Professional wrestling has given us countless memorable moments, but some matches transcend simple entertainment to become cultural touchstones that forever changed the industry.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan who remembers these classics or a newcomer looking to understand wrestling’s greatest hits, these ten matches represent the absolute pinnacle of sports entertainment.
1. Stone Cold vs. The Rock – WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
In what many consider the greatest WrestleMania main event ever, two icons of the Attitude Era collided at the height of WWE’s popularity. The electric Houston Astrodome atmosphere, combined with Stone Cold’s shocking alliance with longtime nemesis Vince McMahon, created an unforgettable moment that marked the end of wrestling’s most successful era.
The match drew the largest wrestling pay-per-view audience of that time, proving just how massive wrestling had become.
2. Undertaker vs. Mankind – King of the Ring (1998)
This Hell in a Cell match redefined what wrestlers were willing to risk for their art. Mick Foley’s two devastating falls – first off the top of the cell onto an announce table, then through the cell roof into the ring – created images that will live forever in wrestling history.
Jim Ross’s legendary commentary (“As God as my witness, he is broken in half!”) perfectly captured the shock and horror of watching a man put his body on the line for our entertainment.
3. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold – WrestleMania 13 (1997)
The match that launched Stone Cold’s mega-stardom featured one of wrestling’s most perfectly executed double-turns. The iconic image of Austin, face covered in blood, refusing to submit to Hart’s Sharpshooter became the defining moment of wrestling’s shift toward morally complex characters.
This submission match, with Ken Shamrock as special referee, showed how technical wrestling excellence could merge with character-driven storytelling.
4. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 25 (2009)
Wrestling Observer Newsletter called this “the greatest match ever,” and for good reason. The near-falls were so convincing that fans genuinely believed The Streak might end.
The match’s dramatic dive spot, where Undertaker nearly broke his neck on a misplaced camera man, added real-life drama to an already epic encounter. Both men proved that even after decades in the business, they could still deliver all-time classic performances.
5. TLC II – WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
Edge & Christian vs. The Hardys vs. The Dudleys revolutionized multi-team matches. The innovative spots these teams created are still being copied today. Nine men risked everything on death-defying ladder spots that defined the Attitude Era’s high-flying style.
This match elevated all three teams to legendary status and inspired a generation of wrestlers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the ring.
6. CM Punk vs. John Cena – Money in the Bank (2011)
The peak of the “Summer of Punk” saw wrestling feel real again as Punk threatened to leave WWE with the title. The white-hot Chicago crowd created an atmosphere unlike anything before or since.
This match proved that modern wrestling could still capture the magic of wrestling’s greatest eras when the story felt authentic enough.
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant – WrestleMania III (1987)
The body slam heard around the world. 93,173 fans packed the Pontiac Silverdome to watch Hogan do the impossible – slam the 520-pound giant. This match transformed wrestling from a regional attraction into a mainstream phenomenon and created the WrestleMania spectacle we know today. Without this match, modern wrestling might not exist as we know it.
8. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania X (1994)
The ladder match that changed everything. Every modern ladder match owes its existence to this blueprint. Two of wrestling’s greatest performers created art with a ladder, proving that gimmick matches could deliver more than just spectacle. The innovative spots and psychology still hold up nearly 30 years later.
9. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21 (2005)
Pure wrestling perfection. This technical masterpiece proved that storytelling doesn’t need blood or weapons to captivate an audience. For thirty minutes, two of the greatest wrestlers ever showcased what makes professional wrestling an art form.
The match demonstrated that in an era of extreme stunts, pure wrestling could still steal the show.
10. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H/Randy Orton/Batista – WrestleMania XXX (2014)
The “Yes Movement” culminated in Bryan wrestling twice in one night to win it all. This wasn’t just a great match – it was proof that fan passion could change WWE’s plans. Bryan’s unlikely journey to the main event, capped by two stellar performances in one night, created one of wrestling’s greatest underdog stories.
The Legacy Lives On
These legendary matches continue to influence modern wrestling in profound ways. AEW’s Young Bucks have openly credited the TLC matches for inspiring their high-flying style. WWE’s current crop of technical wrestlers, like Chad Gable and Dolph Ziggler, study the Angle-Michaels classic as a masterclass in ring psychology. Every time a modern superstar climbs a ladder or enters Hell in a Cell, they’re building on the foundation these matches created.
The influence extends beyond just move sets and match types. CM Punk vs. Cena’s “pipe bomb” storyline inspired a new era of reality-based storytelling that blurred the lines between script and truth. Modern stars like MJF and LA Knight have mastered this approach, proving its lasting impact on character development.
Technical Innovations That Changed The Game
These matches didn’t just entertain – they revolutionized how wrestling is presented. The Hell in a Cell match introduced new camera angles that are now standard in big matches. The Money in the Bank 2011 match pioneered new microphone techniques to capture crowd noise, creating an atmosphere that felt electric on television. Even simple innovations, like how ladder matches are now filmed to maximize drama, can be traced back to that first HBK-Razor Ramon classic.
The Undertaker-Mankind Hell in a Cell match forced WWE to rethink its entire approach to safety and risk management. While the match’s dangerous spots are legendary, they led to improved regulations and protocols that protect today’s superstars while still allowing for spectacular moments.
Why These Matches Matter
Each of these matches represents a pivotal moment in wrestling history. They didn’t just entertain – they changed how we view professional wrestling. From technical masterpieces to character-defining moments, these matches showcase wrestling at its absolute best. Watch them all on WWE Network and see why fans still talk about these classics years later.
