The following list will try to take a look at one of the top five phenomenal modern WrestleMania moments starting 2010.
Note that this list will contain both good and bad moments, as we are taking a look at some of the most shocking, entertaining, or most-talked-about events that occurred from WrestleMania 26 onwards.
1. HBK Puts Wrestling Career On The Line To Break The Undertaker’s Streak – WrestleMania 26
What are you willing to do to end The Deadman’s WrestleMania streak? Put one of the most decorated wrestling careers on the line, of course, answered Shawn Michaels probably. At the University of Phoenix Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, Shawn Michaels tried his best to take down The Undertaker in an epic battle.
This was the second time Michaels would try to break Undertaker’s streak actually. One year before this match, at WrestleMania XXV, Michaels tried to end the streak but ended up losing to Taker and while accepting the 2009 Slammy Award for Match of the Year, Michaels challenged Undertaker to a rematch and said that he could still defeat him. Taker initially refused, but when Michaels’ obsession with him cost the Deadman the World Heavyweight Championship, he knew he had to teach HBK a lesson. Undertaker accepted the match but introduced the retirement match stipulation which Michaels accepted, stating that if he could not end the streak, there was no reason why his career should continue.
Michaels really couldn’t continue his career when Undertaker finished him after hitting three Tombstone Piledrivers. This marked the end of an era where Undertaker reached 18–0, leaving Michaels to interact with fans for the last time as WrestleMania XXVI faded to black.
2. Once in a Lifetime – WrestleMania 28
You knew this was going to be in here. And how couldn’t it be, after a year of building up a match between two of the greatest wrestlers of their generations, it was time for a showdown. A showdown which we would only be able to witness once in our life. Or at least that’s how it was billed.
The venue was the Sun Life Stadium in Rock’s hometown of Miami, Florida. It was one of those dream matches come true.
It all began a year earlier when The Rock, who was the host of WrestleMania 27, sparked a feud with John Cena who was already in a program with The Miz for the WWE Championship. The main event saw Rock interfering in the match and costing Cena the title.
Fast forward to 2012, the match saw both the competitors going back-and-forth with each other. The two used each other’s signature moves throughout the match, but it was the Rock Bottom that allowed the Rock to win in a match that we would never get to see again. Alas, all that went to waste when the two faced each other again literally a year later but we don’t talk about that.
3. Brock Lesnar Breaks The Streak – WrestleMania 30
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans saw the end. The end of one of the most important things in WWE. Something WrestleMania was known for, something that defined the event:
The Undertaker’s Streak.
Taker was 21-0 and was about to face Brock Lesnar. Sure, Lesnar was dangerous, but there’s nothing The Deadman can overcome, right? After all, he did it straight for 21 years. No way he would lose, right?
Wrong.
Arguably one of the most shocking matches in WrestleMania history, an Undertaker with very low agility ate total three F5s from Lesnar and succumbed to the Beast.
The crowd couldn’t believe it. Neither could the followers at home. But it was the end of the streak, and we had to accept it. The match truly is, according to me, the most phenomenal moment in the modern history of WrestleMania.
4. Seth Rollins Pulls Off The Heist Of The Century – WrestleMania 31
During the end of WrestleMania 31, it looked Roman Reigns would defeat Brock Lesnar and become the new champion.
But that was before Seth Rollins came in literally running, to burn it all down.
Three Superman punches, two consecutive spears, and an F5 later, both The Big Dog and The Beast laid wasted in the ring, as The Architect ran in to cash in his briefcase and used the Curb Stomp on his Shield brother to win the World Title for the first time.
The choice for Rollins to cash the MITB contract at WrestleMania was really a good one. It made for a shocking moment for everyone present that night and was a great closing to WrestleMania 31.
5. The Return of The Hardy Boyz – WrestleMania 33
When Raw Tag Team Champs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were getting ready to defend their titles in a triple threat ladder match against Cesaro & Sheamus and Enzo Amore & Big Cass, the hosts New Day came in with a huge announcement. They announced that the returning Hardy Boyz will also be taking part in the match, much to the delight of the crowd.
Matt and Jeff Hardy making a return to the WWE at the Grandest Stage in 2017 is easily one of the best modern WrestleMania moments in history. The crowd went crazy as we saw Matt perform Twist of Fate off a ladder on Anderson, and Jeff hit a Swanton Bomb off a ladder through a bridged ladder on Cesaro and Sheamus. Matt then retrieved the belts to win become the champions.
There’s not a lot to write about here, I mean, I don’t really have to. It’s Matt and Jeff. At WrestleMania. In a ladder match. Everything was set perfectly in place.
And there you have it. Five of the most amazing WrestleMania moments from this decade. This year’s main event match will definitely find its place in many future lists for sure, but I couldn’t help but wonder if any other surprises are in store for us.