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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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NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Wrestler Shawn Michaels speaks at the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Wrestler Shawn Michaels speaks at the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of Wrestlemania 23 at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) /

WrestleMania XI: Diesel vs. Shawn Michaels (WWE Championship)

1995 is notorious for being an unprofitable year in WWE history. That WrestleMania XI was held in what basically amounted to a shopping mall serves as a painful reminder of this fact. In retrospect, much of the blame is laid at the feet of Diesel’s run as WWE Champion, but when one considers his performances in matches like this one, such a claim seems a bit harsh.

Shawn Michaels, who had rapidly ascended the card, entered the arena flanked by Jenny McCarthy and Sid, the replacement bodyguard he had acquired following his split from Diesel, while WWE Champion Diesel was accompanied by Pamela Anderson.

Michaels, who had won the Royal Rumble to earn this opportunity, ironically started the match by being thrown over the top rope. Most of the match saw Michaels bumping like a mad man to sell Diesel’s power, while using his speed and high fling abilities to mount his own offense.

Michaels even seemed poised to win the match following a Sweet Chin Music, but the referee was distracted and unable to count the fall. Diesel eventually hit a nasty Jacknife Powerbomb to retain. Michaels came out looking strong in defeat, and like a credible challenger going forward.

This one is hardly the best match you’ll ever see, but it is still very good and definitely the closest thing to a stand out match on WrestleMania XI’s card. This is definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of either Shawn Michaels or Kevin Nash.