10 Most Underrated WrestleMania Moments In WWE History
Over the years, WrestleMania has earned the moniker, 'The Showcase of the Immortals'. Through its first 41 events, we have seen champions crowned, legends retired, and even a few hearts broken. The memories and matches associated with WWE's signature yearly event have transcended the wrestling industry - they have become snapshots of pop culture.
At the same time, many of the events surrounding 'Mania are sometimes forgotten by the fans. While they may have been underwhelming or just overshadowed, several bouts and the occurrences surrounding them held special value. They may have been pushed aside for bigger moments, but they certainly don't belong in the dustbin of pro wrestling history.
10 The NFL vs WWE Battle Royal - WrestleMania 2
It Foreshadowed More Pro Athletes Becoming Involved in the Promotion
From wrestling's golden age and beyond, pro athletes from other sports would dabble in the squared circle during their offseasons. Especially from the world of football, where gridiron legends like Alex Karras, Ernie Ladd, Wahoo McDaniel, and many more had various levels of success in the ring.
Many years later, WrestleMania 2 was the venue for a unique, 20-man battle royal that featured NFL stars like William 'Refrigerator' Perry, Bill Fralic, and Russ Francis. The event was won by Andre the Giant, but it has been considered more of a niche match in terms of history. It has always been overshadowed by the main event cage match of King Kong Bundy challenging Hulk Hogan. However, it also foreshadowed that future mainstream sports stars, like Bill Goldberg and Ronda Rousey, would eventually take an opportunity with WWE seriously.
9 Curt Hennig Battles The 'Mysterious' Blue Blazer - Wrestlemania V
Owen Hart's WrestleMania Debut Came Under a Mask
Two of wrestling's most talented technicians did battle at WrestleMania V when Curt Hennig stepped through the ropes to battle Owen Hart. Except, it wasn't quite Owen... it was his alter ego, The Blue Blazer. The high-flying masked persona allowed Hart to get his feet wet in WWE without having to identify himself as part of the legendary family.
This moment is significant not only because it features two icons of the industry, but also because it was Owen Hart's first appearance at WrestleMania. Sadly, both of these legends left us way too soon, but they will forever be linked by this moment in time.
8 Andre the Giant Becomes Beloved Again - WrestleMania XI
On The Biggest Stage, The Big Man Told Heenan To Take a Hike
Andre, the formerly gentle giant, spent 1987 through 1990 as one of the promotion's most reviled heels. Standing next to manager Bobby Heenan, he would eventually form the Colossal Connection with Haku, and the pair captured the WWE World Tag Team Titles. Considering their size and power, they looked almost unbeatable.
But at WrestleMania VI, the imposing duo lost the belts to Demolition, and Heenan blew a gasket. He blamed Andre for the loss and slapped him. The Giant fired back at The Brain, as the crowd went wild. It was an exceptional moment for two reasons: It marked Andre's last match at 'Mania, as well as him being able to walk away on a high note - once again beloved by the WWE Universe.
7 Brother vs. Brother - WrestleMania XXV
Matt And Jeff Hardy Face-Off At The Showcase Of The Immortals
For years, WWE fans wondered what it would be like to see the Hardy Brothers battle one-on-one. Already one of the greatest tag teams of their era, they would go their separate ways to pursue solo careers. Both men found some success, but several turns of events led to brother battling brother at WrestleMania XXV.
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As expected, this was high-octane, as the two men battled under Extreme Rules. Matt Hardy would come out on top in this crash course collision. Unfortunately, the Hardy Brothers - as well as every other match on the card - were outshone by the massive main event. Shawn Michaels' epic match with The Undertaker is considered an all-time classic, and typically the first thing that comes to mind when they remember that night.
6 The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry - WrestleMania XXII
A True Clash Of The Titans
Mark Henry was undergoing a renaissance in his pro wrestling career, and he had begun leaving opponents in his wake when he eventually crossed paths with The Undertaker. Henry vowed to end The Deadman's WrestleMania winning streak, and a match was set for the two powerhouses to square off at the 22nd annual edition of the event.
As one can imagine, this contest turned into the high-impact slugfest you might expect, with The Undertaker coming out on top and extending his streak. That is until Brock Lesnar came calling at WrestleMania XXX.
5 The Gimmick Battle Royal - WrestleMania X-Seven
Legends Prove Not Everything Needs To Be Serious
Sure, there are a lot of people who consider this moment in time a little bit hokey, but that's what it was supposed to be. At what many consider the best event in the series, WrestleMania X-Seven, some past legends added to the levity by fighting it out in a battle royal.
Such dignitaries as Hillbilly Jim, Sgt. Slaughter, Nikolai Volkoff, and others may not have looked the same as they did in the 80s, but that wasn't the point. Wrestling purists might scoff at the contest, and claim it shouldn't have been on the same card as the Steve Austin vs The Rock main event. But for old-school fans, it was a slice of fun and a nice break from all the more serious action. Former WWE Champion The Iron Sheik would fittingly win the bout.
4 Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero - WrestleMania XXI
Two Lucha Libre Legends Take Flight
As friends and longtime ring rivals, Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio have wrestled plenty of great matches - going back to their time in Mexico and WCW. When they came to America, they revolutionized the way people looked at smaller, high-flying wrestlers. So much so, that both men would later go on to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Despite being the opening match on the card, it was a total barn burner, with Rey Mysterio coming out on top. Another nice touch to this match was the 'mutual respect' handshake after the bout. There may have been bigger matches on the night, but this one shined... despite being a 'curtain jerker'.
3 WCW Wrestlers Appear At WrestleMania X-Seven
Hell Freezes Over in the World of Pro Wrestling
Just weeks after Vince McMahon purchased rival World Championship Wrestling, he had a huge card to account for - let alone on how he would use the new talent he had signed. However, the WWE CEO knew he wanted to capitalize on the fact that he now owned a pro wrestling monopoly.
Therefore, WCW personalities like Stacy Keibler, Shawn Stasiak, Mike Awesome, and several others were in attendance during the event, sitting in an upstairs box, and observing the show. While they only made a brief cameo, it represented a time when fans had no idea what was going to happen next. A moment frozen in time - it reflected the evolution of the industry.
2 The Six-Pack Women's Challenge - WrestleMania 33
Stars Of The Women's Division Shine
Today, the time of bikini models having ridiculous matches seems long gone, and thankfully so. In the mid-2010s, when WWE finally began to feature female stars more seriously, they tiptoed lightly on that philosophy of putting a spotlight on ladies' wrestling. That is, until a bevy of high-level talent took the game to a whole, new level.
In that same era, the SmackDown Women's Title was up for grabs at WrestleMania 33, with six different competitors given an opportunity to take home the gold. Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Nattie Neidhart, Naomi, and Carmella may have only been given less than six minutes of ring time, but they did a lot with very little. It was a match that symbolized the growth of the women's roster and was a harbinger of things to come.
1 The Opening Of WrestleMania III
The Sights And Sounds Were Like Nothing We Had Seen Before
In what would become possibly WWE's most legendary event, WrestleMania III had a reported crowd of over 80,000 and was a revelation to any doubters. Vince McMahon's ultimate vision was proving to be a success, and the massive crowd and set-up for the event was a clear indication of that. With a titanic main event in Andre the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan, it's the show's beginning that first blew the minds of 1980s wrestling fans.
The massive Detroit Silverdome, filled with fans, was a visual that had never been presented before. And when Vince McMahon - dressed in a black tuxedo and red bowtie - belted out, "Welcome to WRESTLEMANIA III", it sent chills down the viewers' spines. Then, having Aretha Franklin sing 'America the Beautiful' was the perfect touch to kick things off. A truly magical night, filled with big matches and moments... but perhaps none of it was as awe-inspiring as the opening of this electric WWE event.
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