What wrestlemania was the biggest failure?

[Guest dreamer420]

WM4 is probably my favorite.  The tournament kicks all sorts of ass, and it is great to see that many old school WWF stars on one show.  The battle royal was good, and lead to Hart's face turn.  The tag team title match saw Demolition end the Strike Force.  Gorilla, Jesse, and even  Bob Uecker were all hilarious and Randy Savage became the undisputed champion.  Can't argue with that.

[Guest Singular]

Sid vs. Undertaker was without a doubt the worst Wrestlemania main event ever.  The only reason I won't say 13 was the worst was Bret Hart vs. Austin's match was so off the chain.

I would say 9 was the worst mainly because of hogan's bitch ass title win and Taker vs. Giant Gonzales.  Plus Mean Gene in a toga. (Shudders)

[Guest]

Honestly, I'd say Wrestlemania IX had to be the worst. I was a BIG Hogan mark (and still am, although that doesnt mean I love everything the guy's done), but the endoing and match quality throughout sucked balls for the most part, and it really showed how lame/thin the "new generation" roster really was, outside of maybe 5 people.

[Guest]

I would say Wrestlemania 7 since they had to move the location because they couldn't sell enough tickets.

NO!!!!! It was bomb threats, I tell you!!!!! Bomb threats!!!!!!!!! ;-)

Joe P.

[Guest]

I did like Wrestlemania VII, but it had one of the most predictable main events/matches of all time. I wasnt too fond of Wrestlemania XV niether, Austin/Rock was another "most predictable match ever" candidate (Michael cole didn't help by GIVING the ending away during the pre-game show/QVC-shilling time with his "We will have exclusive words with the superstars, including the new champion Stone Cold Steve Austin) and their match at Backlash was 1000000X better anyway) UT/Bossman almost KILLED HIAC, and the rest of the undercard was basically throwaway garbage. Whoever said it was like a "standard Russo Raw Episode" was absolutely correct.

Joe P.

[Guest]

Depending on your belief in faliures. because at the time they could be the biggest successes of their year. Its all Perspectives.

 

In the first Wrestlemania's  from 1-3 you didn't have any other PPV's to futher any angles. and so they had to rely on WWF weekly shows to build angles, alot of feuds never made it to a wrestlemania over the years. Only noteworthy things to each one.

 

Wm1 was the first, you can't expect The best overnight

Wm2 Novel Concept but was still had too many Made for TV matches on it, Though liked the Battle royal

Wm3 decent card, great Savage vs Steamboat match, and the legendary Andre vs Hogan match (Which brings to mind something, If Andre who was LITERALLY Dying out in the ring every night because of his Giant diease can Sell the Hogan leg drop, then any other Wrestler can Damn well Sell it too, Have some respect people!)

 

WM 4 you had your first Surivior series and Royal Rumble previous and they developed the feuds better with the Hogan losing the title by the tale of two Hebners which called for the 16 man tournament. Still liked the Battle royal

 

Wm 5 was by far the largest card, including having the Piper pit segment.  

 

Wm 6 First trek into Canada, which gave Sky Dome its first indoor attendants record.

 

Wm7 Was Gulf War time, and you expect less turn out. Wm7 marked the end of alot of WWF wrestlers appearances, Haku then Dino Bravo, etc etc. few matches seem out of order, I always thought Title matches should come at the end anyway.  Tag team then Ic then World.  but they bunched it all up.  

 

Wm8 there was some decent matches coming out. Savage vs Flair, Piper vs Hart, but alot of filler matches,  the 8man tag, Owen Hart vs SKinner etc etc

 

Wm9  People tend to forget the first fricken match

Shawn Michaels vs Tatanka, clearly the best Match of the card a good 25 minute match and both hitting everything but the kitchen sink. After that It wore on, with Headshrinkers vs Stieners, Doink vs Crush etc etc and the screwjob Ending thanks to Hogan's Whining almost makes the whole thing not worth it

 

Wm10 Best match being of course Hart vs Hart.  Lawler first Wm Commentating period, and he is a Whiny Heel  everytime a heel gets pinned 1..... nooo  2..... Nooooo 3! NOOO   oh second best match Shawn vs Razor Ladder match

 

Wm11 almost a complete  dud... hell did I say almost? Im searching for anything redeaming... Bret hart vs Bob Backlund, would have been a serious  Submission I quit match, but Piper's Antics on the mic almost made it a comedy match. Won't mention LT Bammer so nevermind

 

Wm12 Decent card, Starting out with Ahmed Jake and Yoko vs Owen Bulldog and Vader.... Yokozuna of course the first wrestler to hit a Rockbottom before it was called that at a WM. the Backlot Brawl with the OJ car chase kinda put a damper on the Austin vs Savio match.  HHH vs Warrior,  Hey I dislike Jimmy EARwig intensely but lets face it, HHH wasnt the God he is today back then, and he agreed to be squashed by the Retro facepainter so whos to complain.  Taker vs Diesel, the first time you saw the nWo attitude of Diesel, and at the same token the Last time you saw Nash at a WM match, until 18 of course... Lest not forget the True Highlight with The Iron Man Match! Bret vs Shawn! Need I say more on that?

 

Wm13 definately  a off year. What you'd call in College sports a rebuilding year, because the remaining of the Old guard of wrestlers was leaving, and the new faces we are use to today, HHH Austin Rock and Mic Foleywas getting started. The Hart vs Austin match was the best of the card, and you can really tell from the crowd reaction that Bret Hart and his tradiational Style just was no longer gonna cut it in the WWF and Austin was. The Time of the Anti Hero began. Taker vs Sid, yea you Taker Haters go ahead and Complain! but Taker been around for 11 years and this was his Second World title victory so cut the crap stop whining!

 

Wm14 Amazing event, Revolutionized wrestling and got people interested in the WWF. (WM14 and the Raw right after it was the First days of when the WWF won the ratings over the WCW) people like the Rock and HHH was shaping their personalities too the WWF crowd. Dx was on the rise. Kane vs Taker sparked a dozen Kane vs Taker matches from 98 to 2000.... Another great  Battle royal may as well call it the mid to Low card battle royal. But of course the match that got the butts in the seats and Was the deathnail to WCW...Austin vs Shawn Michaels.  Michaels Literally gutted it out with a nearly broken back in that match, and put on a damn good effort (HBK Marks need to realize that Michaels was Done then... and its been nearly 5 years since you seen him in action in the WWF.)

Austin won the World title, proving too Eric Bischoff  yes...

a Bald guy with black tights can Draw!  Dipstick matrat

 

Wm15 Working alot of angles building up the Rock Austin HHH, the Chyna Screwjob on Kane, made us feel sorry for a Destructive Hellaious Machine (Ever wonder why he is immiatating Hogan and Rock now?)  Hardcore title was created and contested for. IC 4way match proves one thing

BLUE MEANIE PICKING ON RYAN SHAMROCK= RATINGS!

J/K Rock vs Austin was so great they had to do it again at Backlash..... then at a Wrestlemania 2 doors down, until we all collectively say, Rock..Austin...fighting...wow... oye..

 

WM16  Hardcore battleroyal, Tazz slowly gaining Acceptance, winning the Hardcore title twice, but only to lose it. Last time we see Viscera at a Wm event, bubye we hardly knew you..thank god. lets see what else happened at 2000, Oh yea, A Sweet Triple threat match with Jericho Benoit Angle with 2 falls  one for the Euro the other for IC... That was a clever concept. Malenko Saturn and Guerrero vs Too Cool and Chyna. Chyna Handspringing back and forth Woooowwwww that was worth jobbing out three wrestlers out of WCW ECW and Japan Duhhh.  the precurser to the TLC match with those 3 teams of Extreme  E&C Hardy boys and The DddddDudleysMic Foley gets his last match, no Im mean his Last match, Nooo I mean his Last actual wrestling match. Being the first to be eliminated in the 4corners match in the Main Event. of course the usual McMahon screwjob, leaving Stephy getting Rock bottomed at the end Dawwww

 

Wm17 Thunderously great. Paul Heyman at the helm with JR

First match, starts out the IC match. Strange how many Wm's the Second most covetted Title is the Curtain Jerk match. Angle vs Benoit, kinda a disappointment, but whatcha gonna do.  Gimmick Battle Royal Loved it... TLC match Paul heyman comments "Everyone is a Victim at Tables Ladders and Chairs..." Didn't see you waddle into the ring and get hit by a chair.  Spike Lita and Rhyno making their presence felt.  Kane SHow Raven Hardcore match, Loved it Heh Running over Raven's foot with a Golf cart Heh.. Throw Big Show through a Door! Fun Stuff right there.  Austin vs Rock... You know your main eventing a Wm when you start busting out some old moves. Austin was in the ring so long he forgot what gimmick he was in, Came out with a Stunning Steve Austin Stun Gun! and then Out of no where slapping on The Ringmaster's Million Dollar Dream!  Austin Heel turn and sharing a beer with Vincy boy. Who a Thunk it?

 

Wm18 Present time sorta, Regal busting out the Hardway Taz Plex  but still loses to R V D ... DDP retains the Euro title from Christian. I dunno wheither its a good thing or not, cuz I was in a Bathroom...was that a good thing? the Four corners Tag title match...eck Just a way to put over Billy and Chuck... Yea make the Hardys dudleys Acolytes feel like crap, go ahead.  the Hardcore match and the segments after that was kinda funny... Each match got a extra 10 minutes it seem.

Taker vs Flair, the best those too could dish out, JR should stop calling Arn a Cripple, He'll Spinebuster him right out of his Hat! but Taker...10-0 yeaaa Taker haters BITCH I dares ya!

Austin vs Hall, Austin Phoned it in, Hall was sober and intense, but Austin doesn't care Whaaa they are taking my spot. Austin wins the match but decides to take his win, go home to Texas and POUT... maybe bounce around with Debra.. heheeh

Which leads me too...

Rock vs Hogan... SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE MAIN EVENT!  Why??? Why should Hogan the Man we been bred to hate cuz he can't stand not being in the spot light, or running the booking or making himself look good, or making sure all his little hogan cronies are hired with him so they can Carry his bags. Why should Rock vs Hogan be the main event. Because In that match you forgot All the Smark Left brain stuff, hearing nearly 70'000 Chanting for Hogan... Makes you remember that old torn up dirty Yellow Hulk Rules shirt you had hanging the back of your childhood closet.  Rock hasn't been booed since 99 and he got his ass booed and the chant Rocky Sucks came on, JR the ever rabid Hogan hater on Commentary, tried his best to say the crowd was mixed, but failed miserably.. Goes to show you, even the mindless cattle known as a Arena crowd can actually change Angles and storylines.  after Rock winning, reminded us of the Hogan Warrior match of Wm6 and we all went DAWWWWWW  nWo Turns on Hogan Rock makes the save, Hogan does the posing, goes up the ramp, and you look at Rock and he looks like he is about to cry, sniff how touching...

Another reason why it should have been the main event.. my fingers hurt...butttt Noooo

 

because we got the womens title match! Lita and Trish vs the Female Phenom Jazz...Even with Trish coming out with her Home country Flag colors can't save her from the All Powerful WRATH of Jazz... though the two do a good job, Jazz had to Go ECW on their Asses and Nail a Super Fisherman's Buster! Something I haven't seen since the RVD Sabu Respect match at A Matter of Respect 96.

 

And of course the Actual Main Event..

HHH vs Jericho... About now you'd expect half the crowd would have left after the Hogan Rock match. WWF officials must have went on the intercome saying "ATTENTION WE STILL HAVE TWO MATCHES LEFT, INCLUDING THE WORLD TITLE MATCH!" HHH guts it out with I admit a Sore but certainly Not that bad off Limb against Jericho, they sold the reinjury very well certainly got frantic Marks on #WWF going is HHH reallllly Injured??? huh huh Is he?  Oye... put a Cap on it, HHH hits Pedigree on Steph, ahh No Comment, and Kick Pedigree on Jericho  HHH wins the Undisputed Championship, and is now running around with a New belt that looks smaller than the Two other title belts.

 

So Find your failures in the WM's but keep things in the perspectives of the times.

[Guest FakeRazor]

I'm sticking with Wrestlemania 15.  Horrible, horrible show, sans one match (Rock vs Austin, which is overrated IMO).  Felt like a RAW is WAR.  Really showed how weak the midcard was too, I mean ROAD DOGG got an IC title shot?!?!?

 

Wrestlemania 9 was also bad, but the cool environment saved it.  The fact that the WWF title was pissed on that night doesn't help.

[Guest mastermind]

You know what? I'm going to have to say it. WM 15 I also hate with a damn passion. Unlike the other Manias I talked about I didn't even BOTHER watching the whole show live. I went out with my ex-girl. I didn't BOTHER mentioning it because that's how much I think the event wasn't a WrestleMania. I still haven't seen it completely. Yes, it seemed like RAW. I also thought Rock and Austin had a WAY better match at Backlash. To be true to myself I have to pick WM 15 as well.

 

As for keeping perspective with the times.

 

WM1: There was nothing like it before. Not even starcade had that kind of "intensity". The show can't be dissed.

 

WM 2: I liked the chance the wwf took. I also liked the show. Not saying it was great, but it had its moments such as Bulldogs winning the title and the NFL/WWF battle royal. I also liked Hogan/Bundy although they put on way better matches on snme in late 1987 and early 1988.

 

WM 3: Hell, if the wwf could only have a match of epic proportions such as Hogan/Andre *sorry Rock/Hogan* and a workrate masterpiece like Steamboat/Savage today. I also liked Piper's match. Did you see the damn crowd when he put the sleeper on Adonis? Great visual. I also liked the six man with Bulldogs and HF. Davis took a whooping.

 

WM 4: At the time I liked it. Hell, I still like it to a point. I think it lost some luster because we know the outcome. However, the wwf could have booked some really hot matches for the tourn, but didn't for some reason. It had the depth in 1988.

 

WM 5: I liked the show. The insider book on the show's history has the writer saying this was the best top to bottom Mania.

 

WM 6: Biased of course because it was in my home town. However, I'm not bias to most of the crap on the show though. Fast forward Mania with Dibase/Jake and Orient Express/Rockers being passable.

 

WM 7: Stated this above, but in hindsight wasn't as bad as some shows to come.

 

WM 8: Over rated! I actually think WM 7 seemed more like Mania with the atmosphere. Flair/Savage was okay, but you can see both are past their prime. If the match happened in 1989 it would have been WAY MORE EPIC. The storyline was good though. We needed to see Liz on the big screen damn it. Hogan/Sid was okay for what it was and Warrior's run-in at the time was mark out city. Hart/Piper is okay. I think the match is over-rated. Again, only because Piper wasn't the Piper of 1985-1987. Maybe that's why I think it's over rated. I saw the writing on the wall for most of the original roster. Even Santana wasn't that solid against HBK. The other matches are atrocious. Talking about a building stage WrestleMania this should have been it. HBK, Bret, and Taker were obviously the new guns who should have been given the torch. The wwf missed the boat and suffered for it for years.

 

WM 9: Yeah, Tatanka and HBK was a pretty sweet match. I do forget about that match. I also liked Stiener/Headshrinkers to be honest. I was disappointed in Perfect/Luger only because I had heard about the "legend" of Luger and seen one or two matches of his in wcw/nwa*lucky me*. The rest is pretty horrible although Bret did his best with what he had. Not the worse Mania imo.

 

WM 10: Over-rated. Yeah sure Bret/Owen and HBK/Razor was off the chart, but the rest sucked with the exception of Savage's last Mania match. Fast forward Mania.

 

WM 11: This thing sucks. Can't defend it in anyway. Maybe Bret/Backlund, but that's just passable. HBK should have won the title so obviously. Second worse Mania of all-time.

 

WM 12: I liked this show. At the time I thought this was the first Mania that actually seemed like vintage Mania since WM 8. Looking back I over-rated it.

 

WM 13: This thing is horrible. I don't think this was a building stage either. The wwf just had bottom of the rung talent when they were raped by wcw. Rock was shoved down our throat. Triple H wasn't close to reaching what he was going to be in 2000. The show reeked and REALLY made me worry about the wwf. This really showed how weak the wwf was in early '97.

 

WM 14: I say the most important WrestleMania since WM 8. The wwf's future depended upon it. It was either deliver or let wcw forever take the spot as top dog. WrestleMania's legacy depended on it and so did the wwf empire.

 

WM 15: The wwf just went backwards after WM 14. Started the downward spiral we are still seeing. RAW IS WRESTLEMANIA.

 

WM 16: I thought it was solid, but how can the event be Mania with no singles matches? No Mania feel to it except for the main event and even then...

 

WM 17: Last year I thought it was hands down the best ever. I'm not so sure now. When I put it on now I fast forward through most of it. Still arguably the best Mania ever. Maybe more time I will see it as an event of epic proportions such as WM 3.

 

WM 18: Still to early to judge its place in history.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Like many others, I would have to say Wrestlemania XI.  The hype for this show was astounding.  It was as if the WWF was promoting it as the start of a new era in wrestling, much like Wrestlemania I.  It was a huge flop both financially and artistically.

 

Wrestlemania XV was a horrible show, but it made money.  And Wrestlemania IX wasn't much worse than expected.

 

That leaves Wrestlemania XI as the biggest flop.

[Guest mastermind]

Oh yeah, that's why I left off WM 15 too. This is about biggest failure. WM 15 did make buckets of money, so it wasn't a complete bust to the aura of Mania. Rock/Hogan has its place in the event's history. WM 11 has to be biggest flop for reasons already stated.

[Guest TripleHsmark]

12 was probably the most disappointing to me.  The Triple H job to Warrior in a minute, when I was a fan of Hunter and excited to see Warrior come back, the Taker/Nash match, the highly disappointing and vastly overrated Iron Man match, the horrid six man tag, the hollywood back lot brawl.  Eh.  Savio/Austin rocked hard though.

 

9 was easily the worst show though.

 

Edited because I'm an idiot