TOP 40 WRESTLEMANIA MATCHES
WrestleMania 40 is one day away and since I made a Top 25 WrestleMania matches list before WrestleMania 30, I decided to do another one but instead of figuring out a new Top 25 I just did a Top 40 haha last time Taker/HBK WM 25 was #1 but this time I went with Bret/Austin but honestly those 2 are tied for #1. HBK/Taker is the best wrestling match ever but if I had to show a non fan 1 match to get them interested, I’d show them Bret/Austin. So this time I’ll give it to Bret/Austin but I’m sure when WrestleMania 50 rolls around it will go back to HBK/Taker. A few changes in spots for some matches and there are actually a few that didn’t make the cut this time but I’ll let you all figure that out. Going over these matches makes me appreciate how blessed we have been as wrestling fans to have a stage like WrestleMania to bring out the greatness we have seen. Hope everyone enjoys WrestleMania 40 tomorrow and it’s full of banger after banger after banger after haha
1) Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13
No titles, no streak, just 2 guys that do not like each other kicking ass. I LOVED this feud, might be my favourite of all time. Not only did these guys have an awesome, brutal match but they also pulled off a “double-turn” with Bret leaving as a villain and Austin as the anti-hero-hero. The iconic image that helped sell Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Attitude Era to the masses, Stone Cold screaming in pain with blood pouring down his face until he finally passes out. No sympathy from the Hitman who puts the boots to him afterwards cementing their new roles. Words can’t do this match justice, go watch it.
2) The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25
It just does not get better than this. Everything about it from the match to the announcing to the crowd was about as close to perfect as you can get. And they did it without a title on the line, just the drama of being able to defeat the Undertaker at WrestleMania. I was 100% sure the Streak was ending when I watched this match live so the near falls just about killed me haha Greatest match in the history of wrestling.
3) Randy Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat – IC Title match – WrestleMania 3
For a long time this match was the standard that all matches tried to achieve. Almost flawless execution from bell to bell with an incredible finishing sequence that still influences matches to this day. Crowd was hot for this match and the finish, Gorilla and The Body with a great call. It’s well known now that Savage meticulously planned every detail of his masterpiece before hand but you still have to get it done on Game day and they more than delivered.
4) Hulk Hogan vs The Ultimate Warrior – Title for Title – WrestleMania 6
2 of the biggest characters wrestling has ever produced going 1 on 1 on the biggest stage. I’m sure there were a lot of people in the wrestling business expecting it to be a stinker and ready to have a good laugh. If they were they choked on their own tears b/c this match was awesome. For these 2 guys to have this good of a match when the consensus always was Warrior needed to be carried and Hogan was only Big Boot/Leg drop, it bumps it up a few spots. Hot crowd, great finish with Hogan putting Warrior over huge via clean 3 count. Then the all time great WrestleMania moment of Hogan handing the belt over to the Warrior like a real man and true champion. Epic match.
5) Hulk Hogan vs The Rock – WrestleMania 18
The crowd made this match. A battle of 2 wrestling Icons like Hulk Hogan and The Rock deserved an epic atmosphere for their match and boy did they get it. From the moment the bell rang it was clear that this was Hogan’s crowd. Those pops Hogan gets shoving Rock across the ring still give me goose bumps. But nothing compares to the Hulkster “Hulking Up,” that is the greatest 60 seconds in wrestling finished with the greatest near fall ever. The right guy won, it just sucked to see the Rock leave so soon after Hogan ‘passed the torch.’
6) Bret Hart vs Owen Hart – WrestleMania 10
I don’t think anybody thought Owen Hart was walking out of MSG with a victory. Bret was going to put his little brother in his place and then carry that momentum into a WWF Title win. Not if Owen has anything to say about it. Such a great match, so smooth and real. Very hard hitting and physical yet technical. Back and forth the whole way, chemistry only 2 brothers can have. And then the crazy finish with Owen stopping the Victory Roll mid roll and dropping his knees onto Bret’s shoulders for the 3 count. Just awesome. Fn love when he gives Bret the finger after the match ahahah I know it pales in comparison to people that actually knew him but, I really miss Owen Hart.
7) Daniel Bryan vs HHH – Winner wrestles in the Main Event – WrestleMania 30
If Daniel Bryan wins the 2014 Royal Rumble then we don’t get this awesome match so I guess this timeline is ok haha Daniel Bryan beating HHH was no slam dunk so we were all on the edge of our seats. HHH with a truly epic entrance, maybe my favourite of all time. Daniel Bryan entering with a wave of Yes! chants behind him is an incredible scene. From the opening bell when DB almost catches HHH with a quick fall, the match is a rollercoaster of great wrestling and ring psychology. Man my heart sank when HHH hit the Pedigree bc this was before everyone started kicking out of it. That’s what I love about the match, wasn’t a finisher kickout fest. Just 1 and it was by the winner of the match and it directly led to the finish.
8) Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon – Ladder Match – WrestleMania 10
Just watched this match recently and it still holds up, that’s saying something for a match that is 20 years old. Especially considering the things we have seen wrestlers do in various matches involving Ladders. But this match holds up because Shawn/Razor are great wrestlers and they are able to have a great wrestling match inside their Ladder match. It wasn’t a spot fest like some gimmick matches can turn into, it had good psychology to set up the big spots. Sucks that 10 guys lost their WrestleMania match because this match went so long but you can’t argue with greatness.
9) Batista VS Daniel Bryan VS Randy Orton – WWE Title – WrestleMania 30
At the time I could absolutely see a world where WWE felt beating HHH was enough and have Daniel Bryan lose so I was all in on every nearfall lol triple threats can be a mess but these guys have great chemistry which made the match flow perfectly. Randy Orton with a nasty bump on that monitor, which is more like a giant brick, to the point his back was bleeding on that RKO-Batista Bomb through the announce table. Crowd was trying to be into it but was clearly still shell shocked about the streak ending and didn’t wake up until they were taking DB put on a stretcher and he got up. We all thought that was gonna be the excuse for him to lose. Batista got a lot of heart for taking DB’s run but we all owe him big after he kicked out of an RKO, i remember thinking that was it. Great call from Michael Cole as Batitsa finally taps out. What a moment.
10) Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant – WWF Title – WrestleMania 3
This match definitely won’t be on anyone’s pure wrestling top 25 haha but on a top 40 WrestleMania matches it more than belongs. When 93,000+ show up to see a match you know you have something special. That’s what happened when The Boss, Andre the Giant agreed to turn heel and pass the torch to Hulk Hogan with a mega-feud and epic match. Built around the fact that Andre was undefeated and could not be body slammed by Hogan. Big drama early with Hogan legit barely kicking out after 500+lbs crushed him on a failed bodyslam attempt. But it doesn’t take long for Hogan to ‘Hulk Up’ and this time succeed body slamming Andre the Giant to the delight of a loud n rowdy Pontiac Sliverdome. Match isn’t very long but is definitely entertaining for what it is. Can’t say enough about how huge this match was for WrestleMania, Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania. Thanks Andre.
11) Kofi Kingston VS Daniel Bryan – WWE Title – WrestleMania 35
The WrestleMania ‘Main Event’ that was never supposed to be. If Mustafa Ali doesn’t get injured, Kofi Mania doesn’t have a platform to launch off of. Instead Kofi steps in and shines in the match, has the fans ready to riot after he loses the Elimination Chamber and then whips them into a frenzy with Kofi Mania as the goal. Daniel Bryan is no doubt on the GOAT level with incredible runs as both a babyface and here as a heel. The Planet’s Champion was such an entertaining run and was the perfect match for Kofi Mania. Unreal action from bell to bell leading to the amazing moment of Kofi hitting Trouble In Paradise to become WWE Champion. I was so happy to see Kofi not just get a WWE Title win but to legitimately be part of one of the greatest builds to a WrestleMania match and then paying it off with 1 of the best matches ever.
12) Bianca Belair VS Sasha Banks – WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship – WrestleMania 37
Long time coming for a moment like this but there aren’t 2 other women that have earned and deserve this like Sasha and Bianca did. Doesn’t get much bigger or better than 2 powerful, strong black women at the top of their profession, standing across from each other in the Main Event of WrestleMania. And then delivering an absolute classic of a match to solidify themselves as the superstars they are. There will be a generation of young girls that are inspired to do great things by this match.
13) Ric Flair vs Randy Savage – WWF Title – WrestleMania 8
Kind of crazy that a great match like this probably should have never happened. Hogan/Flair was seemingly a no brainer but then plans changed and we got Savage/Flair. Can’t complain seeing as it turned into a blood feud and great match, you really wanted to see Savage kick Flairs ass for what he was doing to Elizabeth. Mr Perfect shows what a good manager can do for a match really helping make it click. Love the finish with Savage beating Flair at his own game.
14) Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair – WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship – WrestleMania 39
1 of the rare WrestleMania rematches that have taken place. 1st match at WrestleMania 36 was great despite happening during the pandemic with no fans but this match was on another level. Fans were catching their breath after Rey/Dom but halfway through just randomly woke up and were on fire for the rest of the match but esp at the end. Unbelivable action that had me on the edge of my seat not knowing who was gonna win. Awesome to see someone actually realize their potential and become a superstar bc this was that moment for Rhea fn Ripley.
15) Sami Zayn and Kevin Owen VS The Usos – Undisputed Tag Team Titles – WrestleMania 39
Greatest Tag Team match in WrestleMania history. The Bloodline storyline deserved the Main Event so I’m thankful they gave these guys that shot and they more than held up their end with a masterpiece of a match. Sami hitting that last Helluva Kick and getting that 3 count is one of the most cathartic moments in wrestling history, just fcking art. Watching life long best friends Sami and KO celebrate is a legit moment considering the journey they have been on.
16) Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels – Iron Man Match – WrestleMania 12
Absolute classic of a wrestling match. Drives me crazy to hear the same fans that love Flair/Steamboat 60 min draws complain about having only 1 fall. Created crazy drama as the time ticked down realizing that the next/first fall was going to win it. Check the faces in the crowd people were dying for their guy to get a fall. As great as it was, probably would have been seen in a better light if they had been tied 1-1 at the end. Still if you love actual wrestling then you gotta love this match because it is a clinic. I love watching it on the elliptical, helps the time fly by but also helps you appreciate what they were going through esp. towards the end.
17) Dudley Boyz vs Hardy Boyz vs Edge & Christian – TLC 2 – WrestleMania 17
I’d just like to thank these guys for putting their bodies at risk to give us a match like this. I definitely appreciate it as this was some insanely awesome stuff. From bell to bell the fans might as well been chanting “Holy Shit” because these guys went after each other and pulled off some crazy spots. My favorite being Edge spearing Jeff Hardy who was hanging off the metal ring holding the Tag Titles. Not your traditional Tag Team wrestling match but still a legendary performance packed with nonstop action.
18) Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21
Dream match. 2 of the greatest of all time going 1 on 1 on the biggest stage working against massive expectations. Gotta say they mostly delivered because this was awesome. Seemed like it was missing a little something to really put it over the top but when you put Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels in a match the bar is gonna be higher than usual. Too bad we never got a sequel.
19) Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 19
Another dream match that we thought we might never get to see. But HBK came back and this was his 1st WrestleMania, could he still deliver on the grandest stage of them all? No doubt about it as these 2 put on a classic. Kind of gets the short end of the stick due to their awesome feud down the road but at the time this was everything we were hoping for and more from these two. Nice finish and perfect post-match with Y2J being Y2J
20) Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels – Win or Retire – WrestleMania 24
This should have been Flairs last match, what a way to go out. He ended up wrestling in TNA tarnishing this match a bit but you really can’t take much away from it. The finish of the match was so brilliant having Flair know he was done and telling HBK to end it so he could go out on his shield. Brings tears to the eyes of this lifelong wrestling fan. Great match.
21) Bret Hart vs Roddy Piper – Intercontinental Title – WrestleMania 8
How would these 2 clashes of styles work in a match on a stage that leaves no room for error? The brawler vs the wrestler but Bret could also brawl and Piper could wrestle. It showed as these 2 had a great match mixing the 2 styles together. Some nice wrestling sequences with physical brawling. Sweet finish with Bret turning the sleeper against Piper kicking off the buckles and flipping over to get the 3 count and Intercontinental Championship. Despite the match they just had they are man enough to shake hands as Piper hands over the belt to Bret.
22) Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns – WWE Title – WrestleMania 31
The Heist of the Century. I was with most fans and hated that Roman was in this spot but I can’t lie and say this wasn’t a fcking awesome match. Started with a great entrance from Roman when he punches the mat and holds the pose as the pyro goes off on the top of the stadium and the camera circles around him. Match itself is very hard hitting and genuinely exciting. Then we get Seth Rollins saving us from a Roman reign (heh) with a GOAT level cash in and stealing the win and the WWE Title. Doesn’t get much better than that and it def doesn’t for Brock/Roman bc this was their best match.
23) Rey Mysterio VS Dominik Mysterio – WrestleMania 39
Best Father vs Son match for sure. What a great moment it was when Rey finally had enough and smoked Dom before accepting his challenge. Fn incredible match from the entrances to the finish. Man I absoutely thought it was over when Dom hit the 619-Frog Splash combo. I guess Rey needed to get the win but this definitely established Dom as someone that can deliver on the biggest stage. Must be pretty special to do something like this as Father and Son.
24) The Undertaker vs HHH 2 – WrestleMania 27
The Hell in a Cell match the next year seems to be the match people favor but I really prefer this one. Just a simple hard hitting, physical match. The story throughout the match of Taker not having enough left in his tank after all of his WrestleMania wars really got me hooked and HHH almost doing the ‘HBK talking to Flair’ stuff and hitting the Tombstone made me think it was over. Taker not being able to walk out was a cool visual and added drama for next year but I think this was their best match.
25) Edge vs Mick Foley – Hardcore Match – WrestleMania 22
The 1 thing that had escaped Mick Foley in his legendary career was a really great WrestleMania match. Thanks to Edge, he was able to scratch that off the list. Damn this was a serious hardcore match. You could tell both guys knew there was something real on the line here, a man’s legacy is no joke and they both knew they needed this. Tables, tacks, chairs and finally a fn flaming table. In this era of PG they aren’t able to promote it as heavily but Edge spearing Foley through the flaming table is a WrestleMania moment for the ages. Happy that both guys helped solidify their legacies with this great match.
26) Roman Reigns VS Daniel Bryan VS Edge – WWE Universal Title – WrestleMania 37
Crazy that this was 10 years to the day that Edge announced his retirement due to injury. I thought Roman would win but was hoping with the anniversary they would give Edge a big full circle moment. Not to be but was still a fn awesome match. Interesting to see the burnout on Daniel Bryan bc Edge got the most cheers by far. I don’t mind Roman winning by stack pinning both guys bc we all saw him about to take certain loss before Jey and Jimmy interfered. It was a great moment for a heel and was huge for establishing the Tribal Chief/Head of the Table character.
27) Ric Flair vs The Undertaker – WrestleMania 18
One of my personal favorite matches, these guys really clicked on this night. This match tends to be forgotten when talking about great matches for both men but it definitely should not be. Taker sitting up wide eyed in the figure 4 is so great, and I fn love that superplex. Must have hurt like a bastard with Flair’s bad back. Obviously nobody thought Flair was gonna win but it was still a hell of a match. Love Takers post match 10 count.
28) Randy Savage vs Hulk Hogan – WWF Title – WrestleMania 5
The Mega Powers explode! As a kid I was Hogan 1, Macho Man 2 so this was my kind of match. A great run as a tag team ended harshly with a jealous Macho Man losing it and attacking Hogan setting up this main event. Delivered on the hype as they stepped up and put on a damn good match here. Savage nailing the Flying Elbow must have stopped some hearts back then haha but Hulkamania was still running wild and there was no way Hogan doesn’t leave with the belt. Great end to a historic title reign for the Macho Man.
29) Brock Lesnar VS Goldberg – WWE Universal Title
Might be the best under 5 min match if all time, that first spear to Brock feels like it comes out of fn nowhere lol they were def spamming finishers but you don’t care bc it’s so entertaining. Goldberg beating Brock at Survivor Series how he did was legit 1 of the most shocking moments I have experienced so Brock needed his win back here. This could have been a trainwreck but instead was actually a fcking great match. Pedal to the floor the whole time.
30) Edge vs The Undertaker – World Heavyweight Title – WrestleMania 24
From sitting in the crowd watching Hogan/Warrior main event WrestleMania 6 to walking to the ring for his own main event at WrestleMania as World Heavyweight Champion. Great moment for Edge as he puts on an awesome match with the Undertaker. Kicking out of the Tombstone was almost unheard of then especially at WrestleMania but he did it and damn I was thinking this could be it. Not to be as Taker pulled out the win and sent home Edge without the gold like Hogan 18 years ago. I’m sure there was another Edge out there in the crowd that will take the WWE by storm in 10 years haha
31) Shane McMahon VS AJ Styles
The match nobody wanted actually turned out to be pretty fn awesome. So many great moments like the missed elbow through the announce table and missed shooting star, it told a good story of Shane nowing he needs to hit a kill shot, going for it multiple times and coming oh so close but then those mistakes cost him the match. My fav sequence was the 450 from Styles countered into triangle and then an arm bar but Styles fights to stand up and hit a 1 arm Styles Clash. Fn great stuff.
32) HHH VS Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit – World Heavyweight Title – WrestleMania 20
Great match and a great moment for Benoit at the time but it seemed like they never were able to get the match into that next gear it needed to be higher up the list. At the time the thought of Benoit being in the Main Event at all let alone tapping out HHH was insane so finally seeing it happen was really awesome. Post-show celebration with Eddie and his family still gets to me. They would have a better re-match next month at Backlash.
33) Dudley Boyz vs Hardy Boyz vs Edge & Christian – TLC – WrestleMania 16
This would kick start an awesome era for tag team matches but unfortunately put a lot of wear and tear on the bodies of these guys. Once again my thanks and appreciation goes out to them. I was sure the Hardyz were leaving with the Titles here so to see Edge & Christian win was a big surprise. It would also kick start the era of awesomeness as these guys dominated the Tag Team scene as well as the comedy in wrestling. Their stuff was hysterical, still holds up maybe even better today. This match gets overshadowed by TLC 2 at WrestleMania 17 but it deserves some spotlight as it’s really good.
34) Bad Bunny and Damian Priest VS The Miz and John Morrison – WrestleMania 37
Never in my wildest dreams did I think this match would be good nevermind 1 of the top 40 in WrestleMania history lol it was exciting to see low expectations get blown out of the water. Obviously Miz and Morrison went out of their way to make Bad Bunny look good but he more than held up his end bc he was awesome. The match was put together perfectly so everyone got to shine and all 4 def did.
35) Sami Zayn vs Johnny Knoxville – WrestleMania 38
Seems crazy to say this was the best built match on the entire show but it really was. The back and forth between Sami and Knoxville was hilarious so you knew they had chemistry but I wasn’t sure how this match was gonna go. Man did they smash a home run with this match, everything worked and it gave us some legendary moments. Hulk slammed Andre at WrestleMania 3 and now we have the prefect balance to that, Wee Man slamming Sami Zayn lol fck that was awesome. Loved that they managed to work the giant hand into it. Party Boy doing his thing was not something I thought I’d ever see at WrestleMania lol it all led to the great finish of Knoxville trapping Sami in a giant mouse trap for the win. I still can’t believe they delivered something this epicly good.
36) The Rock vs Steve Austin 3 – WrestleMania 19
Out of all 3 of the Rock/Austin matches at WrestleMania this is my favorite. Everything about it was awesome, the build and the match were some of the best stuff the Rock did in wrestling. Little did we know this would be Austin’s last match but it didn’t really need the drama with Austin being 2-0 vs. The Rock @ Mania. If Austin was in better health this might have been higher up the list but to even get out what he did is really impressive. Great end to a legendary career.
37) Undertaker VS HHH – Hell in a Cell- Special Ref: HBK – WrestleMania 28
End of an Era and it truly was bc Taker was never the same after this match and prob should have walked away. After their unbelievable match the year before, it was gonna be almost impossible to top it but they came close. The best sequence was HBK Superkicking Taker into a Pedigree for 1 of the craziest near falls of all time haha thought it was over. Only the 2nd match trilogy in WrestleMania history other than Rock/Austin and you can’t end it better than this.
38) The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – WWF Title – WrestleMania 17
The ending kills it for me. They were too concerned about the storyline and not enough about match quality. They were building to something epic but it came of the rails. Post-match stuff with Vince doesn’t help, never should have happened.
39) Kevin Owens VS Steve Austin
Debated putting this match on the list bc it wasn’t an advertised match but fck it lol KO deserved this moment so I was pumped that it actually happened. Austin started the match moving a bit slow so I was concerned about the quality but man after he got absolutely smashed into the ring post, he woke right up and was moving like he was 20 years younger lol kind of like a hockey or football player needing that first hit to wake up and get into it. Obviously the finish was never in doubt but it was just so awesome to see Austin back in action bringing a high level of quality. KO got the match he always wanted and Austin solidified his legend even further.
40) Macho Man Randy Savage vs The Ultimate Warrior – Career Ending Match
I know I’m in the minority but I used to
despise this match. Ultimate Warrior kicks out of 5 elbows and pins Macho Man Randy Savage with a foot on his chest. Sorry but that’s a joke. Just never been a fan at all of the match. Watched it recently and if you ignore the parts I mentioned, man it’s an intense, great match. So I gave it the last spot. Reuniting with Elizabeth is my #1 WrestleMania moment.