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Listing The Best Matches From All 35 WrestleManias

By Brandon Slone

WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston. Photo Credit: WWE.com
WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston. Photo Credit: WWE.com /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 08: Wrestler Shawn Michaels attends day 2 of Autorama at Cobo Hall on March 8, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 08: Wrestler Shawn Michaels attends day 2 of Autorama at Cobo Hall on March 8, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images) /

WrestleMania IX: Tatanka vs. Shawn Michaels (Intercontinental Championship)

This marks Shawn Michaels’ first appearance on this list. It will not be his last. WrestleMania IX was, as a whole, a bit of a trainwreck, with this, the opening match no less, being the highlight.

Tatanka was undefeated up to this point, so Shawn Michaels’ reign as Intercontinental Champion seemed to be in serious danger. As Michaels was seconded by Luna Vachon, Tatanka came prepared with Michaels’ former manager, Sensational Sherri.

The two put on a great match that saw them trade momentum back and forth for about 18 minutes. At times, it genuinely seemed as though Michaels might snap Tatanka’s undefeated streak, while at others it seemed a certainty that Tatanka would capture the Intercontinental Championship.

The only mark against this match, once again is the finish. Michaels was outside of the ring and pulled the referee outside to prevent himself from being counted out. Once the action returned to the ring, Tatanka seemed like a lock to win the match, only for the referee to call for the bell and reveal that Michaels had, in fact, been counted out.

This was a way for WWE to have their cake and eat it too; to keep Tatanka from losing, but also to keep the belt on Michaels. As such, they deprived fans of a proper finish on the biggest show of the year. Yet, this one still makes the list, even if only for lack of competition.