10 Times WWE Got The WrestleMania Main Event Wrong

by James Dixon

1. WrestleMania X8: Chris Jericho Vs. Triple H

WWE.com

What The Main Event Should Have Been: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan

If Chris Jericho had been booked as a legitimate superstar following his history-making unification of the WWF and WCW World titles, then a showdown with recently returned WWF mainstay Triple H might have been a worthy main event. But he wasn't. Jericho played second fiddle to everyone during his three month run at the WWF summit, be it the nWo, Stephanie McMahon, or even her pet pooch. He went into WrestleMania with as little momentum as it is possible for a reigning champion to have, with the real story of the match the tension between estranged husband and wife Hunter and Stephanie. Jericho was merely a side note in the ever-ongoing McMahon family drama.

On the night, Jericho was overshadowed again, this time by Hulk Hogan’s glorious return to WWF pay-per-view in a rousing spectacle of a match with The Rock. The battle of the two all-time icons was a memorable match for the ages, with the crowd reaction and big fight feel making up for the relative lack of quality displayed in the wrestling exchanges. The crowd were electric for Hogan-Rock, and by the time Jericho and Hunter took to the stage they were completely burned out. Even Hunter and Jericho later admitted that they shouldn't have gone on last, blaming McMahon for the decision due to his insistence that the WWF Championship always be the feature presentation at WrestleMania. Even though it wasn't at WrestleMania XI. Or the inaugural WrestleMania. Or WrestleMania VIII. Or a host of future WrestleMania shows. Methinks Triple H doth talk out of his backside.

Contributor
Contributor

The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart. James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.