Best Wreslemania Matches: Wresltemania 12 - 22

Wrestlemania 12:

• The Undertaker Vs Diesel – 2 ¼* - This was the first time the fans believed that The Undertaker could lose at a Wrestlemania (not that the streak was a big deal at the time). Two big men, showing off their talents, fun watch featuring two of the best around that time.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart – 60-Minute Iron Man Match – WWF Championship – 4 ¼* - By time 1996 rolled around everyone basically knew that Shawn had be positioned to become the poster boy for the WWF 'New Generation'. So at the 12th annual Wrestlemania Shawn and Bret were placed in a 60 Minute Iron Man match that took each other to the limits and actually resulted in neither man getting a fall making the match go into over time. This match should've set up multiple matches with each other to show how great they were and to become one of the biggest rivalries in history.. this would happen but for total different reasons.

Wrestlemania 13:

• Owen Hart & The British Bulldog Vs Mankind & Vader – Tag Team Championships – 2 ½* - This would be Mick Foley and Vader’s first Wrestlemania, and it's a match that involves him not only facing teaming with former rival - Vader, but sees him facing a great team of Owen Hart & British Bulldog. Truthfully it would’ve been a decent time to have Owen facing Bulldog and Mankind face Vader in individual matches.
• Bret Hart Vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – Submission Match – 5* - This match definitely earned the rating it got from Meltzer, it was a Submission match and it was obvious at the time that Austin lacked a lot of submission material, however - both the superstars brought their A–game, and the psychology and storytelling during the match was absolutely amazing. The ending is absolutely fantastic and a great lasting image. Stone Cold would recently commentate the whole match for his podcast which you can listen to right here. On another note, I wish the WWE Network had a show where wrestlers would go back to commentate their old matches.
• Ahmed Johnson & The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) Vs The Nation of Domination (Crush, Faarooq & Savio Vega)– Chicago Street Fight – 3 ½*
• Undertaker Vs Sycho Sid - WWF Championship – 1 ¼*

Wrestlemania 14:

• Triple H Vs Owen Hart – European Championship – 3*
• Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie Vs The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn & Road Dogg) – WWF Tag Team Championships – 3 ¼*
• The Undertaker Vs Kane – Brother Vs Brother - 1 ½* - This would be the first meeting of Undertaker and Kane in a one on one match. Two "brothers" would go ahead and battle each other to see who would prevail as the number one brother. Long-term booking really comes into effect here, because the pay off was fantastic. This is honestly a ridiculous rating for this match, not sure why he rated this so low.
• Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs Shawn Michaels – WWF Championship – 3 ¼* - Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the episode.

Wrestlemania 15:

• Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs The Rock – WWF Championship – 3 ½* - After having the title stolen from him back in late-September of 1998, the rest of Austins year saw him going through a back and forth battle with Vince McMahon and his Corporation. Good match between the two, but not their best match. Infamously, Austin always mentions that he forgot to bring his standard vest for a match because he was in a rush and dealing with a divorce at the time. This would be their first of three matches at Wrestlemania. Also, Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the match.

Wrestlemania 16:

• Christian & Edge Vs The Dudley Boys Vs The Hardy Boyz - Triangle Ladder Match - WWF Tag Team Championship - 4* - These men set the standard for all ladder matches. This would be the first clash together in a 3-team ladder match but not their last. Also, Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the match.
• Chris Jericho Vs Chris Benoit Vs Kurt Angle – WWF European Championship & WWF Intercontinental Championship – 2 ¾* - This would be Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle’s first Wrestlemania and it featured all three competing in not one but TWO matches for TWO championships. However, I must admit something is a bit off about this match, maybe its Angle playing backseat to the Benoit/Jericho feud, I’m not sure – however still fun match with three new members in WWF.
• Triple H Vs Mick Foley Vs Big Show Vs The Rock – WWF Championship – 3*

Wrestlemania 17:

• Chris Jericho Vs William Regal – WWF Intercontinental Championship – 2*
• Kurt Angle Vs Chris Benoit – 4 ¼* - I personally think that Benoit is Angles best counterpart, this match is so much better than their match from the previous Wrestlemania. These two are so evenly matched when it comes to in-ring ability and that’s why every time they compete against each other it’s magic. I feel whenever people reminisce about this Wrestlemania they forget about this match and how great it was between both competitors. I hope people looking at these lists go back and watch this from arguable one of the best Wrestlemania’s.
• Shane McMahon Vs Mr. McMahon – Street Fight – 3*
• Christian & Edge Vs The Dudley Boys Vs The Hardy Boyz – Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match - WWF Tag Team Championship – 4 ¾* - We’re back again with these six men, and you might think by this time it’s the same old thing, they can’t top what they did last time. But that’s what they did. They topped it yet again. This is my favourite match from this Wrestlemania; it’s just so brutal and fun to watch. Arguably a 5-star match to a lot of people and it really helps that its on one of the best PPV’s of all time. Every Ladder match since this match has struggled to be compared as better because these 6 men set the bar so high that it is hard to beat it. One of the best matches in the Attitude Era, and honestly one of the best tag-team matches of all time in wrestling history.
• The Undertaker Vs Triple H – 3 ½* - This would be the first of three encounters between these two men at a Wrestlemania. But it just gave us a tease of what these two could pull off with each other on the grandest stage of them all. I’m glad these two found themselves facing instead of being involved in other storylines.
• Stone Cold Steve Austin Vs The Rock – No Disqualification Match – WWF Championship – 4 ½* - These two men were competing in a rematch from Wrestlemania 15, two years prior to this. To get this Wrestlemania 17, Austin returned from almost a year away from to win the 2001 Royal Rumble, and The Rock had to defeat Kurt Angle the month prior to this at No Way Out. This is miles ahead better then their former ‘Mania match, these two were the two top men in the attitude era. Fun match, with what is arguably one of the best Wrestlemania’s of all time a complete stacked card. Arguably the most loved match out of their trilogy of Mania matches. For many people this was also the end of the Attitude Era especially with who shocked they were with the ending of Stone Cold turning heel by aligning himself with the devil himself – Vince McMahon. Bonus Stone Cold commentating this match.

Wrestlemania 18:

• The Undertaker Vs Ric Flair – Street Fight – 3* - An interesting piece of knowledge is that Undertaker actually requested to face Flair at Mania this year, he spoke to Triple H & Mr. McMahon about it and when Triple H told Flair he couldn't believe the honour that was just placed on him. This was before the ‘Streak’ was a big thing but it still referenced by Undertaker at the end of the match. It’s a very fun match, and has a great run in by Arn Anderson who delivers the best spine-buster in the game. However, Flair believes that this match was ‘All Undertaker’ basically saying he carried him throughout this whole match.
• The Rock Vs Hulk Hogan – 3* - The Legend Vs. The Icon. Listen to that crowd. This is Hulk Hogans first Wrestlemania since 9, and he was going against one of the biggest WWF Stars at the time – The Rock. The electric crowd help make this match be as good as it is. Also, Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the match.
• Triple H Vs Chris Jericho – WWF Undisputed Championship – 3* - Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the match.

Wrestlemania 19:

• The World’s Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Hass & Shelton Benjamin) Vs Los Guerreros (Chavo Guerrero & Eddie Guerrero) Vs Chris Benoit & Rhyno – WWE Tag Team Championship – 3*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – 4 ¼* - Shawn Michaels was only going to return for a one match deal, thankfully he stuck around for a few more years so he could put on some of the greatest matches in WWE history. When you think of Wrestlemania and Shawn Michaels they go together like Peanut Butter and Chocolate. This match is up there with one of the best Mania matches of all time. These two men would continue a feud in 2008 for a majority of the year and I recommend people go revisit that feud as well. Also, Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the match.
• Triple H Vs Booker T – World Heavyweight Championship – 3 ¼*
• Hulk Hogan Vs Mr. McMahon – Street Fight – 3*
• The Rock Vs Stone Cold Steve Austin – 4* - This was Stone Colds last ever professional wrestling match and oh boy was it fantastic. It’s very fitting that the last match is between his greatest rival – The Rock. Obviously, this is their final match in their series of ‘Mania matches and for me personally I think it’s the best of the three matches. Now looking back at this match, I wish this was the main event of Wrestlemania 19, a perfect send off for the Texas Rattlesnake. If you ask me, Rock needed this win to help establish himself as THE main star still in the company.
• Brock Lesnar Vs Kurt Angle – WWE Championship – 4 ¼* - Two of the best amateur wrestlers in WWE history get the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities in the main-event of the greatest spectacular in sports-entertainment. Unfortunately behind the scenes Angle was walking into this match with a banged up neck, and after this match Lesnar would walk out with an injured neck and concussion.

Wrestlemania 20:

• John Cena Vs Big Show – United States Championship – 1 ¼* - This is pretty significant, as this was Cena’s first Wrestlemania match, and it was against a The Big Show for the United States Championship. Man, it was great to hear the crowd be 100% behind Cena. Who really would’ve thought that Cena would become the biggest household name for professional wrestling in the modern era? Also Wrestlemania Rewind discussing the match.
• Christian Vs Chris Jericho – 3 ½* - Christian is just such a natural heel it’s perfect, the lead up to this match featured him: trying to steal Chris Jericho’s crush – Trish Stratus, attacking Trish and then attacked his over two year tag-team partner Chris Jericho. The match is actually really good between them, they work really great with each other inside the ring, and the ending will leave you speechless.
• Evolution (Batista, Randy Orton & Ric Flair) Vs Rock N Sock Connection (Mick Foley & The Rock) – 3 ¾* - This may have been Rock’s last Wrestlemania match for close to 7 years, but it would be the Batista and Randy Orton’s first Wrestlemania in the company. He got to tag with two of the greatest wrestlers of all time against two of the greatest wrestlers from the Attitude Era.
• Goldberg Vs Brock Lesnar – 1 ¼* - This was both mens last matches in WWE (until they would return 8 years later, and 12 years later). News leaked earlier about both mens departure from WWE so it invoked anger in the Madison Square Garden crowd who absolutely shat on this match – and rightfully so. The match takes about 7 minutes before a move is actually made and then it’s just rest-holds for a bit. Stone Cold Steve Austin (who was special-guest referee) would receive the most positive chants from the fans. Goldberg returned in 2016, defeating Brock Lesnar in under 90 seconds in shockingly fashion, followed that up by eliminating him in the Royal Rumble in 60 seconds – following that Brock Lesnar’s advocate Paul Heyman challenged Goldberg for a match at Wrestlemania 33.
• Eddie Guerrero Vs Kurt Angle – WWE Championship – 4 - These two got to be one of the main events of the 20th Wrestlemania and it’s really decent match; fantastic back and forth chain wrestling with each other. What makes this match better for me is that it’s a classic Guerrero style win – Lie, Cheat, Steal. Also, Wrestlemania Rewinddiscussing the match.*
• The Undertaker Vs Kane – 1 ¼* - I’m not going to lie to you, this match sucked. So why is it on this list? Purely because of the promo and build up that helps set up this match and because of the entrances of the returning Dead Man Undertaker and also his and Kane’s father, Paul Bearer. Kane’s selling of The Undertaker being alive after he had buried him alive is some of the greatest of all time.
• Chris Benoit Vs Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – World Heavyweight Championship – 4 ¾* - It’s a shame that WWE can’t really talk (and show for that matter) about how great this match is, and the post-match celebrations were. For rightfully reasons I guess, but I digress this isn’t a ‘WWE should show and talk about Chris Benoit’ post. This is probably my favourite Triple Threat match of all time, these three men just work so well with each other. This also has one of my favourite Wrestlemania moments, and that’s the post match celebrations. Eddie Guerrero as WWE Champion and Chris Benoit as World Heavyweight Champion embracing each other in a WWE ring to end Wrestlemania 20. Emotional, perfect and very fitting. This is possibly the greatest end to a Wrestlemania of all time.

Wrestlemania 21:

• Rey Mysterio Vs Eddie Guerrero – 3 ¼* - A perfect way for a Wrestlemania opening match, two great wrestlers who were tag team champions face off one on one in a ‘Face Vs Face’ match just to see the best was and it allows the seeds to be planted for the rest of their feud.
• Edge Vs Chris Benoit Vs Chris Jericho Vs Christian Vs Kane Vs Shelton Benjamin – Money in the Bank Ladder Match – 4 ½* - This match is fairly Significant as it is the first Money in the Bank match in WWE history, which featured 6 of Raws best mid-card talent at the time, but also significant in the career of Edge because it helped skyrocket him to become one of the top guys in the company for a couple of years before his unfortunate retirement. This match would become the standard-bearer for following Wrestlemania until it stopped being an annual Mania match, and became an annual PPV before Summerslam.
• The Undertaker Vs Randy Orton – 3 ½* - Randy Orton who portrayed the gimmick of being the ‘Legend Killer’ was set out on one thing, that was killing The Undertakers Undefeated Streak at Wrestlemania. This was the first time really it played into the storyline, thankfully it stayed in undefeated form.
• Kurt Angle Vs Shawn Michaels – 4 ¾* - Two of the greatest wrestler’s all time face to face at Wrestlemania, what more can you ask for. I wont say much, just mainly watch this match. Arguably one of the best technical matches during the Ruthless Aggression. This would be the first of three of their singles matches throughout the year – the rematches are both equally fantastic.
• John Cena Vs JBL – WWE Championship – 1 ¼* - This was the culmination of the ‘Rise of John Cena’. John Cena’s first championship reign, and it was well deserved and would change the course of WWE forever. Also, Wrestlemania Rewinddiscussing the match.

Wrestlemania 22:

• Rob Van Dam Vs Bobby Lashley Vs Finlay Vs Matt Hardy Vs Ric Flair Vs Shelton Benjamin – Money in the Bank Ladder Match – 4*
• Edge Vs Mick Foley – Hardcore Match – 4* - The match that helped really solidify Edge as one of the A+ players in WWE at this time. Foley six years after retiring comes back for a match with the Rated R Superstar, in one of the best hardcore matches ever, and quite possibly put on match of the night for that Wrestlemania.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Mr. McMahon – 3 ½*
• Rey Mysterio Vs Kurt Angle Vs Randy Orton – World Heavyweight Championship - 3 ½* - Wrestlemania Rewinddiscussing the match.
• John Cena Vs Triple H – WWE Championship 3 ¾ - This is the match that WWE really believed would help put Cena on the map. Not to say it didn’t, but it also helps form a strong negative audience reaction to Cena. John was the poster boy, going against the most evil guy on the roster Triple H, yet the crowd still favoritely cheered Triple H. It’s also significant cause it’s Cena’s first main event at a Wrestlemania.*