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Best World Heavyweight Championship Matches in WrestleMania History

By Michael Whitlow

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No. 1: Chris Benoit’s 18-year journey ends at MSG

Chris Benoit won his first world title at WrestleMania XX in one of the greatest matches in history against Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Afterwards, his best friend Eddie Guerrero joined in on the celebration. (Photo Credit: WWE.com)

“IT’S OVER!”

“The winner of this bout, and … NEWWWWWWWWWWW World Heavyweight Champion … CHRIS BENOIT!”

One of the greatest — yet saddest — matches in WWE history took place at WrestleMania XX, when Chris Benoit made Triple H tap to the Crippler Crossface to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

Why the match was No. 1 on this list: I can still hear Jim Ross‘ call of the final seconds of the match, along with WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel announcing Benoit as the new champion. The match was sensational (HHH white boots and all) and the action was awesome start-to-finish.

Why this is probably the saddest match in history: After Chris Benoit‘s tragic double murder-suicide situation in 2007, Benoit’s legacy was seemingly erased from wrestling lore. This match was the biggest match in Benoit’s career and now, it doesn’t get its due because of Benoit’s horrific actions.

From a wrestling perspective, the scene was perfect. What better place to have a main event with The Game, HBK and Benoit at Madison Square Garden?

The build-up? It was perfect for a Triple Threat match. Benoit won from the first spot in the 2004 Royal Rumble and wanted a shot at the Big Gold Belt he chased for years. However, after HHH and HBK’s Last Man Standing Match at the Rumble ended in a draw, Michaels wanted a rematch.

The match? One of the greatest.

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