Ranking the 6 Greatest WWE Wrestlemania Matches in History

Ranking the 6 Greatest WWE Wrestlemania Matches in History

Isaac Darko
updated at March 6, 2024 at 6:46 PM
  • WrestleMania is a singular event in the world of professional wrestling
  • This year's edition is set to take place on Saturday, April 6th 2024
  • Here are the six greatest matches in the history of WWE WrestleMania

As WrestleMania draws near, anticipation builds within the WWE Universe for yet another classic main event.

Will Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns deliver a match worthy of the Undisputed WWE Universal title, destined to be etched into the annals of professional wrestling history?

WWE, Wrestlemania, Undertaker, Hulk Hogan
Here are the top six greatest and unforgettable matches in the history of WWE WrestleMania.
Source: Twitter

Naturally, expectations soar, as is customary for main-event showdowns. Yet, certain main events transcend the event itself, achieving timeless status within the realm of wrestling.

These are the matches that endure, captivating fans for generations to come.

Sports Brief delves into these unforgettable main events, the legendary clashes that will be immortalised in wrestling history.

Greatest WWE Wrestlemania in History

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 26)

While we acknowledge the Undertaker/Michaels match at WrestleMania XXV for its superior in-ring action, it wasn't the main event.

However, this rematch had about 7,000 times the drama due to the high stakes involved. The Undertaker risking his WrestleMania streak against Shawn Michaels' career made it incredibly significant.

This incredible matchup surpassed expectations and deserved to headline. The best matches leave the WWE Universe guessing, and in 2010, no one wanted either competitor to lose.

Sadly, Shawn Michaels was forced into retirement as the Undertaker's streak continued. It was a fitting end to HBK's career, delivering one last unforgettable performance before hanging up his boots for good.

The Rock vs. John Cena (WrestleMania 28)

Over a decade ago, the Rock leveraged his prior WrestleMania hosting role into a main event slot.

This match was something the WWE Universe never anticipated: John Cena defending his WWE Championship against a Hollywood heavyweight.

The verbal sparring leading up to the match was unparalleled, fueling speculation of genuine animosity between the two.

The WrestleMania main event echoed the mystique of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant's clash 25 years prior.

Honestly, we're still in disbelief that The Rock and John Cena faced off. Their showdown on the Grandest Stage of Them All was a classic, made even more memorable by The Rock's championship win. Billed as "Once-in-a-Lifetime," it turned out to be anything but, yet the event remained remarkably remarkable.

Daniel Bryan vs. Dave Bautista vs. Randy Orton (WrestleMania 30)

Daniel Bryan and the WWE Universe are inseparable entities in wrestling history.

Without the unwavering support of the fans, Bryan wouldn't have earned the opportunity to contend for the WWE Championship against Dave Bautista and Randy Orton.

Daniel Bryan's journey to WrestleMania 30 was marked by unparalleled organic fan support, culminating in a match like no other. The Superdome erupted with unprecedented energy, with fans arguably being the loudest in WWE history.

As confetti showered down, tens of thousands chanted "YES!" in unison, capturing the essence of the moment. For many, this epitomizes the perfect WrestleMania main event: an underdog story, thrilling in-ring action, and a crowd sent home happy. It remains unmatched and is unlikely to ever be replicated.

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (WWE Championship Match, WrestleMania III)

This main event elevated WWE to new heights, transcending into mainstream pop culture. In 1987, nothing matched the magnitude of Hulk vs. Andre.

Billed as the Unstoppable Force vs. the Immovable Object, even this tagline couldn't fully capture the significance of these two Superstars.

Viewing this match today offers a glimpse into the simpler production values of WWE in the 80s. The presentation gave the impression of witnessing two Roman gladiators in an epic battle watched by the entire world.

WWE aimed for an epic main event feel, and they achieved it perfectly.

Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XIII)

In 1996, the pinnacle rivalry in professional wrestling blazed between Bret “Hitman” Hart and Shawn Michaels.

The two future Hall of Famers collided at WrestleMania, aiming to establish themselves as the planet's best wrestler in an Iron Man match for the WWE title.

The WWE Universe had never witnessed an Iron Man match on WWE television before, designed to blend classic WWE drama with the specialised athleticism and technique of the two competitors.

The result was a match exceeding an hour, surpassing expectations. Similar to Bianca’s bout with Sasha, this marked Shawn Michaels' pinnacle moment in WWE, realizing his childhood dream of championship glory. While not universally adored due to its slower pace compared to the norm, we believe it still stands the test of time.

Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair (WrestleMania 37)

In 2021, Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair achieved history as the first African-American women to headline WrestleMania, a moment many thought would never come.

The significance was heightened as they competed for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

Sasha and Bianca approached their historic moment with utmost seriousness. Their showdown, spanning nearly 20 minutes, showcased some of the most captivating wrestling ever witnessed by the WWE Universe.

Two larger-than-life Superstars fought fiercely for the prestigious honour of becoming the first African-American female wrestler to emerge from WrestleMania's main event as champion.

While male African-American Superstars had previously graced this stage, this was a groundbreaking moment for the women. Ultimately, Bianca Belair emerged triumphant in a performance that solidified her star status.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)