24) Hulk Hogan Vs The Ultimate Warrior – Wrestlemania VI
As far as big main events go, this was arguably the biggest to date at the time and the fans in the state were jacked for it. Outside of the big match feel though the match is pretty poor. Hogan and Warrior exchange big moves, there’s an amusing spot where each superstar counts the fall for themselves and then Warrior stopped Hulk’s hulking up dead, hitting with the big splash and getting the pinfall.
The match, like all of Hogan’s main events, had a huge feel to it but was pretty poor in the ring. Hogan still manages to steal the spotlight at the end , though, and he makes Warrior’s win look questionable as he kicks out just as the three count is finished.
23) Yokozuna Vs Bret Hart – Wrestlemania X
Wrestlemania X was a significant Mania in the company’s history. Following the steroid scandal and the departure of Hulk Hogan from the company, Vince and Co began to start focusing on smaller, more technically gifted guys in the ring – for a while, at least. This shift gave us two of the greatest Wrestlemania matches of all time at Wrestlemania X in Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon and Bret Hart Vs Owen Hart.
The main event though is not up to the standard of the rest of the night. Both competitors were pulling double duty here and the match certainly shows signs of fatigue from both stars. It’s a fairly average match and the final spot is bizarre. Yokozuna simply loses balance on the ropes, falls off, and Bret pins him.
Following that special guest ref Rowdy Roddy Piper and several other big names in the company hoist Bret up and celebrate his title victory in the ring, giving The Hitman his first Wrestlemania moment.
22) Randy Orton Vs Triple H- Wrestlemania XXV
As far as mixed bags go, Wrestlemania XXV can compete with the best of them. The show features arguably the greatest match in Wrestlemania history in Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker – but it also features a Miss Wrestlemania battle royal won by Santino Marella, and a mini Kid Rock concert.
The main event, unfortunately, falls into the disappointing half of the show. Orton and Triple H’s rivalry had a fairly solid build, but the match itself really failed to deliver. The two just never seem to click in the ring and neither of them brings the intensity that they should have done. The match has a very slow and methodical pace that doesn’t fit the situation, and the fan’s reaction at the end sums it all up.
Triple H takes home the gold in the end, but this one just has very little going for it.
21) Hulk Hogan Vs Andre The Giant- Wrestlemania III
Many would argue that this is the most iconic and important match in wrestling history, and they would certainly have a good case. The image of Hogan body slamming Andre the Giant has been drilled into us from the moment we first tuned into WWE and the matches long-term effect, in terms of helping to establish both Wrestlemania, and WWE as an entity is undeniable. But is it any good?
The simple answer to that question is, not really. Hogan and Andre were not the most capable men in the ring and the match is slow and tedious for the most part. The record-setting crowd, however, certainly help elevate the occasion, making it feel historic in the process.
It’s an iconic Wrestlemania moment, perhaps the most of all, but it’s far from a good match.
Originally published March 24, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
