33 WWE WrestleMania Opening Matches Ranked From Worst To Best

20. John Cena Vs. The Big Show - WrestleMania XX

Triple H Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX
WWE.com

Dressed like a New York Knick, Massachusetts' own John Cena sucked up to the crowd even before they booed him out of buildings. After a tame-by-his-standards introductory rap, the New Hulk Hogan foreshadowed his future by entering a by-the-numbers Hogan Vs. Monster performance, substituting modest escapist athleticism for Hogan's honest-to-goodness magic.

Cena spent almost the entire match selling, which should in itself describe its quality, but since the MSG crowd were fully behind their man, the reaction elevates this, on re-watch, to the watchable.

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!