WWE's WrestleMania has been the linchpin event of the company for three decades and has shaped careers, made history and changed the landscape of professional wrestling throughout its existence.
Countdown to WrestleMania 31: 3 Best Moments From WrestleMania 22
Over the next month, Sports World News will delve into each installment of the WWE's marquee event and look at the three greatest moments from each edition of the landmark show.
In 2008, the WWE decided to bring the biggest show outside for the first time since WrestleMania IX in 1993 as a Hall of Famer said goodbye to the squared circle and the "Rated 'R' Superstar" went after The Streak.
Countdown to WrestleMania 31: 3 Best Moments From WrestleMania 23
WrestleMania XXIV emanated from the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. in front of 74,635 fans in what was dubbed as "The Biggest WrestleMania Under The Sun" on March 30, 2008. The weather, unfortunately, wasn't great, but it didn't stop the WWE from putting on a good show.
Here are our three best moments from WWE WrestleMania XXIV:
3) Money in the Bank Goes Straight Edge: The WWE presented the Money in the Bank Ladder Match for the fourth straight year with a field of seven Superstars duking it out for the chance to win a contract good for a title shot anytime within the next year.
The match pitted CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Carlito, MVP, Mr. Kennedy and John Morrison against each other.
Memorable spots in the match saw Morrison perform a moonsalt off the top rope to his opponents on the outside while holding a ladder and Shelton Benjamin get sent off of a ladder in the ring only to flip over and crash through a ladder that was set up between the barricade and the ring apron on the outside.
The match was also notable for the return of Matt Hardy, who came in through the crowd and stopped MVP from grabbing the briefcase by hitting him with the Twist of Fate off the Ladder.
In the end, Punk won his first of two consecutive Money in the Bank Ladder Matches by grabbing the briefcase to end the contest after over 15 minutes. It went on to launch Punk's career as he became a main event player following the win.
2) 16-0: The Undertaker put his legendary streak on the line against Edge's World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XXIV.
Edge and 'Taker had a great longstanding feud on the SmackDown brand and the Rated 'R' Superstar -- who hadn't lost a singles or tag match at WrestleMania up to that point -- was hoping to end The Streak and prove he's the No. 1 Superstar on the brand.
The Undertaker, meanwhile, was looking to dim Edge's lights and add him to the list of names that he defeated at the biggest show of the year.
Edge had the "Deadman" well-scouted as he countered all of his signature moves throughout the match, however 'Taker was finally able to deliver a Tombstone, but the World Heavyweight Champion kicked out.
Edge got some outside help from Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, but 'Taker was eventually able to thwart them off.
In the end, Edge went to hit his signature spear, but The Undertaker caught him and put him the Hell's Gate submission hold, leading to Edge tapping out.
It marked the second consecutive year that The Undertaker walked out of WrestleMania as the World Heavyweight Champion and the first time in 11 years (WrestleMania 13) that The Undertaker's match went on last at the WWE's marquee event.
The Undertaker improved to 16-0 at WrestleMania while Edge shined in what proved to be his only closing match at WrestleMania.
1) Swan Song for "The Nature Boy': Ric Flair's in-ring career was winding down in the WWE in 2008 and the company came up with a storyline that Vince McMahon laid down the edict that if Flair lost again, he'd be forced to retire.
After surviving for over two months, Flair wanted to prove he was still the best and on top of his game by taking on "Mr. WrestleMania" Shawn Michaels at the show. After Michaels initially refused and an infamous "old yeller" promo, the match was eventually signed and took place in Orlando.
The bout itself was amazing and told a great story as Michaels was initially reluctant to end Flair's career, stopping short on an early Sweet Chin Music attempt and allowing Flair to reverse the maneuver.
Michaels nearly cracked his ribs during the match on a moonsalt attempt on the outside that saw him crash into the announce table chest-first.
There was a great back-and-forth dynamic to the match and the drama surrounding the stipulation made it even more impactful as Flair was still mad at Michaels for his old yeller comments and the "Heart Break Kid's" will to win started to overcome his initial reluctance about facing Flair.
Flair was able to kick out of one Sweet Chin Music attempt, however late in the match when Michaels geared up for another one on a dazed Flair - who was willing him on to finish the job -- HBK said, "I'm sorry, I love you" and nailed Flair with the move again, pinning his shoulders to the mat and at the time ending his 35-year wrestling career.
The two embraced and Flair cried while taking the time to see his family at ringside and slowly taking one final stroll out of the ring to a standing ovation.
Flair would go on to wrestle in other promotions, which cheapened the lasting impact a bit, but this was his final match in the WWE to date and the very definition of a WrestleMania Moment.
"The Nature Boy" competed at WrestleManias VIII, X-8, XX, 22, 23 (dark match) and XXIV while being a part of many others, but he has never wrestled in a WWE ring since losing to Michaels.
Looking Ahead: The silver anniversary was coming up for the WWE's cornerstone event and they'd go to Texas to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in 2009, which we'll look at on Monday.
Rank-O-Mania: As we go through each year, we will rank each WrestleMania as it comes along. WrestleMania XXIV was a pretty great event with Punk solidifying his place in the main event scene by winning MITB, Edge-Taker being a great match and Flair's epic in-ring WWE career coming to an end. This event finds its place between WrestleManias VIII and XX in ninth place.
1) WrestleMania X-7
2) WrestleMania XIX
3) WrestleMania X
4) WrestleMania VI
5) WrestleMania III
6) WrestleMania 21
7) WrestleMania XIV
8) WrestleMania VIII
9) WrestleMania XXIV
10) WrestleMania XX
11) WrestleMania 22
12) WrestleMania VII
13) WrestleMania X-8
14) WrestleMania 23
15) WrestleMania V
16) WrestleMania XV
17) WrestleMania 2000
18) WrestleMania XII
19) WrestleMania IV
20) WrestleMania 13
21) WrestleMania I
22) WrestleMania XI
23) WrestleMania IX
24) WrestleMania 2
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