19. John Cena vs JBL – WrestleMania XXI (2005)
Matches that serve to kick off an era carry significant weight. The action, while meaningful is simply a precursor to the outcome, the moment where a superstar is anointed as “the man”. Although Batista was in the main event of Mania XXI, it had started to become clear at this time that John Cena was being prepared to assume the helm of the WWE. Triple H had sat firmly atop the mountain in one way or another since late 1999. The Rock had his peak, but had started his transition into Hollywood. Helmsley’s spot was never really that of “the face” of WWE, despite all the talking he does about it now. When you look at the top three men that have been regarded as “the face” of the company, you are looking at Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and John Cena. His victory over John Bradshaw Layfield at this Mania set the wheels in motion for what he has become today.
The match itself suffered from the time constraints of the jam packed show. One could argue that a few minutes shaved off Piper’s Pit or Big Show not dawning sumo gear could have given this match a chance to shine. Bradshaw was in the midst of an impressive title run that had started in July of the previous year. Cena was the runner up of the 2005 Royal Rumble, but had earned the number one contender’s spot from Kurt Angle at No Way Out. As Cena’s new theme, “The Time is Now” filled the Staples Center in LA, people knew it was prophetic. The action was about as good as a Raw or Smackdown episode and the ending was somewhat anti-climactic. It didn’t matter. As Cena lifted the championship high above his head and carried it into the crowd, people knew. For all its imperfections, this WWE Championship clash remains one of the most significant in not only Mania, but WWE history.
18. Triple H vs The Rock vs Big Show vs Mick Foley – WrestleMania 2000
The marquee is no guarantee. The Fatal Four Way match that headlined Mania in 2000 exemplifies this statement. How could a match featuring three first ballot Hall of Famers and one who has since entered the elite club possibly be anything but spectacular? A McMahon in every corner is one reason. The drama was a bit excessive even by Attitude Era standards. Vince, Linda and their brood encapsulated this contest. Vince had, for reasons only logical in his mind, decided to remove the focus from four of the greatest talents he had ever attained and instead made the biggest show of the year all about his dysfunctional dynasty. I often wonder if Vince was ever trying to exercise real life demons through his product. Austin vs McMahon was different. Although Vince was always there, playing his role with vindictive vigor, Austin was always the real focus and benefited most from the feud. In this case, the four combatants only suffered.
The entire match was a long and drawn out homage to the farce of the McMahons. Though sprinkled throughout were enough good moments for me to justify its rank. Each man got to hit their best, but the first elimination of Show came too soon and the next two were equally as disappointing. Foley had a death defying leap onto the Spanish announce table that resulted in a bruised sternum, while Triple H nailed a nasty pile driver onto the steel steps, which is one of the more missed maneuvers of the PG era. Foley was the second man out, which was about as uneventful of a moment as Mania has ever seen considering he was supposed to have retired for good just a month earlier. Foley really wanted no part of this match from the onset. I wonder how he felt afterwards. The Rock and Helmsley then proceeded to have one of the worst encounters in their otherwise sparkling history.
To no one’s surprise, Vince McMahon ended the affair, killing the ugly monster he had created on this night. He double crossed The Rock and it was done. While the first Mania of the new millennium deserved a better main event, the post match was arguably one of the best in the history of the event. Shane, Vince and even Stephanie caught thunderous Rock Bottoms to send the audience home feeling not quite so slighted.
17. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XIV (1998)
If this match had come a year earlier, it could have been in the top three. Sadly, Michaels’ hard hitting and hard living had pushed his body and spirit to the breaking point. We wouldn’t see him in the ring at Mania again for five years after this battle against the Rattlesnake. This match’s rank comes higher again, because of how it simultaneously started and ended an era. One cannot forget the presence of Mike Tyson in this saga as well. While DX and Austin both represented rebellion against authority, Austin did it with purpose and conviction. DX represented chaos and immature gall. The arrogant and egotistical Heartbreak Kid relied on his running buddies, including Tyson to keep Austin at bay. Austin had seemingly stacked the deck against himself after antagonizing the “Baddest Man on the Planet”, but appearances would prove to be deceiving. The match was seventy-five percent an outside brawl for all, a plethora of right hands and tossing about into retaining walls.
Michaels was in severe pain for most of the contest. Given his condition, we got the best show we could have. It was clear after HBK hit his patented elbow from the top rope, that his tank was running on fumes. After a missed Sweet Chin Music, a catch of the boot and a Stone Cold Stunner, Mike Tyson turned on DX and counted the three. The “New Generation” saw its brightest star fade and the Attitude Era saw its greatest star ascend to the top.
16. Batista vs John Cena – WrestleMania XXVI (2010)
While the build to this bout could have been executed better, what it represented was significant enough in its own right. Five years prior, both Cena and Batista had become the leaders of what we know WWE to be today. In 2008 at SummerSlam, the two met one on one for the first time, both men playing the face. That match exceeded many expectations, but lacked the spark of a heel presence, that nasty edge that gives an extra element to any contest, especially one between the company’s top two performers. That is where this Mania clash for the title succeeded. This is where “Bootista” was born. A jealous, prideful and overbearing animal had grown tired of the expansion of the Cenation. At 2010’s Elimination Chamber, Vince McMahon would afford the beast his chance to check that pent up aggression, and capture the WWE Championship.
In the weeks that followed, Batista’s jealously drove him to more and more vicious attacks and words of ill will for the former champ. The reason the rivalry worked so well was in Cena’s doubt as to whether or not he could put the Animal down. It was one of those rare occasions when Cena was widely considered the underdog. Although his run as a top face lasted longer, Batista was always better as a heel. It was true then and it’s true now. While this hot spring night in Arizona may not have reached the heights of Austin/Rock, the effort put forth with the time allotted was still above satisfactory. Batista pummeled Cena for a good portion of the bout, with some impressive spots like a midair spine buster. Cena delivered one of the biggest Attitude Adjustments of his career, but ultimately the contest reached the most logical conclusion. Cena forced Batista to tap out in the STF and proved to the WWE Universe why this Mania and the one five years previous truly belonged to him.
15. Shawn Michaels vs Diesel – WrestleMania XI (1995)
The WWE may have experienced its greatest period of turmoil in 1995. Vince McMahon was still reeling from a steroid scandal, WCW debuted Nitro and the company had tremendous financial hardships. In the midst of all this was another one of those Manias that most argue you have to love or hate. Often regarded as the second worst of all time behind Mania IX, the event was chock full of average matches and celebrity appearances that ultimately felt forced and largely unwanted. In fact, the most unwanted may have been that of Lawrence Taylor, who was placed in the main event against Bam Bam Bigelow. Yes, the match to close the show of shows was NFL vs WWE. I understand the attraction, but for a non wrestler to be in the main event of the biggest show of the year seemed like a bit of a slap to the face. The WWE title match between HBK and former bodyguard Diesel should have closed this event.
It was the classic story of the bodyguard, the bigger and badder protector slowly inching away from the spotlight of the brazen and egotistical mentor. Michaels and Diesel began having differences during their run as WWE Tag Team Champions in 1994, but the rivalry really picked up steam as Diesel found himself thrust into the WWE Championship picture. When he defeated Bob Backlund in mere seconds at Madison Square Garden to capture the gold, Michaels started an unspoken quest to take the title from his good friend. Winning the 1995 Royal Rumble afforded him that opportunity and the unspoken quest shifted into violent betrayal that included the introduction of a new protector, Psycho Sid. To be fair, most of the match was Michaels selling for Diesel, but he did it so well. Michaels always had the uncanny ability to make even the most mundane moves look like the most destructive blows one could ever absorb. It flowed so seamlessly, that you forgot about the parade of 90s pop culture sitting at ringside. It is one of the most underrated bouts in Mania history and worthy of its spot on this countdown.
14. The Rock vs John Cena – WrestleMania XXIX (2013)
Most say that the first encounter between these two icons at Mania XXVIII was better, but I vehemently disagree. This contest was leaps and bounds above its predecessor. The build while cliche and tired, was what it needed to be and the match was quite good. Critics have cited it for having too many false finishes and to slow of a start. Let’s break that down. Every match has a feeling out period, a slow build that gradually picks up speed and gets exciting. False finishes are often a big part of that. The formula is universal, but some do it better than others. Rock and Cena were not the best at it, but their effort was entertaining and the crowd was engaged throughout. Each man hit their biggest moves on multiple occasions, only to have the other kick out at two. Finishing moves were stolen as well. Of course, there aren’t too many other moments in the match that stand out beyond that either and perhaps that is why it receives so many poor reviews. Maybe it should have been CM Punk vs either of the two instead, and that probably would have been a more solid and fresh wrestling match, but The Rock vs John Cena for the WWE Championship at Mania XXIX was a marquee that actually lived up to its billing.
13. Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant – WrestleMania III (1987)
Should this match be top three? No. It is significant for many reasons. It brought 93,000 plus to the Pontiac Silverdome and was arguably the most anticipated professional wrestling match of all time. None of that was because of the stunning technical skill of either of the combatants. It was because of two huge names, bigger than life characters on a grand stage during a time when the business was the most popular thing going. A simple scoop slam could elicit a riotous reaction. Vince McMahon was well aware of this and knew there was no better main event for the time than Hulkamania against the giant. The site of the “irresistible force” starring down the “immovable object” is an image that has been emulated at many Manias since. The Rock standing face to face with Steve Austin, Bret Hart starring across the ring at HBK and many others. This bout set that standard. It defined what the “big match feel” was about. WrestleMania may have started two years earlier, but Mania III and this match set the bar for what the event is today. I can’t recall the play by play because it most of it was sub par. But every time that Andre wound up on his back, the Silverdome erupted. The body slam heard around the world will always be a part of WWE’s visual history, a living breathing example of what pro wrestling is all about. For all these reasons, this match cannot be denied a high placement on this list.
12. Hulk Hogan vs Sgt. Slaughter – WrestleMania VII (1991)
Sgt. Slaughter was by no means past his prime in 1991, but seemed like an unlikely choice to main event WrestleMania. Had the Desert Storm conflict not been on the minds of the entire nation, he may not have. But all the elements aligned and whether it be propaganda or blind patriotism as I have heard many say, the story of an American soldier turning his back on his country was compelling. Considering the fact the Slaughter himself admitted that he received death threats at his home, maybe it was a little too compelling. Is it right to play on the fears of a country to sell tickets. It’s wrestling folks. Let’s not argue ethics and let’s not forget the American soldiers that are consistently entertained and inspired by the WWE product and stories like this one. Politics aside, the match was one of the best title clashes in Mania history.
Slaughter fed off the jeers of the crowd and pounded away at Hogan relentlessly. He deserves a great deal of credit for never giving up on this feud despite the real danger it often placed him in. He never gave an inch. Hogan wound up a bloody mess, locked in the Camel Clutch. Could it be? Could Hulkamania fall to the turncoat? Yeah, not in this life. It may have been the greatest Hulk up of all time. It was certainly the most rewarding for the audience. A leg drop later, the Hulkster once again held the title and Old Glory high. The match is highly underrated and deserves recognition for being perhaps the very best incarnation of this type of story.
11. The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – WrestleMania XV (1999)
Epic. Timeless. None better. So many more sentiments could describe the storied rivalry between the People’s Champ and the Texas Rattlesnake. Their trilogy of WrestleMania clashes is legendary, and it all started here. The Rock was waving the corporate flag for Mr. McMahon at the time, as he turned heel during the Deadly Game Tournament at the 1998 Survivor Series. It was a nice swerve, especially considering that The Rock was rising wave of momentum as face. The Corporate Champ spent several months battling Mick Foley as the challenge of Stone Cold loomed over his head. After Austin defeated McMahon in a steel cage match at the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, he cemented his spot in the main event of Mania XV. From there, Austin, Rock and McMahon showed the world why they are the best at what they do. The build provided some of the greatest moments and promos in wrestling history.
The match was certainly not their best. But that would be like saying the same of a Flair and Steamboat clash. It was still very good. There are few men in the history of the business who can make something so difficult and precise look so natural. From the brawling on the outside to the drama in the ring, every moment of that match felt big. The Rock exhibited the nasty yet ultra cool attitude that made him such a great heel and entertaining face. It was a heated debate without words. Each time Austin sprang back into Rock’s face, it was as if to say, “Shut up. You’re wrong.” Although Austin’s words wouldn’t have been as kind. The interference of McMahon and Mick Foley didn’t taint the finish, because they fit in with the chaos. “The Rattlesnake rules! The Rattlesnake rules again!” That’s probably one of the most underrated calls of Mania history.
