Top 10 Greatest Wrestlemania Main Event Matches!
It’s that time of the year again, WrestleMania season! Only the best of the best have had the honor of main-eventing WrestleMania as it is the number one goal for a WWE superstar. WrestleMania main events have featured numerous talents, including Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Edge, Batista, Triple H, The Undertaker, John Cena, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and countless others. This is the perfect time to reminisce on the top 10 WrestleMania main events.
10. Edge vs. The Undertaker WrestleMania XXIV
Edge was in the prime of his career in 2008 as the World Heavyweight Champion, carrying Friday Night SmackDown on his shoulders. Being the top heel in a romantic storyline with dreadful SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, everyone was coming to dethrone Edge, including The Undertaker.
The storyline between Edge and The Undertaker was classic. With Guerrero costing The Undertaker multiple opportunities, the Deadman was determined to get his hands on Edge. In one of the most heated rivalries between two all-time greats, expectations were very high for this one.
In an intense WrestleMania battle, the two competitors left it all on the line. Odds were not in Edge’s favor. The champion was going to need to pull off a miracle to retain. Unfortunately for Edge, The Undertaker prevailed by making Edge tap out. Not only did The Undertaker win the World Heavyweight Championship, but he kept his WrestleMania winning streak alive as well.
9. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant WrestleMania III
Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant paved the way for superstars today to have their WrestleMania moments. These two icons are the OGs of WrestleMania. It was destiny for Hogan and Andre the Giant to main event WrestleMania, and they put on a show for the ages.
With Hulk Hogan clearly being the underdog, he was determined to prove that size doesn’t always matter in being the top guy. Many were rooting for Hulk Hogan to retain the WWF Championship. Excitement filled the arena as everyone knew that history was taking place. In this heated rivalry, both competitors gave an outstanding performance. Hulk Hogan overcame the odds to retain the WWF Championship.
Though the crowd was behind Hogan, their appreciation for Andre the Giant was evident. Even today, fans recognize the amazing performance of Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. This historic match will remain on the Mount Rushmore of WrestleMania main events.
8. Stone Cold vs. Shawn Michaels WrestleMania XIV
Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels are the masters of main-eventing WrestleMania. Competing for the prestigious WWF Championship at WrestleMania XIV made perfect sense, with the two being in the prime of their careers.
Storytelling is what made this feud special. Already feuding with Vince McMahon, Stone Cold was the centerpiece of the company, and the fans were completely behind him. Shawn Michaels’ heel role was orchestrated to perfection. The odds were stacked against Stone Cold, with the entire DX faction and Vince McMahon against him. To make matters worse, Mike Tyson had aligned himself with DX and Shawn Michaels. Considering the elements involved, this was one of the best build-ups to a WrestleMania main event match.
Stone Cold was determined to win his first WWF Championship against his bitter rival. Both competitors pushed themselves to the limit in an iconic bout. The most memorable part of the match was the moment Mike Tyson turned on Shawn Michaels, helping Stone Cold win with a fast pinfall count. Stone Cold successfully achieved his first WrestleMania moment by winning his first WWF Championship.
7. Batista vs. Triple H WrestleMania XXI
History was in the making at WrestleMania XXI, with Batista challenging Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Being fresh on the scene, Batista was looking to accomplish his first WrestleMania moment. What better way to do so than to come for one of the top championships?
Brilliant storytelling made for an epic feud, especially with the contract signing. Batista turning on Triple H was a pivotal moment, sparking one of the best rivalries in WWE history. When Batista hit the ‘Batista Bomb’ on Triple H through the table, the crowd went wild. Everything was all set for the big WrestleMania match.
After a hard-fought battle between the two gladiators, Batista won his first major championship, the World Heavyweight Championship. Batista’s first WrestleMania moment was one to remember.
6. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels WrestleMania XXVI
Streak vs. Career. The stakes couldn’t be higher for The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. The Undertaker was determined to keep his undefeated WrestleMania streak alive by ending The Heartbreak Kid’s career. Everyone was tuned in for this one.
The fans were on the edge of their seats throughout the entire match. Nobody was ready for Shawn Michaels to retire. Every kick-out by Michaels was a huge sigh of relief. However, the timing came for The Undertaker to break the hearts of the fans by putting away Shawn Michaels. The streak lived on, and Shawn Michaels officially retired.
Though everyone knew it was time for Shawn Michaels to retire, it was still an emotional moment as he captured the hearts of many fans. Still, many fans appreciate the work in this match by both competitors.
5. Stone Cold vs. The Rock WrestleMania XV
When discussing some of the greatest rivalries in WWE, Stone Cold vs. The Rock should definitely be in that conversation. Taking their feud all the way to WrestleMania, Stone Cold, and The Rock stole the show.
This feud came about during Stone Cold’s heated rivalry with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. Stone Cold was clearly the fan favorite. The crowd couldn’t get enough of him standing up to McMahon’s tyranny. Once McMahon chose WWE Champion The Rock as his poster boy, the Texas Rattlesnake was coming for him.
The Rock instantly drew heat as he was set to defend his title against Stone Cold. Both performers understood how to intensify the rivalry. Considering the iconic moments leading up to the match, particularly the beer truck segment, everyone expected them to tear the house down. To shake things up a little more, Mankind was the special guest referee.
In one of the most entertaining WrestleMania matches, Stone Cold hit the ‘Stone Cold Stunner’ on The Rock to win the WWF Championship. The look on Vince McMahon’s face was priceless. Given the magnitude of this rivalry, this was one of the best moments in Stone Cold’s career.
4. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar WrestleMania XXXVIII
With Brock Lesnar as the WWE Champion and Roman Reigns as the WWE Universal Champion, these two superstars were looking to prove once and for all who the superior man was by unifying the championships.
Of course, Paul Heyman played a major part in this rivalry. Being the special counsel for Roman Reigns and the former advocate for Brock Lesnar was a very sticky situation. Though Heyman had a brief reunion with Brock Lesnar two months prior, his allegiance was to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania time. Paul Heyman made this rivalry extra special.
This match was the perfect ending to a loaded two-night WrestleMania. Knowing what was at stake, Reigns and Lesnar tested each other’s limits, bringing a whole different level of ruthlessness. After battling with The Beast for the prestigious gold, the Tribal Chief emerged victorious as the WWE and WWE Universal Champion. Roman Reigns has been on top of the world ever since that moment.
3. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey WrestleMania XXXV
Main-eventing WrestleMania was once a foreign concept for female wrestlers. Since the women’s revolution, the talented female superstars were finally getting the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Of the many barriers broken, being in the main event of WrestleMania was the holy grail of the women’s division. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey have earned the right to main event WrestleMania XXXV to unify the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships.
Supremacy was the theme in this one. It was about more than just winning a championship. All three competitors understood that unifying the championships also included the honor of carrying the women’s division. Any of these three would have represented the division well. WWE definitely chose the right competitors in this history-making moment.
These three amazing women did not disappoint as they put on a spectacular performance. Not wanting the action to end, the crowd brought a fresh level of excitement for these competitors. Years of scratching and clawing paid off for the women’s division.
Becky Lynch won the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships. Being the underdog in this match, unifying the championships on the grandest stage of them was bittersweet for The Man. It was the beginning of many WrestleMania moments for Becky Lynch.
2. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar WrestleMania XXXI
Of the many terrific matches between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, it’s hard to forget their first battle at WrestleMania XXXI. Roman Reigns was rising to the top, ready to take the WWE Championship from The Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar. With advocate Paul Heyman by his side, Lesnar was determined to put down the Big Dog.
Anything can happen at WrestleMania, as proven in this big-time match. With the WWE Championship on the line, Lesnar and Reigns put on a gut-wrenching performance. Just as both competitors were wearing down, Seth Rollins showed up and entered in the match by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Lesnar and Reigns did not expect Rollins to cash in at WrestleMania. Both of them were in complete shock.
When Rollins cashed in, the odds were stacked against the champion, Brock Lesnar, in this triple-threat match as Lesnar did not even have to be pinned to lose. That’s precisely what happened as Rollins pinned Reigns to win the WWE Championship. Seth Rollins had reached the top in a grimy fashion.
1. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks WrestleMania XXXVII
Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and many others would be jumping out of their graves at this awe-spiring moment. In a two-night special of WrestleMania XXXVII, Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair made history by becoming the first African American women to main event WrestleMania. A massive barrier broken by two phenomenal performers!
Belair and Banks are in a league of their own, so it made perfect sense for them to be featured in this historic main event. To no surprise, terrific storytelling took place before and during the match. Banks was looking to retain while Belair was looking to shock the world by winning her first Women’s Championship, something she has worked for her entire life.
Realizing the trailblazing moment taking place, it was nearly impossible for these two to fight back their emotions. The fans were feeling it, too with clear appreciation shown. Banks and Belair put on the performance of a lifetime, easily making a 5-star match. The EST Bianca Belair achieved her dream of becoming the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Not only did these two put on one of the greatest WrestleMania matches ever, but they also sparked hope throughout the WWE Universe, especially the black community. Kudos to these remarkable women for inspiring change through wrestling!