Which is the Biggest match in WWE history?

[pepentorresHHH]

i dont know if this is the correct thread cause its concerning wwe but it may be old school? so to the moderators they can move it if they want.....

Most of the talking concerning Rock/Cena is that it will be two eras colliding, biggest match of this generation, biggest match ever etc etc etc.

Is this true?

Is Cena vs The Rock at Wrestlemania the BIGGEST match ins WWE history?
you certainly have 2 of the biggest names in the history of this business colliding at the biggest stage of them all..... and they have literally built this match for a whole year....

but there are other matches that could be viewed as bigger.... for example: Hogan/Andre, Hogan/Warrior, HBK/Bret, Austin/HBK, Rock Austin II, Rock Hogan.......

Discuss.....

 

[IT Factor]

Simply put, I don't think any match at Wrestlemania will ever out perform Austin/Rock. That match has been done 3 times[or was it 4?] and was progressively better each time with their last definetely being the best. No match will ever come close to capturing that much emotion.

 

[gh88us]

For you youngsters out there, THE biggest match EVER in wwf/wwe history is Hogan/Andre. That match was and is the most talked about match, and IMO the match that started the steamroll of the wwf/wwe.

 

[Dmbfantomas]

It's pretty easily Hogan v Andre at Wrestlemania III. It is the most talked about, and most iconic match of all time. The image of Hogan bodyslamming Andre is a moment that is even held as highly relevent in "legitimate" sports.

 

[BigRedMachine88]

I don't think you could ever pick just one match as the biggest ever, every generation has "that match" that changes the landscape of professional wrestling. For me, i grew up with the attitude era, so austin vs hart at WM13 was the biggest. Stone cold really was the epitomy of everything the attitude era represented, and this was the match that turned him face, and really the point of no return for austin's rise to the top. But i'm sure everyone will have their own favourites.

 

[D-Man]

It really depends on what you mean by "biggest." If you're referring to the "most drawing" match in history, then it's easily Hogan/Andre at Wrestlemania III. They drew over 93,000 people and broke an indoor attendance record all because of that match.

Now, if you're talking about the "most important" match in history, I'd say It was Hogan and Mr. T (with Jimmy Snuka) against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorf (with Bob Orton) at the inaugural Wrestlemania. The entire event idea was a gamble and this match held the weight of the majority of the gamble. If this match didn't draw, we never would've seen another Wrestlemania.

 

[pepentorresHHH]

I wasnt alive for Hogan Andre.... but i heard it was important and i saw it and the match itself is nothing as far as if its a great match but i understand the importance that it had at the time.....

i loved Bret/Austin.... i believe right now Rock/Austin is the biggest match ever cause i saw it while being addicted to the product and Wrestlemania 17 is the biggest and best wrestlemania ever......

but times have changed.... Cena and Rock are arguably bigger and for todays´s generation they are the end all be all as far as wrestling goes.... they also have behind them one of the most hyped wrestlemania cards to back them up on their match ....

i dont know but maybe it could achieve the biggest match ever feel when we get to the big night....

 

[D-Man]

I wasnt alive for Hogan Andre.... but i heard it was important and i saw it and the match itself is nothing as far as if its a great match but i understand the importance that it had at the time.....

i loved Bret/Austin.... i believe right now Rock/Austin is the biggest match ever cause i saw it while being addicted to the product and Wrestlemania 17 is the biggest and best wrestlemania ever......

but times have changed.... Cena and Rock are arguably bigger and for todays´s generation they are the end all be all as far as wrestling goes.... they also have behind them one of the most hyped wrestlemania cards to back them up on their match ....

i dont know but maybe it could achieve the biggest match ever feel when we get to the big night....

First off, this is not a Rock/Cena thread so we shouldn't stay on this subject for too long.

That being said, younger posters like yourselves need to respect the history of the WWE some more. No disrespect, but to actually put this year's Wrestlemania main event match in a category of "Biggest match in history" is naive, at best. It's not like it's the first match to ever be hyped a year in advance. Hogan/Savage at Wrestlemania V was a year-long buildup in which every event and the entire story was a pressure cooker. While Rock & Cena traded words on ONE episode of Raw, not to come face to face again until months later, Hogan and Savage was being built on a weekly basis. And the main event of WM5 was very successful.

This year's main event doesn't hold a candle to MANY matches of the past. Just because the WWE machine has grown and they have more money for promotion and hype does not make it bigger than many of its predecessors.

 

[pepentorresHHH]

First off, this is not a Rock/Cena thread so we shouldn't stay on this subject for too long.

That being said, younger posters like yourselves need to respect the history of the WWE some more. No disrespect, but to actually put this year's Wrestlemania main event match in a category of "Biggest match in history" is naive, at best. It's not like it's the first match to ever be hyped a year in advance. Hogan/Savage at Wrestlemania V was a year-long buildup in which every event and the entire story was a pressure cooker. While Rock & Cena traded words on ONE episode of Raw, not to come face to face again until months later, Hogan and Savage was being built on a weekly basis. And the main event of WM5 was very successful.

This year's main event doesn't hold a candle to MANY matches of the past. Just because the WWE machine has grown and they have more money for promotion and hype does not make it bigger than many of its predecessors.

I respect the history... i have all the wrestlemania, royal rumble, summerslam and survivor series anthologies.... have watched countless clips from every era from professional wrestling cause its been my passion since i was 8 back in 98.... but as far as what i think is the biggest match in history, i respect your point about the classic periods of wrestling like Hogan Andre being very important. and yes Hogan/Savage was a year long build but it wasn´t announced a year in advance, maybe that doesnt matter but to me the unprecedented announcement makes it special. also, hogan/macho man was a great match but it was your typical hogan match.... getting your ass kicked 15 minutes coming back on the last 3.
i know you cant compare that generation´s matches to this one, but i as a fan like this one´s better. and IMO cena rock are the two biggest names in wrestling right now and probably be for years to come....

 

[jtolliver23]

The biggest match in WWE history....The Undertaker vs Giant Gonzales!!!! hahaha...no seriously now, I would say either Hogan/Andre just because that is what people think of when they think Wrestlemania, they think Hogan body slamming Andre, and it is what Hogan is most remembered for I think other than the nWo. But also, I think Bret Hart/Shawn Micheals in the 60 minute Iron Man match has to also be mentioned as one of, if not the biggest match in WWE history. This is the match that really helped to usher in the, at the time, new era for WWE, the attitude era.

 

[Azane]

Hogan slamming Andre is simply put, the image in my head when I hear WWF, Professional Wrestling or Wrestlemania, there's no way Rock/Cena can live upto that, the hype is already above the match.

It may of not been the most technically sound, but it defined the era as wrestling was growing into something huge. It also cemented Hulk Hogan as the biggest name in wrestling history.

 

[Diet Soda]

That being said, younger posters like yourselves need to respect the history of the WWE some more. No disrespect, but to actually put this year's Wrestlemania main event match in a category of "Biggest match in history" is naive, at best.

The thing that irks me, is that WWE treat the majority of their fanbase as having an incredibly short memory. I'm sure if you posed OP's question to the casuals, their responses would probably only go as far back as the beginning of the 'Entertainment' era.
For the younger fans, professional wrestling has had a constant, international presence, and they'll be unaware of the gradual growth of the industry from a regional, to national, to global phenomenon.
Seems like an obvious thing to say, but the question of the biggest match in history is entirely subjective. I think the question needs refining to be honest.

 

[King Patrick Star]

I’m going to go with either Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock because it happened 3 times, twice for the WWE Championship, at WrestleMania, or Chris Jericho vs. Triple H for what was on the line, the Undisputed WWE / WCW World Championship.

 

[Jonyboyuk2]

Depends. On the subject which main event attracted the most buy rates - it would have to be Shawn Michaels vs John Cena at WM 23. But that was not a great match.

Other notable WWE big match list would have to include the following -

Austin V Rock (all 3 at WM)
HBK V Austin (WM 14)
Steamboat V Savage (WM3)
Hogan V Andre (WM3)
Undertaker V Mankind (King of the ring 1998)
Undertaker V Shawn Michaels (WM 25/26 and Bad Blood 98)
Hogan V Warrior (Wm6)
Hogan V Rock (WM 18)
Bret Hart V Owen Hart (any)
Bret Hart V Stone cold (any)
Bret Hart V Shawn Michaels (SS 97 more than any other for the significance)
Bret Hart V British Bulldog (SS 1992)
Mick Foley V The Rock ( SS Deadly Game and RR 1999)
Shawn Michaels V Ric Flair
HHH V HBK (SS 2002)

Theres so many matches. My personal favourite is Bret Hart V British Bulldog from Summer Slam 1992 - was a technical gem.

 

[AwesomeRko]

Rock/Austin at Wrestlemania 17, two of wrestlings three most popular of all time at their very best going at it, both entering the match as faces. The promo work and build was phenomenal, the crowd was split, the ending absolutely unpredictable in my opinion nothing that has happened before (that I have seen) or since has raised a candle to it. Aystin/Rock was the rivalry that defined an era and this was the match that defined their rivalry and why it was so great.

 

[The Eighties]

The biggest match ever is whatever WWE is promoting as the biggest match ever at the time. There are many ways you could look at this question.

Hogan vs Andre was the first Mania to have a truly massive one on one title match as the headline bout and also set the template for what is now the yearly big dome type choice of venue for Mania, not to mention it was the passing of the torch in the eyes of the wrestling world who didn't follow Japanese wrestling, it cemented Hulkamania on another level.

Hogan vs Warrior was a crossroads match where Vince McMahon chose to go with someone else over Hogan after 6 years of him being the man, obviously it didn't work out but at the time that was a truly monumental match.

Rock vs Austin at WrestleMania XVII could have been the same but they went with a screwy finish and in truth Rock was already drifting towards the movie industry so if he had went over Austin clean in a passing of the torch, it would have been short lived.

HBK vs Austin was a vital match in the fact that it was the win Austin needed over the guy recognized as the best, to cement him and kick off his run on top a year on from the submission match that made him a bonafide main eventer.

So really there is no biggest match ever, it's simply a contextual thing at the time.

 

[Fisheatppl]

I would have to go with Hogan/Rock. Its the same as this year but better. Its the top 2 (debate about if rock or austin was #1 for another thread) from 2 respected era's having an epic match in a horrible place. Really I used to hate when they went to Toronto, it was always ass backwards. But still that match was epic and a defining moment for The Rock and the resurgence of Hulkamania.

 

[ProWrestlingFan84]

First of all great thread and now onto my opinion and answer would have to be the Hogan/Andre match because of what it truly delivered as far as what people remember. They sold out to a number of 93,000 fans which at that time was just amazing, not sure if the record still holds for that arena.

Some other matches that could be considered very important though in no particular order are:

Hogan vs Iron Shiek when Hogan won the WWF Championship because well Hulkamania had to start somewhere.

Shawn Micheals vs Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 12 because it helped usher in a new era of wrestlers who didn't have to be overly built to put on a match.

Shawn Micheals vs Bret Hart at Survior Series 97' - This match lead to so much controversy with the whole screwjob and the aftermath was felt for years.

Shawn Micheals vs Stone Cold Steve Austin Wrestlemania 14 - Not only would it be Micheals last match for 5 years or so but it ushered in the STSA era

 

[HeenanGorilla]

First off, this is not a Rock/Cena thread so we shouldn't stay on this subject for too long.

That being said, younger posters like yourselves need to respect the history of the WWE some more. No disrespect, but to actually put this year's Wrestlemania main event match in a category of "Biggest match in history" is naive, at best. It's not like it's the first match to ever be hyped a year in advance. Hogan/Savage at Wrestlemania V was a year-long buildup in which every event and the entire story was a pressure cooker. While Rock & Cena traded words on ONE episode of Raw, not to come face to face again until months later, Hogan and Savage was being built on a weekly basis. And the main event of WM5 was very successful.

This year's main event doesn't hold a candle to MANY matches of the past. Just because the WWE machine has grown and they have more money for promotion and hype does not make it bigger than many of its predecessors.

I couldn't agree more. Hogan/Savage was a full-year storyline. Whereas Rock and Cena spent most of the year away from each other. That being said, I think Hogan/Andre was the biggest match of all time.

 

[HBKperfect23]

Runners Up:

Hogan/Andre at Wrestlemania III. Im sure those who saw the build to this and watched the match live would think it is crazy not to pick this one. But watching it years later and not seeing the hype for it ruined it for me. I had no story, didnt know who Andre was when I first saw it, and knew the outcome. Otherwise I would probably have choose this match

Hogan/Warrior at Wrestlemania VI: The best match Warrior ever had and one of the best matchs Hogan ever had. First face vs face WM main event.

Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 12: Started a new era in wrestling

Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart at Survivor Series 97: The most talked about match ever, the (in ring) end to the greatest rivalry ever. This started the Mr Mcmahon character and sent the attitude era into full swing

Shawn Michaels vs Steve Austin: Passing of the torch from the best wrestler ever to the most over wrestler ever

The Winner:
The Rock vs Steve Austin at Wrestlemania X7: I just could not see either guy losing. This was built perfectly. The in ring performance was the best the two ever had together. What a way to end Austin/McMahon

 

[wrestling fan 666]

Well I have to agree with people who have short attention spans for all their answers to this. Some, it's simply because they weren't born yet or just started into wrestling with the attitude era. Simply the most financially was the Hogan/Andre match for the over 93k in attendance PLUS the PPV. But if you're looking for the biggest wrestling match ever, there's only one. Madison Square Garden, Bob Backlund just lost to the Iron Shiek and was expecting his rematch that night. Bob wasn't medically cleared, so they brought in a surprise opponent: Hulk Hogan. Hogan, in many people's minds was still under contract with AWA. It was the birth of not only Hulk-a-mania, but a media frenzy about wrestling that changed the business forever. Until then, no one in main stream media took wrestling seriously and considered it a joke. From then on, it was like an atom bomb hit the business and rose it to levels never seen before or since. Personally, never liked Hogan (always a Piper fan); but you HAVE to give credit where credit is due; the man changed the business.

 

[Raiden46]

Without question, the biggest drawing match of all time was Hogan/Andre at WM3. You can't argue with a record-breaking 93,173 fans.

Now if we are going to talk about the BEST, most technically sound WM main event of all time, oh boy we could discuss that one for some time. Matches such as Bret/HBK, Lesnar/Angle, and HBK/HHH/Benoit all come to mind. For my money though, it has to be Bret Hart VS HBK at WM12 as the best WRESTLING match of all time. You had such a clash of styles and both men put their entire wrestling resume and portfolio on display for 62 minutes for a worldwide audience to see. I have yet to see this match surpassed in terms of wrestling excellence.

 

[Nada]

Easily Hogan vs Andre WM3, it didnt just have a profound effect on WWF then, but also the entire wrestling landscapes. Basically other promotions saw increased bussiness because of that match.

Granted from a technichal point of view it was a abysmal match, but its importance is greater than any other match in wrestling history.

The other match and a far second is HBK vs Austin WM14, a not so great match that had immense significance, it was the moment where Austin went total mainstream and WWF took off like a rocket, no doubt that Austin was pretty big even before but that whole ordeal with Tyson-HBK-Vince-Austin is what got WWF ahead of WCW and pushed them ahead, it gave a special rub to Austin that made him a megastar.

Rock vs Cena will have no real effect on WWE other than they will make a bit more money from WM, but from a creative stand point it wont affect matters. Cena will still go through Alberto Del Rio, Miz and other generic heels, Rock will go back to making almost straight to DVD movies.

Hogan and Austin had insane effect on the entire bussiness, and those matches were what set them truly loose. No doubt that Rock vs Austin matches were great but they were just matches, they did not have much of a aftermath, other than a often disputed failed heel run by Austin which did more damage to WWE than good.

 

[jokernaut]

theres a lot of matches that were very big for the wwe and most have been named like andre vs. hogan, warrior vs. hogan, hbk vs. bret hart etc but for me it will always be the rock and austin at wm17. those 2 helped the wwe get to heights it had never seen before and the emotion going into the match was amazing. with austin coming back a few months before after being gone nearly a year and the rock took the throne and carried the wwe in austins absence. the match was amazing as well of course. nearly 30 mins of brawling, wrestling and a crowd that wouldnt shut up.

 

[justin71]

If you take out Andre The Giant's "15 years undefeated"(truth Andre did lose a handful of matches in his career) aspect WM3 would not be so special don't get me wrong I loved Andre when I was a child, but he was clearly physically past his prime. I'd have to Say Austin/Rock WM17 was solid you had the very peak of his fame game Rock and Austin in his hometown with proving his comeback had to mean something with winning a great set up with solid story structure and even better pay off at the end with the Austin heel turn.