33 WWE WrestleMania Opening Matches Ranked From Worst To Best

5. The Shield Vs. Randy Orton, Sheamus & The Big Show - WrestleMania 29

Triple H Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX
WWE.com

On a show otherwise remembered for numbing rematches and an underwhelming reinforcement of the status quo, it was d*mn refreshing to see the emerging Shield triumvirate prevail over heel opponents who, while thrown together, possessed enough individual star power to compensate for the fact that, realistically, this was a lower-rung effort on the Shield's amazing rise to prominence.

Boasting great visual storytelling, in that both Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose were stripped to the chest and bruised, symbolising a hitherto unseen vulnerability, the Spear-centric pinfall break-ups orchestrated the customary chaotic finish sequence we loved the Shield for.

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!