10 WrestleMania Openers Better Than The Main Event

In the man's own words, Shawn Michaels didn't really start earning the name 'Mr. WrestleMania' until maybe 'Mania X in 1994.

Before then, he did have some decent appearances on the largest show of the year, but would rarely claim the pay-per-view spotlight as his own. Nonetheless, his bout against Tito Santana at 'Mania VIII wasn't at all bad.

The eternally over Santana was in the twilight of his WWF career by 1992. Performing with a hokey bull fighter gimmick, he was known as 'El Matador'. His best years were behind him, but he was perfect to give an emerging star like Michaels a victory on the WrestleMania stage. 

As it turned out, they had a perfectly tight and acceptable 10-minute collision on the event. In the main event, Hulk Hogan defeated Sid Justice by disqualification, although the bout had a very dated feel to it. 

Hogan's shtick was starting to tire fans out, and it was obvious they craved something different.

The quicker pace worked by guys like Shawn Michaels seemed like the antidote, and even though it wasn't a classic or anything, HBK vs. Santana was a better match than Hogan vs. Sid.