WWE's Grandest Stage of All: Ranking Every Male Wrestler at WrestleMania, Part 8

Well, we are nearing the home stretch of the WrestleMania rankings. Let me just say thanks to all of you who have read each edition and offered your help or comments; it is very much appreciated. This edition will feature more main-event level wrestlers as well as WrestleMania regulars who were there to push others to the main-event level.

Please read and I hope you enjoy.

Point System

In order to get the rankings, I created a point system that would give a clear description of why the wrestler is ranked the way that they are. Also note that I considered main-event matches and title matches separately, but if a wrestler was in a main event that was also a title match, they got points for both, the only case where a wrestler gets points in two categories at once.

Fight in WM: two points. This is the participation award since it is a difficult for a wrestler to make it to WrestleMania—so by having a regular non-title match, but not winning it, they get two points.

Win in WM: five points. This is simple enough: You win your non-title match, you get five points.

Fight in MITB: five points. Since there could be multiple wrestlers in the MITB match, a wrestler gets five points for participation.

Win in MITB: 15 points. With how difficult it is to win the MITB, the wrestler who does win gets a nice bump in points by getting 15.

Fight in European/tag/cruiserweight/hardcore title match: five points (title level one).

Win in European/tag/cruiserweight/hardcore title match:10 points.

Fight in IC/US/ECW title match: 10 points (title level 2).

Win in IC/US/ECW title match: 15 points.

Fight in World title match: 15 points.

Win in World title match: 20 points.

Fight in main event: 20 points. The biggest honor a wrestler can have bestowed upon them is being able to wrestle in the main event of the biggest show of the year.

Win in main event: 25 points. The biggest accomplishment a wrestler can have at WrestleMania, only to be topped if it's also a title match, or the wrestler somehow finds a way to break the Undertaker's streak.

Fights ending in a no contest or draw are counted as a win for both competitors.

Fights ending in double DQ or countout count as a loss for both competitors.

Tie Breakers

If more than one wrestler has the same amount of points, I have ranked them according to the following tie breakers:

1. Win/loss record

2. If that is the same, then the wrestler with more high-profile matches (title or main events) gets the bump up in ranking.

3. If the wrestlers are still tied up to this point, then they are just going to be ranked alphabetically.

No. 41 British Bulldog

Record: 4-3

Points: 34

WrestleManias: 2, III, IV, VII, IX, XII, 13

Grade: C+

The British Bulldog is 41st on the list with a 4-3 record.

At WrestleMania 2, the British Bulldogs would beat Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake for the tag titles.

At WrestleMania III they, along with Tito Santana, would lose to the Hart Foundation in a six-man tag match.

At WrestleMania IV they would lose to the Islanders.

Davey Boy Smith, now as the British Bulldog, would defeat the Warlord at WrestleMania VII. His next fight would be with Lex Luger when they beat the Blu Brothers.

Then at WrestleMania XII, the British Bulldog, Vader and Owen Hart would defeat Yokozuna, Jake Roberts and Ahmed Johnson.

His final WrestleMania would be where Owen Hart and he went to a double countout against Mankind and Vader with the tag titles on the line.

No. 39 Razor Ramon/Scott Hall

Record: 3-1

Points: 37

WrestleManias: IX, X, XI, X8

Grade: B

The Bad Guy starts off this list at No. 40, with matches as both Scott Hall and Razor Ramon.

His first match was against Bob Backlund at WrestleMania IX, where he would be victorious.

At WrestleMania X, Hall would be in one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time when he beat Shawn Michaels in a ladder match for the Intercontinental title.

He would then have his last match as Razor Ramon at WrestleMania where he would beat Jeff Jarrett in another Intercontinental title match, this time winning by DQ.

He would return seven years later as part of the NWO, this time losing to Stone Cold Steve Austin.

No. 38 Big Boss Man

Record: 5-1

Points: 37

WrestleManias: V, VI, VII, VIII, XV, 2000

Grade: B

The Big Boss Man is next with a 5-1 record at WrestleMania. His first appearance was teamed with Akeem as they beat the Rockers. He would then beat Akeem the following year in a squash match.

The next year, Boss Man would beat Mr. Perfect by DQ in a Intercontinental title match.

He would be part of the winning team in an eight-man tag match next year beating the Mountie, Repo Man and the Nasty Boys.

At WrestleMania XV, the Big Boss Man would lose his only match at WrestleMania to the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match, which would end with Boss Man being hung from the ceiling of the cell.

His last appearance would be at WrestleMania 2000 where he would team up with Bull Buchanan to beat the Godfather and D'Lo Brown.

No. 37 CM Punk

Record: 2-3

Points: 39

WrestleManias: 23, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVI

Grade: C+

CM Punk is next on the list with 39 points.

His first match at WrestleMania was as part of the Money in the Bank match that would be won by Mr. Kennedy.

He would rebound by winning the next two MITB matches in back-to-back years.

He would then lose to Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania XXVI.

His most recent WrestleMania appearance would be a loss to Randy Orton. Expect Punk to continue to climb this list with more appearances at WrestleMania a certainty for him.

No. 36 Eddie Guerrero

Record: 2-3

Points: 39

WrestleManias: 2000, X-Seven, XIX, XX, 21

Grade: B-

Eddie Guerrero is next with a 2-3 record at WrestleMania. His first WrestleMania was as part of the Radicalz in a loss against Too Cool and Chyna.

He would then defeat Test in a European title match at WrestleMania X-Seven.

Then at WrestleMania XIX, he would team with his nephew Chavo in a failed attempt to win the tag titles as Team Angle would retain them.

Eddie would then defeat Kurt Angle in a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XX.

His final match would be against Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 21, with Rey being victorious.

No. 35 Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake

Record: 3-4

Points: 39

WrestleManias: I, 2, III, IV, V, VI, IX

Grade: C+

The Barber is next with 39 points.

At WrestleMania I, Brutus would fight David Sammartino to a double DQ.

The team of Beefcake and Greg Valentine (the Dream Team) would lose the tag titles to the British Bulldogs at WrestleMania 2.

At WrestleMania III, they would team again to beat the Rougeau Brothers. Brutus would then beat the Honky Tonk Man by DQ in an Intercontinental title match.

He would fight Ted DiBiase to a double countout at WrestleMania V, followed by a win over Mr. Perfect the next year.

His final WrestleMania would be a tag title match with Hulk Hogan as they lost to Money Inc. by DQ.

No. 34 Sgt. Slaughter

Record: 1-1

Points: 40

WrestleManias: VII, VIII

Grade: C+

Sgt. Slaughter is 34th on the list with 40 points.

His first match was the main event of WrestleMania VII where in lost in a World title match against Hulk Hogan.

The following year he would be part of the winning team in an eight-man tag match against Repo Man, the Mountie and the Nasty Boys.

No. 33 King Kong Bundy

Record: 1-3

Points: 44

WrestleManias: I, 2, III, XI

Grade: C

King Kong Bundy is next with four WrestleMania appearances. His first was a win over SD Jones in a squash match at the first WrestleMania.

He would then lose in the main event of WrestleMania to Hulk Hogan in a cage match for the World title.

At WrestleMania III he would lose to Hillbilly Jim by DQ.

His final WrestleMania appearance would be a loss to the Undertaker at WrestleMania XI.

No. 32 Matt Hardy

Record: 2-6

Points: 45

WrestleManias: 2000, X-Seven, X8, XIX, 22, 23, XXV, XXVI

Grade: C+

The remaining Hardy brother is next on the list with eight performances and some memorable moments.

His first three appearances were as part of the Hardy Boyz in tag title matches with them coming up short in each, losing the first two to Edge and Christian and then losing to Billy and Chuck in the third appearance.

Matt would then defeat Rey Mysterio and defend the cruiserweight title at WrestleMania XIX.

His next two matches would be as part of the Money in the Bank match, which were won by Rob Van Dam and Mr. Kennedy respectively.

He would then beat his brother Jeff in an Extreme Rules match.

His last appearance would be again in the Money in the Bank match, this time won by Jack Swagger.

No. 31 Christian

Record: 3-4

Points: 45

WrestleManias: 2000, X-Seven, X8, XX, 21, XXV, XXVI

Grade: B-

Captain Charisma is next with 45 points.

His first two appearances were with Edge as they would defend the tag titles against both the Hardy Boyz and Dudley Boyz in triple-threat ladder and TLC matches.

Christian would then be defeated by Diamond Dallas Page in a European title match. He would then beat Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XX.

His most recent appearances would be in the Money in the Bank matches at WrestleMania 21, XXV and XXVI.

Expect Christian to move up the list in the next couple of years if he keeps up the momentum that he has right now as a heel.

No. 30 Rob Van Dam

Record: 4-0

Points: 45

WrestleManias: X8, XX, 22, 23

Grade: B+

Rob Van Dam is 30th on the list with 45 points and four matches at WrestleMania.

His first match was a win over William Regal to win the Intercontinental title.

He would then defend the tag titles with partner Booker T over La Resistance, the Dudley Boyz and Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak.

He would then win the second Money in the Bank match at WrestleMania 22.

His final WrestleMania was as part of the ECW originals as they beat the New Breed.

No. 29 Roddy Piper

Record: 2-5

Points: 46

WrestleManias: I, 2, III, VI, VIII, XII, XXV

Grade: C

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper is next with seven performances at WrestleMania.

He was part of the main event at the first WrestleMania as Paul Orndorff and he lost to Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. He would then lose to Mr. T the next year by DQ.

He would beat Adrian Adonis in a hair vs. hair match at WrestleMania III. His next fight would end in a double countout against Bad News Brown.

He would then lose to Bret Hart in an Intercontinental title match.

At WrestleMania XII, he would beat Goldust in a Hollywood Backlot Brawl.

His final WrestleMania he would be teamed up with Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka as they lost to Chris Jericho.

No. 28 Brock Lesnar

Record: 1-1

Points: 47

WrestleManias: XIX, XX

Grade: C

Brock Lesnar is next with only a 1-1 record.

In his first WrestleMania, he would beat Kurt Angle in the main event of WrestleMania XIX to win the WWE title.

His second and last performance was an underwhelming match against Goldberg, which he would lose.

No. 27 Owen Hart

Record: 5-3

Points: 47

WrestleManias: V, VIII, X, XI, XII, 13, XIV, XV

Grade: B+

The late Owen Hart is next with seven WrestleMania appearances.

His first was a loss against Mr. Perfect while he was the Blue Blazer. He would then beat Skinner at WrestleMania VIII.

This was followed up with a win over his brother Bret at WrestleMania X.

Owen and Yokozuna would then beat the Smoking Guns for the tag titles the following year. Then, as part of Camp Cornette, Owen would beat Ahmed Johnson, Jake Roberts and Yokozuna in a six-man tag match.

Owen and the British Bulldog would fight Mankind and Vader to a double contout with the tag titles on the line the next year.

At WrestleMania XIV, Owen would lose to Triple H with the European title on the line.

His final WrestleMania match would be a tag title match as Jeff Jarrett and he would beat Test and D'Lo Brown.

No. 26 Andre the Giant

Record: 1-4

Points: 49

WrestleManias: I, III, IV, V, VI,

Grade: C-

Andre the Giant ends up at No. 27 on the list with five WrestleManias. His first match was against Big John Studd as Andre beat him and won the $15,000 Bodyslam Challenge.

He would then lose to Hulk Hogan in the main event of WrestleMania III with the World title on the line.

He would then fight Hogan again in the first round of the World title tournament of WrestleMania IV, fighting to a double DQ.

The next year he would lose by DQ against Jake Roberts.

His final WrestleMania he would team with Haku and lose to Demolition in a tag title match.

No. 25 Sid Vicious

Record: 0-2

Points: 55

WrestleManias: VIII, 13

Grade: C-

Sid is next with two matches at WrestleMania, both main events.

His first was a loss by DQ against Hulk Hogan. His final was a loss to the Undertaker at WrestleMania 13 in a World title match.

No. 24 Rey Mysterio

Record: 4-3

Points: 57

WrestleManias: XIX, XX, 21, 22, XXV, XXVI, XXVII

Grade: B-

Rey Mysterio is 24th on the list with 57 points.

His first match was a loss to Matt Hardy for the cruiserweight title. He would lose to Chavo Guerrero the following year with the cruiserweight title on the line in a cruiserweight open.

At WrestleMania 21, he would beat Eddie Guerrero in a singles match. He would then beat both Kurt Angle and Randy Orton for the heavyweight title.

He would then beat JBL in a squash match for the Intercontinental title.

At WrestleMania XXVI, he would beat CM Punk. At last year's WrestleMania, he would lose to Cody Rhodes.

Rey should move up slightly in the coming years as he has a little gas left in the tank.

No. 23 Mankind/Cactus Jack/Mick Foley

Record: 2-4

Points: 59

WrestleManias: 13, XIV, XV, 2000, XX, 22

Grade: B-

Mick Foley is next with six WrestleManias under three different gimmicks.

His first was as Mankind as he and Vader fought Owen Hart and the British Bulldog to double countout in a tag title match.

Then as Cactus Jack, Chainsaw Charlie and he would beat the New Age Outlaws for the tag titles the following year.

As Mankind, he would beat the Big Show by DQ.

His following matches were as Mick Foley starting with a loss to Triple H in a four-way match for the World title in the main event of WrestleMania 2000.

Then as part of the Rock N' Sock Connection, he would lose to Evolution. His final appearance would be a loss to Edge in a hardcore match.

No. 22 the Miz

Record: 2-1

Points: 60

WrestleManias: XXV, XXVI, XXVII

Grade: B

The Awesome One is next at No. 22 on the list.

His first appearance was with John Morrison in a loss against the Colons in a tag title unification match.

He followed this up with the Big Show in a win against John Morrison and R-Truth in a tag title match.

His most recent WrestleMania would see him defending the WWE Championship in the main event against John Cena.

Expect the Miz to continue to climb this list in the coming years as he looks to be staying in the main-event scene for the foreseeable future barring any accidents or backstage heat.

No. 21 John Bradshaw Layfield

Record: 3-5

Points: 62

WrestleManias: 13, X-Seven, X8, XX, 21, 22, XXIV, XXV

Grade: B-

JBL will finish off this edition with 62 points.

His first match was as part of the New Blackjacks as they lost a No. 1 contenders match for the tag titles to the Headbangers.

Then as part of the APA, they would team with Tazz to beat Right to Censor. The APA would then lose a tag title match to the team of Billy and Chuck. They would lose in another tag title match, this time to Too Cool.

JBL would then lose a WWE title match to John Cena. The following year he would beat Chris Benoit in a US title match.

His next WrestleMania he would beat Finlay in a Belfast Brawl.

His final WrestleMania would be a loss in an Intercontinental title match to Rey Mysterio.

For those who missed them, here are the five most recent editions:

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7