WrestleMania. The "Showcase of the Immortals." The "Grandest Stage of Them All." However you want to nickname it, the biggest wrestling event of the year often sees WWE wrestlers elevate their talents to levels that were previously unseen, or not thought of.
The special tights, the elaborate entrances, the light and sound spectacles, it all comes together for the biggest night in professional wrestling.
But the pageantry of WrestleMania wouldn't mean a thing if the wrestlers of WWE didn't step up their game and put on the best performances of their careers.
MORE: Seven WrestleMania matches that failed to deliver
It's no surprise an all-time great like "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is represented in half of the matches on this list, or that WrestleMania stalwarts such as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Kurt Angle have multiple on here.
With so many great main events — let alone matches — that happen at WrestleMania, it's hard to pin it down to just 10.
Here's the list:
Honorable mention: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. The Rock
WrestleMania: X-Seven — Or 17, if you prefer (2001)
What didn't make it great? Let's list off what did:
— Featured two of the most iconic wrestlers in wrestling history
— No disqualification stipulation announced just before the match
— Excellent build-up
— Arguably the greatest heel turn of all time
Sure, Austin's heel turn confused everyone for a long time — and to be fair, it was widely rejected — but it still was a genuine shock for everyone watching. Add to that the fact that the match exemplified everything the "Attitude Era" was about and represented. It was one of the biggest spectacles in WrestleMania history.
Who won: Austin via pinfall
10. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart
WrestleMania: 13 (1997)
It was an incredibly brutal, physical match. Austin spent a decent part of the match with a proverbial crimson mask and brought out a side of Bret that many thought didn't exist. Beyond the technical aspects of what Bret did, it brought out just a genuinely mean, nasty streak.
You know what else it brought out? The Austin Era in WWF. Many point to this match as the day the guy who was The Ringmaster became "The Texas Rattlesnake." While the famous "Austin 3:16" promo happened the prior year, this was the match that sent Austin to another stratosphere.
Who won: Bret Hart via TKO
9. Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat vs. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage
WrestleMania: 3 (1987)
The match is heralded as one of the greatest, cleanest and most technically sound matches in WrestleMania history. Randy Savage, who spent months threatening to end Ricky Steamboat's career, ended up losing the Intercontinental Championship.
With some help in his corner by way of George "The Animal" Steele, Steamboat picked up the win over Savage, capturing his first — and only — championship in the WWF.
Who won: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat via pinfall
8. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant
WrestleMania: 3 (1987)
It wasn't the technical masterpiece that we saw in Steamboat vs. Savage, but it perfectly encapsulates '80s wrestling.
Hulk Hogan was battered, bruised and broken down by Andre for the majority of the match, until he did his signature "Hulk Up" and slammed the "7-4, 500-pound" giant. It's one of the most enduring images of professional wrestling today, and one of the most recognizable in WWF/E history.
Hogan slamming Andre is one of the few WrestleMania moments that transcends wrestling: it's something that's instantly recognizable from those who even aren't sports entertainment fanatics.
Who won: Hulk Hogan via pinfall
7. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
WrestleMania: 21 (2004)
It was the first time both of these men met in the ring, but you could sense their hatred for one another building through the months before the match. The match quality was excellent, as was the in-ring chemistry: something it can take years to develop, if ever. The chemistry between Angle and Michaels — two of the greatest in-ring performers of all time — was instantaneous.
The match itself had a bit of everything — some technical prowess, some big spots, trading finishers. Even blood. Yes, blood!
Who won: Angle via submission (Ankle lock)
6. The Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge and Christian
WrestleMania: X-7 — or 17 if you prefer (2001)
The second-ever TLC — Tables, Ladders and Chairs — match in WWF/E was even better than the first.
The ongoing two-and-a-half-year feud among three of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history came to a head at TLC 2, and it was a beautiful trainwreck to watch. Everyone from Rhyno, Lita and Spike Dudley interfered in the match, with Lita eating a 3D like a tasty sandwich.
Who could forget the epic spot with Edge spearing a dangling Jeff Hardy off the tag-team titles that hung high above the ring? No WWF/E highlight clip is complete without that spot.
Truth be told, this was probably the last time WWF/E truly cared about tag-team sports entertainment, and this match is one of the greatest tag-team matches of all time. It was an absolute classic by any measure of the word.
Who won: Edge and Christian
5. Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle
WrestleMania: 19 (2003)
Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle are two of the finest athletes to ever grace a WWE ring. Both had extensive amateur wrestling backgrounds, both were in top physical condition and both had natural ability and charisma that not many other pro wrestlers have.
It's important to note that, prior to Lesnar's current WWE standing, he was an extremely talented in-ring performer. Regardless of whether his moveset is currently limited by his gimmick to better resemble an MMA fighter, this was Lesnar in his WWE prime. So whatever you know, think and believe about Lesnar in 2020 is absolutely not what he was in the early 2000s.
The match is highlighted by the 270-plus pound Lesnar trying to execute a Shooting Star Press on a supine Kurt Angle, but Angle rolled out of the way and Lesnar ended up landing on his head. Lesnar nearly broke his neck on the spot.
Given Angle entered the match with a broken freakin' neck and Lesnar almost decapitated himself, it's a miracle they finished the match. And the rare face-on-face match delivered on pure technique.
Who won: Lesnar via pinfall
4. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H
WrestleMania: 20 (2004)
This is a sour subject for many, and with good reason. Long after Benoit made a career for himself as one of the best performers on the planet, he murdered his wife and son before taking his own life, leaving a tangled legacy. At the time of his death, Benoit had severe brain trauma because of his years of in-ring work, and reports say that he had the brain of an 80-year-old at the time of his death.
But if you can separate Benoit the man from Benoit the performer, you'd understand just how cathartic of an experience Benoit winning was. This match took place in the middle of a period known as the Triple H "Reign of Terror," which saw the current WWE front office member bury countless opponents as champion, lead the dominant faction known as Evolution and eventually regain the title. Sprinkle in "Mr. WrestleMania," who had been feuding with Triple H as well, and you have an instant-classic match that stands the test of time.
But for one night, Benoit was at the top of the mountain, and he was joined in the ring by fellow former WCW wrestler and best friend Eddie Guerrero as they both held their respective brand's title in the ring. It was the icing on the cake of an exceptional match.
Who won: Benoit via submission
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
WrestleMania: 24 (2008)
The crowd was essentially a library, but with good reason: Everyone knew this was more than likely the last WWE match for the 59-year-old Ric Flair.
The match was slightly surreal to watch — Ric Flair was a few steps too slow. He was a little bit out-worked. It was clear that Flair was past his prime, and maybe he was a bit taken by the moment and the potential end of his career. His defeat was followed by genuine tears with his family at ringside.
Sometimes wrestling goes beyond strictly entertainment. The emotion Flair exhibited — he had wrestled for more than 40 years in venues from empty gyms to sold-out stadiums — was real and raw.
Michaels ending the match with the iconic "I'm sorry. I love you," moments before hitting a Sweet Chin Music for the exclamation point was one of the most spine-tingling moments in wrestling history.
Who won: Shawn Michaels via pinfall
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart
WrestleMania: 12 (1996)
A 60-minute Iron Man match between two of the greatest in-ring competitors ever, with actual, behind-the-scenes hatred that was brewing as well. That's really all you need to know.
The match went to overtime with Michaels eventually scoring a Sweet Chin Music on his longtime rival.
Who won: Shawn Michaels via pinfall
1. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
WrestleMania: 25 (2009)
What made it great: The match was built as a battle of dark vs. light. To add fuel to the fire, Michaels made one of the best entrances in WrestleMania history, descending from the rafters to angelic choir music, dressed in a white coat and hat; or, the exact opposite of The Undertaker's entrance.
There was a decent amount of animosity that bled into the match, and it was no surprise. Two of the greatest ever really made this feud — in a matter of months — feel as though they were at it for years.
The match featured one of the worst and most brutal blown spots. The Undertaker plunged over the top rope for his signature plancha, but landed on his head outside the ring. It was a miracle he didn't fracture his skull.
While The Undertaker had dozens — literally over two dozen — WrestleMania appearances, it's hard not to consider his match with Michaels the best of the bunch, and one of the greatest 'Mania matches ever.
Who won: Undertaker via pinfall
