33 WWE WrestleMania Opening Matches Ranked From Worst To Best

23. Al Snow Vs. Billy Gunn Vs. Hardcore Holly - WrestleMania XV

Triple H Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX
WWE Network

This wasn't designed to be anything clever - just a bit of big, dumb, weapons-based fun - but it didn't have to be absolutely moronic. Shortly before what JBL would later irritatingly refer to as the "toys" made their appearance, Billy Gunn signalled that he was going to powerbomb Hardcore Holly on the floor. This would have hurt him, quite badly, but Snow wasn't interested in weakening one of his opponents in this simulation of combat. He instead opted to brush Holly with a hockey stick because a hockey team played in the 'Mania host city, as hockey teams often do.

Using long thin weapons like hockey sticks and broomsticks, with little in the way of satisfying visual or audible impact, a couple of wicked chair and table spots staved off complete tedium.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!