For the last 30 years, WrestleMania has been the marquee event in the WWE, changing the course of history and providing wrestling fans with some of the greatest and most memorable moments in the history of professional wrestling. The WWE's cornerstone event has led to the term "WrestleMania Moment" becoming a common phrase.
Greatest WrestleMania moments from I-V
With WrestleMania XXX airing this Sunday, April 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sports World News has spent the last few weeks taking a look back through past WrestleManias and determining the best moment from each one, starting with WrestleMania I at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1985 and finishing with 2013's installment of WrestleMania XXIX at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
We've already covered all of the events from I-XXV, and we'll pick up now looking at the best WrestleMania Moments from XXVI to XXIX (26-29) as we countdown towards WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans this Sunday. There will be some honorable mentions along the way as well.
Greatest WrestleMania moments from VI-X
WrestleMania XXVI Honorable Mention: Edge and Jericho clash:
Edge and Chris Jericho got a chance to shine at WrestleMania XXVI in 2010 when Jericho put his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Edge, who was his former tag partner and won the Royal Rumble match. The two partook in a back-and-forth match that was better than most give it credit for. In the end, Jericho stood tall after using his belt as a weapon and hitting a Code Breaker.
WrestleMania XXVI Moment: Shawn Michaels calls it a career and The Streak continues:
Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker stole the show on the midcard of WrestleMania XXV, and the following year the WWE smartened up by having the two go head-to-head at WrestleMania XXVI in the main event. The stakes were even higher this time around as not only was the Dead Man's streak on the line, but Michaels put his career in the balance as well. The two attempted to top their classic from a year before, and while many critics are separated on which clash was better, the WrestleMania XXVI match is still held in high regard universally no matter what side of the fence they land on. The two veterans brought their "A" game to the University of Phoenix Stadium and Michaels shined as he always does on the grandest stage, going out with a bang after falling to The Undertaker in a classic encounter.
Greatest WrestleMania moments from XI-XV
WrestleMania XXVII Honorable Mention: Finally...The Rock has returned to WrestleMania:
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson appeared at WrestleMania for the first time in seven years as the special guest host for WrestleMania XXVII at the Georgia Dome, and he was a factor throughout. The Rock kicked off the proceedings with a promo --albeit a long promo -- and was welcomed back to the WWE in strong fashion. He also made his presence felt in the main event, hitting the Rock Bottom on John Cena and allowing The Miz to retain the WWE Championship.
WrestleMania XXVII Moment: Edge shines in his final match:
Edge opened up WrestleMania by successfully defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio in what proved to be his final match with the company due to a serious neck injury. Edge hit Del Rio with a spear and then wrecked his car with Christian, before announcing his retirement a week later on Monday Night RAW. Though it was sooner than expected, his final match was storybook as he fought for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania and won.
Greatest WrestleMania moments from 2000-XX
WrestleMania XXVIII Honorable Mention: The Rock finally gets to close WrestleMania on top:
The Rock fought in his first WrestleMania match in eight years during 2012's installment of WrestleMania XXVIII live from The Rock's hometown of Miami, Fla. at Sun Life Stadium. The Rock had quite an auspicious WrestleMania record over the years as he never ended the show standing on top. The Rock wrestled on the midcard during his first two WrestleManias (13, XIV) and then was on the losing end to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (XV) in his first main event before being screwed at back-to-back WrestleManias by Vince McMahon (2000, X-7). He won his next two 'Mania matches against Hulk Hogan (X-8) and Steve Austin (XIX), but didn't close the show. His final appearance before XXVIII was a handicap loss at XX that saw him and Mick Foley lose to Evolution in the midcard. In 2012, The Rock finally got to close WrestleMania standing tall by defeating John Cena in a match billed as 'Once in a Lifetime,' though it proved not to be true.
WrestleMania XXVIII Moment: The Undertaker and Triple H end an era:
In a rematch from the prior year, The Undertaker and Triple H did battle in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania XXVIII with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. The match was epic as both men kicked out of each other's finishers and there were intense false-finishes throughout. In the end, The Undertaker stood tall, maintaining The Streak as he, Triple H and Michaels stood on top of the stage hugging to symbolize the end of an era.
Greatest WrestleMania moments from 21-XXV
WrestleMania XXIX Moment: CM Punk and The Undertaker steal the show:
WrestleMania XXIX was a site to see from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey visually, however, the card was mostly predictable and even though John Cena getting revenge over The Rock and winning the WWE Championship and Brock Lesnar returning to WrestleMania in a losing effort to Triple H were notable, they were also predictable and not the best moments on the card. The Undertaker once again turned it on at WrestleMania, this time taking on CM Punk after spending the last four years battling Shawn Michaels twice in a row and Triple H consecutively at WrestleMania. The matchup was a fresh one and it was a great back-and-forth contest with a solid pace and false-finishes throughout. In the end, The Undertaker once again stood tall and went 21-0 at the biggest show of the year. This may prove to be CM Punk's last WrestleMania match.
Top 5 best and worst opening matches in WrestleMania history
Top 5 best and worst main events in WrestleMania history
That wraps up our countdown of the best moments at each WrestleMania. WrestleMania XXX airs live this Sunday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and with a stacked card it will be interesting to see what kind of moments happen at the biggest show of the year to add to the list of greatest WrestleMania Moments.
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