411’s Countdown to Wrestlemania 25: Rating Mania’s Matches (PART II)

Thanks to John Meehan for creating this year’s logo…

PART ONE IS HERE!

The Best of the Best

Simply Put…The ten best matches in Wrestlemania history.

10. Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Jeff Hardy vs. King Booker (w. Queen Sharmell) vs. Finlay vs. CM Punk vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge–Wrestlemania 23

This is probably the most star studded Money in the Bank match ever as it featured three former World Champions, and two more guys (or three if you count the ECW Title) who would go on to win a World Title since. All total nineteen different World Title reigns (twenty one if you count ECW and twenty two if you throw in ROH which I don’t) are represented, and that number is rising. This was also the year that they increased the number of entrants from six to eight. Everyone stares up at the ladder, and then everyone goes for ladders. Finlay dives off the top rope taking five guys out on the floor. Edge runs in with a ladder, but gets stopped by Hardy. Orton and Finlay run in and climb to the top of the ladder, but they fall off and take their fight to the floor. Jeff Hardy runs in and climbs, but gets pushed off to the floor by Kennedy. Booker goes under the ring for a ladder, but finds a step ladder instead. Punk ends with it and takes out Booker with it. Edge runs over and takes the stepladder from Punk firing it into his forehead busting him open. Edge sets a ladder up to sit on the apron to the barricade, and tries to suplex Punk on to it. That is reversed however and Edge gets suplexed on the floor. Inside Matt and Booker brawl, and Matt gets thrown to the floor. Orton runs in and gets a spinebuster. Kennedy gets a superkick, and then Punk and Finlay also get spinebusters from Book. Booker gives us a Wrestlemania spinnaroony, but gets sandwiched with ladders from the Hardys. Edge runs into a side effect from Matt. The Hardys set the ladders up in the corner in the same manner they took out Joey Mercury at Armageddon, but Finlay pushes Jeff off the top to the floor to save Edge. Edge then delivers a suplex to Matt onto the ladder, but gets quickly dumped to the floor by Kennedy. Kennedy sits Matt on a ladder and goes to the top rope. A Kenton bomb misses and Kennedy eats the ladder. Jeff goes to the top and hits the swanton on Kennedy. The Hardys pick up a ladder and deliver clotheslines to Finlay and Orton, and then ram Booker with it on the floor. Matt sets up the ladder, and climbs and Jeff is quick to follow. In a Wrestlemania XXV preview they trade blows at the top of the ladder, but get dumped off by Finlay. Finlay knocks everyone in the ring down, but turns into a spear from Edge. Edge then spears everyone else, but the attempt to spear Punk is leapfrogged and Edge goes headfirst into the buckle. Punk picks up a ladder and delivers an airplane spin to it taking out everyone, but Edge comes back to deliver the spear taking out Edge. The ladder takes out Finlay and Orton for good measure. Edge grabs the big ladder from underneath the ring, and slides it inside. Edge climbs for the ladder, but gets stopped by Orton who dumps him all the way to the floor. Jeff comes in and delivers a face first suplex to Orton. Matt sets up Edge on the ladder that had been platformed on the outside earlier, and Jeff climbs to the top of the big ladder. Jeff delivers a legdrop off the top of the ladder BREAKING THE FUCKING LADDER that Edge was positioned on. Unbelievable spot. Trainers come out to attend to Edge and Hardy, and Edge gets stretchered off. Matt slides a ladder into the ring, and chucks it on to the floor. Orton goes in and delivers RKO’s to Matt, Finlay, and Kennedy. Orton sets up the ladder and climbs for the briefcase, but Punk comes in with a ladder knock Orton from the ladder. Punk sets a ladder up and starts to climb, but Orton climbs the ladder next to him and they trade blows. Orton ends up RKOing Punk off the top of the ladder. Booker rolls inside and begins his climb, but he gets met by Orton who goes up for another LaddeRKO. Booker blocks that, and delivers a book end off the ladder to Orton. Booker starts to climb, but Matt is back in and he climbs the other side. Sharmell runs in and pulls Matt off the ladder. Booker gets to the top, so Matt grabs Sharmell and threatens to give her the twist of fate. That brings Booker down, much to JBL’s chagrin who hilariously screams “FORGET ABOUT HER BOOKER, I’VE LEFT PLENTY OF WOMEN!” Why did that man ever get back in the ring? Booker gets a twist of fate of his own from Matt when he comes downs, and Matt starts his climb. Finlay is in to dump Hardy off the ladder, and then delivers the Celtic cross to Hardy on the ladder. Finlay sets up a ladder, and begins to climb for the briefcase. Finlay is too injured to climb, so Hornswoggle is in to get the briefcase for him. Kennedy comes in and climbs the ladder next to Hornswoggle. Horny tries to fight him off, but that’s a big fucking mistake little dude. Kennedy gives Hornswoggle the Green Bay Plunge off the ladder! Kennedy turns around and gets blasted with a ladder from Finlay. Finlay stars to climb, but Punk comes in out of nowhere and dropkicks Finlay off the ladder. Punk climbs for the case, but Kennedy meets him at the top and they trade blows. Kennedy bashes Punk’s head into the top of the ladder, and tries to hold it in order to secure the briefcase, but Punk comes back with a spin kick sending Kennedy crashing to the mat. Punk looks to be the winner, but Kennedy comes back chucking a ladder up and blasting Punk off the ladder. Kennedy finally climbs and retrieves the case at 19:09. Oddly enough with all of those World Champions in this match the guy who won it still hasn’t won one. Kennedy got injured (stunning I know) and lost the case to Edge who cashed in on Taker. Best Money in the Bank to date by far, and damn close to the full monty. Just a bit of a slow start keeps me from going all the way with it, but this was incredible.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy (Briefcase Retrieval ****3/4)

9. WWF Championship: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair © (w. Mr. Perfect) vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage–Wrestlemania VIII

Flair won the WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble, and was set to face Hogan, but Sid attacked Hogan so they decided to face off instead. Meanwhile Flair showed some doctored footage of him and Elizabeth, which of course caused Savage to go nuts. Savage sprints to the ring to get at Flair, and chases him to the floor. Finally Savage attacks Flair in the aisle, but Perfect pulls Savage off of him and back to the ringside area. Flair is able to get into the ring as Savage is pre-occupied chasing Flair around the ring. Back inside Savage hits a clothesline, and follows up with a knee to the back. Savage counters an inverted atomic drop attempt, and hits a clothesline. Back elbow from Savage out of the corner gets a two count. Savage charges at Flair again, but gets a backdrop sending him all the way to the floor. Flair follows him to the floor and delivers a chop and rams Savage into the apron. Action heads back inside as Flair puts the boots to Savage. Flair chops away at Savage in the corner, and delivers a suplex. That gets a two count so Flair goes to a side suplex, which gets another two count. Whip to the corner by Flair is followed by a chop for another two count. Knee drop connects for Flair who then stomps Savage to the floor. Flair follows and rams Savage into the ring apron. Flair suplexes Savage back into the ring getting a two count. Flair continues the assault whipping Savage to the corner, and stomping away at Savage. Savage finally gets some offense firing out of the corner after a Flair chop, and then coming off the ropes with a reverse neckbreaker. Flair comes off the ropes, but Savage blocks the punch attempt with a series of punches of his own. Flair goes to the eyes, and then goes to the top rope, but of course gets slammed off. Flair begs off to no avail and Savage whips him into the corner and backdrops him coming out. Pair of clotheslines from Savage, as Flair continues to beg off. Savage whips Flair into the corner as he does the spot where he flips over and runs down to the other corner for a top rope move. Flair actually gets off the top, but gets met with a right hand getting two for Savage. Savage continues by clotheslining Flair over the top rope, then coming off the top rope with a double axe handle. That sends Flair into the barricade and he blades. Savage fires Flair into the steps and the post which nets a Flair flop on the floor. Savage suplexes Flair on the floor and heads back inside. He fires Flair back in, and continues to pound away at the head of Flair. Savage goes to the top rope and delivers another double axe handle getting a two count. Bodyslam connects as Savage goes to the top for the elbow, which connects. Perfect breaks up the count, but pulling Savage off of Flair. Savage chases Perfect into the ring and the ref gets in the middle of them. In the skirmish Perfect slips Flair a foreign object, which he uses to blast Savage with. That picks up two, but gives Flair control of the match back. Flair ties up the referee so Perfect can deliver a chair shot to Savage’s knee. Miss Elizabeth heads to the ring as agents (including a young Shane McMahon) plea with her to stay in the back. Meanwhile Flair continues to work over Savage’s knee. Flair locks in the figure four leglock on Savage as officials continue to plea with Liz to go to the back. Savage is able to turn over the move and Flair finally breaks the hold. Savage gets a small package picking up a two count. Savage sells the knee brilliantly putting no weight on it at all. Flair delivers a knee breaker on Savage, and holds his legs. Savage ducks a punch from Flair and rolls him up with a handful of trunks to win his 2nd WWF Championship at 18:02. Afterward Flair gives Liz a bloody kiss causing Savage to go apeshit and attack him. Flair and Perfect get the best of Savage after the bell, but officials are able to pull them off. Savage tries to get at Flair, but finally he is able to calm down enough so he and Liz can celebrate. Absolutely tremendous match. What else would you expect from these two. My only complaint would be the rollup finish, but everything else was done to near perfection.

Winner: NEW WWF Champion-“Macho Man” Randy Savage (Pinfall-Rollup ****3/4)

8. WWF Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Shawn Michaels (w. Diesel) vs. Razor Ramon ©– Wrestlemania X

This would be the first televised ladder match in WWF history. Shawn was stripped of the IC belt back in October after failing a drug test, but came back from suspension still with the belt. Razor had won the vacant title in the meantime. The ladder match concept was created (in kayfabe) so that the winner would claim both belts. Shawn grabs a hammerlock, which is quickly countered by Razor. Shawn comes off the ropes, but after a quick reversal sequence gets hit with a chokeslam. Shawn hits the ropes again ducking a clothesline and delivering a swinging neckbreaker. Razor comes right back off the ropes with a shoulderblock, but he hits the ropes again and gets fired to the floor. Diesel stalks Razor and delivers a clothesline on the floor earning himself a quick ejection from referee Earl Hebner. Shawn gets a right hand from Razor as he heads back inside. Whip to the corner for Shawn is followed by a clothesline sending him to the floor. Razor follows him to the floor, and pulls back the protective mats at ringside. Shawn gets a short right in though and fires Razor back inside. Shawn hits the ropes and gets a right hand to the jaw. Razor sets up for the Razor’s Edge, but Shawn counters by backdropping him over the top and onto the exposed concrete. Shawn goes to retrieve the ladder, dragging it to ringside, but Razor sneaks up from behind with a right hand and fires Shawn back inside. Razor goes to put the ladder in the ring, but Shawn baseball slides the ladder into Razor. Shawn fires Razor into the ringsteps and then back inside the ring. The ladder finally makes its way into the ring via Shawn who drives it into Razor’s gut. Shawn picks up the ladder and again rams the end of it into Razor’s guts. He then slams the ladder down on the back of Razor, and then throws the ladder across the ring into the back of Razor. Shawn goes to climb for the belts, but Razor goes up to get him pulling his trunks down and exposing his bare ass to the crowd. Shawn kicks him off and delivers a bare ass elbow drop off the ladder. Shawn sets up the ladder in the corner, and then delivers a bodyslam to Razor. Shawn climbs to the top of the ladder and delivers a splash down on to Ramon. Shawn sets up the ladder in the center again in an attempt to get the belts. Razor dumps him off the ladder clotheslining him on the top rope to stop him. Razor hits the ropes, and they collide in the center putting both guys down. Shawn is up first, and he again positions the ladder in the corner. Shawn sets up Razor for a whip into the ladder, but Ramon reverses and sends Shawn flying into the ladder and over the top to the floor. Razor grabs the ladder and goes out after him sandwiching Shawn inbetween the ring post and the ladder. Shawn ends up in the aisle, and Razor positions the ladder up against the ring apron. A catapult sends Shawn flying into the ladder, and Razor then fires him back inside. Razor heads back inside with ladder in tow and bashes Shawn in the jaw with it sending him over the top to the floor. Razor sets up the ladder and begins the climb towards the belts, but Shawn climbs to the top rope and delivers a double axe handle to Razor collapsing the ladder and causing him to crash to the mat. Both guys start to climb the ladder and they trade blows at the top of the ladder. Razor suplexes Shawn off the ladder but loses his balance and falls off himself. Razor starts to climb again, but Shawn is up with a dropkick to the ladder, which causes Razor to lose his balance. Shawn dumps the standing ladder on top of Razor. Back to their feet and Shawn hits the superkick on Razor. Shawn gives the Razor’s Edge signal, but delivers a piledriver instead. Shawn grabs the ladder and climbs to the top rope delivering the famous spot where he rides the ladder down from the top rope on top of Razor. Shawn sets up the ladder again, this time over the top of Razor, and climbs for the belts. Razor gets up and delivers a shoulderblock to the ladder, which causes Shawn to get his foot tied up in the top rope. Razor then sets up the ladder, climbs to the top, and claims the belts at 18:49. Amazing match that put the ladder match on the map. It may lack some of the crazy spots that today’s ladder matches have, but this is still pretty brutal, and downright groundbreaking for the time.

Winner: STILL WWF Intercontinental Champion-Razor Ramon (Belt Retrieval ****3/4)

7. WWF Tag Team Championship Triangle Ladder Match: Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz ©–Wrestlemania 2000

This is essentially the precursor to the TLC matches. Edge and Christian attack the Hardys and the match begins. Everyon brawls to the floor, and Matt ends up in the ring with Christian. Dropkick connects to Matt who rolls back to the floor. D-Von and Edge end up in the ring, and Edge delivers a spinning heel kick. Back to the floor they go, and Bubba and Jeff end up in the ring. Bubba delivers a pair of chops Jeff, but a whip to the ropes is followed by a Whisper in the Wind from Jeff. Bubba comes back with a Bubba Bomb and Jeff rolls to the floor. Christian takes a ladder into the ring, but gets yanked down by Matt. Edge and Christian double team D-Von in the corner, and Matt rams Bubba into the top buckle. Jeff comes back in the ring and chokes out Bubba allowing Matt to throw the ladder in his face. Jeff delivers some poetry in motion to the ladder sandwiching Bubba in the corner. Christian dives into the corner, but gets hit with a ladder from D-Von. The Hardys take out Edge with a ladder aided double clothesline. Matt rams the ladder into the gut of D-Von, and then slams on to the ladder. Matt goes to the second rope and delivers an elbow drop while D-Von lays on the ladder. Jeff delivers a DDT to Bubba, and then sets him on the ladder. Jeff goes for a 450 onto Bubba, but he moves and Jeff connects with ladder. Bubba hits a senton onto the ladder with Jeff underneath. Christian sets a ladder on top of Matt, and then Edge comes off the top riding a ladder down on top of the ladder and Matt. D-Von places Edge underneath a ladder and comes off the top with a legdrop to the ladder. Bubba gives an airplane spin to the ladder taking out everyone in the ring, but Christian and Edge put a stop to it with a double dropkick. Edge and Christian send D-Von face first into the ladder with a stun gun. Christian climbs to the top of the ladder and delivers a crossbody to both Bubba and Matt on the floor. Jeff sets up a ladder in the middle and climbs for the belts, but gets speared by Edge off the ladder. Edge sets up the ladder and clmbs for the belts, but Matt Hardy catches him and delivers a sit out Razors Edge off the ladder. Matt climbs but gets thrown off the ladder by D-Von. D-Von goes after the belts, but Christian throws another ladder at him knocking him off. Christian climbs for the belts but gets a shot from Bubba. Bubba climbs a ladder next to Christian and delivers a Bubba Cutter off the ladder. Matt fires D-Von the floor, and puts the boots to Bubba. Both Hardys climb ladders in the corner, and Matt delivers a legdrop to Bubba while Jeff gets a splash. Edge and Christian fire the Hardys to the floor, and then Christian and D-Von Brawl at the top of the ladder. Edge sets a ladder up next to Christian and they deliver a double superplex off the top of the ladder. At the same time Matt fires Bubba into the ringsteps. The Hardys set up ladders in the middle side by side and both Hardys climb ladders, and so do Edge and Christian. Christian delivers a facebuster to Jeff, while Edge gives Matt a side Russian legsweep off the ladder. All six men begin climbing ladders in the middle, and Jeff and Christian get dumped to the floor. Edge and Matt get thrown off their ladders as well heading to the floor leaving just the Dudleys in the ring. Christian crawls back in the ring, but gets sandwiched by the Dudleys. A 3D is delivered to Edge, and the Dudleys go get the tables. They set up two ladders in the middle and put a table on the top of them to serve as a platform. The Dudleys start to climb, but the Hardys stop them from climbing. Bubba gets another table and sets it up in the ring, but Matt pulls Bubba to the floor. Bubba fires Matt into the ringsteps, and sets up a table on the outside. D-Von puts Jeff on a table in the ring, and splashes him off a ladder. Nearly simultaneously Bubba delivers a powerbomb to Matt through the table on the floor. Jeff runs the guardrail, but Bubba sees him coming and throws the ladder at him. Bubba goes and gets the 20 foot ladder and sets it up in the entrance way. He grabs another table and drags it back to the ladder. Bubba drags Jeff back to the table and sets him on the ladder, but Christian attacks from behind with the ringbell. Jeff comes back and fires Bubba into the guardrail and puts him on the table. Jeff then makes the famous swanton leap off the ladder through the table. Back in the ring D-Von delivers a slam to Christian and climbs towards the belts. Matt pulls D-Von off the ladder and delivers a twist of fate. Matt and Christian climb the ladders and end up on the platform at the top. Edge climbs up from behind and shoves Matt off through the table at the bottom. That allows Christian and Edge to grab the belts and win the titles at 22:29. This is my favorite of all the TLC type matches, as it was the original and truly groundbreaking for the time. I cannot find a fault with this match. Tremendous stuff.
Winners: NEW WWF Tag Team Champions: Edge & Christian (Claims The Belts *****)

6. World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H ©–Wrestlemania XX

Benoit won the Royal Rumble, and decided to go to Raw to challenge for the World Title rather than staying on Smackdown. Meanwhile HHH and Shawn were in the midst of their feud when Shawn defeated HHH in a forgotten classic on Raw in December of 2003 that was negated due to a Dusty finish as both shoulders were down. The last man standing rematch at Royal Rumble ended in a draw also seemingly locking Shawn out of the match. Shawn interrupted the contract signing though superkicking Benoit and signing it himself. Somehow that was made legal, so Raw sherrif Steve Austin made this a triple threat. Ross gets a great line before the match stating that Benoit wants it, Shawn Michaels needs it, but no one wants or needs it more than the reigning champion. Benoit and Shawn argue over who gets to attack HHH at the outset, and they take turns throwing each other off as they deliver blows to HHH. Benoit goes for a crossface on Shawn, which is blocked. They trade chops, and Benoit fires Shawn into HHH sending him to the floor. Shawn gets a headlock takeover on Benoit, which is countered, into a headscissor. Benoit goes for the crossface again, but Shawn cradles into a pinning combination for two. Benoit hits a northern lights suplex for two, and HHH comes in with a clothesline to Shawn. He fires Shawn over the top, and Benoit meet him with a series of chops. Shawn skins the cat, and HHH whips Benoit into Shawn who fires him over the top. Shawn hits a backdrop on HHH, and fires away with a chop in the corner. Shawn hits the ropes ducking a clothesline, but running into a high knee getting two for HHH. Benoit comes back in with a series of shoulderblocks to HHH, but gets thrown to the floor. HHH goes out after him ramming Benoit into the ring apron. Shawn delivers a baseball slide putting both guys down, and then goes to the top delivering a moonsault on the floor taking out both guys. Shawn fires HHH inside, and covers for a two count. Shawn hammers away with a pair of chops, but HHH hits the ropes and delivers a facebuster. HHH goes for the pedigree, but Benoit makes the save with a clothesline. Benoit comes in and fires Shawn into the ringpost shoulder first. Benoit hits HHH with a snap suplex, and then chops away at HHH in the corner. Irish whip sends Benoit sternum first to the corner, and then HHH ties him up in the tree of woe. HHH goes back to Shawn, and whips him into Benoit. HHH covers Shawn for a two count, and then tries another whip. Shawn reverses sending HHH into the corner, and Benoit delivers a boot. Shawn gets a two count, then delivers a flying forearm off the ropes. Shawn nips up, but Benoit gets free and clotheslines him over the top. Benoit goes for the rolling Germans on HHH, which connects. Benoit goes to the top rope, but Shawn is back in to crotch him on the top. Shawn goes for Sweet Chin Music on HHH, but its ducked and HHH connects with a DDT. HHH goes over to Benoit, and looks to try a superplex. Benoit fights him off temporarily, but eventually HHH is able to connect for a two count. Benoit and HHH trade blows in the center, and HHH hits the ropes. He goes for a pedigree, but Benoit counters into a crossface. Shawn is in to make the save, and he goes for rolling Germans. Benoit counters the second one and delivers the rolling Germans to Shawn. Benoit heads to the top rope and connects with the diving headbutt, which gets a two count. Shawn hits the ropes and delivers a flying forearm, which sends Benoit to the floor. Shawn nips up, and delivers an inverted atomic drop to HHH. Shawn hits a couple clotheslines and a scoop slam. He goes to the top rope, and delivers the elbow drop. Shawn tunes up the band and delivers sweet chin music, but Benoit makes the save pulling HHH to the floor. Shawn goes outside, and fires Benoit inside. Shawn delivers a brutal series of chops in the corner, but Benoit reverses an Irish whip sending Shawn to the corner. Benoit goes for the Sharpshooter, but Shawn blocks it. Benoit then delivers a slingshot sending Shawn to the ringpost busting him open. Benoit goes for the crossface and locks it in on Shawn. Shawn tries to tap, but HHH stops his hand from hitting the mat. HHH breaks up the hold, and pulls Benoit to the floor. Benoit blocks an attempt to send him to the steps and instead rams HHH into them. Benoit chops HHH, but an Irish whip is reversed sending Benoit into the ringsteps. HHH clears off the Smackdown announce table, but Benoit fights him off. Benoit puts HHH up on the Spanish table and goes for a German Suplex. HHH fights that off, and sets up Benoit for the pedigree. Benoit fights him off, but Shawn comes back. Shawn and HHH look at each other, and then deliver a double suplex sending Benoit through the Smackdown table. Shawn rolls inside, and points at HHH saying its you and me. Shawn delivers a series of chops in the corner, and then whips HHH over the top buckle to the floor. Shawn goes outside after him, and rams HHH into the ringpost. That busts HHH open, and Shawn fires him back inside. Shawn fires away with right hands, but HHH hits the pedigree out of nowhere. HHH is slow to cover, and Benoit comes out of nowhere to make the save. Benoit fires away at HHH with a series of chops, but HHH goes for the pedigree. Benoit counters that into a sharpshooter. HHH almost makes the ropes, but Benoit pulls him back to the center. Shawn comes out of nowhere delivering sweet chin music to Benoit to break the hold. Shawn covers Benoit, but the shoulder gets up at two. Shawn tunes up the band, but Benoit ducks it and throws Shawn over the top to the floor. Benoit turns around into a pedigree attempt, but he counters into the crossface. HHH almost makes the ropes, but then starts to fade. HHH gets a second wind, and rolls over in the hold. Benoit holds on to the move and now stuck in the middle HHH is forced to tap at 24:48 giving Chris Benoit his only World Title. Afterward Eddie Guerrero comes out and the two men celebrate in an incredible difficult moment to watch now. I realize history hasn’t been kind to this moment for obvious and understandable reasons. However removing all the extenuating circumstances the match itself was by far the best triple threat match ever, and arguably the best main event ever at a Wrestlemania.

Winner: NEW World Heavyweight Champion-Chris Benoit (HHH Submits-Crippler Crossface *****)

5. WWF Championship: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock ©–Wrestlemania X-Seven

This is the very definition of main event. The Fink announces to the surprise of the announcers that this is now a no disqualification match. The pop for Austin is absolutely off the charts, and probably should have signaled to the writers that anything short of Austin shooting Rock in the middle of the ring and he wasn’t getting booed tonight. One of my favorite images in wrestling history occurs right before this match as Rock poses on the second rope with the belt while Austin stands in the corner. You see both men, and the amazing crowd in the Astrodome. It’s truly amazing thinking back just six years earlier when Wrestlemania was held at The Hartford Civic Center and was main evented by a retired football player and a midcarder that the WWF came this far. Austin attacks right away, and tries to blast Rock with the belt. Rock ducks and hits the ropes ducking a clothesline but getting hit with a Lou Thesz press. Austin hits the FU elbow, and sends Rock into the ropes who answers with a swinging neckbreaker. Rock goes for the Rock bottom, but Austin counters into a stunner attempt. Rock blocks that and goes for a stunner attempt of his own which is also blocked. Austin then chucks Rock over the top to the floor. All of this coming in the first minute of the match. Austin goes out after him and hammers Rock with a series of right hands. The fight spills into the stands, and Rock regains the advantage firing Austin back to ringside. Rock bashes Austin’s head into the announce table, but Austin reverses an Irish whip and scores with a clothesline. Austin rakes the eyes with the knee brace and throws Rock back inside. Austin chokes Rock out on the second ropes, and then drops down on the neck for a two count. Austin sets Rock up on the top rope, and delivers a superplex picking up a two count. Austin gets back up and removes the top turnbuckle pad. Rock comes back up with a series of rights, and scores with a flying clothesline. Armdrag from the Rock gets a two count, and Rock then clotheslines Austin to the floor. Rock follows him to the floor, and drives Austin into the announcer and timekeepers table. Austin grabs the ringbell and comes back out delivering a shot with it regaining control. That busts Rock open, and Austin goes to work on the wound ramming Rock’s head into the ringsteps and announcers table. The announce table can’t hold the weight of the Rock as it collapses. Austin fires Rock back inside, and goes back on the offensive with the right hands. Austin mounts a fallen Rock and pounds away at the open wound. Austin tries to fire Rock into the exposed steel, but Rock blocks that and fires back with the right hands. Austin hits the ropes and scores with a swinging neckbreaker picking up a two count. Into the corner Austin stomps a mudhole into Rock, and then chokes out Rock with his boot. Austin gets tied up with the referee and that allows Rock to explode out of the corner with a clothesline. Austin comes back with a knee to the gut, but that advantage is temporary as Rock comes back with the right hands and rams Austin into the exposed buckle. Rock grabs the ring bell from ringside and blasts Austin with it. That busts Austin open and Rock covers for a two count. Rock comes back with a series of rights, and then takes the fight to the floor. Rock delivers a pair of Austin who was on the apron, and Austin falls to the floor. Rock attempts to ram Austin into the barricade, but Austin blocks it and fires back with a series of rights before dropping Rock on the barricade. Austin grabs the legs and slingshots the Rock into the ringpost. Austin picks up a TV monitor and levels Rock with it on the floor. Austin fires Rock back inside and covers for a two count. Austin goes for the stunner, but Rock blocks it and locks in a sharpshooter. This is an incredible image of a bloody Austin writhing in pain, as a bloody Rock struggles to hold on to the hold. Austin eventually reaches the ropes to break the hold. Rock tries to go back to it, but Austin rakes the eyes and locks in a sharpshooter of his own. The Rock powers out of the sharpshooter, and Austin goes back to work driving the knee into the mat. Austin stomps Rock in the midsection, and goes back to the shaprshooter. Rock breaks the hold again by getting to the ropes. Rock struggles to his feet, and Austin locks in the Million Dollar Dream. Rock busts out Bret’s counter by pushing off the ropes, but Austin gets out at two. Rock reverses an Irish whip and scores with a stunner, and picks up a two count. That brings out Vince McMahon to ringside to get a closer look. Rock hits the ropes and runs into a spinebuster from Austin picking up a two count. Austin beautifully with each two count sells his mounting frustration. Austin hits the ropes and runs into a spinebuster from Rock. That sets up a peoples elbow, which connects, but McMahon runs into the ring and pulls Rock off to break up the count. Rock slowly realizes what happened and chases McMahon around the ring. Into the ring they go and Austin catches Rock on the way with a Rock Bottom getting a two count. Austin goes for a stunner, but Rock pushes off and referee Earl Hebner falls to the floor. Rock goes to pick up Austin, but gets hit with a low blow. Austin requests a chair from Vince, as it starts to become obvious what is going on. Austin holds Rock and Vince delivers a chair shot. Austin covers and Vince throws Hebner into the ring, but Rock gets out at two. Austin goes back to the chair, but Rock comes back with a Rock Bottom. McMahon jumps on the apron to keep the referee from counting, so Rock pulls him into the ring. Rock beats on Vince in the corner, but turns into a stunner from Austin. Rock kicks out at two, as Austin sits in stunned disbelief. McMahon hands the chair back to Austin, and he bashes Rock with it but again Rock is out at two. Austin picks the chair back and absolutely destroys Rock with it delivering about 20 chair shots with vile force and that finally picks up the three count at 28:07. After the match Vince and Austin stare at each other and in one of the more shocking moments in WWF history they shake hands. Both men stare at each other without a smile and it really makes the moment work. As if they aren’t doing this because they want to, but rather because they have to. Jim Ross, who probably turned in the performance of his career during the match really amps it up with his epic call in disbelief. As for the match itself it was probably the best example of this style of match ever. There was absolutely no down period at any point, and the crowd was red hot throughout. Normally I’d hate a finish like this one, but for some reason it works here. Neither guy can put the other away, and Austin has to sell his soul to “Satan himself” to quote JR to get the win. The rating I’m going to give this match is going to be a little bit controversial, and will probably get me some serious hate, but I truly believe its warranted here. This was the defining match of the attitude era and featured the two defining stars of the attitude era in arguably their greatest performance. There’s not a thing about this match I would change.

Winner: NEW WWF Champion-“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (Pinfall-Chair Shots *****)

4. WWF Intercontinental Championship-Randy “Macho Man” Savage © (w. Miss Elizabeth) vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (w. George “The Animal” Steele)–Wrestlemania III

Steamboat hip tosses out of a go behind early, and Savage bails to move Elizabeth away from The Animal. Steamboat ducks and elbow and hits a pair of deep armdrags. Double handed choke sends Savage to the floor again. Steamboat chases on the floor, and gets caught by Savage back inside. Savage clotheslines Steamboat on the top rope and gets a two count. Savage charges into the corner, but comes up empty as Steamboat moves. Wristlock turns into an arm wringer, which Steamboat drops down on the top rope. Savage pushes off into the ropes and gets Steamboat coming off with an elbow. Savage fires Steamboat over the top rope to the floor to buy some time. Savage brings Steamboat up to the apron and elbows him in his throat. Finally Steamboat ends up back inside with a snap mare and an elbow gets a two count. Kneedrop gets another two, so Savage goes to ram his head into the buckle. Steamboat blocks and rams Savage instead. Into the ropes and chop ties Savage in the ropes, but he’s able to kick free. Crossbody connects for Steamboat getting two. Armdrag sets up a pair of shoulderblocks getting two. Savage comes back with a knee to the back, and fires him over the top. Steamboat skins the cat, but gets clotheslined out anyway. Savage follows and delivers a high knee to the back sending Savage over the timekeepers table and into the crowd. Animal carries Steamboat back into the ring, but Savage fires him outside again. Savage comes off the top rope with a double axe handle on the floor. Savage fires Steamboat inside and goes to the top rope again delivering a double axe handle on the inside. Running elbow gets two for Savage, and then he clotheslines Steamboat on the top rope for two. Atomic drop gets yet another near fall for Savage. Suplex gets another two count for Savage. They trade blows in the center, but Savage gets the better of it with a rake to the eyes. Gutwrench suplex gets two for Savage. Steamboat counters an atomic drop, and sends Savage into the ropes, but puts his head down and gets kicked on the backdrop attempt. Savage hits the ropes again and runs into a backdrop sending him over the top rope to the floor. Ventura apparently forgets that he’s not in the NWA as he calls for the DQ. Steamboat follows and sends Savage back inside before heading to the top. He comes off the top with a chop to the head, and gets two. Steamboat delivers a series of open handed chops which again sends Savage to the floor. Steamboat follows and gives Savage a shoulder from the apron. He comes in with a sunset flip for two. Steamboat ducks a right hand and a rollup gets two. Jacknife rollup, and small package also gets two for Steamboat. Bodyslam and a slingshot send Savage into the post. Sunset flip gets two for Steamboat, and a rollup gets two for both guys. Savage fires Steamboat into the ring post shoulder first, and then on an Irish whip reversal attempt the referee gets taken out. Savage hits the flying elbow from the top, but there is no referee to count. Savage goes to the floor to get the ring bell, and heads to the top rope with it. Animal snatches the ring bell away, but a kick and Savage gets it back. Savage goes to the top rope, but gets pushed off by Steele. Back to his feet Savage goes for a slam, but Steamboat catches him in a small package to win the match and the title at 14:36. What can I say about this match that hasn’t already been said? Best WWF match of the 80’s, and arguably the best non-gimmick match in Wrestlemania history.

Winner: NEW WWF Intercontinental Champion-Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (Pinfall-Small Package *****)

3. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle–Wrestlemania 21

This pretty much just boiled down to “hey we’re the two greatest performers in the world today; let’s go tear the house down.” Works for me. Shawn smacks Angle, and gets a double leg takedown for it. A chain wrestling sequence sees Shawn get to the ropes to separate them. Shawn grabs a side headlock takeover, and Angle rolls it over for a quick two count. Shawn holds on, and Angle tries to push off into the ropes. Shawn still holds on, so Angle tries a suplex but Shawn still holds on. Shawn hits the ropes and delivers a shoulderblock, and then goes back to the headlock takeover. Angle tries to push off into the ropes again, but Shawn continues to hold on. Angle pushes Shawn into the corner to break. They trade go behinds, and Shawn again grabs a side headlock takeover. Angle counters out and delivers a back elbow. Angle hits the ropes delivering a shoulderblock, but comes off the ropes again into a hiplock. Shawn locks in the short arm scissors, and Angle rolls it over into a pinning combo for two. Angle stands up in the hold, so Shawn locks in a sunset flip for two. Shawn gets a backslide for two, and then goes back to the headlock takeover. Angle pushes off into the buckle, and then they trade right hands in the corner. The ref physically separates them, and Angle delivers a shot from behind and locks in the ankle lock. Shawn counters out of that and delivers a clothesline sending Angle over the top to the floor. Shawn goes outside and cleans off the Smackdown announce table. Shawn slides back inside to break the count, and gets met with a series of European uppercuts when he goes back out. Angle tries to suplex Shawn on the table, but Shawn counters out and delivers a series of chops. Angle comes right back and goes for the Angle slam delivering it into the ringpost. Angle slides back into the ring to break the count, and goes back outside delivering a series of strikes to the lower back. Angle fires Shawn back inside, and delivers a suplex getting a two count. Angle locks in a body scissors, and Shawn squirms free. Shawn delivers a series of chops in the corner, but gets an Irish whip sending him to the corner. Angle scores with a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes getting a two count. Angle grabs a chinlock with a knee in the back. Shawn fights to his feet, and punches out of the hold. Shawn fires away with pair of chops, and then they trade blows. Shawn delivers a smack to the face, which nets him a vicious clothesline from Angle for a two count. Angle delivers a pair of European upper cuts, and then sets up Shawn on the top rope. Angle goes for a belly-to-belly off the top, but Shawn shoves him off. Shawn goes for the top rope flying elbow, but Angle moves out of the way. Angle goes for the Angle slam, but Shawn counters into an armdrag. Angle charges at Shawn, but gets backdropped over the top to the floor. Shawn goes to the top rope and delivers a crossbody to Angle on the floor. Angle catches Shawn on the apron and goes for his ambiguously gay German suplex, but Shawn comes free with a low blow. Shawn kicks Angle into the Smackdown announce table, and then delivers a springboard crossbody onto the table which does not break. Both guys barely beat the count reaching the ring at nine. In a cool visual blood pours from the mouth of Angle. They both stagger to their feet in the middle, and Angle delivers alternating right hands and chops. Shawn hits the ropes and delivers a flying forearm. Shawn nips up and delivers an inverted atomic drop, and follows up with a clothesline. Shawn bodyslams Angle into position for the top rope elbow which connects. Shawn tunes up the band, but his attempt at Sweet Chin Music is caught by Angle into the ankle lock. Shawn tries to roll through, but Angle holds on. Shawn crawls for the ropes finally reaching them to break the hold. Angle goes for the Angle slam, which Shawn counters into a sunset flip. Angle grabs the ankle and locks in the ankle lock. Shawn rolls through again with a jackknife rollup for two. Shawn goes for sweet chin music, but gets his foot caught again. Shawn spins free of the ankle lock, but gets hit with the Angle slam which only gets two. Angle goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but comes up empty as Shawn rolls out of the way. Shawn heads to the top rope, but Angle charges up the ropes and delivers the Angle slam off the top rope. Shawn again kicks out for two, as the entire watches on their feet knowing their watching an instant classic. Angle pulls Shawn to his feet and screams at him to just tap out, and out of nowhere Shawn connects with Sweet Chin Music. Shawn can’t cover though and both men are down. Shawn drapes the arm across Angle who gets the shoulder up at two and 999/1000th. Shawn staggers to his feet, but Angle picks the leg and grabs the ankle lock again. Shawn struggles to the ropes, and tries to spin free. Angle continues to hold on though pulling Shawn to the center each time he gets near the ropes. Finally Angle grapevines the legs and Shawn can’t get free. Shawn nearly again gets to the ropes, but is forced to tap at 27:25. This match was an absolute epic. The crowd gives a well deserved standing ovation to both men on the way out. Not much more you can say. It was a perfect wrestling match.

Winner: Kurt Angle (Submission-Ankle Lock *****)

2. “The Rocket” Owen Hart vs. Bret “Hitman” Hart–Wrestlemania X

Owen takes Bret over with a fireman carry takeover, but Bret quickly counters into a headscissor. Owen nips up to break. Bret comes back with a go behind take down, and Owen quickly gets to the ropes. Owen gets a go behind takedown of his own, and Bret counters by firing Owen through the ropes to the floor. Owen slides back and smacks Bret right in the face. Owen takes Bret down with a drop toehold and grabs a side headlock. Bret counters into a hammerlock, and turns it into a wristlock. Owen counters into a wristlock of his own taking Bret down by the hair. Bret nips up and reverses. Owen gets whipped into the corner, and Bret rolls him up for two. Bret hits an armdrag and goes back to the armbar. He turns it into a hammerlock, and Owen elbows out of it. Owen hits the ropes, but gets a monkeyflip from Bret. Bret then clotheslines Owen over the top and back to the floor. Bret goes outside and fires Owen back inside. Bret smacks Owen this time and again rolls him up for two. Bret goes back to the armbar, and gets shoved into the ropes. Bret comes off with a crucifix getting a two count and again grabs an armbar. Bret hits the ropes, and Owen gets a leapfrog before hitting a spinning heel kick putting Bret down. Owen stomps away at Bret as he rolls to the floor. Owen goes out after him, and rams Bret back first into the ring post. Back inside they go, and Owen whips Bret into the corner. Backbreaker from Owen sets up a camel clutch. Bret is able to come to his feet and elbow out. Bret hits the ropes, but runs into a belly-to-belly from Owen picking up a two count. Owen springboards off the second rope with a crossbody, but Bret rolls through for a two count. Owen goes back on offense with a series of stomps and grabs a reverse chinlock. Owen goes for a bodyslam, but a reversal of weight causes Bret to collapse on top for two. Bret slides to the floor, and Owen tries to suplex him in from the apron. Bret counters into a German Suplex attempt, but Owen counters that into one of his own getting two. A legdrop from Owen gets a two count. Bret gets a small package for two. Owen hits the ropes and counters a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker attempt with a tombstone piledriver getting two. Owen then goes to the top rope, but a splash attempt comes up empty. A clothesline getting a two count follows inverted atomic drop from Bret. Owen comes off the ropes and gets a punch to the gut, and a side Russian legsweep follows that for two. A second rope elbow drop for another two count follows Backbreaker. Owen turns the tide again with an enzaguri, and goes for a sharpshooter. Bret counters and tries one of his own, but Owen rolls out again. Rollup by Owen gets a two count, and Bret’s kick out sends him to the floor. Bret catapults himself over the top rope onto Owen, but comes up with an injured knee. Owen gets fired inside, and Bret rolls in behind him while favoring the knee. Bret stalks, but Owen goes right to the injured knee of Bret. Owen slides to the floor and wraps Bret’s knee around the ring post three times. Legwhip from Owen sets up an inverted figure four. He lets go of it to drop down on the injured knee. Another legwhip from Owen this time sets up the traditional figure four. Bret turns it over, and they eventually roll to the ropes. Owen goes back to work on the injured knee, but Bret comes back with an enzaguri. Bret delivers a headbutt, and then whips Owen sternum first into the buckle. Legdrop gets two for Bret, so he goes for a bulldog, which connects for another two count. Piledriver from Bret gets yet another two count. Bret sets Owen up on the top rope and delivers a super-plex getting another near fall. European upper cuts connect for Bret, and a sleeper follows that. Owen comes out of that with a low blow to the back of the referee, and then locks in the sharpshooter. Bret counters into a sharpshooter of his own, but Owen is able to get to the ropes. Bret gets whipped into the corner, and Owen charges into Bret’s boot. Bret goes for a victory roll, but Owen sits back on it and sticks Bret with a three count at 20:20. This is one of those matches that I can’t really add anything more than what has already been said. Best opening match in professional wrestling history.

Winner: “The Rocket” Owen Hart (Pinfall-Victory Roll Counter *****)

1. Submission Match: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Bret “Hitman” Hart –Wrestlemania 13

Ken Shamrock makes his WWF debut in this match serving as guest referee. Austin is technically the heel going into the match, but it’s really in name only. Austin rips signs on the way to the ring, and stares down fans, basically trying every trick in the book to get heat and none of it works. The crowd just eats up everything he does. Pull apart brawl to start, and they head to the floor. Bret fires Austin into the ring post, and goes for a suplex. Austin blocks it and crotches Bret on the guardrail. Austin then delivers a clothesline sending Bret into the crowd. Austin fires Bret back into the guardrail, as they continue the brawl through the audience. Austin grabs a drink of soda from a vendor, and then stomps away at Bret by the hockey boards. Bret comes back ramming Austin into the boards as they head up the stairs. Austin sets up for a piledriver in the crowd, but Bret answers with a backdrop sending Austin back down the steps to the arena floor. They start to fight back towards the ring, and finally Bret fires Austin over the guardrail. Bret jumps to the top of the railing and drops an elbow on Austin. Bret tries an Irish whip, but Austin reverses sending Bret into the ring steps. Austin delivers a clothesline from the apron to the floor, and picks up the ring steps. Bret kicks the steps and they collapse on top of Austin. Austin grabs Bret and fires him into the ring post, and finally they end up back in the ring. Austin stomps away, and sends Bret in for the backdrop, but Bret counters with a neckbreaker. Second rope elbow connects for Bret, and he follows it by falling back with the leg. Bret drops down on the knee of Austin after placing it on the bottom rope, and then drops a pair of elbows on the knee. Bret continues the assault on the leg by kicking Austin’s legs, but Austin comes back with a stunner out of nowhere. No pinfalls though so it just buys time for Austin. Austin hobbles towards Bret, but gets his legs kicked out from under him again. Bret pulls Austin to the outside and locks in the ringpost figure four. Bret lets go and they both end up on the arena floor. Bret fires Austin back inside, and grabs the ring bell. He sets the bell on the apron, and then grabs a chair. Bret wraps Austin’s ankle in the chair Pillman style, and heads to the top rope. Austin was suckering him in though as he comes up and whacks Bret with a chair sending him to the mat, and once more for good measure. Slam from Austin is followed up with an Irish whip sending Bret to the corner. Suplex from Austin connects, and he goes to the second rope dropping an elbow. Austin delivers a stomp to the gut, and a side Russian legsweep. Austin grabs a modified cross armbreaker, and then decides to go for a Boston crab. Bret is able to reach the ropes to break the hold, so Austin decides to add a little insult to injury and go for a sharpshooter. Bret stops that attempt though with a rake to the eyes. Bret fires back with a series of rights, but Austin sidesteps a charge and Bret goes flying to the floor. Austin goes out to the floor, and tries to whip Bret but it’s reversed and Austin goes headfirst into the guardrail. Austin gets busted wide open on that in one of the more famous bladejobs in wrestling history. Bret fires Austin head first into the ringsteps, and follows that up with a shot to the ringpost. Back inside Bret drops an elbow on Austin and hammers away at the wound. Bret delivers a backbreaker, and then goes to the second rope again dropping the elbow. Bret grabs a chair and drives into the injured knee of Austin. Bret goes for the sharpshooter, but Austin is able to stop the attempt with an eyerake. Bret pounds away in the corner, but Austin comes back with a kick to the nuts to buy him some time. Austin gets a second wind, and whips Bret sternum first into the buckle. Austin stomps a mudhole in Bret, and then sets him on the top rope. Austin delivers a superplex, and puts Bret on the apron. Austin grabs an extension cord from ringside and wraps it around the neck of Bret on the apron. Bret grabs the ringbell and whacks Austin with it to release the choke. Single leg takedown from Bret allows him to lock in the sharpshooter. Austin refuses to give up as blood pours down his face. This is one of the most iconic images in the history of the sport. Austin gets a second wind and nearly powers out of the hold, but Bret holds on. Austin finally succumbs to the pain and passes out refusing to submit at 22:04. After the match Bret goes back to attack Austin, effectively turning him heel, and gets suplexed by Shamrock. This is a classic example of a guy getting put over in a loss. As for the match itself, in my opinion, it is the greatest WWF match of all time. It has everything you could possibly want. Historical significance, technical wrestling, hardcore wrestling, drama. You name it. This match has it. After the match Austin refuses help and walks to the back to a standing ovation.
Winner: Bret “Hitman” Hart (Knockout-Sharpshooter *****)