10 Wrestlers Who Narrowly Missed A WWE WrestleMania Main Event

10. Mankind (WrestleMania XV)

Though WrestleMania XV was ultimately headlined by the Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, at one point it looked like Mankind would be the one to take on Austin in that show-closing WWF Championship match.

Mankind had still been WWF Champion coming out of St. Valentine’s Day Massacre - the final pay-per-view before WrestleMania XV. But on the Feb. 15 showing of Raw, he was forced to defend his title against the Rock in a hastily-arranged ladder match. And while Mankind had actually been on the verge of retaining his belt, he was soon stopped in his tracks when the Big Show interfered, Chokeslammed him off the titular ladder - and gifted the Rock the victory, the belt, and a ticket to WrestleMania.

Technically, Mankind would still go on to play a part in the PPV’s main event, emerging as the special guest referee to count Austin’s decisive pinfall, though that doesn’t quite compare to his original role.

Adding even further insult to injury, rumour has it that Mankind was initially pencilled in for a Triple Threat with the Rock and Austin before plans were changed.

Then again, it’s a rumour that comes courtesy of Vince Russo, so take it with a pinch of salt.