Ranking the Biggest WrestleMania Upsets in WWE History
WrestleMania is WWE's annual showcase of top matches, Superstars and moments. The event has spanned nearly four decades and combines athleticism, showmanship, pro wrestling and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
It has also been home to some unforgettable upsets that have left fans staring in disbelief at their televisions or sitting wide-eyed live in the arena.
Ahead of the 2026 iteration in Las Vegas on April 18-19, let's relive the greatest upsets in WrestleMania history, including one that still does not feel real.
7. Roman Reigns Retains Over Cody Rhodes (2023)
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Like another upset later on this list, the idea of a multi-time world champion beating anyone in a marquee match at WrestleMania hardly sounds like an upset.
However, to consider Roman Reigns' victory over Cody Rhodes in the main event of the 2023 show anything but would be ignorant of the emotion and expectation surrounding WrestleMania 39.
It was a given that Rhodes, fresh off a red-hot return from a torn pectoral muscle that sidelined him for eight months, would defeat The Tribal Chief and put an end to his historic reign as champion.
That Rhodes had family and friends surrounding the ring, ready to watch his coronation, only solidified the idea that a new era would dawn on WWE by night's end.
Then, Solo Sikoa struck with a Samoan Spike, Reigns delivered a deflating spear, and the wrestling world sat in stunned silence as The Head of the Table retained his spot atop the WWE mountain as undisputed WWE universal champion.
It was a moment that sent internet wrestling fans into a tailspin, prompting them to take to social media to discuss the absurdity of the booking decision and how WWE had seemingly derailed the next great babyface in pro wrestling when Rhodes failed to complete his story.
Little did they know The American Nightmare would get another chance one year later.
6. KofiMania Runs Wild (2019)
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Kofi Kingston was red-hot entering WrestleMania 35, the recipient of undeniable support from an audience all too appreciative of his decade-plus of hard work and dedication to WWE.
When he was finally announced as the challenger to Daniel Bryan's WWE Championship at the 2019 event, it appeared the company was finally going to give the longtime competitor a chance to run with its top title.
Even as the match began, though, there was the lingering thought that Vince McMahon and the WWE creative team would pull the rug out from underneath all parties and put an end to Kingston's fairytale rise to the main event scene.
After all, at that particular time, McMahon and Co. were not necessarily recognized for giving the audience what they wanted each time out.
Imagine the surprise, then, when Kingston overcame a brutal onslaught by Bryan to take him down and finish him off with Trouble in Paradise to win his one and only WWE Championship.
An emotional victory for Kingston, New Day teammates Big E and Xavier Woods, his family, and the fans who stuck by him for so long, it remains one of the great modern WrestleMania moments.
5. Fandango Dances Over Chris Jericho (2013)
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There are WrestleMania moments that fans cling to with almost religious fervor, elevating them above all others as the defining images of the annual extravaganza.
Then there are some that make you scratch your head in confusion.
Such was the case with the WrestleMania 29 battle between future Hall of Famer Chris Jericho and the debuting Fandango.
As if the idea of the inaugural undisputed WWE champion, who had defeated "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock on the same night, battling a ballroom dancer in 2013 was not absurd enough, the outcome certainly put it over the top.
Fandango defeated Jericho that night in a moment that jump-started his career. It was a moment of selflessness from Y2J, who put over the newcomer and at least set him on the right path for stardom.
Unfortunately, that win would remain the peak of Fandango's prominence in WWE, which only heightens how baffling the creative call now feels. The fact that it is not higher on this countdown says more about the four upsets ahead of it than it does about the shock and awe of this one.
4. Owen Hart Steps Out of Bret's Shadow (1994)
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Before Bret Hart could get the WWE Championship opportunity owed to him by way of his victory in the 1994 Royal Rumble, The Hitman kicked off WrestleMania X with a grudge match against his jealous brother, Owen Hart.
Many expected the future Hall of Famer to roll into Madison Square Garden, avenge the shocking betrayal that left his knee injured and his heart broken months earlier, and move onto the main event of the show, where he would regain the company's top prize.
Instead, Hart's night got off to an unexpected sour note as his brother outmaneuvered him, countering a victory roll and scoring a huge upset.
The Hitman was left bewildered by the turn of events as his brother celebrated the biggest win of his career—one that would ultimately catapult him into title contention when Bret captured his second WWE title by defeating Yokozuna later in the broadcast.
3. Zack Ryder Wins the Intercontinental Title (2016)
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Not only was Zack Ryder not supposed to be in the ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32 in 2016, but he also had not sniffed singles gold since his inexplicably aborted push four years earlier.
An undercard performer who had been firmly put in his place by management despite a fairly strong connection with fans, Ryder was inserted in the title match when Neville suffered an ankle injury and was unable to compete.
Ryder was an afterthought addition, so it was more than a little surprising when he outlasted the likes of Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Stardust, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Sin Cara to leave Dallas with the intercontinental title.
It was a rare achievement for a hardworking performer whose consistency and preparation earned him an unforgettable moment. It was made even better by a post-match celebration with his dad.
2. Triple H Retains the WWE Title (2000)
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As the new millennium arrived, no heel had entered WrestleMania as WWE champion and left with the title. It was considered sacrilege. After all, the biggest show of the year was for big babyface wins and sending fans home happy.
A new century brought with it new rules, though, as Triple H stomped into WrestleMania 2000 in Anaheim, flanked by Stephanie McMahon, for a Fatal 4-Way match against The Rock, Big Show and Mick Foley, all of whom were also seconded by a McMahon family member.
Physical chaos and family drama would define the next 38 minutes, culminating with a not-so-shocking swerve that saw Vince McMahon betray Rock and assist Triple H in retaining his title.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, fans pelted the ring with garbage, a defiant act in the face of an unprecedented booking decision.
They rejected the finish, annoyed that The Great One did not emerge as champion like they expected, and not even a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow to Stephanie could rectify the problem.
A poor booking decision? Absolutely. Hugely unexpected upset that set a precedent and etched Triple H's name in the history books? Also yes.
1. Brock Lesnar Ends The Streak (2014)
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Not a single fan inside Caesars Superdome in New Orleans believed Brock Lesnar would defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30 and end an unbeaten streak that had reached mythical proportions at 21-0.
Such a booking decision would ruin a selling point for the annual showcase that had become as valuable as any marquee championship match.
The Streak was a draw for fans, and no one would dare suggest it had run its course.
Then, Lesnar pinned The Deadman, the referee's hand smacked the mat three times, and the wrestling world sat in stunned silence as video boards flashed "21-1," a surefire indicator that an era had just ended.
Fans' jaws dropped as The Beast Incarnate left the arena, and their eyes fixed on Undertaker as he struggled to his feet.
It was unfathomable that the run had come to an end, but it did, signaling the beginning of a new era for WrestleMania in which nearly all other Undertaker appearances suddenly felt less meaningful.
