33 WWE WrestleMania Opening Matches Ranked From Worst To Best

21. Shawn Michaels Vs. El Matador - WrestleMania VIII

Triple H Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX
WWE.com

Even Mr. WrestleMania himself, Shawn Michaels, was not immune to the eh, that was alright opening 'Mania match curse. Wrestled in the embryonic phase of Shawn's singles run, while game in the bumping department, he hadn't yet mastered the art of making virtually every second mean something, which manifested as several deadening rest hold spots. This was more likely the work of the fading Santana, who claims these days that he was in contention for an early '90s run with the WWF Title.

Perhaps that's what he was dreaming of when he dozed on the canvas.

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!