5 All-time greatest legends of WrestleMania

Which started off as an annual popular wrestling event in 1985 (featuring the likes of Muhammad Ali as guest referee) since then, Wrestlemania has come to become the premier pay-per-view event for the WWE. Some might even say WM is the pro-wrestling equivalent to the Super Bowl.Even if you do not follow pro-wrestling, if you havent heard of Wrestlemania, you probably live under a rock. Last year marked the 30th incarnation of WrestleMania.What would be fair is if this list was about 25 names long. Since Wrestlemania has produced more superstars than any other PPV, and it rightfully claims the title of being the Theatre of Dreams.Following are five of the greatest legends WrestleMania has produced:

#5 Hulk Hogan

‘Hulkamania is running wild!’Hulk Hogan is possibly the reason behind WrestleMania’s existence as one of the most popular and longest running PPV series. Hulk Hogan was like the protagonist of Wrestlemania for almost a decade. He boosted WM and made its mark on the global map. Hulk gave Wrestlemania its initial defining moments as he slammed Andre onto the mat.

Hogan still holds the record of maximum main event appearances at the Wrestlemania. He has appeared in 9 WM main events, winning the title at the end was like a set custom for WrestleMania.

If that all is not enough, almost a decade after his last Mania he reminded us as why he almost owns Mania, when he took on The Rock. That match would always be the biggest match in WrestleMania history. Hogan was recently called back as a guest to host the 30th edition of WM.

#4 John Cena

John Cena deserves to be on this list for certain reasons. Although his matches are not always the best in terms of putting up a believable performance, his name has a huge draw, and he has successfully cashed in on a yearlong feud with The Rock, concluding in a match at WM which elevated his career onto a higher level. Since then, Cena’s rise to fame has seen the fall of many superstars like the Big Show, JBL, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Batista to name a few. John Cena is about respect and earning what you get. He got what he wanted and has been seen as the greatest record holder on the big stage in the last ten years.

#3 The Rock

He is undoubtedly one of the greatest performers in the history of the WWE, and his total of 10 fixtures at the WrestleMania is a big part of that legacy. His feud against Stone Cold, has stood the test of time as the greatest series of matches in Mania history. Austin won the first two matches at WM 15 and WM 17, but Rock ultimately had the last laugh in what came to be Austin's retirement match at WM 19. In a two match series against Cena in WM 28 and 29, Rock won the first but was taken down in the following year balancing out expectations for fans from both sides. Rock’s control over the crowd’s emotion is possibly what it takes to be the People’s Champion. Whether he continues professional wrestling or keeps busy with his Hollywood contracts, he will always be welcomed on the stage as the most popular celebrity produced by the WWE.

#2 The Undertaker

The Undertaker has been the longest reigning superstar in WrestleMania history. There is nothing new as such to speak about the undefeated streak of Undertaker. In a total of 21 straight victories at Wrestlemania, he holds the record which finally was ended in WM 30 by the beast, Brock Lesnar.

Undertaker has won the WWF or World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania three successful times.

He has given us some of the greatest matches against Kane, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Brock Lesnar and Batista. However, the greatest matches of the Undertaker are back to back epics with the HBK, Shawn Michaels.

Both times, these two greatest legends of WWE come across to face each other, they create history for fans to remember forever. Their first encounter remains as one of the greatest matches at Mania and the other was as entertaining as the first, if not even better.

Both legends have set high standards for the future of WWE to carry forward. The Undertaker is known to talk less and lead by example, always creating a masterpiece through his performances at Wrestlemania.

#1 Shawn Michaels

Known to some as Mr. WrestleMania, emotions run wild when HBK takes the ramp at WM and he is No.1 on this list, as it should seem obvious by his fans.Shawn Michaels was the complete package all year round, but he always found a way to turn it up a notch higher on the big WrestleMania stage.

If you have noticed, most superstars who have or would have featured in this list had their greatest WrestleMania moments in match fixtures against Shawn Michaels. He has more great WrestleMania matches under his belt than anybody else in the WWE.

The greatest quality of HBK is his ability to bring out the best in his opponents. When he faced some outstanding performers like Bret Hart, Undertaker and Jericho, they did not just deliver matches, they created everlasting memories for the future of WWE to hold up as inspirational milestones, keeping the saga of Wrestlemania alive and kicking till date.

WrestleMania is the theatre of dreams and this is where boyhood dreams come true.