Chris King’s Top 10 WrestleMania Moments

WrestleMania Season brings about a time to look ahead, and also look back. Chris King looks back at his Top 10 moments of WWE WrestleMania! See if yours made the cut!

We are finally only a few weeks away from the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania 42. This year feels a lot different from other years. There are some good and bad and some really exciting matchups that I’m personally looking forward to: Brock Lesnar versus Oba Femi, Roman Reigns versus CM Punk, and Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton. 

Throughout the years we’ve bared witness to some iconic moments at the big dance, including Shawn Michaels flying through the crowd, The Undertaker’s streak, the Yes Movement, and so many others. While I’m gearing up for the biggest event, I thought it would be only fitting to name my top 10 moments in WrestleMania history!

10 – The Shield Debuts In Impressive Fashion (WrestleMania 29)

https://youtu.be/h-aAv3cSGmQ?si=ZgEquKjAcB-Aiw0h

In 2013, The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins) had taken WWE by storm by utilizing the numbers game to gain some impressive victories. This dominant trio was going after top dogs like John Cena, Kane, Daniel Bryan, and even the legendary Undertaker. At WrestleMania 29, The Shield defeated Big Show, Randy Orton, and Sheamus in a six-man tag team match. 

9 – The Deadman Rises Again (WrestleMania 20)

https://youtu.be/lBr_Kz2MCrk?si=9RcUovdDeqNS9EtM

At the 2003 Survivor series pay-per-view, the Undertaker was buried alive by his own brother Kane. His demonic brother would hold a eulogy for him, mocking his emotions and his changing his character from the Deadman character into the American badass. For several weeks, the Undertaker would play mind games with his brother, making him lose focus during matches and making the lightning strike throughout areas. It was announced in horrifying fashion that the Undertaker, in true Deadman form, would make his illustrious return to face his brother on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania XX!

8 – Shane McMahon and AJ Styles Make Magic (WrestleMania 33)

https://youtu.be/o51brKO4f7c?si=CdXPlbapUgOm8Ine

It was hard to believe that somebody as talented as AJ Styles didn’t have a match going into WrestleMania 33. The Phenomenal One had previously been the WWE champion, and now  was looking for some respect but got none from the commissioner of Friday night SmackDown, Shane McMahon. A desperate Styles brutally beats down Shane-O-Mac backstage and slammed his head through a car window. Quickly we had a match made for AJ Styles versus Shane McMahon. While nobody expected both superstars to have a great match, they somehow turned chicken shit into chicken salad and delivered an underrated banger. 

7 – Edge Wins Money In The Bank (WrestleMania 21)

https://youtu.be/XsBZCXkT40E?si=naS2-Myxp3RDI7xq

In 2005, WWE wanted to revamp the chances to become a world champion by announcing the first-ever Money in the Bank ladder match. This amazing match would become a PLE staple for the company throughout the years; where all six superstars who would give everything, including their bodies, for a contract to cash in at any moment within the next year. 

Edge, a former tag team champion, would become the very first superstar to hold the briefcase. He would then cash in on John Cena at New Year’s Revolution, fulfilling his dream of becoming WWE champion.

6 – Rey Mysterio Wins The Title (WrestleMania 22)

https://youtu.be/SmalWq894dk?si=wQRCUvkNSvgFkR4Y

In late 2005, one of the most amazing technical wrestlers in WWE would pass away: Eddie Guerrero. Just one year prior, after winning the WWE championship for the first and only time. Rey Mysterio, his longtime friend and rival, would make history by having the longest time in Royal Rumble history and winning the match. 

The masked Luchador would then proclaim that he was going to win the World Heavyweight Championship and dedicate his victory it to Eddie. And in a truly beautiful moment, Mysterio would defeat Kurt Angle and Randy Orton at WrestleMania 22 to win the world title in a historic moment!

5 – The End Of An Era (WrestleMania 28)

https://youtu.be/OvI6vQk5k44?si=FBwy6dBLplAr_Hm7

For over two decades, one thing had remained a constant at WrestleMania: the Undertaker’s legendary undefeated streak. The streak would become a spectacle of itself. Two years ago, we saw the legendary career of Shawn Michaels come to an end after he was unsuccessful in defeating the Undertaker. 

At WrestleMania 27 we saw Shawn‘s longtime friend Triple H try to do the exact same thing but was also unsuccessful. For the first time ever, though, we saw the Undertaker being carted out, not being able to walk on his own accord. So in order to raise the stakes, we saw the Undertaker versus Triple H with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee in an iconic Hell in a Cell match. In a grueling battle we saw the Undertaker remain undefeated, and all three competitors stood at the ramp in a huge show of respect!

4 – Kofi-Mania Happened (WrestleMania 35)

https://youtu.be/D19hvqdecC4?si=BMW2JeNUMqOgXxqo

In 2019, we saw the rise of Kofi Kingston, a member of The New Day. The Jamaican-loving superstar had become a multiple-time tag team champion and held singles gold in WWE but had never won the WWE championship. Kingston had never been given a one-on-one championship match throughout his entire eleven-year career. 

That all changed after a fantastic performance inside the Elimination Chamber, where he came within seconds of becoming the WWE champion and defeating Daniel Brian. Kingston‘s stable, Big E, and Xavier Woods fought valiantly for their brother to get his win, his first WWE Championship, at WrestleMania 35!

3 – The Yes Movement! (WrestleMania 30)

https://youtu.be/xfFrDS2cCKA?si=KGv__hyDOczEqOBl

In order to appreciate Kofi-Mania, we first need to look at The Yes Movement for Daniel Bryan. In 2013 something insane happened: after Daniel Bryan was defeated in a mere eighteen seconds by Sheamus at WrestleMania 28, the WWE universe began chanting ‘Yes.’ This enormous crowd response would gain momentum and carry Bryan into a WWE Championship match at the 2013 SummerSlam PLE. Bryan would defeat John Cena and become champion! This victory would only last minutes before Randy Orton would cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase to steal the title.

In 2014, despite the Authority’s greatest efforts, Bryan would scratch and claw his way into the main event scene. He would force Triple H into giving him his chance on the grandest stage of them all. Bryan would be added to the main event after defeating his tyrannous boss and shock the world by winning the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30! 

2 – Stone Cold Makes A Deal With The Devil (WrestleMania 17) 

https://youtu.be/7MJP2wUYt5E?si=WuY4TicT1cQhsxXC

In 2001, Stone Cold wanted the WWE Championship more than breath itself after winning the Royal Rumble. His then-rival The Rock would become the champion on the road to WrestleMania X7, and the stage was set for two of the biggest superstars to face off for the second time. Both rivals would do anything to gain the advantage, including delivering their opponents’ finishing moves to each other. The Rock was not only defending his title but also trying to avenge his loss to Austin two years prior. 

I’ll never forget Paul Heyman proclaiming on commentary that this is the match both men need to win and neither can afford to lose. That’s how important being a champion meant to both top superstars. In a fantastic match, Austin would utilize a more aggressive move set to defeat his opponent but to no avail. Out of nowhere, Mr. McMahon would come down to ringside and appear to be helping his long-time rival Austin by handing him a steel chair. With the numbers game, Austin shocked the world by turning heel and won the WWE Championship in controversial fashion. 

1 – Hardy Boyz Grand Return (WrestleMania 33)

https://youtu.be/BVeC9wXZLUc?si=8YQNd67NiN7Oi202

At WrestleMania 33 one of the absolute coolest moments happened in the show’s history books: The Hardy Boyz made their long-awaited return to the WWE. With the then Raw Tag Team Champions (The Bar) Sheamus and Cesaro set to defend their titles in a triple threat ladder match, the hosts of WrestleMania, The New Day, announced that another team would join them. Matt and Jeff Hardy had been gone from the company for about six to seven years before returning home on the grandest stage of them all. 

Once their music hit, the entire WWE universe roared in excitement. It was one of the biggest pops I’ve ever heard in my lifetime. The commentary team made this moment feel so special and truly shocking. In a chaotic and fun ladder match, the Hardy Boyz would become seven-time tag team champions! 

WrestleMania is always full of surprises, and I truly can’t wait for the spectacle this year!