Showcase Of The Immortal: 'Mania's Underrated Matches

I have been watching some of the Wrestlemania DVD's in my anthology over the past few weeks. I have decided to put together a list of some of the most underrated matches in WrestleMania history. This is obviously only a sample, and I know someone is gonna comment and say something ridiculous like "What about Hogan and Andre?"

I am only including matches that were obviously overshadowed by main events and other huge happenings. These matches need to fit the following criteria:

- A solid buildup to the event

- A good display of wrestling or in ring work

- They were NOT the feature match on the card (other than my No. 2 which is debatable)

- When you think about these events, you typically don't remember these matches first.

No. 1: Benoit vs. Jericho vs. Angle (WM 2000-Two titles on the line)

This match was an absolute clinic. These guys put on one of the better matches in WM history, and its rarely remembered in that light. Angle held both the Intercontinental and European titles going in. There would be two falls during this match: the first to decide the Intercontinental Championship, and the second to decide the European Championship. Angle went on to lose both titles while never being pinned or made to tap out.

No. 2: Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair (WM VIII-WWE Title)

It can be debated that this was one of the main events on the card that year, but it was clearly overshadowed by Hogan vs. Sid. There has NEVER been a better buildup to a match then the whole Flair and Liz controversy.

In fact, Ric Flair was receiving death threats this was going over so well. The match spoke for itself, but most people simply remember Hogan and Sid and the return of the Warrior.

No. 3: Undertaker vs. Triple H (WM XVII)

This match was built surrounding the fact that Triple H had beaten everyone he'd faced, except the Undertaker. This was a classic knock down drag out match. There was never a CHANCE this match could compete with the hype of Austin vs. Rock. The buildup was so personal, it made you believe these men were not going to last until Mania.

No. 4: Jake Roberts vs. Rick Martel (WM VII-Blindfold Match)

While this wasn't the greatest technical match ever put on, it was very memorable. Lost in the shuffle of Hogan vs. Slaughter and the Desert Storm conflict, Roberts and Martel put on one of the most bitter feuds in the history of the entire buildup. Martel had blinded Roberts, and rather than an unfair advantage, the men faced off in blindfolds.

I can remember being a seven year old and being on the edge of my seat every time Jake Roberts got close to clobbering Martel.

No. 5: Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle (WM XX-WWE Title)

Eddie and Kurt put on an amazing match in the midst of a card featuring Goldberg/Lesnar and HHH/HBK/Benoit. It was caught in the shuffle and stood out as one of the best matches on the card. The build to the match surrounded around Angle's personal attacks at the "role model" qualities of Guerrero, who he felt was a no good liar and cheater.

No. 6: Undertaker vs. Kane (WM XIV)

After months of declaring he would never do so, Undertaker was coerced into fighting his long lost brother Kane. The two giants faced off in a huge match almost an entire year in the making.

Kane looked unbeatable going in, and it made you question whether the Undertaker really was a phenom. This match was blown away in hype by Austin/Michaels with Tyson as the enforcer.

No. 7: Bret Hart vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper (WM VII-Intercontinental Title)

Pitted two very close family friends against each other and got EXTREMELY heated along the way. Classic match with two all time greats. Piper was finally a singles champion and had to face a young and on the rise Bret Hart.

No. 8: Vince McMahon vs. Shane McMahon (WM XVII-Street Fight)

Vince was attempting to take apart his own family and Shane was the only one who could stop it. The ultimate show of athleticism from Shane McMahon during this match. Great build surrounding the mental state of Linda and the allegiance of Trish Stratus.

No. 9: Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka (WM IX-IC Title)

Not the greatest buildup ever, but these two guys absolutely lit it up in the ring during this match. The match went for around 25 minutes and was pretty much non stop. A young Michaels played the role of the heel that everyone wanted to see get beat.

He escaped with his title as well as the respect of his peers. Really launched the career of Michaels as a singles wrestler once people saw he could truly go in the ring.

No. 10: Christian vs. Chris Jericho (WM XX)

Two former best friends split over Trish Stratus. This match really made you hate Christian and very few people were not pulling for Jericho.

Great show put on by two young guys. You could truly feel the passion from Jericho and felt like you were watching two of your own best friends breaking apart.

There you have it. Always open to comments and your thoughts.