The Fabulous Rougeau's
Championship Contender
Before I begin my list, I want to point out that I stayed true to my time window of watching WWF/E. I began watching around the late 80's/early 90's. I wanted to only include matches at that time to current ones. While I have seen all WrestleMania's, I really can't speak to the build and emotion going into the match. So while I recognize how great Macho v Steamboat was, I can never fully grasp what went into the match so I cannot compare it to matches that I do know the entire build for. I also only stuck to singles matches.
10: WWE Title Match John Cena (c) v Shawn Michaels WM 23
This match is special for me because it is the only Mania I have seen live. The match itself was unreal. Shawn really carried the match and probably deserved to have a title run here. I will never forget the piledriver on the steps because that may be the last one we see in the WWE.
9: WWE Title Match Ric Flair (c) v Macho Man WM 8
This is a match I have appreciated more over time, but I can still remember the build to the match. Flair claiming to have an affair with Liz back in the day and having photos really made this one personal. The action in the ring was great with alot of back and fourth. Great ending with the roll up and grabbing of the tights by the face. Also, the backstage interviews of both men where awesome and stamped the match that much more.
8: Triple H v The Undertaker WM 27
This was the first of their 2 back to back matches at Mania and 2nd Mania match overall. I feel as though this match was much better then their Cell match and even better then Taker/Shawn II. The match itself played out perfectly. Trips controlling the match was fresh to see and worked so well. The end spot was also spot on with Taker slapping on hells gate and Trips tryin to grab the sledgehammer but ultimately tapping out. Also post match was done well with Trips walking out and Taker being helped out.
7: WWE Title Match Kurt Angle (c) v Brock Lesnar WM 19
This would have been easy top 3 if Brock were able to cleanly hit the shooting star press. Even with the botched ending this match was great. The match had great pace and action with alot of different suplexes thrown in. What really cements this match as top 10 for me is that even though Rock v Austin was on the card, I feel as though it did not overshadow or outshine this match.
6: Shawn Michaels v Kurt Angle WM 21
Boy was this one good. Alot of people like to compare this match with Michales WM 19 match with Jericho. And while that was great, this is the one worthy of a top 10 spot. Simple but effective build with it starting at the Rumble, and having it end with Shawn tapping was genius. Wish this match had a title on the line, but can't complain about anything they did in the ring.
5: IC Title Match Razor Ramon (c) v Shawn Michaels WM 10
While the concept goes to Bret, this was the first time anyone saw a telivised ladder match so these guys get the credit for that. We have seen ladder matches evolve over the years but what these guys did was so simple and yet so effective. Great end spot with Shawn pushed off the ladder and tied up in the ropes while Razor grabs the title and wins the match.
4: WWE Title Match The Rock (c) v Stone Cold WM 17
All three of their matches were great, but this is the best of the three. They meet in the middle here so each guy is on his game with Austin slightly off his but fresh coming off the year long absence. Prototypical Attitude Era match so for those who don't like the era might not like the match, but it had everything. Austin's turn at the end was just crazy and while his heel turn wasn't successful, it worked on this night (even though the hometown crowd was still cheering him).
3: Bret Hart v Stone Cold WM 13
The build was fantastic and nearly a year long up to this point with Austin calling Bret out before he returned. The I quit stipulation worked here and allowed this match to get violent. This match is truly top three for the last 5 minutes. From the bell shot to the sharpshooter to the famous pose and Shamrock stopping the match with what ensued after and the double switch was just perfect.
2: Shawn Michaels v The Undertaker WM 25
While the second one was real good, this one was so much more. These guys went on for nearly 45 minutes and at this time were juist off there prime as opposed to where they are now. Also this match was better because it had the feel that it could go either way unlike their second match.
1: WWE Title Match Bret Hart (c) v Shawn Michaels WM 12
If I can't put Michaels/Taker I ahead of this match then I don't know how any other match can ever top this. For one hour these two were flawless and no one could score a fall. The anticipation was so great during the last 2 minutes and especially in the last 30 second when Shawn was in the Sharpshooter for what seemed like forever and wouldn't give up. At the time I hated the overtime but over the years I have grown to appreciate how it worked to put Shawn over while keeping Bret looking real strong. For a match to go over an hour and I wouldn't change a thing about it is crazy for me to think of and thus this match is the greatest Mania match of all time.
10: WWE Title Match John Cena (c) v Shawn Michaels WM 23
This match is special for me because it is the only Mania I have seen live. The match itself was unreal. Shawn really carried the match and probably deserved to have a title run here. I will never forget the piledriver on the steps because that may be the last one we see in the WWE.
9: WWE Title Match Ric Flair (c) v Macho Man WM 8
This is a match I have appreciated more over time, but I can still remember the build to the match. Flair claiming to have an affair with Liz back in the day and having photos really made this one personal. The action in the ring was great with alot of back and fourth. Great ending with the roll up and grabbing of the tights by the face. Also, the backstage interviews of both men where awesome and stamped the match that much more.
8: Triple H v The Undertaker WM 27
This was the first of their 2 back to back matches at Mania and 2nd Mania match overall. I feel as though this match was much better then their Cell match and even better then Taker/Shawn II. The match itself played out perfectly. Trips controlling the match was fresh to see and worked so well. The end spot was also spot on with Taker slapping on hells gate and Trips tryin to grab the sledgehammer but ultimately tapping out. Also post match was done well with Trips walking out and Taker being helped out.
7: WWE Title Match Kurt Angle (c) v Brock Lesnar WM 19
This would have been easy top 3 if Brock were able to cleanly hit the shooting star press. Even with the botched ending this match was great. The match had great pace and action with alot of different suplexes thrown in. What really cements this match as top 10 for me is that even though Rock v Austin was on the card, I feel as though it did not overshadow or outshine this match.
6: Shawn Michaels v Kurt Angle WM 21
Boy was this one good. Alot of people like to compare this match with Michales WM 19 match with Jericho. And while that was great, this is the one worthy of a top 10 spot. Simple but effective build with it starting at the Rumble, and having it end with Shawn tapping was genius. Wish this match had a title on the line, but can't complain about anything they did in the ring.
5: IC Title Match Razor Ramon (c) v Shawn Michaels WM 10
While the concept goes to Bret, this was the first time anyone saw a telivised ladder match so these guys get the credit for that. We have seen ladder matches evolve over the years but what these guys did was so simple and yet so effective. Great end spot with Shawn pushed off the ladder and tied up in the ropes while Razor grabs the title and wins the match.
4: WWE Title Match The Rock (c) v Stone Cold WM 17
All three of their matches were great, but this is the best of the three. They meet in the middle here so each guy is on his game with Austin slightly off his but fresh coming off the year long absence. Prototypical Attitude Era match so for those who don't like the era might not like the match, but it had everything. Austin's turn at the end was just crazy and while his heel turn wasn't successful, it worked on this night (even though the hometown crowd was still cheering him).
3: Bret Hart v Stone Cold WM 13
The build was fantastic and nearly a year long up to this point with Austin calling Bret out before he returned. The I quit stipulation worked here and allowed this match to get violent. This match is truly top three for the last 5 minutes. From the bell shot to the sharpshooter to the famous pose and Shamrock stopping the match with what ensued after and the double switch was just perfect.
2: Shawn Michaels v The Undertaker WM 25
While the second one was real good, this one was so much more. These guys went on for nearly 45 minutes and at this time were juist off there prime as opposed to where they are now. Also this match was better because it had the feel that it could go either way unlike their second match.
1: WWE Title Match Bret Hart (c) v Shawn Michaels WM 12
If I can't put Michaels/Taker I ahead of this match then I don't know how any other match can ever top this. For one hour these two were flawless and no one could score a fall. The anticipation was so great during the last 2 minutes and especially in the last 30 second when Shawn was in the Sharpshooter for what seemed like forever and wouldn't give up. At the time I hated the overtime but over the years I have grown to appreciate how it worked to put Shawn over while keeping Bret looking real strong. For a match to go over an hour and I wouldn't change a thing about it is crazy for me to think of and thus this match is the greatest Mania match of all time.