33 WWE WrestleMania Opening Matches Ranked From Worst To Best

31. Paul Orndorff Vs. Magnificent Muraco - WrestleMania 2

Triple H Daniel Bryan WrestleMania XXX
WWE Network

Weathered by age, this match, viewed through a 2018 lens, resembles an early WWF-style starter kit with its body slams, back body drops and cringe-worthy attempts to rev up the crowd with cheesy babyface fire.

"As far as physiques are concerned, there's no doubt Orndorff has the edge there, but then again this is no physique contest," Vince McMahon said on commentary. The entire promotion was one big physique contest. The match soon devolved into a series of all too literal rest holds before the double DQ finish compelled even a pre-Internet crowd to chant "Bullsh*t!"

A mostly inoffensive nothing match that was actually really quite offensive, in that Orndorff racially abused Muraco's manager Mr, Fuji, by doing that thing with his eyes.

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!