WWE WrestleMania 33: 25 Greatest Moments in WrestleMania History

Bryan Heaton

WrestleMania, Source: WWE.com

WrestleMania has provided the WWE Universe with many great moments over the years. Here are the 25 greatest of those moments.

WrestleMania 33 is just around the corner. No matter what the outcome of the matches on the card may be, it’s guaranteed to be WWE’s biggest show of the year. There are always a bunch of big names in attendance for WrestleMania. And what happens each year often surprises and impresses even the most cynical of fans.

Generally, most people assume that the wrestling itself is the main attraction of the show. However, the spectacle of the event is an even bigger deal in most years. Never forget that one year, the main event featured a professional football player in his only wrestling match ever. If that doesn’t scream “spectacle,” I don’t know what does.

As the march to WrestleMania 33 continues, it’s a good time to look back at the prior 32 events. Even more than matches themselves, or even the outcomes of those matches, the individual moments that make up the show are what stand out in the eyes of most fans. When someone complains that part-time superstars are filling up the card, you can point out that nearly every WrestleMania has some kind of lasting image in history. Something that everyone will remember forever, even if they can’t think of a single other thing about that show.

In the spirit of thinking about moments, let’s look back at WrestleMania history and find some of the greatest moments. Again, it’s not necessarily about matches, outcomes, or even long-term booking. This list is about the things that live on in highlight reels and memories for everyone involved.

With that, here are the 25 greatest moments in WrestleMania history.

Source: WWE.com

25. Unlikely Alliance (WrestleMania X-Seven)

For years, the main storyline on WWE programming was Austin vs. McMahon. It was the classic story of an evil boss trying to lord himself over his staff. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was the hero representing all workers who had been theoretically held down by such an employer. Many great moments came out of the Austin rivalry with Vince McMahon.

But in 2001, the unthinkable happened. Austin and McMahon joined forces in the main event of WrestleMania X-Seven.

The main event match was a WWE Championship match. The Rock entered the match as champion, with Austin his challenger. The two had bad blood stemming from Austin’s then-wife Debra being assigned to manage Rocky by Vince McMahon.

Immediately before the match got under way, it was surprisingly announced as a no disqualification match. Both men pulled out all the stops, utilizing weapons and the ringside environment. Austin even broke out the Million Dollar Dream, a move he hadn’t used since he was known as “The Ringmaster.”

Near the end of the match, McMahon came down to the ring and pulled The Rock off of a pin attempt. With a stunned audience watching, The Rock chased McMahon around the ring, only to run into a Rock Bottom from Austin. Stone Cold then requested a steel chair from the chairman, revealing an alliance. After sixteen shots from the chair, Austin won the match and the championship. He celebrated by drinking beers with McMahon.

The unlikely pairing led to the Two Man Power Trip, with Austin and Triple H forming a dominant tag team. It was short-lived due to a Triple H injury, but it was a shocking WrestleMania moment, to say the least.

24. Shane Falls Off The Cell (WrestleMania 32)

Shane McMahon’s return to WWE in 2016 surprised the majority of the WWE Universe. While initially well received, it was honestly kind of a mess by the time WrestleMania rolled around.

Shane made his comeback to try and take control of Raw from his father and sister. To back up his claim, he threatened to release a “lockbox” of Vince’s secrets if his demands were not met. The end result was an agreement to a match of Vince’s choosing at WrestleMania 32. If Shane won, he would get control of Raw, but the secrets he threatened to reveal would remain a secret.

Vince chose Shane’s opponent to be The Undertaker, and further stated that the match would be inside Hell in a Cell. From the second the match was announced, wrestling fans everywhere had visions of Shane dropping from the top of the cell. He had a long history of crazy stunts in and around the ring, for better or worse, so it was a logical assumption.

The match itself was not good. The Undertaker’s best days are long past, and Shane hadn’t competed in nearly seven years. Taker dominated most of the match, but Shane wouldn’t quit.

As expected, the match spilled outside the cell, leading to Undertaker being laid prone on the announce table. Shane, again as expected, scaled to the top of the cage and attempted to drop an elbow to put Taker away. But the Deadman moved, and Shane crashed through the table.

Shane would lose the match, but still end up getting put in charge because Vince is crazy, I guess. So the big match meant absolutely nothing, which hurts this moment’s placement a bit – but it was still a crazy sight to see.

23. End Of An Era (WrestleMania XXVIII)

The Undertaker and his undefeated streak are a big part of WrestleMania history, so it’s no surprise to see that he’s involved in many of the event’s greatest moments. The same goes for both Triple H and Shawn Michaels. And if we’re being honest, some of the greatest moments all three men had involved one or both of the others.

Possibly the biggest moment that involved all three was at WrestleMania XXVIII in 2012. It was the second match between Triple H and Taker, and Michaels served as the guest referee. Oh, and the match took place in the Hell in a Cell.

For longtime fans of WWE, this match proved to be one of the better matches of the night. After the injuries Undertaker sustained the year before in his victory over Triple H, he came out in great shape. With the focus on The Streak, there were several shocking near-falls where Taker seemed superhuman when kicking out. Michaels, as guest referee, tried to be impartial. But by the end, he was trying to help his best friend do what he couldn’t.

Eventually, Taker won after withstanding a tremendous onslaught. Multiple Pedigrees, Sweet Chin Music, and chair and sledgehammer shots couldn’t put The Deadman down. Following the match, the three shared a moment on the ramp as Taker and Michaels helped Triple H to the back to cheers. It was a symbolic end to the prior era of WWE, where those three ruled the landscape.

Had all three remained out of action, it would have been more of an “end,” but with Triple H winning the world title four years later, it loses some luster. But it was still a memorable WrestleMania moment.

22. Foley Through A Flaming Table (WrestleMania 22)

Mick Foley has a long, and often tumultuous, relationship with WWE. During one of his many returns to the company, he ended up in a feud with Edge. The Rated-R Superstar had recently lost the WWE Championship to the man he had defeated to win it, John Cena, when Foley came back in 2006.

In February, Foley was the guest referee for Edge’s championship rematch against Cena. After Cena retained the title, Edge attacked Foley. Later, he would issue a challenged to the Hardcore Legend for a match at WrestleMania 22.

That match would end up being a hardcore match, and it was gloriously violent. The crowd in Chicago was hot as usual, and they were treated to a pair of superstars going to extreme lengths to put the other down.

From barbed wire belts to baseball bats, from cookie sheets to ring steps, everything was fair game to use as a weapon. But when Edge doused Foley’s flannel shirt with lighter fluid, everyone knew what had to come next.

Sure enough, a table was set up, and the table itself was ignited. And shockingly, Edge speared Mick right through the inferno.

It’s almost unfair to reduce the match to just that one moment. The whole thing was a masterclass in no holds barred fighting. But that spot through the table is Foley’s WrestleMania moment, for better or worse.

21. Battle of the Billionaires (WrestleMania 23)

Let’s get this out of the way: This is in no way an endorsement of nor a condemnation of the current President of the United States.

What this is, though, is the hilarity of seeing Vince McMahon getting his head shaved, and a future US President taking a Stone Cold Stunner.

In 2007, Donald Trump and McMahon became entangled in a rivalry. Trump interrupted McMahon’s “Fan Appreciation Night” by dropping money on the audience. Eventually, the two businessmen would agree to a match — kind of.

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Each man would choose a superstar to wrestle on their behalf. McMahon chose Intercontinental Champion Umaga, and Trump chose ECW Champion Bobby Lashley. But more than pride would be on the line at WrestleMania 23 – the billionaire who chose the losing superstar would be forced to have his head shaved.

To ensure a level playing ground, Steve Austin was named the special referee for the match. And once things got started, the physicality would spread to the men with the money.

Yes, Donald Trump clotheslined Vince McMahon. Yes, Lashley won the match, and McMahon lost his hair. And, yes, Trump celebrated by drinking a beer with Austin before being felled by a Stunner.

The end result? According to WWE’s corporate website, WrestleMania 23 received the most PPV buys in WWE history. Trump would later (kayfabe) purchase Raw, and be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. But for one night at WrestleMania 23, the billionaires created a memorable moment.

Source: WWE.com

20. Three Legends Kick Off The Show (WrestleMania 30)

In most entertainment circles, big anniversary shows are usually packed to the gills with big names. 5th, 10th, 20th, and so on — these milestone editions of annual events are often havens for former stars of the trade.

The 30th edition of WrestleMania in 2014 was no exception. WWE brought the show to New Orleans and packed the Superdome with fans, current superstars, and a bunch of big names from the past. Let the good times roll, indeed.

In a big surprise to the live audience and everyone watching on the WWE Network for the first time, the main show kicked off with an appearance from the host of the event — WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster did his best to pump the crowd up, but got caught up in the moment and thought he was in the Silverdome — not the Superdome. Botch aside, Hogan got the crowd hyped.

But that wasn’t all. The Hulkster was joined in short order by another Hall of Famer — Stone Cold Steve Austin. The two had a brief staredown, and Austin poked fun at Hogan’s botch before threatening to open a can of whoop-ass. But rather than that, a man who had legendary WrestleMania battles with both men made his presence felt – The Rock.

With three of the biggest superstars of WWE’s past in the ring at the same time, there was no shortage of star power. It’s not unusual for one megastar to make an appearance on a pay per view or television show. But three at once? It’s unlikely to be repeated.

Truly one of the most iconic segments in WrestleMania history.

19. Shooting Star Botch (WrestleMania XIX)

At WrestleMania XIX in 2003, the main event pitted Brock Lesnar against WWE Champion Kurt Angle. For many, it was a dream match on a huge stage. Lesnar had only been a part of WWE for about a year, but he was already a former WWE Champion. His background as a standout amateur wrestler matched well with Angle, who was famously an Olympic gold medalist prior to joining WWE.

With two technical masters facing off for the WWE Championship on The Grandest Stage of All, the entire WWE Universe was looking forward to a show. There was little doubt that both superstars would deliver in the end.

And deliver they did. As the main event, Angle-Lesnar had to follow a great show in —general not to mention the third WrestleMania bout between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. But Angle and Lesnar were both up to the challenge.

A great wrestling match eventually came down to which man had more tricks up his sleeve. As Lesnar attempted an F5, Angle reversed into an ankle lock. When Lesnar escaped, Angle tried an Olympic Slam – but Lesnar countered with that all important F5.

Rather than go for the cover, Lesnar went for a WrestleMania moment for the ages. The 6’3, 286 pound monster climbed to the top rope, and attempted a shooting star press with Angle halfway across the ring. Lesnar missed, jamming his head and neck, and giving himself a serious concussion.

Angle was quick on his feet to improvise the finish of the match, somehow willing Brock to F5 him for a victory. But the visual of The Beast Incarnate soaring through the air doing a backflip is indescribable. Had he hit the move cleanly, this could be number one on the list.

18. Ultimate Victory (WrestleMania VI)

WrestleMania VI was the first international edition of the show, taking place in Toronto in 1990. For the fifth time in six shows, Hulk Hogan was in the main event, with the WWE Championship on the line. He entered WrestleMania VI as champion, with the ultimate opponent across the ring.

Hogan’s challenger was The Ultimate Warrior, who was also Intercontinental Champion. It was the first time in WrestleMania history that the two champions would face each other. Interestingly, both titles were on the line, a fact not many fans are always aware of. WWE President Jack Tunney dubbed this contest “The Ultimate Challenge” for both men.

What made the match even bigger was the popularity of the two title holders. Hogan and Warrior were arguably the two biggest fan favorites in WWE. Pitting them against one another meant that the crowd would likely be divided — unless the match could deliver.

It wasn’t a five star match by any stretch of the imagination, but for the skill sets of both men, it did what it needed to do. Hogan and Warrior each got in their fair share of offense, while proving they could survive an onslaught as well.

In the end, Warrior was able to outlast the Hulkster, capturing his only WWE Championship. In a symbolic passing of the torch, Hogan embraced Warrior before leaving the ring. It was a temporary thing, as the next year Hogan would be back in the main event for the championship. But while it lasted, it was highly memorable.

17. Boyhood Dream Comes True (WrestleMania XII)

In 1996, Shawn Michaels was on one of the biggest upswings of his career to that point. It was a stark contrast to the low points he had hit over the prior year. The former bad boy had turned over a new leaf and become a fan favorite.

The Heartbreak Kid stated that he was trying to fulfill a “boyhood dream” of winning the WWE Championship. At WrestleMania XI the year before, Michaels fell short in his title match against Diesel. Later that year, he was assaulted outside a nightclub, and sustained injuries that forced him to forfeit the Intercontinental Championship. Michaels also contemplated retirement after suffering a concussion from an enzuigiri by Owen Hart.

However, the dream of becoming WWE Champion was too strong to walk away from. Michaels returned to win the 1996 Royal Rumble, and earned the chance to face Bret Hart for the title at WrestleMania XII. The match was to be a 60-minute Iron Man match.

Michaels recruited his old trainer Jose Lothario to prepare for the bout. When it came to WrestleMania time, both competitors were ready. HBK actually used a zip line to glide to the ring for his entrance. The match went scoreless for the full sixty minutes. After a sudden death period started, Michaels scored the victory and his first championship, fulfilling his dream.

In what would go on to be a Hall of Fame career, this was the first real WrestleMania moment for Mr. WrestleMania.

16. Sting Officially Debuts (WrestleMania 31)

When WWE purchase WCW in 2001, many members of the WWE Universe began fantasy booking matches between the rosters. Some of those matches became reality, as superstars like Goldberg, Booker T, and DDP showed up on Raw and SmackDown. But for years, one of the biggest names in WCW history never appeared in a WWE ring.

That all changed in late 2014, when Sting first made his presence felt in WWE at Survivor Series. As Dolph Ziggler was the last man left for his anti-Authority team, Sting showed up to keep Triple H and the Authority from retaining power past the event. Over the next several months, Sting continued to be a thorn in Triple H’s side, until the WCW legend challenged The Game to a match at WrestleMania 31.

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Some 14 years after WCW folded, Sting finally debuted in WWE. The bout was a no disqualification match, and was seen by some as the final chapter in the WCW vs. WWE feud. It was more notable for the spectacle than the wrestling, but it wasn’t the worst match in the world.

Over the course of the contest, Triple H got some assistance from his D-Generation X teammates, allowing him to grab a sledgehammer. This prompted Sting’s backup to arrive — the nWo.

With Hogan, Hall, and Nash evening the odds, no one seemed to care that Sting spent the majority of the nWo’s existence trying to either ignore them or eliminate them. But it didn’t matter, because it was absolutely entertaining to watch.

Triple H won, and Sting would only have one more match in WWE before retiring due to injury. But for one night at WrestleMania 31, Sting making his WWE debut provided fans with something they had long been waiting for.

15. Changing Of The Guard (WrestleMania 21)

Much like at WrestleMania VI, there was a sort of passing of the torch at WrestleMania 21. It doesn’t happen very often in WWE — usually, it’s a more gradual process. But in 2005, it seemed like in one fell swoop WWE was looking to establish new faces of the company.

With the first brand extension in full effect, both Raw and SmackDown put forth world title matches for the show. On the SmackDown side, JBL entered the show as WWE Champion. His challenger? One John Cena. For Cena, the victory he attained kicked off his first world title reign. Since then, he’s captured a total of 16 world titles, matching Ric Flair’s all-time record.

Meanwhile, in the Raw main event, World Heavyweight Champion Triple H defended against his former partner in Evolution, Batista. It was a back and forth affair, but The Animal hit a Batista Bomb for the victory – earning his first world title. When his initial WWE run ended in 2009, Batista left as a six-time world champion.

Even though Cena and Batista were able to win their respective titles at WrestleMania 21 — and hold them for extended periods of time thereafter — the two main event matches were poorly received. It’s no knock on either competitor, as Cena and Batista both had exceptional careers as legitimate main event talents. But after the first ever Money in the Bank ladder match, and a stellar Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels contest on the undercard, the two world title matches failed to deliver on the same level.

Regardless, this was one of the rare instances that WWE pulled the trigger on establishing new stars at WrestleMania. In the long run, it worked out well.

14. TLC 2 (WrestleMania X-Seven)

Whenever a wrestling writer ranks all the WrestleMania shows, WrestleMania X-Seven always ends up near the top of the list. It’s one of those shows where there are no real clunkers on the card.

One of the real bright spots on the card for WrestleMania X-Seven was the second TLC tag team match. Arguably the three top tag teams in 2001 were Edge & Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz. Edge & Christian were notorious for using chairs, the Hardys were ladder match savants, and the Dudleys famously used tables whenever the opportunity was available. Eventually, the three weapons coalesced into one match stipulation.

One year earlier, the three teams fought in a triple threat ladder match, and tables got involved before it was over. Then at SummerSlam, the first official TLC match took place, with Edge & Christian successfully defending the Tag Team Championships.

At WrestleMania X-Seven, the stakes were raised by virtue of it being the biggest show of the year. The Dudley Boyz entered as champions — and each team brought backup to the ring, who would get involved before the match ended.

This one had all the big spots you would think of in a TLC match — Jeff Hardy set up a giant ladder and hit a Swanton Bomb onto Spike Dudley and Rhyno through tables. Jeff would try to pull down the championship belts, but Bubba Dudley pulled the ladder out from under him. While he hung from the belts, Edge dove off another ladder and hit Hardy with a spear. Bubba and Matt Hardy climbed the same ladder, but Rhyno (working for Edge & Christian) pushed it over, and the pair crashed through tables.

Finally, Christian sat on Rhyno’s shoulders to grab the titles, as Edge held D-Von Dudley back from interfering.

13. The Deadman Returns (WrestleMania XX)

If I start talking about The Undertaker, I usually assume that most people picture him in his current persona. It’s very similar to the character he was upon his debut in WWE way back in 1990. For those who don’t know exactly what The Deadman is, he’s basically a mortician from the Old West, and possibly a ghost/zombie.

However, in 2000, Taker returned from an injury hiatus with a drastically different character — suddenly, he was a biker. No more funeral themed gear or music, no more looking like he was “undead” — think Sons of Anarchy meets pro wrestling. He would continue with his biker/”Big Evil” character until Survivor Series 2003, when he lost a Buried Alive match to Vince McMahon. The Chairman got some help from Kane, who claimed his brother was now “dead and buried forever.”

Beginning with the Royal Rumble in 2004, Kane started being haunted by video messages and other supernatural distractions. They all seemed to indicate that The Undertaker was returning. Kane didn’t believe it, but challenged his brother to face him at WrestleMania anyway.

When WrestleMania XX arrived, Kane eventually made his way to the ring, still in disbelief as to Taker’s presence. But then Paul Bearer came out, and blue lights filled Madison Square Garden. And Bearer brought with him the urn – believed to be the source of the Deadman’s powers – and a group of druids.

Finally, Taker appeared in his Deadman persona— trench coat, duster hat, the works. Kane was distraught, and the “match” was short. Undertaker dominated, and finished with a classic Tombstone for the victory.

The return of the Deadman was a classic WrestleMania moment.

Source: WWE.com

12. Rollins Cashes In (WrestleMania 31)

The first Money in the Bank ladder match took place at WrestleMania 21. After 10 years and 14 ladder matches, someone finally used their guaranteed championship contract at WrestleMania.

Seth Rollins won the MITB ladder match in summer of 2014. For 273 days, he carried the briefcase around, but made no official cash-in attempts.

Earlier in the night at WrestleMania 31, Rollins was defeated by Randy Orton. That match included a WrestleMania moment of its own — possibly the most impressive RKO “from outta nowhere” off a Curb Stomp reversal. But with Rollins losing his big Mania match, no one expected anything else from him the rest of the show.

The main event was a WWE Championship match — Brock Lesnar defended the title against Roman Reigns. Lesnar dominated the majority of the match, but Reigns seemed to be making a comeback. Lesnar was busted open from going head first into the ring post, but neither competitor seemed to have anything left in the tanks.

At that point, Seth’s music hit, and he ran down the extra long ramp to cash in his MITB contract. He’s the first man to ever cash in at WrestleMania, as well as the first to cash in while a championship match was in progress.

With the main event now a triple threat match, Rollins hit Lesnar with a Curb Stomp, but was about to get hit with an F5 until Reigns made the save. As Lesnar rolled out of the ring, Reigns got a Curb Stomp of his own, and Rollins became WWE Champion for the first time.

Since many fans — like today — were down on Reigns as WWE Champion, and Lesnar being a part timer, the prospect of Rollins winning the title seemed more agreeable. It was certainly memorable.

Source: WWE Network

11. Benoit & Guerrero Celebrate (WrestleMania XX)

Looking at certain moments in a vacuum, without taking into account context, this list could look very different. Sometimes context is why a moment seems so special in the first place. Other times, the sheer randomness of a moment is why its memorable.

In this case, context almost ruins this moment entirely.

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At WrestleMania XX, Eddie Guerrero entered as WWE Champion. Just the fact that he was world champ was impressive, as despite his immense talent he never really had the chance to main event while in WCW. Another superstar in the same boat was Chris Benoit. The two, smaller superstars were perceived by many to be held back in WCW, but were making the most of their opportunities in WWE.

Guerrero successfully defended the WWE Championship in the first main event against Kurt Angle. And later in the night, Benoit — as the Royal Rumble winner — challenged for the World Heavyweight Championship against Shawn Michaels and the champion, Triple H. Both matches were excellent wrestling contests, with the triple threat match to close the show being exceptionally great.

In the end, Benoit forced Triple H to tap out to the Crippler Crossface, winning his first world title in WWE. For those who thought he was being held back in WCW, it was a terrific moment at the time. And when Guerrero came down to the ring to celebrate with his friend, it was one of the greatest WrestleMania moments in history.

Of course, context clouds this moment, as it’s very difficult to feel good about a feel-good moment knowing what went on in the future. Still, for what it was at the time, it was incredible to see.

10. Birth Of The Spectacle (WrestleMania)

WrestleMania I may not have been the greatest show of all time. But if it never happened, this list could not exist. So logically, the entirety of the first WrestleMania should be a great WrestleMania moment, right?

In 1985, Vince McMahon decided to further his quest of taking the World Wrestling Federation national. He promoted a pro wrestling supercard akin to Starrcade, the NWA’s annual franchise.

To differentiate what would be known as WrestleMania, McMahon wanted to make the show accessible to everyone, not just hardcore wrestling fans (sound familiar?) He created a partnership with MTV to promote his first WrestleMania, which eventually led to the “Rock n Wrestling Connection” that dominated the 1980s.

Celebrity guests filled numerous roles at WrestleMania, which took place in Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City. Cyndi Lauper served as manager for Wendy Richter, who won the Women’s Championship. Billy Martin was a guest ring announcer for the main event, while Muhammad Ali was a guest referee. And Liberace — accompanied by the Rockettes — served as a guest timekeeper.

But the biggest celebrity involvement belonged to Mr. T — who was one of the wrestlers in the main event. Mr. T teamed with world champion Hulk Hogan to take on Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff, who had Cowboy Bob Orton in their corner.

WrestleMania’s financial success was integral to the company’s future. The amount of money needed to tour on a national level was huge, and if WrestleMania failed WWE may have folded. So the birth of the spectacle is a great moment for the company and the fans.

9. Hogan vs. Rock (WrestleMania X8)

After WWE bought WCW in 2001, it was only a matter of time before the nWo showed up in WWE. Sure enough, the original three members of the New World Order — Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall — made their returns to WWE in February 2002. Much like their initial run in WCW, the nWo were billed as “outsiders”. Vince McMahon brought them in to “kill” WWE so he didn’t have to share the company with Ric Flair. It was a whole thing, you had to be there.

To accomplish their mission, Hogan and company focused their attack on the biggest stars in WWE — Stone Cold and The Rock. When WrestleMania X8 rolled around in March, Hogan had a singles match with Rock. It was Hogan’s first WrestleMania match in nine years, when he somehow left WrestleMania IX as world champ.

The Toronto crowd was treated to a memorable match between the two icons of WWE — past and present. Their excitement for the match fueled both competitors — despite the heel Hogan getting cheered more than the babyface Rocky. Both superstars would kick out of the other’s finishing moves, showing their resiliency and desire to win.

Eventually, Hogan would Hulk Up, which drove the crowd nuts. But it wasn’t enough, as Rock emerged victorious in the end. The two icons shook hands, which propelled Hogan to a face turn after Hall and Nash assaulted him.

The image of Hulk Hogan getting a WrestleMania crowd to pop after nine years is one that no one will soon forget.

8. “I’m Sorry… I Love You” (WrestleMania XXIV)

Saying Ric Flair is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time is actually a bit of an understatement. After a 35-year career, everyone knew that his retirement was inevitable at some point. In November 2007, Flair appeared on Raw in Charlotte, admitting he had to retire — but not yet. So Vince McMahon made Flair a deal — he could continue wrestling as long as he kept winning. One loss, and Flair would be forced into retirement.

Flair continued to win for several months, and was named an inductee into the 2008 Hall of Fame. In February, Flair challenged Mr. WrestleMania Shawn Michaels to a match at WrestleMania XXVIV in Orlando. Michaels was reluctant, because he didn’t want to be the one to end Flair’s legendary career. But the match was signed.

The match got under way, and both superstars proved up to the task as they engaged in a series of counters. Flair even taunted HBK with references to Old Yeller — a movie about putting down a beloved, old family pet. Michaels continued to seem hesitant about giving the match his all for fear of being the one to retire The Nature Boy.

Flair capitalized on Michaels’ reluctance several times, but eventually was hit with Sweet Chin Music — but he kicked out. HBK applied a modified figure four, but the dirtiest player in the game used a thumb to the eye to break the hold. Michaels countered a series of Flair chops with another superkick, but didn’t go for a cover.

In one of the more iconic moments in WrestleMania history, Flair staggered to his feet, and Michaels told him, “I’m sorry… I love you,” before delivering a third Sweet Chin Music for a victory. Michaels left the ring quickly, allowing the now-retired Flair to soak in the standing ovation from the crowd and celebrate with his family at ringside.

It’s such a poignant moment, seeing a legendary career come to an end at the biggest event of the year. Definitely one of the top WrestleMania moments in history.

7. Austin’s First Title Victory (WrestleMania XIV)

Steve Austin was the face of WWE during the Attitude Era. For the better part of the late nineties, Stone Cold was white hot in terms of popularity. Once he officially turned face, he was on the fast track to superstardom.

Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels was WWE Champion. He and Triple H, along with Chyna, had recently united to form D-Generation X, and the union proved beneficial for both. With Bret Hart, Austin’s old nemesis, leaving WWE in no small part because of Michaels, it seemed that HBK and the Texas Rattlesnake would cross paths sooner rather than later.

At the 1998 Royal Rumble, the seeds were planted. Austin won his second consecutive Rumble match, guaranteeing him a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XIV. In addition, Michaels defeated the Undertaker in a casket match to retain the world title.

To up the ante, Mike Tyson was named the guest referee (and later ringside enforcer) for the match. Austin famously attacked Tyson at the episode of Raw when the deal was announced. Tyson would later join DX, making the WrestleMania match stacked against Stone Cold.

But once WrestleMania XIV rolled around, Austin proved he was up to the challenge. The two superstars fought across the arena, utilizing the environment to inflict more damage. Triple H and Chyna were ejected from ringside, making it a fair fight — except for Tyson. Referee Mike Chioda was knocked unconscious during the match, at which point a reversal sequence saw Austin hit HBK with a Stone Cold Stunner. Tyson entered the ring to count the pinfall, and Austin was world champ for the first time.

As WWE Champion, this propelled Austin into his most high-profile feud — against Mr. McMahon himself. Eventually, that rivalry would help WWE turn the tide in the ratings battle with WCW, and it all started with this great WrestleMania moment.

6. The Streak Ends (WrestleMania 30)

One of the great WrestleMania traditions was The Undertaker defending his undefeated streak at the event. Since his first WrestleMania match in 1991, the Deadman spent the next 23 years amassing 21 consecutive victories. Legends like Ric Flair, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels all tried to defeat Taker at Mania, but no one succeeded. WrestleMania became Undertaker’s signature event, and he was practically superhuman at the Show of Shows.

In 2014, Undertaker challenged Brock Lesnar to a match at WrestleMania 30. Lesnar, to that point, had been building momentum since returning to WWE in 2012. With his advocate Paul Heyman by his side, Lesnar was not quite the Beast Incarnate we’ve come to know him as.

But at WrestleMania 30, that all changed.

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Lesnar and Undertaker battled for nearly 30 minutes. For the first time in a long time, Taker looked like a mere mortal in a WrestleMania match. Lesnar seemed to be too much for the Deadman to handle. Early in the bout, Taker suffered a concussion, severely weakening him (and hospitalizing him after the match).

Regardless of the offensive onslaught from Brock, Taker refused to stay down. He kicked out of an early F5, countering with chokeslams and a Last Ride powerbomb. Even a Tombstone, though, couldn’t keep Lesnar down. But two more F5s were shockingly enough to put Undertaker down for a three count, ending The Streak.

The live audience was stunned into silence, and even Heyman seemed to be shocked at the result. There was a slight delay in Lesnar’s music starting to play, leading to baseless speculation that the match turned into a shoot.

But at the end of the day, The Streak was over after 21 victories. It was one of the more shocking moments in WrestleMania history.

5. Hogan Slams Andre (WrestleMania III)

In the late 1980s, WrestleMania had not yet evolved to the gigantic spectacle it would eventually become. Sure, the shows each year were supercards, with a bunch of celebrity presence at each one. But in the first two WrestleManias, there had yet to be a real memorable moment that defined the events.

At WrestleMania III, such a moment finally happened. It was fitting that it took place at the third Mania, which set an indoor attendance record that stood for years. The climate was perfect for an iconic moment in time that could be a part of highlight packages for years to come.

In the main event, Hulk Hogan defended the WWE Championship against Andre the Giant. For years, Andre was the biggest star in wrestling — literally and figuratively. But as Hulkamania ran wild on the country, Andre found himself taking a backseat to Hogan. The giant was angry at this, becoming a villain for the first time in years. He even recruited Bobby The Brain Heenan to be his manager.

Hogan accepted Andre’s challenge for a title match at WrestleMania III. And to be perfectly honest, the match was garbage. But it was a spectacle, even if the wrestling itself was terrible.

The contest was centered around Hogan attempting to bodyslam Andre. The 525 pound behemoth had “never” been bodyslammed before (except for all those other times it happened, but still). Hogan’s first attempt ended poorly, but at the end of the match, he succeeded.

The visual of Hogan slamming Andre is one of the most iconic images in WrestleMania history, and even wrestling history. It’s all anyone remembers from the match, and for good reason.

4. A Macho Reunion (WrestleMania VII)

If you can make it through this moment without tearing up, you may want to consult a physician. Because you’d have to be either legally dead or a functioning sociopath to not get emotional from this.

Randy Savage had been one of the top heels in WWE since just before WrestleMania V, when he turned on Hulk Hogan. In the aftermath of WrestleMania V and losing the WWE Championship to Hogan, Savage replaced Miss Elizabeth as his manager with Sensational Sherri. The breakup of one of wrestling’s most iconic couples — as well as a real-fife couple – was somewhat shocking.

With Sherri by his side, the Macho Man would go on to become “King of the Ring,” and he renamed himself “Macho King.” Eventually, Savage would enter a feud with the Ultimate Warrior, who had refused Savage a chance to regain the WWE Championship.

The rivalry between Savage and Warrior would culminate at WrestleMania VII in 1991, in a retirement match. Warrior was victorious, leaving Savage dejected. Sherri was furious that her superstar lost and was being forced into retirement. She began attacking Savage, until Elizabeth — who was in the crowd — ran to the ring to stop the assault.

When Randy realized what was going on, he and Elizabeth reunited in an embrace, and he lifted her up on his shoulder. As the pair went to leave the ring, Elizabeth tried to hold open the ropes for the Macho Man, like she had done hundreds of times before.

But this time, Savage showed that he was a new man, instead holding the ropes open to allow Elizabeth to exit gracefully. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, or at home watching on pay per view. It was one of the more memorable moments in WrestleMania history.

3. Daniel Bryan Runs The Table (WrestleMania 30)

Much like Stone Cold’s championship victory at WrestleMania XIV, when Daniel Bryan won a pair of matches at WrestleMania 30 he changed the trajectory of his career.

For much of the prior six months, Bryan had been held down by the Authority. He had defeated John Cena at SummerSlam 2013 to win the WWE Championship, but immediately lost the title when Randy Orton cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. After being unsuccessful in regaining the title, it seemed like Bryan was out of the championship picture going into WrestleMania season.

Instead, a groundswell of fan support — dubbed “The Yes Movement” — pushed Bryan to the brink of glory. With the Authority unable to ignore fans who would hijack shows to voice their appreciation for D-Bry, Triple H made a deal. If Bryan could defeat Triple H at WrestleMania 30, he would be added to the world title match between Randy Orton and Batista later that night.

In the opening contest, Bryan and Triple H put on a classic match. In my humble opinion, it was the better of the two matches Bryan wrestled that night. It was a technical masterpiece, to say the least. The post-match attack by Triple H further stacked the odds against Bryan for the main event.

Again, Daniel overcame the odds. The teamwork displayed by Orton and Batista to try and eliminate Bryan from the match foreshadowed the Evolution reunion that occurred a few weeks later. But WrestleMania 30 was bound to be the night of Bryan’s career.

As Bryan celebrated his title victory amid falling confetti, he went over to his biggest fan – Connor “The Crusher,” who lost his battle with cancer a few weeks later. The image of the celebration in New Orleans between a beloved hero and his fans left an indelible mark on the wrestling world.

2. HBK Forced To Retire (WrestleMania XXVI)

This moment is really the culmination of several years’ worth of storytelling. The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels were no strangers in the ring, but the final months of the rivalry that led to this match were especially intense.

A year prior at WrestleMania XXV, Michaels and Undertaker had one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history. Taker was victorious, running his record to 17-0 at WrestleMania. The match was named Match of the Year in several year-end awards, including the Slammys. While accepting the Slammy, HBK said he could still beat the Deadman and issued a challenge for a rematch.

Undertaker initially refused Michaels’ demands, which sent HBK into a crazed fury. He was obsessed, and the obsession cost him chances to t his wish. Taker was World Heavyweight Champion at the time, and Michaels could have earned a title match at either Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber. But he kept falling short, and his rage built.

After costing Taker his championship, Michaels finally got his wish, but had to put his career on the line. He accepted, and the match was on for WrestleMania XXVI. The importance of the match had it slated as the main event, going on after both world title matches.

It was another classic match, with both superstars throwing everything they had at each other. Multiple finishers were hit, and were subsequently kicked out of. In a truly memorable moment, Undertaker stopped himself from going for a third Tombstone and begged Michaels to stay down. But Michaels staggered to his feet and mocked Taker’s throat-slash taunt, and slapped the Deadman in the face.

A furious Undertaker grabbed Michaels and hit a jumping Tombstone to end a Hall of Fame career. Mr. WrestleMania has stayed retired ever since, though he does show up every once in a while for non-wrestling roles.

Source: WWE.com

1. Stone Cold Passes Out (WrestleMania 13)

They say star ratings don’t really matter, and to a certain extent, I agree with that sentiment. However, if a match at WrestleMania is granted the elusive 5-star rating by Dave Meltzer, it’s going to stand out from the pack.

The submission match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 is one of the greatest wrestling matches ever produced by any company. I don’t think there’s an ounce of hyperbole in that statement. There’s nothing that match didn’t have — it’s basically the perfect match.

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First, the backstory. Bret Hart was inactive for parts of 1996, which led Stone Cold to call out the Hitman. The two would battle on a few occasions, but at the 1997 Royal Rumble Hitman eliminated Austin — but none of the referees saw it. Austin returned and eliminated Hart to win the match.

Austin continued to be a thorn in Bret’s side for the next several weeks, even costing Bret the WWE Championship. So at WrestleMania 13, the two would meet in a no disqualification submission match.

And it was Brutal with a capital B. UFC fighter Ken Shamrock was the special referee, and he had a difficult time controlling these two rivals. The fight spilled to the ringside area, and all over the arena. Electrical cables, chairs, the ring posts, and the ring bell were all used as weapons. But neither competitor would give an inch.

Finally, a bloody Austin was trapped in Bret’s Sharpshooter. The Rattlesnake refused to submit, eventually passing out from the pain rather than give up. Hitman continued his assault, leading to something as rare as a Meltzer 5-star rating: the double turn.

Austin left WrestleMania 13 as a babyface, and within a year was WWE Champion. Bret was out of WWE roughly eight months later as a result of the Montreal Screwjob. But WrestleMania 13 was a high point for both competitors, and my choice for the greatest moment in WrestleMania history.

Did I leave out your favorite WrestleMania moment? Sound off in the comments below!

Bryan Heaton

Bryan lives on Long Island with his wife and a pug, and more often than not there's some form of wrestling or another playing on the TV or computer. Follow him on Twitter @BigHeat34 to talk about WWE, NXT, or Chikara (seriously, wrestling ice creams and wrestling ants are AMAZING), or introduce him to your favorite promotions or matches!