33 WWE WrestleMania Opening Matches Ranked From Worst To Best

11. JBL Vs. Finlay - WrestleMania XXIV

Triple H Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX
WWE.com

Two no-nonsense stiff big lads battering each other with crunching weapon shots, this Belfast Brawl (in...Orlando) was far better than it had any right to be, ably assisted by a hyped crowd, a brisk duration, and the superb sight gag of JBL absolutely braining Hornswoggle with a dustbin, like the trash character he was, in a spot of both atonement and ghoulish violence.

Stealing the seminal Royal Rumble '01 weapon-countering suicide dive spot, this was elevated to proper 'Mania standard by the glorious welcome surprise factor.

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!