Best World Heavyweight Championship Matches in WrestleMania History

No. 2: The Evolution of Batista

Batista overcame his mentors Triple H and Ric Flair to win his first World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21. (Photo Credit: BleacherReport.com)

This may seem controversial putting Batista‘s ascension to his first world title victory at No. 2 on this list, but this match had more importance than some realized at the time.

For the next few years, Batista — along with John Cena — would rule the WWE scene and the title scene. WrestleMania 21 signified the beginning of Batista‘s dominance in the World Heavyweight Championship picture.

For months, Batista and Triple H‘s relationship slowly turned from a brotherhood to a heated rivalry. The Game brought Batista into Evolution with Ric Flair and Orton, and the group ran roughshod over Raw for a couple years. But, after Orton dismissed himself from the group and tension continued to build between The Game and The Animal, the two finally got it on in the main event of WrestleMania 21, thanks to Batista winning the 2005 Royal Rumble.

The Animal came out on top and thus ended his time with Evolution and began his own evolution towards becoming “the man”.

Next: No. 1: The Heartbreak Kid, The Game and The Crippler, WrestleMania XX