16) Hulk Hogan and Mr T Vs Paul Orndoff and Roddy Piper – Wrestlemania
The one that started it all. Okay, so by today’s standards the in ring work here is pretty pedestrian, but rewatching this match is still a whole load of fun.
Vince went all out with Wrestlemania 1 and the crowd were red hot for this match. Mr T holds his own and rarely looks out of place and the addition of Muhammad Ali as one of the referees only adds more star power to the occasion.
This isn’t a great match, but it’s an essential piece of wrestling history that is still incredibly infectious to watch even today.
15) Randy Savage Vs Ted Dibiase- Wrestlemania IV
Wrestlemania IV is notable for being the first Wrestlemania to not feature Hulk Hogan in the main event, though, of course, The Hulkster got himself in on the action, sitting in Savage’s corner for the last five minutes of the bout to level the numbers.
Wrestlemania IV was an odd event, unique in Mania history for being the only one to effectively be a tournament for the vacant WWE title.
The issue with holding a tournament over one night though is fatigue, and that is what ultimately stops this match was from being too good. Savage, having wrestling three times over the course of the night is visibly worn down and whilst he has a clear rush of energy for the matches finish, he is still not at the top of his game. It’s a good match, but it could have been miles better.
14) Hulk Hogan Vs Randy Savage – Wrestlemania V
Following the events of Wrestlemania IV, Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan became the Mega Powers, dominating the WWE throughout most of 1988. The pair inevitably split up, leading to Savage defending his title against The Hulkster at Wrestlemania V.
The break up of The Mega Powers was some great storytelling on the company’s part, and the match at Mania had the necessary big match feel for the occasion. The crowd were red hot and both competitors told the story of the match well.
Of course, Hogan overcame Savage with a leg drop in the end, after some serious hulking up. A lot of fans also remember this match for the involvement of Miss Elizabeth and the beginning of the end for her and The Macho Man. This is one of the best Mania main events involving Hogan.
13) John Cena Vs Triple H – Wrestlemania 22
Triple H, notorious burier of talent lost in his third consecutive Mania main event in 2006, this time putting over the man of the moment and face of the company John Cena.
The match was good enough, but it was, like Triple H’s mania 21 main event, overshadowed by other matches and moments on the card. It’s also notable for the fact that this was when fans really began to turn on Cena, notably cheering the heel Triple H throughout the encounter.
Originally published March 24, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
