WrestleMania XXX has come and gone, but the anticipation for the next extravaganza is never too far removed from the wrestling enthusiast's mind. Part of the allure of "The Granddaddy of Them All" is the memories shaped by WrestleMania's past. No setting has produced as many classic matches that come to define a person's wrestling fandom. After a few weeks of processing the happenings of the latest "Showcase of the Immortals," it is time for the annual update to the list of WrestleMania's greatest matches. Did any matches from Mania XXX make the cut?
30. Bret Hart vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper - WrestleMania VIII
Bret Hart became the Intercontinental Champion for the first time at Summerslam in 1991, defeating Mr. Perfect. Yet, the decision was made to take the IC title off of Hart and put it on The Mountie. The Hitman was disheartened until he found out that Roddy Piper a real life friend would be winning the title just so that he could drop it back to Hart at WrestleMania VIII. Piper provided a certain amount of credibility, the likes of which would rub off on Bret. There was not much on-screen attention paid to this match during the lead-in shows, but everyone paid attention as soon as the two hit the screen for their pre-match interview segment with Mean Gene Okerlund. The tension in the air instantly grew, so when the two came out to the ring for their match, there was a palpable animosity between them. The match was a back and forth affair with Piper showing off an offensive repertoire that he rarely had gotten to show during his time as a dastardly heel. As the match switched from a wrestling exhibition to more of a brawl, Bret got busted open and began bleeding heavily (in a very well hidden blade job). The Hitmans resilience was on display and Pipers frustration eventually opened the door for Hart to come roaring back with a raucous crowd hanging on their every move. It was around that time that Bobby Heenan, on commentary, echoed the thoughts of many of the people watching, stating that I knew it was going to be good, but I didnt know it was going to be this goodthis is a helluva match. Pipers frustrations boiled over and he grabbed the ring bell. He decided against using it and locked Hart in the Sleeper Hold, but Bret got his feet on the top rope and propelled the two of them backward into a position that saw Pipers shoulders pinned to the mat for the 3 count. Hart won the title, Piper showed respect and handed him the belt, and the crowd went wild for having witnessed a great performance. The Hitman used the momentum gained from this match to eventually main-event Summerslam as the IC champion and soon after become the WWE Champion. It was, therefore, a pivotal match for Bret Hart. It was also the best Mania match of Pipers career.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
