Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Ben Williams and Aaron Young celebrate the greatest WrestleMania matches through the decades.
WrestleMania almost always delivers memorable matches - but throughout the decades, which ones do we consider to be our favourite?
Question 1: What is your favourite WrestleMania match of the 90’s? What made it feel so special?
ALLSOPP: My choice is Stone Cold vs Shawn Michaels from WrestleMania 14. Not only was it a miracle that a badly injured Shawn Michaels even showed up, it was also a spectacle to see Stone Cold Steve Austin confirmed and anointed as the man who would take the fight to WCW for the WWF. It was exciting, whilst Mike Tyson’s involvement was intriguing to say the least.
WILLIAMS: My favourite 90’s WrestleMania bout would probably be Shawn Michaels vs Diesel from WrestleMania 11! This was a super fun match that was actually given a lot of time. It was an interesting dynamic because the 7 footer was the face here, yet HBK was the one getting a lot of cheers too. Michaels bumped his ass off and showed off his incredible athleticism like he always did. Diesel held up his end well too. He did stop selling the rib injury a little early, but that’s nitpicking a bit, I guess. Overall, it was a solid bout from a WrestleMania before I was even born!
YOUNG: My favorite WrestleMania match of the 90’s is Bret Hart vs Steve Austin in a submission match. I mean, this might be the best double-turn ever in WWE history. The two just had great chemistry, and the match was amazing. Even in the Broken Skull Session, the two discussed the match and helped me understand how important it was. Plus, seeing Austin pass out is a scene to be held. It is special because it really was a pivotal point in wrestling, and defined both men’s careers going forward.
Question 2: What is your favourite WrestleMania match of the 00’s? What made it feel so special?
WILLIAMS: Whilst the obvious choice is either of the Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker classics from WrestleMania 25 and 26, I'm choosing to go for one of the more unsung heroes of that decade. My favourite WrestleMania match from the 2000’s is The Undertaker vs Edge from WrestleMania 24! What an excellent match! The way they told the story of Edge countering all of The Undertaker’s big moves was very smart because it put over how intelligent Edge was. I think the first half of the match was a bit slow, although they did it that way to build up the story of The Undertaker fighting through a back injury. As was always the case in an Undertaker match, the finishing sequence was phenomenal as each guy hit their big moves, and the crowd loved every second of it.
YOUNG: I have to go with Icon vs Icon - Hulk Hogan vs The Rock at WrestleMania 18. Not the most effective in-ring quality, but it’s the one that got me into wrestling. Seeing Hogan return from WCW to face The Great One lived up to the hype. When false finishes were still in fashion, these two used every move in their arsenal to one-up the other. Also, the fans were very invested in the matchup, which helps the viewer get involved too. Plus, these two superstars shaped the company into what it is today by bringing it into the mainstream. So for these reasons, I’m going with Icon vs Icon.
ALLSOPP: I hate to admit it, but it is Triple H vs Shawn Michaels vs Chris Benoit. Time has not been kind to this match as Benoit is clearly someone who we should not deify, but ignoring just how amazing this match is would be criminal. Benoit made Triple H tap out clean as a whistle to close out the show with Eddie Guerrero, a moment that only enhanced the match. All three men had their working boots on, but on this night at least, Benoit was at the very top of his game.
Question 3: What is your favourite WrestleMania match of the last 12 years? What made it feel so special?
YOUNG: My favorite WrestleMania match of the last 12 years at WrestleMania is Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton vs Batista. I think the reason it was so special was because it was the first WrestleMania on the network, and I never got to watch a pay-per-view live until that point. Now with that being said, the storyline was great. The buildup with Bryan being beaten to shreds by The Authority, and getting screwed over time after time. Above all, it felt organic. There wasn’t a main event in for years at WrestleMania that felt organic, this one did.
You felt like he would win, but after being screwed time after time, you lost hope. Also, witnessing an underdog force the will of Vince McMahon / WWE to change course is amazing. Lastly, there may not be a better celebration ending to a pay-per-view than Bryan doing the yes chant on top of the announcer’s table with his two belts. It was magical, and capped off a B+ player’s journey to getting the big one. I will also sneak in the promo with the “Monster” song, which tugs at your heartstrings.
ALLSOPP: Triple H vs Daniel Bryan is not only my favourite WrestleMania match of the past 12 years, but it is also the best opening WrestleMania match ever! I was in attendance for WrestleMania 30, and this match literally had me on tenterhooks. This was part one of Bryan’s redemption, taking out a Triple H who still meant something in wrestling.
WILLIAMS: No question, no debate, not even a slight consideration needed here. The best WrestleMania match of the past decade is Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair from WrestleMania 37. The match is not only going down in the history books for its genuine cultural significance and accolades, but also for being the best WrestleMania main event since The Undertaker's battles with Shawn Michaels and Triple H! The storytelling was absolutely phenomenal, and the in ring action matches up perfectly, although what do you expect from two ladies of this calibre?
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
0 comments: