We’re less than a week away from The Showcase of the Immortals, and often around this time, fans start reminiscing about their favorite events or their favorite matches. We here at The Pit are no exception and to celebrate the biggest yearly event in WWE, we’ve made a list of our favorite Wrestlemania matches and why they mean so much to us.
Lauren Rae: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, Wrestlemania 10
Wrestlemania 10 was my first. As a child, my first hero that I can recall off the top of my head was Bret “The Hitman” Hart. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Back then, kayfabe was alive and well; Bret, as the older, wiser, more benevolent of the two, was it; you loved him and cheered him. Owen, as the younger, bratty brother who had something to prove – everyone loathed him. How dare he disrespect his older brother, the one who paved the way for Owen!
As a kid, I watched this match in awe, with an emotional investment I have never experienced before. Now that I’m older and can understand and appreciate the complexities of a match better, it’s just so much more amazing to me. This was the match in which Owen truly came into his own, out from under Bret’s shadow, he was the star. His technique, entirely more aerial and limber than Bret’s technical style provided a refreshing contrast.
It’s the small things that really shine now. Like he way both men subtly played off their relationship to push the in-ring psychology. Or the fluidity of the Sharpshooter reversals midway through. Owen heeling it up to directly to the cameras and taunting the crowd subtly throughout the match was perfection. Listening to Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler call the match…my god. The current main commentary team cannot hold a candle to them. (Not to say it’s entirely their fault, I’m sure having Vinny Mac barking in your earpiece every five seconds makes it a tad difficult.)
It’s been well over two decades since that match and anytime I watch it, I still get that rush I got when I first viewed it , live on PPV, in 1994. It reminds me of why I got into WWE in the first place, what I love about it, what drives me. Even though I’ve attended two Wrestlemanias, with last year consistently popping up in Top Ten lists, this match will never be topped.
Nate Korczyk: Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Wrestlemania 13
I would have to say my favorite Wrestlemania match is Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin in a submission match at Wrestlemania 13. Ken Shamrock happened to be the guest ref for this match as well. These are two of the greatest of all time right here and right off the bat they just go at it before the bell even rings. I find the quote from Vince McMahon on commentary saying “Steve Austin, doing what he does best! But Bret Hart is pretty good at it as well!” to be absolutely hilarious.
This match was had a pretty fast paced, with Hart and Austin working their way into the stands about two minutes into the match. There were a good amount of incredible “Oh my God” moments and Steve Austin did everything you would expect from him, drinking beer in the crowd, giving the finger to Hart and Shamrock.
Everything I look for in a match was brought by those two; the intensity, the diversity of moves, technicality and the pure entertainment value. Steve Austin lost the match and still came out looking strong as ever by being in the sharpshooter until he passed out instead of quitting.
Sean Cahill: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (Intercontinental Championship), Wrestlemania 3
It might be the most micro-managed match in the history of wrestling, but be damned if it isn’t my favorite even after all these years.
Savage and Steamboat spent over a month talking about the match, scripting every last part of it. The near-15 minute battle was beautifully done, even though there are critics that say the best matches should be called on the fly. Steamboat was one of those critics, but he agreed to do the scripted match.
It was the best move, because the match is a thing of beauty.
The flow of the match stuck to a pretty familiar formula in title matches back in that era. Steamboat opened up with the momentum while Savage showed he was distracted by the presence of George “The Animal” Steele at ringside, even going so far as to jump outside and lead Miss Elizabeth away to the opposite corner.
Savage got control and took some risks, even sending Steamboat over the ringside table and the barricade in a nasty crash that could have ended badly for both competitors. While that kind of thing happens far more often today, it was a rarity in the 1980s, especially in WWE.
The final few minutes are spent having Steamboat do everything possible to try and get a three count. Sunset Flips. Small Packages. Slingshots. There was even a moment where the crowd thought there was a three count on a small package that threw Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura for a loop on top of the actual three count he got with Savage saving himself by draping his boot on the bottom rope.
In the end, Savage hits a flying elbow after a ref bump but has nobody to count. He opts to get the ring bell and try to use it off the top. Steele gets involved and pushes Savage off the top, causing the bell to bounce off of the ground and up into Savage’s head. He sells it for a moment but goes for what looks to be a bodyslam setting up for another elbow, but Steamboat countered it wonderfully into a small package to get the three count. It was a rare moment where WWE allowed a face to win via outside interference, but Savage, who had scripted the ending much like most of the match, said it would be okay so long as he had the bell in his hand. Savage was correct, and the arena exploded for the ending.
This match ended up being the highlight of Steamboat’s WWE career. He never got anywhere close to having a long run with the belt due to a falling out with Vince McMahon over asking for time off to be with his wife who was pregnant. It’s unclear just how long Steamboat was supposed to run with the title, but as punishment for telling Vince he was leaving to see his son born, he would drop the belt just 65 days into his reign to the Honky Tonk Man, who ended up carrying the title for the current record of 454 days. He never had any significant pushes or moments afterwards and left WWE shortly after Wrestlemania IV.
The opposite is true for Savage. His popularity with the crowd only grew, despite his heel status. He’d win the 1987 King of the Ring and make a face turn to feud with Honky Tonk Man. Eventually, with Hulk Hogan needing time off to film a movie, the decision was made to make Savage the top guy at Wrestlemania IV, wrestling four times in one night. Steamboat’s match that night? A lackluster loss at the hands of Greg Valentine.
Damien Dennis: Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker, Wrestlemania 25
Perhaps the easiest choice for a top Wrestlemania match, but also perhaps the best.
And I have my biases. Since the age of about 8, The Undertaker has been my favorite WWE Superstar. My fandom of the Deadman is what gave me my nickname of The Demon, which in turn lends itself to the name of the site you’re reading this on, The Pit. As cheesy as some of Taker’s stories have been over the years, they’ve been executed to near perfection.
Add in the Heart Break Kid, one of the all-time greats in this business, and just hearing the possibility of this match without seeing it has you excited. Hell, they could have built this up like Bray Wyatt’s match against Taker and it still would’ve worked.
But the story leading into this match was HBK wanting to reclaim his titles as the Showstopper and Mr. Wrestlemania. Taker, having a 16-0 record entering Wrestlemania 25, had basically become the main event regardless of his placement on the card. The attraction of the streak was a selling point for many. The Dark vs. The Light. Shawn respected The Undertaker, but did not fear The Undertaker. And all the Phenom had to say about that, was that sometimes, it’s “Hell trying to get to Heaven.”
These storylines continued in the ring come Wrestlemania time. Taker, being bigger and stronger than HBK, proved to be a challenge for Mr. Wrestlemania. Speed and athleticism was essential for Shawn Michaels through the match.
The Phenom dominated in the early goings, but both Superstars were able to demonstrate their abilities and hit their signatures moves throughout the match, sometimes more than once. At one point, HBK had the advantage and climbed the top rope. Taker sat up and got to his feet, but HBK figured why not? Took a leap of faith and was caught by Taker in a chokeslam attempt.
HBK avoided the move, knocked Taker down and went for the figure four, only for it to be countered into Hell’s Gate by The Undertaker. Michaels got to the ropes, but loss momentum. Minutes later, he tried move from the top rope again to take out Taker on the outside, but the Deadman tossed Mr. Wresltemania to the side.
Following this, Michaels grabbed the cameraman and pulled him into the line of fire of Taker’s dive to the outside. HBK, Taker, the cameraman and the referee – all out of commission. HBK was the first up and helped the ref to his feet, demanding him to begin the count on Taker, who was still down on the outside.
Taker got back to the ring on the nine-count. And HBK looked like a man possessed. Standing in the corner, tuning up the band for Sweet Chin Music, only to be grabbed by the throat and slammed through the canvas. Of course, the match doesn’t end there.
Michaels took Taker down with the super kick moments later, leaving many to think the streak was finished. After the kickout, shades of the old HBK show as he gets frustrated. This bites him in the ass. HBK countered one Last Ride attempt but Taker’s strength nullified the counter and sent HBK straight to Hell.
Sick of the play by play yet? This match was filled with many false finishes and shifts in momentum. HBK kicked out of a chokeslam, Last Ride and the Tombstone. And Taker’s face had the expression of sheer shock, not frustration.
After exchanges of strikes, Taker knocked HBK down with a big boot. He then tossed Michaels into the corner and went for the clothesline in the corner, only to be kicked in the face by HBK. Using all of his will, HBK climbed to the top rope and went for one more moonsault. This time, Taker caught him in midair, set him up for the Tombstone and advanced the streak to 17-0.
And the storyline seemingly carried on for years. After Wrestlemania 25, HBK went into hiding, disheartened over his defeat. Triple H brought him back around Summerslam, but HBK kept his desire to defeat Taker. Come Wrestlemania season the following year, HBK spent the months of the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber begging Taker for a rematch. After costing Taker his World Heavyweight Title inside the chamber, Taker put the streak on the line against HBK’s career, eventually forcing him into retirement.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Triple H faced Taker at Wrestlemania 27 and 28. Michaels told Hunter that he’d fail against Taker at 27, and served as special referee in the Hell in a Cell match at 28. HBK nearly cost Taker the streak in that match, but still ultimately failed. Those three Superstars hugged it out after Taker beat Triple H inside the cell, ending the rivalry.
