50 Must-See WrestleMania Matches
Mania's technical masterpieces, absolute spectacles and total trainwrecks.
After 32 years and 300-plus matches, WrestleMania’s
self-billing as the “Showcase of the Immortals” or the biggest event in
sports-entertainment is actually a fitting description.
WrestleMania has become so woven into the fabric of professional wrestling that it’s impossible to imagine a spring without it. No matter how terrible a buildup to Mania might be in a particular year, tens of thousands of fans will flock to see it live in person, and million(s) will watch it on PPV.
As WWE’s centerpiece event of each year, WrestleMania typically has been the place where major feuds culminate, grandiose spectacles occur and moments are made. Consider all of the great matches that have occurred during the past 32 WrestleManias. Consider all the moments burned into your brain that you can relive just by shutting your eyes. There are countless memorable matches that stand out. That’s where this list comes in to play.
Trying to rank the best matches by star ratings is a futile effort, and it also ignores some of the most significant – and enjoyable – matches to occur in WrestleMania history. Rather, consider this a collection of must-see matches – the technical masterpieces, the spectacles, the historic moments and the trainwrecks that every wrestling fan should watch at least once. Doing so means there will be some outstanding matches left out, but that’s part of the challenge, and part of the fun.
Let’s drop an elbow, hit the legdrop and get to it…
50. John Cena Vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 23
The Heartbreak Kid is known as Mr. WrestleMania, and this match showed that he absolutely could deliver when the lights were brightest – and that John Cena kid was pretty good too. The duo put on a great match to close out what was at that time the biggest WrestleMania ever in terms of PPV buyrate (until WrestleMania 28 eclipsed it).
WrestleMania 23 turned out to be Michaels’ last title match at WWE’s biggest event, as he would go on to face Ric Flair and Undertaker in his last three Mania matches. For Cena, it was his third straight victory in a world title match at Mania. Despite the crowd hating on Cena, he certainly held up his end in this match.