http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRP8-oJZtP8 This is one of my favorite wrestling matches ever and in my opinion the best match in The Rock's career or at least in the top three. It was the main event of the WrestleMania that I feel was the best ever as well, which took place at a time when the Attitude Era truly peaked. Even the video package for it, featuring Limp Bizkit's "My Way," was incredible as well. They went 28 minutes at a ridiculously fast pace. You know how sometimes you see a match go that long and there are all kind of chinlocks to give the guys a breather? Not here. Austin and Rock went at it from bell to bell. It makes you wonder why others can't do that, but also makes you appreciate how awesome these two guys were. The end result saw Austin win the match after hitting Rock with 16 chair shots (I've counted) although none of them were in the head during the match, so that's good. Austin had "sold his soul to the devil" Vince McMahon by turning heel although years later he talked about how he wished they could go back because the fans really weren't ready to boo Austin. The match is arguably the best main event in the history of WrestleMania. There wasn't a point in the match where you could say it lagged for three minutes. It didn't lag ever. It continued to flow from the minute the bell rang until the match was over. I thought each guy was phenomenal, which is no surprise when you're talking about guys that are the caliber of Austin and Rock. I don't know if Rock was ever better than his performance here. His chemistry with Austin was always amazing. They had several good matches before this, no doubt. It's just that this one went up another level. His bumping was phenomenal and the heart he showed in kicking out after all the big moves made him a tougher guy in the eyes of the fans. He took a beating, yet he kept on coming. This is one of those matches that will never get old with me no matter how many times I watch it. I've probably watched it 15-20 times, yet it still feels fresh. When it comes to defining moments of the best era in WWE history, this match was it. Two of the best ever at their peak. The Rock was never better than he was at WrestleMania 17, even in defeat. They delivered a classic.
John wrote at WhatCulture from December 2013 to December 2015. It was fun, but it's over for now. Follow him on Twitter @johnreport. You can also send an email to mrjohncanton@gmail.com with any questions or comments as well.