The list continues, as David Jacobus complies his list of the top 10 WrestleMania events of all time. There have been 34 of them, and in preparation for this year’s showcase of the immortals, he’s gonna rank them. Enjoy the countdown!
#8: WrestleMania 20
A show two decades in the making. Returning to where it all began, Madison Square Garden, New York City. WrestleMania 20 was a show where a major shift took full effect.
It all began from the first match when the rising star, John Cena faced off against The Big Show for the United States Championship. John Cena was the SmackDown’s fastest rising star and had his eyes set on winning the first championship at his first WrestleMania in his career.
In a David v. Goliath scenario, John Cena, even though with the influence of a pair of custom knuckles, was able to lift the 500 lbs. Big Show for the Attitude Adjustment not once but twice and capture the United States Championship.
After an exciting fatal four way where Booker T & Rob Van Dam retained the Raw Tag Team Championships, it was time to settle a feud that had brewed over love & betrayal.
Chris Jericho & Christian were once good friends and Tag Team Champions. However, the two made a bet where each would ask a woman of the Raw roster out on a date for 1 Canadian Dollar. Chris Jericho chose Trish Stratus. However, Trish found out about the bet and fell completely heartbroken. But, since the date, Jericho began to have feelings for Trish Stratus. He did everything to try to get Trish’s attention. However, Christian felt betrayed that Jericho is putting Trish over their friendship, which led to WrestleMania 20.
The two slugged it out is a physical matchup. Jericho seemed to have the match in hand until Trish came out. In a move that no one saw coming, Trish turned her back on Jericho which led to Christian to pick up the win, which was followed by Trish & Christian to kiss right in the face of Jericho.
The next match saw the past versus the future when The Rock n’ Sock Connection, The Rock & Mick Foley, reunited to take one ¾ of Evolution, Randy Orton, Batista & Ric Flair. The Rock had returned to a WWE ring for the first time in over a year to team up with his good friend Mick Foley to take on the group that nearly forced Mick Foley to step away from the WWE. The young stars of Batista and the Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton were making their WrestleMania debuts and they looked to eliminate the past once and for all.
The Rock n’ Sock Connection attempted everything in their arsenals to dethrone Evolution, but the numbers game was too much as Randy was able to hit the RKO on Mick Foley for the win.
After an inter-promotional evening gown match which Torrie Wilson & Sable won, and followed by a high-flying Cruiserweight Open which Chavo Guerrero was able to retain the Cruiserweight Championship, it was then time for a match that either was talked as a dream match or the worst match in WrestleMania match in history.
The next match was an inter-promotional match between Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg; two behemoths slugging it out on the grandest stage. But to increase the stakes, Stone Cold Steve Austin was added as the special guest referee. This dream match was something that was talked about for weeks. However, when the time came, it was not well received. It was not well received because of two factors. Brock Lesnar was leaving the company to go to the NFL and Goldberg’s WWE contract was ending after the match. The crowd knew about the situation and showed their emotion and hatred to the two.
This led to the match not being remembered fondly. Goldberg ended up winning after a sluggish and sloppy match. After the match, Brock flipped the bird to the MSG crowd and was then given the Stunner by Stone Cold. Goldberg was given a Stunner as well, leaving Stone Cold standing tall. Each man eventually returned but this match was one match that left many crowds in hatred and disdain for the two.
Following this was Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty retaining the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Then Victoria defeated Molly Holly to retain the Women’s Championship in a Hair v. Hair match. It was now time for first World Championship match.
Eddie Guerrero defended the WWE Championship against the no. 1 contender, Kurt Angle. Eddie Guerrero had been on the ultimate road of success over the last two years. He won every championship in WWE except the World Championship. After overcoming his demons in his life, Eddie was able to reach his dream, defeating Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship at No Way Out. Eddie’s road led to Madison Square Garden taking on Kurt Angle. Angle had a similar road, winning Championships and main eventing WrestleMania the year prior.
The two locked up in an instant classic. These two ring generals stole the show putting on a match worthy of MSG. Angle seemed to be closing in on winning back the WWE Championship; however, Eddie Guerrero was able to use his Lie, Cheat, & Steal mentality to rob the win away from Angle. Angle locked in the Ankle Lock on Eddie but Eddie had untied his boot which led to Eddie’s foot slipping out and roll up Angle to retain the WWE Championship. This match in many ways could define Eddie Guerrero’s legacy.
After a thrilling match for the WWE Championship, it was time for a much-awaited return. In the last inter-promotional match of the evening, Kane took on his brother The Undertaker. At the previous year’s Survivor Series, Kane had buried his brother, The Undertaker. During the weeks after The Undertaker had been playing mind games on Kane which led to this match. The Undertaker had returned but not as the biker persona but as his original persona alongside his former manager, Paul Bearer. The Deadman was resurrected. The Deadman showed no mercy to his brother and was able to defeat Kane.
It was now time for the main event, a triple-threat for the World Heavyweight Championship. World Champion Triple H defended against archrival Shawn Michaels and the winner of the Royal Rumble Chris Benoit. Chris Benoit was able to choose any World Championship to chase and he decided to go to Raw to fight for the World Heavyweight Championship. This match was hands down the best match of the night. These three showed why they are three of the best of all time. Each man gave it everything in their arsenal for the richest prize.
Benoit was able to allude Shawn Michaels and then lock in the Crossface on Triple H to win the match. Chris Benoit was able to fulfill his dream and win the World Heavyweight Championship on the grandest stage of them all. In “The World’s Most Famous” Arena, Chris Benoit was able to become the World Heavyweight Championship.
After the match, Chris Benoit’s best friend Eddie Guerrero came out to celebrate Benoit’s victory in one of the greatest moments in WrestleMania history.
*Knowing the circumstance of the Benoit situation that would tarnish his legacy, WrestleMania 20 cannot be talked about without that moment. Benoit’s actions are heinous and despicable, however, those actions cannot overshadow the other events of WrestleMania 20.*
#7: WrestleMania 23
Just like WrestleMania 20 returned to where it all began, WrestleMania 23 returned to the city to where a WrestleMania on that you will see later on this list set records and was one of the most memorable WrestleManias of all time. WrestleMania 23 took place at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
WrestleMania 23 kicked of with the Money in the Bank ladder match. The match involved, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Edge, Randy Orton, King Booker, Finlay, CM Punk & Mr. Kennedy. In a highly contest opening match that included Jeff Hardy leaping off a 25+ foot ladder through a prone Edge on a ladder, to Randy Orton hitting the RKO on CM Punk from off the top of the ladder, the rising star of SmackDown, Mr. Kennedy was able to climb the ladder to win the Money in the Bank ladder match.
After a colossal match where The Great Khali was able to topple Kane, another fast rising star looked to a veteran to win his first championship.
The next match pinned M.V.P (Montel Vontavious Porter) against Chris Benoit for the United States Championship. M.V.P was new to SmackDown and did not stop at anything to get what he wanted, while Chris Benoit was a seasoned veteran who established everything the United States Championship meant. A championship that brought the best out of the mid-card and molded future World Champions. These two went toe-to-toe in front of 80,000 in a great match. In this back and forth match, Chris Benoit was able to pick up the win after hitting the diving headbutt for the win.
It was now time for the much anticipated match between The Undertaker and Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. The Undertaker went into WrestleMania as the winner of the Royal Rumble and his undefeated streak on his side. Batista on the other hand was one of the top stars of the WWE. Since moving on from Raw he ran a tear through SmackDown until injury loomed. Batista had to relinquish the World Heavyweight Championship due to injury, but when he returned his path was straightforward in getting back to the top.
WrestleMania 23 was the first WrestleMania for Batista in 2 years and there was no bigger opponent than The Undertaker. The two tore Ford Field down with a brutal back and forth contest. Batista knew the stakes of winning this match, that is why he stopped at nothing to try to be the 1. From putting Undertaker through an announce table to hitting the Batista Bomb; however, The Undertaker still was able to get up. The more Batista tried, he got more desperate.
In the end, his desperation cost him as The Undertaker was able to hit the Tombstone Piledriver for the win. The Undertaker’s streak stayed alive and won the World Heavyweight Championship. This was Undertaker’s first World Title win at a WrestleMania in nearly a decade. This win cemented The Undertaker back to the main event scene.
After an 8 man tag team match that saw the ECW Originals: Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, & The Sandman defeated the New Breed: Kevin Thorne, Elijah Burke, Matt Striker & Marcus Cor Von, it was time for the match that the mainstream media could not stop talking about.
The next match was an inter-promotional match between ECW Champion Bobby Lashley against Intercontinental Champion Umaga. However, there were serious stakes surrounding this match. This match was built as the Battle of the Billionaires, Vince McMahon vs. Donald Trump. Each man had someone who fought for them. The losing superstar who their billionaire they represented had to have their head shaved. To add to the dynamic of the match, there needed to be a referee to look over a match with this magnitude.
That was none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin. The match was back and forth between two powerhouses. After attempted shenanigans by Vince McMahon, Bobby Lashley was able to pin Umaga for the win, meaning, Vince McMahon must have his head shaved. Stone Cold gave Vince a Stunner then locked him in a barber chair. Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley went on to shave the head of Vince McMahon. After Vince McMahon was now a bald Billionaire, Stone Cold would deliver Stunners to both Bobby Lashley & Donald Trump.
After Melina retained the Women’s Championship in a lumberjill match, it was time for the main event.
“Mr. WrestleMania,” “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels returned to the main event of WrestleMania to challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship. Shawn set out to win the WWE Championship in honor for his D-Generation X brother, Triple H who was sidelined with an injury and who had to miss WrestleMania. However, John Cena had his eye set on staking his claim as the face of WWE.
The two had a match worthy enough to be called the main event of WrestleMania. John Cena and Shawn Michaels wrestled in what many called an instant classic. This was familiar territory for Mr. WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels, but the younger John Cena, this was only his second WrestleMania main event.
The two slugged it out giving it everything for the richest prize in sports entertainment. In the end, John Cena was able to outlast Shawn Michaels to retain the WWE Championship. These two concluded a very eventful WrestleMania and at the time was the highest grossing WrestleMania in history.
Check back next time, as the list goes even further back in time, to the one WrestleMania that arguably made the WWE a household name and contained perhaps the most important match in WWE history. Thanks for reading!
David Jacobus
Staff Writer