In the near forty-year history of WrestleMania and the several-day run time of some of the events, how the shows end can change the whole complexion of an entire WrestleMania. For all Vince tries, there aren’t a lot of fans who want to see Roman at the top of the card or Brock for that matter. Fans were nonplussed when they went at it again at WrestleMania 34. Even though seeing the Undertaker possibly hang it up was emotional, it was a cruddy way to end WrestleMania 33.
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Lest we not forget all of the hard work Bret Hart had put into his first title reign, and he got passed over in favor of a brief Hogan and Yoko feud. But with a great ending, you’re left with all of those “joy-joy feelings” as predicted in Demolition Man. Here are the 10 Best Endings In WrestleMania History, Ranked.
10 The Man Comes Around - WrestleMania 35
Late in 2018, Becky Lynch gifted the wrestling industry with “The Man,” and that was pretty much all she wrote. While all of the fighting females have claimed their rightful place in the WWE, The Man created a spark that lit the fire to help bring them to the main event of WrestleMania 35. The match couldn’t be any bigger, nor have any better ending. The Man headed to the ring against The Queen and The Baddest Woman On The Planet in a winner take all Triple Threat Match. The end saw the moment fans had been clamoring for for months - Becky Lynch atop the wrestling world.
9 The Heist Of The Century - WrestleMania 31
Seth Rollins has been hauling around the Money In The Bank briefcase for quite some time during 2014. He turned his back on the Shield and forged his own path as part of the Authority. He also pulled off the craziest Cash-In to date.
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Rather than wait for either Brock or Roman to barely survive each other and win their match, Rollins bolted for the ring at ludicrous speed, briefcase in tow. He cashed in mid-match to save us all from a groan-inducing end to an otherwise good WrestleMania.
8 Hulkamania Becomes Immortal - WrestleMania VI
For seven years, Hulkamania had been running wild all over the world. But there was a new force rising in the east. Warrior Wildness had become a thing. Despite the Ultimate one’s seemingly lack of respect for anyone in the business, the fans began glomming onto him and slipping right off of Hulk’s oiled up back. The stage was set for The Ultimate Challenge at Skydome - Hulk vs. Warrior, title for title. Thankfully this was not the debacle you might have thought it could have been (re: Halloween Havoc 98), and it ended with Hogan doing the favors and sailing off into the sunset, becoming the Immortal Hulk Hogan in the process.
7 The Macho Man Stands Tall - WrestleMania IV
Already stealing the show one year earlier, the fans had really gotten behind the Macho Man. Now all that was needed to seal the deal was Randy Savage winning the championship. Randy and Miss Elizabeth color coordinated and competed in four different matches during the Championship Tournament of WrestleMania IV. There was no better way to end the show than having Hulk Hogan lead the crowd in cheering the new WWE champion on as Randy hoisted Liz and the title up on his shoulder.
6 The Boyhood Dream Has Come True - WrestleMania XII
All of those upside down, elevated pushups paid off in the largest way possible. Everything about Shawn Michaels’ first ever championship win was as flamboyant as he was. From his training montages to zip lining to the ring, there was little doubt that WrestleMania XII was HBK’s grand moment to shine.
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Fans sometimes like to mock all of “maneuvers” Vince used to call on commentary, but on this night his line couldn’t be anymore iconic, “The boyhood dream has come true.”
5 The Austin Era Has Begun - WrestleMania XIV
Speaking of iconic lines - “Austin 3:16...” was first uttered in June of 1996. In less than two years’ time, it helped propel the Rattlesnake to beyond the stratosphere. There wasn’t a soul in and around WWE during WrestleMania XIV who didn’t know what was best for business. Even the Deadman was reportedly standing in Gorilla in case HBK tried some chicanery. Mike Tyson kept the peace, raised Stone Cold’s hand and knocked out HBK as Austin held the WWE title high for all to see - the Attitude Era was on.
4 The Pink And Black Attack Is Back - WrestleMania X
It had been a long year for the Hitman. After working hard to establish himself as the champ, he was overlooked for Yokozuna, Hulk Hogan, and ultimately Lex Luger. But he had finally gotten another chance at the gold. At WrestleMania X, after losing in the opening match to Owen, Bret regained his composure and headed to the ring to once again deal with the Mighty Yokozuna. This time, the results were different than at WrestleMania IX and the Hitman was hoisted on the shoulders of fellow babyfaces as the Man.
3 Shawn Says Goodbye - WrestleMania XXV
While plenty of endings are good, not all are happy. Shawn Michaels had returned eight years prior to his date with destiny - the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI. Shawn took everything the Deadman had and in one last defiant act, slapped the Phenom right in his face. Tombstone - over. After the Undertaker celebrated going 18-0, the Phenom hoisted his opponent up, shook his hand and gave him the ring. No pomp and circumstance, no music. Just Shawn waiving goodbye and saying thank you to the WWE Universe.
2 Hogan Must Pose - WrestleMania III
For a lot of fans, WrestleMania III is this mythical event. The sea of humanity that descended on the Pontiac Silverdome. Randy and the Dragon stealing the show, Roddy Piper retiring (ha!) and of course, Hogan and Andre.
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Hulkamania was already running wild for a few years, but if there was ever an event or a match that cemented Hulk’s place in the business, it was bodyslamming the Giant and posing before the 93,000 in attendance.
1 Yes, Yes, Yes! - WrestleMania XXX
It was a moment that fans had been clamoring for nearly two years. The Yes Movement had become a monster that could not be tamed. It transcended the WWE and found its way into all sporting events. At the center of the storm was the American Dragon, Daniel Bryan constantly held down both in storylines and in reality. It all culminated at WrestleMania XXX where in one night, the leader of the Yes Movement defeated all three active members of Evolution in a single night to cement his place and glory as the greatest wrestler of his generation.
