8. WrestleMania X-8
The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan was one of three legitimate dream matches of the last three decades (with Flair vs. Hogan and Cena vs. Rock being the others). How you view Mania X-8 largely depends on how you felt about that match. Watched with purely critical glasses, then there is a possibility that your analytical mind might have hidden from you the sheer brilliant intangible qualities that made the match so special. If you were able to suspend your disbelief and invest in two of the greatest of all-time clashing in a scenario that nobody would have ever thought possible, then you were treated to one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in sports entertainment lore. There has never been anything like Rock-Hogan. Never. The Toronto faithful poured their heart and soul into the match and gave the wrestlers a tremendous boost. Any fan that ever saw the Hulkster's routine should see it, if for no other reason to be taken on a 16-minute nostalgia ride. Seriously, would you have ever expected Hogan to return to WWE after testifying for the prosecution in a case against Vince McMahon and then signing with the company that nearly put Vince out of business? Amazing. Ric Flair and Undertaker had a match earlier that night that was nearly a dream scenario in its own right more like a daydream. They were just as fitting of the marquee label "Icon vs. Icon" as were Hogan and Rock and had a very enjoyable match. So did Chris Jericho and Triple H, culminating The Game's comeback from his first quad tear. It was a very good Mania from top to bottom, with matches such as RVD vs. William Regal, Kane vs. Kurt Angle, and Christian vs. Diamond Dallas Page adding beef to the headlining matches that also included Steve Austin battling Scott Hall. Financially, the event did not hit the home run that one might expect from a card featuring one of the three dream matches of the WrestleMania Era, but it still did well enough with a 68,000 live gate to put Mania X-8 at #15 all-time on the business end.