Listing The Best Matches From All 35 WrestleManias

WrestleMania XIX: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho idolized Shawn Michaels. That much was obvious to anyone who paid attention. So it came as no surprise that the two had natural chemistry and could put on classic matches with one another at the drop of a hat. The crux of the feud was that Jericho grew tired of being marked as “the next Shawn Michaels” when he would much rather be “the first Chris Jericho”

Michaels had just returned to the ring the previous August and the reality that he was here to stay had finally begun to set in when he captured the World Heavyweight Championship in the inaugural Elimination Chamber at Survivor Series. At the Royal Rumble, Michaels and Jericho drew numbers 1 and 2, respectively. Jericho attacked Michaels from behind at the beginning of the match, unceremoniously dumping him over the top rope. Michaels returned later in the match to get revenge.

The WrestleMania match was based on Jericho’s desire to assert his superiority, and he went to work not only attempting to defeat Michaels, but to embarrass him, deploying slaps and taunts. Michaels’ injured back was exploited, as he looked in terrible agony when locked in the Walls of Jericho. He managed to escape. Jericho, for his part, managed to kick out of a Sweet Chin Music.

Michaels was able to score the victory with an impressive roll-up out of the corner. A frustrated Jericho proceeded to shake hands with his idol and give him a hug before betraying him with a low blow and storming off in a display of poor sportsmanship.

Honorable Mention: Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle put on a classic main event that is, unfortunately, more remembered for Brock almost killing himself with a botched Shooting Star Press than for any of the technical mastery that preceded it.