Bryan in the 'Mania main event, but only if he could conquer Triple H in the opener of WrestleMania 30.
The show-long storyline was masterfully crafted. There were no guarantees that Bryan would even make it to the main event and, if he did, that he'd walk away with the WWE Championship in his possession.
The audience's support of the bearded wonder never wavered. He was positioned as the ultimate underdog and used that support to fuel him to an unforgettable feat: beating three-fourths of Evolution in the same night to win the world title.
Why Isn't It Higher?: On its own, the "Miracle on Bourbon Street" was an amazing moment and the match has stood the test of time, but it was also the peak of Bryan's main event push. An untimely injury cut his reign short soon after, so it wasn't quite as career-altering as fans hoped it would be for Bryan.
12. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey (WrestleMania 35)
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Date: April 7, 2019
Winner: Lynch
(EB): If Belair vs. Banks reinforced the idea that women could headline WrestleMania, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey laid the groundwork for future women's title main events to come with their groundbreaking contest in 2019.
Lynch rode a wave of momentum into the match, the hottest star in the industry, while Flair was very much the measuring stick. Add to that Rousey's undeniable star power, and you had a star-studded matchup ready to revolutionize the industry.
A competitive match ended with Flair deposited to the floor, Lynch and Rousey teed off on each other until The Man caught Rowdy with a crucifix pin that earned her the title and Rousey, a rare pinfall loss.
The contest was the coronation of Lynch as the legitimate main event attraction, which she still very much is, and proved the women's division in WWE could perform under the bright lights on the big stage when the opportunity arose.
Why Not Higher?: WrestleMania 35 had already been going on for ages by the time the women took to the squared circle, resulting in a burned-out crowd and a rather subdued audience for Lynch's big moment.
11. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins (WrestleMania 31)
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Date: March 29, 2015
Winner: Rollins
(GM): The excitement level among a majority of fans for Lesnar vs. Reigns heading into WrestleMania 31 was alarmingly low. Lesnar leaving WWE and dropping the WWE Championship to Reigns on his way out couldn't have been more obvious, at least until it was announced days out from the event that he had shockingly re-signed.
That added a layer of unpredictability to their match, but it was still assumed that Reigns would get his crowning moment. Despite the build leaving a lot to be desired, they left it all out in the ring by battering each other with everything in their arsenal and keeping the crowd hooked on every nearfall.
Just as the contest reached its apex, Rollins rushed the ring with his Money in the Bank briefcase in tow, becoming the first man to ever cash in the contract at WrestleMania, let alone in the main event. It was an incredible turn of events and couldn't have been better booked.
Why Isn't It Higher?: There's no denying Rollins' cash-in is the greatest ever. Lesnar vs. Reigns is among the best WrestleMania main events of the modern era, but the finish is what people remember more than anything, unlike everything that cracked the top 10.
10. Hulk Hogan vs. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage (WrestleMania 5)
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Date: April 2, 1989
Winner: Hogan
(EB): The Mega Powers Exploded so that The Bloodline and Cody's Story could fly.
The conclusion of a year-long story that began at The Showcase of the Immortals the previous year, Hulk Hogan challenged "Macho Man" Randy Savage for the WWE Championship in Atlantic City at WrestleMania 5.
Fueled by jealousy and anger over the perceived "lust" Hogan had for Miss Elizabeth, Savage ended his partnership with The Hulkster in a backstage attack.
By the time the two made it to the ring, fans were eager to see which Superstar Elizabeth would align with and, ultimately, who would walk away the winner.
The answer to both of those questions was Hogan.
The Hulkster overcame a crimson mask to lay out Savage, drop the leg and regain his title to the delight of the fans and prove that long-term storytelling could and should have an integral place in the build to the annual extravaganza.
Why Not Higher?: The match was good, great even for its time, but it was hurt by an audience that was a bit too casual for it to generate an even greater reaction. Still, go out of your way to educate yourself on the lengthy story here.
9. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (WrestleMania 26)
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Date: March 28, 2010
Winner: Undertaker
(GM): Undertaker and Michaels made such magic with their WrestleMania 25 match that WWE had no choice but to have them run it back the next year, albeit with a twist.
Their feud was much better en route to the rematch because of Michaels' desperate attempts to prove he could, in fact, be the one to end Undertaker's undefeated streak. Undertaker only accepted his challenge by having him agree to put his career on the line if he lost.
Fans knew what was coming but weren't willing to accept reality. The cockiness Michaels was long known for was finally about to catch up to him.
The Heartbreak Kid put on a masterclass in acting during this match but eventually succumbed to defeat. As Mr. WrestleMania, his going out in the main event of The Show of Shows made for a beautiful farewell.
Why Isn't It Higher?: The initial encounter between these two icons always overshadows the sequel, and understandably so. Even still, this is a tremendous main event that deserves its flowers.
8. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 12)
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Date: March 31, 1996
Winner: Michaels
(EB): After a decade of hulking brutes saying prayers, taking vitamins, and wearing tassels that cut off the blood supply to their brains, two of the most gifted technicians and athletes in professional wrestling took center stage in Anaheim when Bret Hart defended the WWE Championship against Shawn Michaels in the first-ever 60-Minute Iron Man match in WrestleMania history.
For one hour, The Hitman and The Heartbreak Kid took the fans on a roller-coaster ride of emotion, coming close but never managing to earn a fall over the other. Late in the match, Hart caught Michaels mid-flight, trapped him in the Sharpshooter, and appeared to be on his way to victory. Except Michaels refused to quit, and the match ended in a 0-0 tie.
Commissioner Gorilla Monsoon ordered the contest restarted, Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music and spectacularly earned his first world title.
A match unlike any ever seen on that stage, between two wrestlers who helped revolutionize the industry by rewriting what it meant to be a main event Superstar, it proved an iconic counterpart to the larger-than-life bodies and jacked-up gym sharks who once patrolled WWE TV.
Oh, and don't forget about the best call of Vince McMahon's commentary career. "The boyhood dream has come true for Shawn Michaels," he exclaimed, recognizing the moment and celebrating the grueling journey his new face of his company had just capped off.
Why Not Higher?: The match is not the best Iron Man match in the company, and it tends to split audiences over whether it is truly great in its kind. That Hart and Michaels would wrestle a more infamous match over a year later does not help.
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania 6)
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Date: April 1, 1990
Winner: Warrior
(GM): Matches pitting a fan favorite against a fan favorite were hard to come by in 1980s WWE. High-profile babyfaces were protected to an almost unrealistic degree, so one of them doing the honors for the other was unfathomable.
That's why Warrior stepping up to challenge Hogan in the main event of WrestleMania 6 was so mind-blowing for fans. Additionally, Warrior's Intercontinental Championship was up for grabs along with Hogan's WWE Championship, so a new champion was confirmed to be crowned, regardless.
Hogan had a stranglehold on the world title scene for so many years that Warrior dethroning him was the ultimate endorsement. Everything in the match that led up to that point was a total thrill, and there was never a point when the Canadian fans sounded unsatisfied with what they were watching.
Why Isn't It Higher?: Similar to other 'Mania matches listed, this was only ever a moment for Warrior, who was immortalized by it but didn't experience sustained longevity at the main-event level. It created the blueprint for future face vs. face matchups at 'Mania and showed how successful it can be if done with the right people.
6. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 14)
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Date: March 29, 1998
Winner: Austin
(EB): "The Austin Era has begun," Jim Ross exclaimed as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin raised the WWE Championship overhead, just seconds after dropping Shawn Michaels with a Stone Cold Stunner to capture his first world title.
It is a call that remains etched in the minds of fans every time they discuss WrestleMania and its most memorable moments. That moment does not happen, though, without an iconic contest that ignited the Attitude Era and sparked WWE's comeback in the Monday Night Wars.
With Mike Tyson as the special enforcer, WWE had created must-see television. Fans wanted to witness the culmination of Austin's journey, but also what The Baddest Man on the Planet would do if and when he was confronted by The Texas Rattlesnake.
As history tells us, nothing. Tyson leveled a mouthy Michaels after the match, then posed alongside Austin to cap off one of the most historically significant pay-per-views WWE ever produced.
Why Not Higher?: Iconic? Oh hell, yeah! With that said, the match quality never quite lived up to expectations because of Michaels' severely injured back.
5. Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. Paul Orndorff and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper (WrestleMania 1)
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Date: March 31, 1985
Winner: Hogan and Mr. T
(GM): When WrestleMania was first conceived, Vince McMahon saw it as a showcase for his stacked roster and an opportunity to wow fans with exuberant pageantry. It was also a massive financial risk that he had to ensure would pay off, or risk running his company into immeasurable debt.
Hogan and pop culture icon Mr. T were a dream team and the dynamic duo of Piper and Orndorff played their respective roles to perfection. The action was exactly what it needed to be, so everyone in attendance at Madison Square Garden went home happy.
It's exactly why celebrities are still so synonymous with WrestleMania after all these decades. When executed accordingly, it can be a game-changer, and the Golden Era of WWE knew how to bring those worlds together so seamlessly.
Why Isn't It Higher?: From an in-ring standpoint, this match is hardly a barn burner, nor does it have a ton of replay value by today's standards. It's an attraction, but attractions such as this one were what WrestleMania was built on.
4. John Cena vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 28)
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Date: April 1, 2012
Winner: The Rock
(EB): The 2012 showdown between The Rock and John Cena is one of the most anticipated main events in WWE history. Dubbed "Once in a Lifetime," it was a generational matchup between an icon of the Attitude Era and the face of the Ruthless Aggression Era in professional wrestling.
In one of the first, most obvious displays of the tribalism that exists today, fans split their allegiances and defended their favorite on the road to the biggest show of the year.
There were music performances from MGK and Flo Rida before the marquee bout in Rock's hometown of Miami, hammering home the magnitude of the contest. If that was not enough, the fans let you know, reaching a fever pitch as the two biggest stars of the last decade clashed.
In an uncharacteristically antagonistic moment, Cena set up for the People's Elbow, making a mockery of his opponent, but took too long and ran right into a Rock Bottom that would win The Great One the victory and leave his opponent wondering what was next.
A fantastic spectacle that lived up to some of the biggest hype in pro wrestling history, the only thing that could limit its positioning on this list was the entertainment industry's obsession with sequels.
Why Not Higher?: The following year's rematch undid all of the talk of "Once in a Lifetime," was met with a decided lack of enthusiasm, and adversely affected what had been a magical moment from a year earlier.
3. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 17)
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Date: April 1, 2001
Winner: Austin
(GM): A quarter of a century later, WrestleMania 17 is still considered by fans to be the best installment to date, and its iconic main event played a pivotal role in its success.
This was perhaps the peak of Austin and Rock's rivalry, if only because they had just as much hate for each other at this point as they did respect. That tension was palpable during their main event and embodied everything the Attitude Era represented.
That same Attitude Era ended with this match as well, when Austin made a deal with the devil and accepted the assistance of longtime rival Mr. McMahon to defeat The Rock and claim the WWE Championship.
The sight of Austin and McMahon embracing, with the Texas crowd roaring in approval, is legendary.
Why Isn't It Higher?: A slightly stronger (and less drawn-out) finish may have put this match in the top two, along with an aftermath that wasn't totally underwhelming. Austin winning and immediately turning on McMahon would have been a better alternative to prevent the Attitude Era from dying when it did.
2. Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 40)
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Date: April 7, 2024
Winner: Rhodes
(EB): For over three years, Roman Reigns dominated WWE as its Tribal Chief and the Head of the Table.
As the central figure of a Bloodline saga that drove renewed interest in the product and kept fans captivated by its weekly developments, Reigns had reached the level so many expected when he first appeared on WWE TV in November 2012.
Cody Rhodes returned from building his own promotion, All Elite Wrestling, and was determined to finish his story by doing the one thing his father could not: capture the WWE Championship.
Rhodes had come close in 2023, but was denied by the interference from Solo Sikoa as Reigns knocked off The American Nightmare.
Faced with Bloodline Rules that put him at a disadvantage, Rhodes fought ferociously to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Reigns, finish his story and usher in a new era of the promotion.
He did just that. With Jey Uso thwarting interference from Jimmy Uso, John Cena taking out Solo Sikoa, The Undertaker emerging to take out The Rock, and Seth Rollins providing the shield that would protect Rhodes, the babyface defeated Reigns in a truly epic encounter that paid off years of storytelling and gave WWE fans the storybook ending they deserved.
Why Not Higher?: The match that ranks ahead of it is otherworldly important to the history of WWE. As significant as Rhodes and Reigns was, you cannot tell the story of professional wrestling without talking about the match above it.
1. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (WrestleMania 3)
26 of 26
Date: March 29, 1987
Winner: Hogan
(GM): WrestleMania most likely doesn't exist in its current form without Hogan vs. Andre. Plain and simple.
The inaugural installment of The Show of Shows went off without a hitch, but hosting the second event from three different locations across the country simultaneously was a bit of a bust.
WWE needed a huge hook for WrestleMania 3 to ensure the event would be sustainable for years to come, and it settled on the marquee main event of the uber-popular Hogan defending the WWE Championship against the undefeated Andre.
The story sold itself, and it was genuinely unknown whether Hogan could hand Andre his first-ever pinfall loss in WWE. The curiosity factor alone sold almost 80,000 tickets, an astounding record that stood in WWE for decades.
This match isn't about any of the moves as much as it is the white-hot crowd at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan rallying behind Hogan to dig deep and do the seemingly impossible.
His earth-shattering bodyslam on Andre is still replayed in video packages to this day because of its enormous (literal and figurative) impact, making it a slam-dunk candidate for induction into the "Immortal Moment" wing of the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
Check out Erik and Graham's previous Top 25 lists, including the greatest Royal Rumbles and the greatest women's matches in WWE history.
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.jpg?w=480 "WWE NXT Live Grades")
