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WrestleMania is the one WWE show of the year that every fan wants to watch and every Superstar wants to perform on.
Fans from all around the world tune in or attend WrestleMania every year simply looking to be entertained, while WWE Superstars all have the same aim of providing ‘WrestleMania moments’ that will last a lifetime.
In this article, with honourable mentions going to Zack Ryder (WM32) and John Cena/Nikki Bella (WM33), we take a look at the five greatest moments from recent ‘Mania events (2013-2017).
#5 Cesaro wins the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
The inaugural Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place at WrestleMania XXX, with The Big Show, Mark Henry, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio among the favourites to walk away with the trophy.
As more and more people were eliminated, it became clear that the WWE Universe wanted Cesaro – the popular Real American member who wasn’t even expected to appear on the main show – to go on and win the historic match.
With Del Rio and Sheamus gone, the battle came down to Cesaro and The Big Show. It looked like the latter was going to use his size advantage to get the win, only for “The Swiss Cyborg” to use his incredible strength to bodyslam the 7-footer over the top rope.
John Cena’s proposal to Nikki Bella at WrestleMania 33 will be replayed again and again by WWE in the years to come, but we think Cesaro’s feat is worthy of being on this list because, unlike the widely expected proposal, nobody saw it coming.
#4 Hardy Boyz make surprise WWE return
WWE hinted that the Hardy Boyz might return at WrestleMania 33 when the Triple Threat tag match for the Raw Tag Team titles was given a ladder stipulation a week before the event.
Still, Matt and Jeff Hardy had only recently signed with Ring of Honor (they were competing for them the night before ‘Mania!), and it was more in hope than expectation that they would make a long-awaited return to WWE.
Then, moments before the tag match between The Club, Sheamus & Cesaro and Enzo Amore & Big Cass was about to begin, WrestleMania hosts The New Day announced that a fourth team would be involved in the match: the Hardy Boyz.
Matt and Jeff rolled back the WWE years with their use of ladders throughout the match, with Jeff even leaping from 20ft to put Cesaro through a ladder, and the Attitude Era legends went on to win the Raw Tag Team titles.
#3 The Undertaker’s ‘farewell’
The Undertaker laid his coat, gloves and hat down in the middle of the ring after losing to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 33, leading many to believe that he was saying ‘farewell’ to his days as an in-ring performer.
As of the time of writing (3 March 2018), it’s still unclear if “The Deadman” will ever compete in a WWE ring again, with conflicting reports suggesting he may or may not face John Cena at WrestleMania 34.
If that does happen, it’ll almost certainly be a retirement match and the majority of fans would love to see him compete one more time before officially calling time on his legendary career.
However, if it doesn’t happen, then fans should be just as satisfied (if we all forget about Raw 25) because his ‘farewell’ to the WrestleMania stage in 2017 was absolutely perfect.
#2 Seth Rollins cashes in his Money In The Bank contract
Another honourable mention for this article must go to Randy Orton’s incredible match-winning RKO on Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 31.
Later in the show, Roman Reigns challenged Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship in the main event and the expectation was that Reigns – the Royal Rumble winner that year – would emerge with the win.
However, with “The Big Dog” looking on course to claim the title, his fellow former Shield member raced down the huge WrestleMania ramp and cashed in his Money In The Bank contract.
Rollins then hit a Curb Stomp on Reigns, who had speared Lesnar out of the ring, to win the title and produce one of the most memorable WrestleMania finales of all time.
#1 Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Championship
Ever since Daniel Bryan was robbed of the WWE Championship by Triple H at SummerSlam 2013, fans desperately wanted to see him win the title again.
Over the next three months, he was involved in multiple matches with Randy Orton but it was “The Viper” who would emerge with the title, while Bryan moved on to feud with main-roster newcomer Bray Wyatt.
Fans were not best pleased by this, as famously noted during Orton and John Cena’s Championship Ascension ceremony in December 2013, and initial plans for WWE to go ahead with Orton vs. Batista and Bryan vs. Sheamus at WrestleMania XXX were scrapped.
Instead, and partly due to CM Punk’s departure, Bryan defeated Triple H in the opening match at “The Show of Shows” in 2014, and the most universally liked Superstar of his generation went on to finally reclaim the title in the main event Triple Threat match against Orton and Batista.
