10 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Gimmick Matches

There have been wilder and crazier ladder matches since, but this - a contender for best ‘Mania match to this point - can boast an influence that few matches can top. It certified Shawn as one of the guys to lead WWE into its next generation, gave the youngsters at home something to aspire to, and told an incredible story en route.

The relative newness of the stipulation plays into the action cleverly, with both competitors a little antsy to invoke the steel at first. They feel each other out before bringing the ladder into play, and when they do, things kick up a notch.

The majority of the action is built around Shawn doing crazy things around and off the ladder. He hits elbows and splashes onto Razor, as well as a baseball slide through the rope that would feature in every subsequent ladder match. The reserved nature of the “hardcore” action is paramount to the match’s success - they always give themselves somewhere else to go.

Eventually Ramon knocks Shawn decisively from the ladder and snatches the Intercontinental belt to bring the bout to an end. This one brings the house down with room to maneauver.