As explained in the previous installment, the true focal point of the list revolves around the top 3 which are designated the Bottom Rope (essentially the bronze medal), Middle Rope (silver medal) and Top Rope (gold medal). Let's get down to it!
MY TOP 5 WRESTLEMANIA MAIN EVENTS OF ALL TIME
5. [three-way tie] - Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania V), Yokozuna vs. Bret Hart (WreslteMania X), Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XXVI)
I couldn't decide which one of these should be the official #5, but obviously they would be 5-6-7 on a top 10 list so I figured I would include them all to talk about here.
With Randy Savage's title defense against Hulk Hogan, it was the culmination of the Mega Powers storyline that had built from a year ahead of time. The match isn't known as one of the top ten in the history of wrestling, but it was such an important storyline that really represented all of what WrestleMania is about - big angles, title wins, and the top people of the company in the spotlight.
Yokozuna dropping the title to Bret Hart was similar. It had put the finishing touch on Bret Hart's title loss at the previous WrestleMania and ended the pay-per-view with not only the babyface top of the company beating the monster heel, but also a victory celebration that seemed very WrestleMania-esque.
Undertaker retiring Shawn Michaels, although not as good as their previous match, was a great match that really upped the ante. The streak has become one of the most important parts of WrestleMania and HBK has always been MR. WRESTLEMANIA, so this match easily carved a niche in history.
4. Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania VI)
Obviously, this is not on the list for technical wrestling. It's there because of the spectacle. Ultimate Warrior was huge and his push was equally huge (even if it ended up being virtually pointless). To this day, this match is brought up because of the Intercontinental Champion winning the title as well as someone conquering Hulk Hogan.
* BOTTOM ROPE: 3. Edge vs. Undertaker (WrestleMania XXIV)
As I mentioned above, I personally am a big fan of the babyface beating the heel champion to close off WrestleMania. This not only had that but it also incorporated the streak and came out to be a fantastic match that really shouldn't be overlooked. Edge is someone who is a true wrestling fan so it is no surprise that he pulled out a classic. Hell, this even has the amazingly cheesy yet amazingly awesome moment of Charles Robinson running down the stadium to get to the ring and count the pinfall. At the time, that was quite literally epic and it gave me goosebumps watching it. That was the perfect symbol of this match and I truly think that it deserves a lot more credit than it seems to get.
* MIDDLE ROPE: 2. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (WrestleMania III)
There's no question that this had to be near the top. It's one of the most iconic things in wrestling history, period, even if it consists of one move. The rest of the match, nobody cares about, but that bodyslam helped make WWE what it is today - as well as WrestleMania.
* TOP ROPE: 1. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII)
This is either the greatest or second greatest match in the history of professional wrestling, so how could it be anything but at the top? Although Bret Hart wasn't a heel, it did include the traditional babyface title victory. It also included the Royal Rumble first title win path that I'm a huge fan of. This match owns up to the abilities of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart and lets them put it all out there. It has the two big stars, the spectacle of the descent from the top of the arena, the match quality in the ring, the great promos and video packages to set it up, and that special feel that all WrestleMania main events should have. I can't say enough positive things about this match.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP 5 WRESTLEMANIA HEADLINERS?
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