For every "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. The Rock and Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant, there are two or three underrated storylines that have helped to make WrestleMania the can't-miss extravaganza it is. They are the feuds and rivalries that have been overshadowed or lost in the shuffle underneath the programs that have come to define the event. While everyone remembers Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at the 25th incarnation of the show, the sibling war between Jeff and Matt Hardy on the undercard was accompanied by a story as strong as any other on the broadcast, yet few talk about it today. WrestleMania X is an epic show, with two legitimate five-star matches featuring Bret vs. Owen Hart and Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels, but there is a very strong program supporting those two matches on the undercard, as Randy Savage and Crush brought their heated rivalry to a conclusion. On April 3, World Wrestling Entertainment will once again invade homes across the globe via the WWE Network when it presents WrestleMania 32 from Dallas. We already know the main event matches but with one of the most talented rosters in its history, the company figures to produce several matches with stories that may one day join these 18 underrated gems.
18. Jeff Hardy Vs. Matt Hardy - WrestleMania XXV
Jeff Hardy was riding a wave of momentum as 2008 came to a close. He had captured the WWE Championship and was arguably the top babyface in the entire company. Then, a series of unfortunate events befell him. He was run off the road, had pyro blowup in his face and his house burned to the ground, killing his dog. It was an emotional period for the Charismatic Enigma. One that became even more emotional when, at the Royal Rumble, brother Matt betrayed him and revealed that it was he who was responsible for all of it. The immensely personal story would reach its climax at WrestleMania XXV in an Extreme Rules match. The battle between brothers may be a bit over-the-top in that Matt would never be stupid enough to try to kill his brother on live television, then gleefully admit to such during an in-ring promo. But it is in wrestling's nature to be over-the-top ridiculous. The heat for the feud was undeniable, thanks to the insane popularity of Jeff at that point in time, and the result was a midcard match that was as anticipated as much as any other on the card leading into the broadcast.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
