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With Reigns vs. Lesnar 2 on the horizon, this is as good a time as any to take a look at some of the other rematches in WrestleMania history.
The criteria for this list is that the match has to be a direct rematch featuring the same wrestlers or teams. Thus, John Cena & Nikki Bella vs Miz & Maryse from WrestleMania 33 is not considered a rematch of Cena vs Miz from WrestleMania 27 as it includes extra competitors.
Also not included are the third matches of The Undertaker vs. Triple H and Steve Austin vs. The Rock series.
So that leaves us with ten; here are they are from worst to best:
#10 Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan — WrestleMania 28
(First match: Sheamus vs Bryan ended in a no-contest — WrestleMania 27 pre-show)
This is automatically the worst match due to its length: 18 seconds.
After sharing a kiss with then-girlfriend AJ Lee, Bryan was Brogue Kicked and pinned. WWE's plan to kick-start Sheamus's World title reign with a shocking outcome backfired. Instead of chanting "18 seconds!" like the company hoped the fans would, the crowd shouted "NO!" in protest.
Their first bout at WrestleMania 27 was also a debacle; Sheamus and Bryan's United States title match was shunned to the pre-show and then got a lumberjack stipulation stapled-on.
The lumberjacks predictably interfered causing the bout to be restarted as a battle royal. Sheamus and Bryan weren't considered important enough to win that; a barely-mobile Great Khali was the victor.
Sheamus and Bryan finally got to have a proper match a month later at Extreme Rules - a hard-hitting 2-out-of-3 falls match, but it's the WM28 embarrassment that most remember.
#9 Andre The Giant vs Hulk Hogan — WrestleMania 4
(First match: Hogan def. Andre — WrestleMania 3)
Hogan and Andre's WrestleMania 3 match may be the most iconic moment in wrestling history, but their WrestleMania rematch is the answer to a trivia question ("What was the first WrestleMania rematch?")
The two icons clashed in the quarterfinals of the WWF World Title tournament. The match ended in a double disqualification, eliminating both men from the running.
At only 5:23 and with a fraction of the energy from their legendary WrestleMania 3 match, this is a sequel that went straight to DVD.
#8 The Undertaker vs Kane — WrestleMania 20
(First match: Undertaker def. Kane — WrestleMania 15)
The first rematch of Undertaker's legendary WrestleMania streak is not as fondly remembered as his others.
In 2003, Undertaker had one of his best in-ring years. He had great matches with John Cena, Brock Lesnar and even Vince McMahon. During the McMahon bout, Taker was buried alive by a then-dastardly Kane, leading to this rematch at WM20. The hope was that Taker would combine the theatrics of his 'Deadman' character with the match quality of the 'American Bad Ass.'
What followed was an Undertaker bereaved of the energy from his biker days, Taker and Kane had a plodding match. Taker kicked it up a gear in his next WrestleMania matches but not that night.
#7 John Cena vs. The Rock — WrestleMania 29
(First match: Rock def. Cena — WrestleMania 28)
"Once in a lifetime" apparently only extends to one WrestleMania in WWE lingo. After promoting their first match as such, WWE had the nerve to book the same match-up as next years main event.
After The Rock pinned Cena at WM28 in the most heavily promoted match in WWE history, the path to WM29 was already set, and the WWE Championship had to be involved. Inbetween the two 'Mania's, CM Punk was setting records as WWE champ, and Ryback emerged as one of the hottest acts in years.
Instead of featuring either Punk or/and Ryback in the main event, WWE decided to not deviate from their set route. Punk lost the title to Rock and Ryback was tossed out of the Royal Rumble by winner Cena.
Neither Punk or Ryback got as popular as they were in that period. Punk walked out the next year. Ryback went through multiple restarts before tiring and quitting in 2016.
The Rock/Cena rematch failed to attract a quarter of interest the first bout garnered; the intrigue was not there. The match itself was good, but the outcome was never in any doubt. Cena defeated The Rock to win the WWE Championship
The image of The Rock endorsing a victorious Cena was planned two years previously but on the route to this 'WrestleMania Moment', WWE lost sight of their future.
#6 Bret Hart vs Yokozuna — WrestleMania 10
(First match: Yokozuna def. Hart — WrestleMania 9)
WrestleMania 9 was not a good night for 'The Hitman.' He lost the belt to Yokozuna after a salt-to-the-eyes finish that was considered outdated in 1992. Yoko then lost the title to Hulk Hogan in an impromptu match.
There was no Hogan to steal Hart's spotlight this time around. Not only did Bret win back the WWF Championship but he also had one of the best matches in WrestleMania history - in the opener! He lost to his brother Owen, but Bret was the one celebrating at the end of the night.
The image of Hart being lifted by the WWF roster and paraded around was validation that he wasn't just 'The Hitman', he was 'The Man' in the World Wrestling Federation.
#5 Brock Lesnar vs Goldberg — WrestleMania 33
(First match: Goldberg def. Lesnar — WrestleMania 20)
Goldberg/Lesnar's WrestleMania 20 match was a unique situation; it was known that WM20 was the last date on Goldberg's contract but just a few days before, Lesnar also decided to leave WWE (to try to make it as an NFL player).
Both men received loud boos from the rowdy New York crowd on the night. The only person cheered was special referee Steve Austin (who ironically left WWE himself two weeks later). The two behemoths had a terrible bout; both looked as if they wished they were someone else then Madison Square Garden.
Thirteen years later, Lesnar and Goldberg got their chance to right that wrong. At only 4:45, their WM33 match was exactly what their WM20 bout should've been, a rapid collection of big moves. If WWE booked Goldberg as they did in 2016-17 and if the Atlanta native showed this much heart and vigour, then his 2003 run wouldn't have been such a washout.
Lesnar captured the Universal Title and was finally able to get a victory over his rival.
It was the ultimate redemption for this year's Hall of Fame inductee Goldberg who got to end his career on a high. If that was truly the end...
#4 The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 26
(First match: Undertaker def. Michaels — WrestleMania 25)
At WrestleMania 26, it was Michaels who retired Ric Flair. Just two years later, it was time for HBK to say goodbye.
Taker/Michaels first clash at WrestleMania 25 is an all-time classic and maybe, the best match in 'Mania history. Their second bout had a lot more riding it on; it was Michaels career vs Taker's streak.
At WM25, their bout was placed in the middle of the show, but this match was rightfully the main event. Due to the stakes, this was the most pivotal match of Undertaker's legendary streak. It was the perfect ending to HBK's career, in the main event of WrestleMania in an outstanding bout.
Michaels has had many chances to return to the ring, but he's rightfully stayed away. He cannot top this finale.
#3 Tables Ladders and Chairs 2 — WrestleMania 17
(First match: Edge & Christian def. The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz — WrestleMania 16)
After their triple team ladder match at WM16, the same three teams contested the first Tables Ladders and Chairs match at SummerSlam 2000. At WM17 these three teams ratcheted up the insanity for the sequel.
Rhino, Lita and Spike Dudley ran in to assist E&C, The Hardys and The Dudleys respectively, turning this into a nine-person destruction derby. Edge & Christian were victorious again, lifting the WWF World Tag Titles for the seventh time.
This bout along with the other stunt matches these three teams wrestled in a two years span will never be duplicated again in WWE. They all played a hefty price - Edge & Christian both had to retire early partly due to the punishment they sustained in these bouts.
Whether the risks were worth it is debatable, but you cannot argue with the excitement these bouts delivered.
#2 The Undertaker vs Triple H — WrestleMania 27
(First match: Undertaker def. Triple H — WrestleMania 17)
When Undertaker and Triple clashed at WrestleMania 17, it was in a thrown together match to give both men a reason to be on the big event. Ten years later, the story concerning their rematch was the most intriguing on the card.
Undertaker returned to Raw on Feb 21st, 2011. Before he could speak, an also-returning Triple H marched to the ring. The two set-up their forthcoming WrestleMania 27 by using only facial expressions and gestures alone.
The two had an excellent match that blew away everything else on the show. Triple H dominated the whole bout only for Undertaker to lock-in a last-gasp Hellsgate to get the win. Undertaker left with his streak in-tact, but he didn't leave on his feet, setting up the following years Hell in a Cell match.
Taker/Triple H's unforgettable HIAC match at WM28 receives far more plaudits, but this match ranks up there with 'The Deadman's' and 'The Game's' all-time bests.
#1 Steve Austin vs. The Rock — WrestleMania 17
(First match: Austin def. Rock — WrestleMania 15)
When Rock and Austin fought at WrestleMania 15, The Rock's role was to merely be Stone Cold's foil. He was there to get stunned and pin. Two years later and The Rock had risen to the same level of popularity as Austin. The 80's generation had Hulk Hogan. The Attitude Era had Steve Austin and The Rock.
Despite the cosmic star power of these two, WWE decided to latch-on an unneeded storyline where Austin's wife Debra became The Rock's manager. This story was dropped before the two clashed at the Astrodome. WWE kept the focus squarely on both men during the home straight with a tense sit-down interview and one of the best video packages of all time.
The main event was a back-and-forth near 30-minute classic that was unseen in the Attitude Era where subpar kick-and-punch brawls were the norm.
Austin got the win after an assist from Vince McMahon. Hell had frozen over, Austin had joined forces with Mr McMahon.
A fitting end to not just the best WrestleMania of all time, but also the Attitude Era.
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