WWE WrestleMania 34: Most Exciting Swerves in Event's History

WrestleMania attracts diehard wrestling fans from around the world each spring. While that makes for an outstanding atmosphere for the WWE's biggest show of the year, it also creates a difficult task for the creative team: figuring out how to surprise the audience.

It's always been an uphill battle, especially since the internet hosts numerous websites that exclusively cover every tidbit of news and speculation surrounding the product. So if something is going to happen at 'Mania, there's a good chance it was discussed in the weeks leading up to the event.

Every once in a while, however, an unexpected twist occurs to give the WWE Universe a thrill. Those instances usually stand the test of time as the most memorable moments in the show's history alongside the best matches and highlight-reel moves.

Let's take a look at some of the top swerves in WrestleMania history ahead of the 34th edition of The Showcase of the Immortals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on April 8.

Hulk Hogan Defeats Yokozuna in 22 Seconds During Impromptu Title Match (1993)

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Bret Hart was unable to defend his WWE Championship against Yokozuna in the main event of WrestleMania IX. But just when it appeared the monster competitor would become the first heel to leave 'Mania as the company's top titleholder, Hulk Hogan appeared.

Hogan wrestled earlier in the night as part of a Tag Team Championships match alongside Brutus Beefcake against Money Inc. Little did the fans know the disqualification loss was only his first contest of the night.

Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna's manager, agreed to put his client's newly won title on the line in a match against Hogan. He quickly attempted to interfere with his famed tactic of throwing salt in opponent's eyes, but he hit Yokozuna instead, allowing Hogan to hit his patented leg drop for the win.

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Bret Hart Make Double Turn (1997)

Gallo Images/Getty Images

WrestleMania 13 was a crucial turning point in "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's rise into one of the greatest performers in WWE history. Not only did it highlight his ruthless in-ring ability, but it also showed fans were ready to support him to heights rarely scaled in the industry.

Bret Hart, who entered as a face, won the no-disqualification submission match that saw Ken Shamrock serve as special guest referee. The finish saw Austin, the heel, pass out while in the Sharpshooter after bleeding profusely throughout the latter stages of the match.

Afterward, Hart continued to apply his submission finisher despite being awarded the win, which caused the Rosemont Horizon crowd in Illinois to turn against him. They started to cheer Austin as he returned to his feet, and he returned to the back with a loud ovation, completing the rare double turn.

Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Work Together (2001)

BEBETO MATTHEWS/Associated Press

Austin and Vince McMahon are perhaps the greatest rivals in WWE history. The storyline feud between during the Attitude Era—and still occasionally renewed, as witnessed on the Raw 25 broadcast in January—were tremendous.

That's what made their brief alliance at WrestleMania X-Seven such a perfect swerve. The WWE chairman, operating under the Mr. McMahon gimmick, provided Stone Cold with the steel chair he used the defeat The Rock for the WWE Championship in the main event.

Moreover, the event went off the air with Austin and McMahon shaking hands and doing the new champion's favorite beer-chugging celebration. They are better rivals than allies on screen, but their union for one night is something that will go down in WrestleMania lore.

Brock Lesnar Ends The Undertaker's Undefeated Streak (2014)

JP Yim/Getty Images

WrestleMania could exist until its 100th anniversary and there probably won't be a swerve bigger than when Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker's unbeaten streak at 21-0. The incredible stunned silence among the more than 75,000 in attendance at WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans will live on forever.

Prevailing wisdom always suggested if the streak was going to end that it would happen against a young star to give them the ultimate boost. It would be the type of win that could take a promising prospect to another level and establish them as the new face of WWE.

Few expected Taker's run of 21 straight victories to conclude against a part-time Superstar who was already one of the biggest names in the company. Lesnar didn't need the win, which made the swerve all the more shocking for those in the stadium and watching at home.

Whether it was the right decision is still up for debate, but in terms of shockers, it stands alone.

Seth Rollins Cashes in Money In the Bank Briefcase During Main Event (2015)

Don Feria/Associated Press

While the WrestleMania XXX main event was met with anticipation as Daniel Bryan and his Yes! Movement finally reached the WWE mountaintop, the WrestleMania 31 headliner created dread among smarks, as it appeared Roman Reigns would win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

It's still unclear exactly why the diehard fans turned against Reigns—Braun Strowman received a monster push immediately after leaving The Wyatt Family despite having far less discernible talent and delivering more cringeworthy work on the mic, but he's become a fan favorite anyway—but it felt like Levi's Stadium would erupt in a riot if the former Shield member walked out with WWE's top title.

So with the crowd seemingly preparing itself for the Big Dog's WrestleMania moment as he battled Lesnar, Seth Rollins' music was met with a huge reaction as he rushed to the ring with his Money in the Bank briefcase to turn the match into a Triple Threat.

The Architect emerged victorious, giving the crowd a reason to go home happy, which didn't seem likely 30 minutes earlier.