When the bell rings on the Grandest Stage of Them All, history is always in the making, but only a select few matches become truly immortal. Last year, WWE cemented one of those legendary encounters in the annals of wrestling history; the brutal, bloody, and unforgettable Submission Match between Bret "Hitman" Hart and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13 was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
This year, the WWE will honor the legendary WrestleMania III showdown between the Immortal Hulk Hogan and the Eighth Wonder of the World, Andre the Giant. As the late, great Gorilla Monsoon famously said, it was a moment where the irresistible force met the immovable object inside the Pontiac Silverdome. That historic match helped propel professional wrestling into the mainstream stratosphere of sports entertainment. It also marked a symbolic passing of the torch, as Hogan lifted and slammed Andre to the mat, cementing the legacy of Hulkamania.
With those classic clashes now etched into the Hall’s legacy, it’s the perfect time to reflect on other WrestleMania matches that reached similar heights. From iconic showdowns to emotional epics, these matches didn’t just entertain, they shaped eras, built legends, and gave fans moments they’ll never forget. Here’s a look back at some of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time.
While every WrestleMania brings its share of thrills, certain matches have transcended the squared circle to become timeless classics. In no particular order, here’s a look back at ten of my personal favorite WrestleMania matches that continue to echo throughout wrestling history.
1. Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper – Intercontinental Championship - WrestleMania VIII
This technical masterpiece was more than just a title match; it was a story of honor, restraint, and grit. Piper, known for his unpredictable temper, displayed a surprising amount of discipline and respect when facing his real-life friend Bret Hart. The match was a clinic in storytelling that ended with Hart countering a sleeper hold into a pinning combination, earning both the title and Piper’s respect.
2. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk – WrestleMania 29
The streak was sacred, and CM Punk dared to mock it. Armed with the ashes of Paul Bearer and unmatched arrogance, Punk entered the match as the ultimate antagonist. What followed was a dramatic, emotionally charged contest that had fans believing that Punk might do the unthinkable. He didn’t, but his performance elevated the Deadman’s legacy even further. The match was a combination of high drama, athleticism, and blistering intensity. For many, it was the last truly great chapter in the legend of The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak.
3. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage – WrestleMania III
Often hailed as the greatest wrestling match of the 1980s, Steamboat vs. Savage was a high-paced, technically precise, emotionally resonant contest that set a new standard for in-ring performance. With 20 near-falls and impeccable timing, this match for the Intercontinental Championship was ahead of its time and defined what WrestleMania could be. Savage vs. Steamboat truly set the gold standard for in-ring storytelling and laid the groundwork for future generations of technicians.
4. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle – WrestleMania 2000
Only three technical masters could make a two-fall, Triple Threat Match for both the Intercontinental and European Championships work. Angle entered with both titles but walked out with none, thanks to Jericho and Benoit splitting the victories. It was a clinic in technical wrestling, as this two-fall format was brilliantly executed. This match was a showcase of precision wrestling and innovation during a Mania otherwise light on standout singles competition.
5. Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior – WrestleMania VI
Two unstoppable forces collided in a match that remains one of the most iconic in WrestleMania history. Champion vs. Champion. Icon vs. Icon. Hogan vs. Warrior was the second true WrestleMania “passing of the torch” moment. The crowd in Toronto was divided and electric as these two titans clashed in a surprisingly well-structured match that defied expectations. Warrior’s victory was clean, symbolic, and unforgettable. His defeat over Hogan shocked the world, being one of the few times Hogan was decisively beaten in his prime.
6. John Cena vs. Randy Orton (c) vs. Triple H – WWE Championship - WrestleMania XXIV
While WrestleMania 24 is remembered for many memorable moments, this triple threat was a pure main-event showcase of storytelling featuring three titans of the Ruthless Aggression era. Cena was fresh off his surprise Rumble return, Triple H was hungry for redemption, and Orton played the viper-like champion to perfection. Orton, the cerebral heel, used cunning and timing to escape with the championship in a match filled with hard-hitting sequences, big-fight energy, and strategic drama, proving that nothing in the WWE is guaranteed.
7. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle – WrestleMania 21
This “Dream Match” delivered and then some. HBK and the Olympic Gold Medalist pushed each other to the limit in a technical and emotional war that had the crowd hanging on every near-fall. From Angle’s vicious suplexes to Michaels’ aerial assaults, this was pure WrestleMania magic right up to the heartbreaking tap-out that blew people's minds while cementing Angle’s WrestleMania greatness.
8. Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz – TLC II - WrestleMania X-Seven
Chaos. Carnage. Creativity. The second TLC match between WWE’s three most revolutionary tag teams was absolute insanity. From Jeff Hardy’s death-defying Swanton Bomb to Edge’s legendary mid-air spear, it defined a generation of tag team wrestling and remains one of the most jaw-dropping spectacles ever witnessed on the grandest stage.
9. Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship - WrestleMania 40 - Night Two
A year after heartbreak, Cody Rhodes returned to finish the story, and this time, he got the ending he fought for. With emotional stakes sky-high and interference from nearly every corner of the WWE Universe (including cameo appearances from John Cena, The Undertaker, Seth Rollins, and The Rock), the match was the cinematic climax fans had waited for. After 1,300+ days of rule with an iron fist, Rhodes finally dethroned Reigns, completing one of the most compelling redemption arcs in modern wrestling history.
10. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock – WWE Championship - WrestleMania X-Seven
Arguably the greatest WrestleMania main event of all time, Austin and Rock delivered a brutal, emotionally complex war for the ages. The shocking ending, with Austin aligning with Vince McMahon, added a twist that left fans stunned and divided. The match had everything: star power, pacing, drama, and an edge-of-your-seat finale that perfectly captured the chaos of the Attitude Era.
Honorable Mention: Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins vs. The Revival – Raw Tag Team Championships - WrestleMania 35
Sometimes, WrestleMania isn’t just about big names; it’s about big moments. But no one saw this one coming. The hometown heroes of Hawkins, who were on a 269-match losing streak, and Ryder (now known as Matt Cardona), a perennial underdog who was often injured during his WWE career, shocked the world by dethroning The Revival in front of an electric Met Life crowd.
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect – WrestleMania VI
Mr. Perfect's unbeaten streak was legendary, until it wasn’t. In one of the more unexpected upsets in Mania history, Beefcake brought the fight to Perfect and handed him his first televised loss. It was a significant WrestleMania moment, made even more memorable by the post-match haircut of The Genius that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Demolition vs. The Colossal Connection – WrestleMania VI
This wasn’t just a tag team title match; it was a farewell of sorts. As Demolition reclaimed the WWF Tag Team Titles from Andre the Giant and Haku, the post-match moment was what truly mattered. After being berated by manager Bobby “the Brain” Heenan, Andre turned on his manager and his partner, to the delight of the Toronto crowd, effectively completing a face turn in his final WrestleMania in-ring appearance. It was emotional, powerful, and a fitting tribute to a giant legend.
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon – Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship - WrestleMania X
The ladder match that changed everything. Razor and Michaels delivered a groundbreaking performance that blended danger and athleticism in ways fans had never seen before. It elevated the Intercontinental Championship and set the standard for all future ladder matches.
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