TSM Town Hall: Legacy of a Great Match at Mania

[Dandy 0]

FORMAT

 

First, discuss the topic and talk about anything you want to say about it. Anything that crosses your mind about the topic, say it. If you have a lot to say, that's even better. Then, and only then, drop down and answer the 5 questions that are here as an addendum. This is not as good if you only answer the questions that I provided, because those are just things I came up with. Think of them as bonus questions.

 

 

TOPIC

 

Okay, let's get down to business here. Cheech thought it would be good if I posted a Town Hall with a Wrestlemania theme this week due to it being Wrestlemania weekend in a couple of days. I want to know how important you think it is for a wrestler to have a memorable match at Wrestlemania. Wrestlers are defined by the memories they leave behind them, and fans fondly recall matches that blew them away. It has been tradition for Wrestlemania to have some of those big moments or matches, as they want to keep Wrestlemania as the "Granddaddy of Them All." So this week in our Town Hall, we're talking big Mania matches! How important are they?

 

 

Additional Questions

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

[CanadianChris 0]

Well, clearly the best WrestleManias have been the ones with the biggest matches. III is the favourite Mania for a lot of people just because of how gigantic a feel the entire card had. Maybe a lot the matches themselves weren't that great in terms of workrate, but they had a huge feel to them, which is oftentimes more important. Same with X-7, which I think most people would agree was the greatest Mania to this point -- the matches were good, but the atmosphere and anticipation surrounding them, combined with the arena and the crowd, made the card legendary.

 

On the flip side, if you look at the worst Manias, they didn't have that same feel of something special and important about to happen. WM2 had nothing to inspire the crowds, and is remembered as one of the worst ever. Same with IX, and that was a shame because the venue was one of their best. No one remembers pretty much anything about XI, because there was nothing memorable on the card -- just a standard big man/little man WWF title match, a standard UT/big man match, and a celebrity versus a midcarder in the main event.

 

Then you have the shows that are fondly remembered even if they were one-match or two-match shows. XII and XIII were good examples of these -- no one puts XIII in the category of worst Manias ever simply because of the legendary Hart/Austin match. And Rock/Hogan at X-8 was such a huge match that it overshadowed the entire card, to the point where most people think WWE made a huge mistake by not putting them on last.

 

As for the questions:

 

1. Randy Savage. Had gigantic matches at III, V, VII and VIII, plus he won the tournament at IV and had a better-than-expected FCA match with Crush at X.

 

2. Yes, Steve Austin's match with Bret Hart at XIII pushed him completely over the top.

 

3. Hogan/Andre.

 

4. It adds something, but it doesn't necessarily make the match. Andre's entrance at III was pretty nondescript, and Hogan's entrance for the same match was standard except that he walked to the ring when everyone else on the card except Piper took the cart.

 

5. I'm going to surprise a bit and say Ultimate Warrior's entrance at VII against Savage. He walked to the ring -- the only time he ever walked to the ring in his WWF career. It made the match feel that much more important, that Warrior felt he had to conserve his energy as much as possible for this match.

[Diamonddust 0]

FORMAT

 

First, discuss the topic and talk about anything you want to say about it. Anything that crosses your mind about the topic, say it. If you have a lot to say, that's even better. Then, and only then, drop down and answer the 5 questions that are here as an addendum. This is not as good if you only answer the questions that I provided, because those are just things I came up with. Think of them as bonus questions.

 

 

TOPIC

 

Okay, let's get down to business here. Cheech thought it would be good if I posted a Town Hall with a Wrestlemania theme this week due to it being Wrestlemania weekend in a couple of days. I want to know how important you think it is for a wrestler to have a memorable match at Wrestlemania. Wrestlers are defined by the memories they leave behind them, and fans fondly recall matches that blew them away. It has been tradition for Wrestlemania to have some of those big moments or matches, as they want to keep Wrestlemania as the "Granddaddy of Them All." So this week in our Town Hall, we're talking big Mania matches! How important are they?

 

 

Additional Questions

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

 

Having a big moment at Wrestlemania is very important because, as it was said, people tend to remember those things for years on end. The reason people remember Savage/Steamboat is because of how good that match was and how hooked they had the crowd. People remember Hogan slamming Andre because of how iconic it was. People remember Hart/Austin because of the incredible visual of Austin's forehead covered in blood. Hell, that match could be looked at as probably the most influential Wrestlemania match of all-time due to what it produced in terms of the business. A wrestler can send his career into another dimension at Wrestlemania with a crazy good performance or some iconic image happening in their particular match.

 

Answering the addition questions:

 

1. Shawn Michaels is the first person to come to mind in terms of memorable matches. He's been involved in one of the most influential matches of all time (Ladder match at WMX), the Iron Man Match, the match that started the Austin-era, and very good encounters with Angle, Jericho, and Cena. Some can say Hogan, and they'd be right, others would say Savage, and they'd be right as well.

 

2. Shawn definitely got "made" from the Ladder Match. His star was already rising at that point, but the ladder match put him in another dimension. The same goes for the Hardys and Edge and Christian during the TLC match. Austin's career went through the roof due to the I Quit match with Bret Hart.

 

3. Hogan vs. Andre, and it's not even close. If there was ever a super-match at Wrestlemania, it was that match. I don't care how strong the card at Wrestlemania III was, one match drew that house. Hogan vs. Warrior would be a DISTANT second.

 

4. Entrances are a big deal, and that is why The Undertaker is such a big part of Wrestlemania... the same goes for Shawn Michaels. People remember the entrances because the spectacle is just as big as the match itself. Speaking of entrances, I know I'm not the only one that wishes the little ring carts would be used again.

 

5. Shawn Michaels' flying to the ring on the zipline for the Iron Man match was good. Taker's entrance at pretty much any Wrestlemania would be up there as well (Although his entrance is usually good regardless). MVP had a pretty good one last year as well.

[foleyfanforever88 0]

I think it's very important for a wrestler to have atleast one memorable WM moment/match in their career if they want to be a huge superstar. A good match at Wrestlemania can be as influential to a superstar's career as a great one at Summerslam. I also think it's ridiculous when big names are left off of the Wrestlemania card (see Kane this year, if he doesnt win the battle royal).

 

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? The Rock, HBK

 

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? I think Edge's match with Foley at WM22 pushed him to where he is now. I know that for me, it really solidified him as a major player in the WWE and since then, he's become one of my favorite heels this decade.

 

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Rock/Hogan

 

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match? I think memorable entrances are always a plus, but not necessary. They definitely can add to the atmosphere of the match.

 

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match? Undertaker at Wrestlemania XX. I also liked JBL's escorted entrance at WM 21.

[King Kamala 0]

1. Which wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? Without a doubt, it's Shawn Michaels. Correct me if I'm wrong but IMO, he's the only guy who's wrestled at a significant amount of Manias that hasn't had a single bad match at one of them. In fact, there isn't a match he's had there that wasn't at least pretty good. Plus he's been a part of six significant matches in WrestleMania folklore (The ladder match at WrestleMania X, the Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII, Main Event with Austin at XIV, match with Jericho at XIX, Triple Threat at WrestleMania XX, match with Angle at XXI).

 

Has anyone been "made" from a WrestleMania match? If so, whom? Certainly, Austin at WrestleMania XIII is the most obvious one that comes to mind.

 

What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Without a doubt, Hogan/Andre. Even before I started watching, I knew about that match. Still possibly the most famous match in U.S. wrestling history.

 

How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match? I agree with foleyfanforever88, a plus but not a neccessity.

 

Who had the best entrance that added to the feel of the match? There have been many cool entrances over the years at WM but the one I believe added the most to the match was Warrior's at WrestleMania VII. The runner up is anybody who used the ring carts at WrestleMania III and VI. If they brought those back, I'd mark out harder than I have in years.

[Guest Floridian Cool]

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? Bret Hart

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? Steve Austin

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Hogan vs. Andre

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match? Very, at least for the matches that are high up on the card, and where the talent is what is being sold, not a gimmick (i.e. TLC)

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match? Austin at WrestleMania 13...that was a pretty boss entrance for 1997, and the crowd reaction told the story.

[RHR 0]

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? Bret Hart

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? Steve Austin

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Hogan vs. Andre

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match? Very, at least for the matches that are high up on the card, and where the talent is what is being sold, not a gimmick (i.e. TLC)

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match? Austin at WrestleMania 13...that was a pretty boss entrance for 1997, and the crowd reaction told the story.

 

1. Most memorable? I hate to say it, but Hogan. When I was 8 my brother and I used to be Hogan/Piper, and it convince my dad to take me and my bro to closed circut to watch WMI. He was there the most of the next decade up to when I started watching WCW/ECW instead of WWF. Then, he makes his return against the Rock, and my apartment turned from fifteen 25-35 year olds to a bunch of 12 year olds. The next year, he was here in Seattle w/ McMahon, which was a memorable night for reasons other than WrestleMania. So, when I think WrestleMania, I think Hogan...except for my answer to #3.

 

2. Anyone "made" from WrestleMania....yes...TLC at XVI. The Hardyz, the Dudleys, and Edge/Christian made their mark in this match. Here it is 8 years later, and we came a medical occurance (Matt Hardy), and a dumbass move (Jeff Hardy) from three of the competitors having MAJOR MATCHES at THIS Wretlemania, and Christian/3-D are making their mark known over with TNA. Sure, the Dudleys are stale now, but, all six men became MAJOR players in Wrestling for the next decade and on.

 

3. Big mania match? Rock/Austin from WM XVII. The biggest match in history that is a GOOD MATCH. This was a HUGE DAY in my personal life (The day I moved from Chicago to Seattle.) and means the world to me. It will always be the reason I make sure to catch WM. Going in I knew it was huge, but, something just lifted it higher. Now, each year, something special happens that I would have missed if I didn't watch the show.

 

4. How important is the entrance? Eh. It really depends. Taker's is usually cool, but, the last two Cena entrances absolutely sucked. I think the reason Taker's is so effective is because of how long it takes him to hit the ring. By the time he gets there, the crowd is at a fever pitch.

 

5. Best entrance? Hogan at 18. The crowd made it that big. I remember my buddy Ron looking at me and going, "Holy shit...when did Hogan become cool again?". For one moment, he was.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? Bret Hart

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? Steve Austin

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Hogan vs. Andre

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match? Very, at least for the matches that are high up on the card, and where the talent is what is being sold, not a gimmick (i.e. TLC)

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match? Austin at WrestleMania 13...that was a pretty boss entrance for 1997, and the crowd reaction told the story.

 

 

Just a reminder - The TSM Town Hall threads are designed for discussion and commentary on older topics. The questions posted are guidelines for what you might want to talk about in your reply, but one word answers don't offer much.

 

Try expanding your post and explaing your respective answers.

[Dandy 0]

As I said in the first post of this topic, a wrestler's legacy is the memories he leaves behind. Wrestlemania has always been that big stage in WWE, and many wrestlers have had the desire to have that match that fans talked about for years. Currently, Ric Flair is wanting to end his career by having one more great match at Wrestlemania; he hand-picked Shawn Michaels as his opponent for that very reason (storyline and real life). Shawn seems to have a burning desire to put on memorable performance after memorable performance at WM, and steal the show (again, storyline and real life). But what if Shawn had put on stinkers at every single WM? Would he still be regarded as he is? What if he would have failed at every show except WMX? He would have broken out in that same major way, but mediocre match after mediocre match could have been doom for him. There is a pressure to perform at a high level at WM. Not only by the wrestlers on themselves, but a lot of pressure from the fans as well. We expect at least one great match every year, because it is Wrestlemania!

 

The first Wrestlemania doesn't hold up as much over time. I can't think of a single match that I would love to watch from that show right now. At the time, it was new and innovative, and it was going to be a big deal no matter what. WM2 had a different kind of build for me, in that I was dying to see Hulk bounce back from the vicious attack that King Kong Bundy laid on him. However, there wasn't really a mat classic or super-hot match that stands out for me today. WM3 changed all that. Not only was there a main event that was one of the most historic matches in history, but the undercard had Savage/Steamboat which blew the roof off the place and stole the show. A guy I talked to at the airport after WMXIX said he had gone to WM3 as a young kid and got to go backstage. He said he vividly remembers Vince McMahon being furious with both Savage and Steamboat because they overshadowed Hogan/Andre. That may or may not be true, as I can't verify it, but I could definitely see that happening. Hogan/Andre was that first big WM match that has become a staple that WWE at least strives for each year. However, that undercard match would also lay the foundation for something else: a breakout match that people would remember for ages to come.

 

Over the years, there have been many matches and many performers at WM, but to me, some have used WM to cement themselves in the history of wrestling forever. It has been pointed out in this thread that Austin was made by his match with Bret at WMXIII. That is hard to argue against. King of the RIng might have been the birth of Austin, and his Raw moments might have kept inching him closer to the top, but that match at WM made him. Shawn was made for the most part in the ladder match at WMX. It could even be argued that Hogan was made (even though he was the top star for 3 years prior) by what transpired at WMIII. When you look at some of the top performances at WM over the years, you can definitely see that some performers have legacies that have been anchored by what they did at WM. It doesn't matter that Shawn has an overwhelmingly losing record, it's the performances he put on in the process. It doesn't matter that Undertaker has faced the big monster du jour year in year out until recently, it only matters that he has that huge undefeated streak. Lately, he has been having better matches, which only adds to that legacy at WM.

 

One other major thing that WM has been able to do is utilize the special entrance. Shawn coming down the zipline, Triple H rising up on his throne, Undertaker with all the gothic entrances over the years...all of those are highlights you see played over and over that make it even more memorable. It can add just that much more anticipation before the match, giving it that big match feel. Sometimes, "boxing style" intros are coupled with this and which makes it even more special. Sometimes, though, I can't remember if some entrances happened at WM or not. The glass breaking and Stone Cold walking out from behind it; Taker in a cape and a pointed cowl behind his head as fire lights torches as he walks by; sometimes I confuse entrances like these as WM moments, even though those two examples may very well be WM moments. One thing is certain, though: a big time entrance with a big time match might as well put you down in the annals of history as far as wrestling goes. We fans will be discussing it for years.

 

Additional Questions

 

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? I think it would have to be Shawn. Arguments can be made for Hogan, Savage, Austin, Rock, and Taker. No coincidence that those are some of the biggest names in history.

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? Yes, as I stated above, Shawn and Austin were both made at WM, and you could argue that Hogan and Savage were to a point as well.

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Hogan/Andre as it was really the first huge match that made WM what it is today.

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match? It's not a necessity, but it surely helps. Like I said, you see replays of those memorable entrances at least every year, and it just makes WM the biggest show of the year.

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match? I started getting hyped up for Triple H/Cena due to H coming up from the stage sitting on his throne. However, that Taker entrance I described above (if it was at Mania) has always stood out as the best entrance of all time for me. If it wasn't at Mania, I will go with the throne. Much love for those who mentioned the Ultimate Warrior walking to the ring for the only time in his career. I think that was a necessity for him to be able to finish that match, but it definitely added a layer to that match as well.

 

As an aside, let me know if you like these Town Halls. We had been discussing how to get more discussion going in this folder, and I decided to try this. I definitely think it helps when you state your own opinions on the subject and then answer the related questions, so please try to stick with that format. If you have any ideas for future Town Halls that you would like to see, feel free to message me.

[Diamonddust 0]

One match that doesn't get talked about a lot in terms of someone getting made is Jake Roberts vs. The Undertaker.

 

Roberts passed the "creepy but still beloved babyface" torch to Taker with the ass kicking he took at Wrestlemania VIII.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

I think Brock was "made" from his match with Angle. I mean, he missed the SSP, but anyone could see that he had the ability to do it, and even though we never saw it again he still proved he could bust it out in front of a large audience. Had he never attempted it and still won, I think he would have been still a fairly blah champion until the stretcher match with Show where he dove off the huge lift. That spot really put Brock over the top, almost like Lashley throwing himself through the cage, but so much better visually.

[King Kamala 0]

One match that doesn't get talked about a lot in terms of someone getting made is Jake Roberts vs. The Undertaker.

 

Roberts passed the "creepy but still beloved babyface" torch to Taker with the ass kicking he took at Wrestlemania VIII.

 

I was going to mention that match but the match with Hogan at Survivor Series '91 really made 'Taker. The match with Roberts cemented it.

 

A match that isn't talked about in terms of someone getting made is the WrestleMania IV battle royal with Bret Hart. Sure, Hart didn't even become a full-time singles wrestler for another three years but it definitely planted the seeds of his solo success and showed who was the leader of the Hart Foundation.

[Diamonddust 0]

I think Brock was "made" from his match with Angle. I mean, he missed the SSP, but anyone could see that he had the ability to do it, and even though we never saw it again he still proved he could bust it out in front of a large audience. Had he never attempted it and still won, I think he would have been still a fairly blah champion until the stretcher match with Show where he dove off the huge lift. That spot really put Brock over the top, almost like Lashley throwing himself through the cage, but so much better visually.

 

I agree. I had read where Brock could do a SSP, much like The Big Show being able to do a moonsault, but seeing him do it and then screw it up was a crazy visual.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

On the flip side, if you look at the worst Manias, they didn't have that same feel of something special and important about to happen. WM2 had nothing to inspire the crowds, and is remembered as one of the worst ever. Same with IX, and that was a shame because the venue was one of their best. No one remembers pretty much anything about XI, because there was nothing memorable on the card -- just a standard big man/little man WWF title match, a standard UT/big man match, and a celebrity versus a midcarder in the main event.

 

Do you think that's what this WM will be like?

 

I can't say myself, because I don't know enough/haven't seen enough Manias, but you seem to be describing the card for this Sunday.

 

I'm going to try and watch WM this year.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

I think Brock was "made" from his match with Angle. I mean, he missed the SSP, but anyone could see that he had the ability to do it, and even though we never saw it again he still proved he could bust it out in front of a large audience. Had he never attempted it and still won, I think he would have been still a fairly blah champion until the stretcher match with Show where he dove off the huge lift. That spot really put Brock over the top, almost like Lashley throwing himself through the cage, but so much better visually.

 

I agree. I had read where Brock could do a SSP, much like The Big Show being able to do a moonsault, but seeing him do it and then screw it up was a crazy visual.

 

Do you guys think it would have done more or less for him if he didn't botch it? I think it would have done less, as it would have been forgotten alot sooner. Almost killing himself made alot more people talk about it.

[Diamonddust 0]

On the flip side, if you look at the worst Manias, they didn't have that same feel of something special and important about to happen. WM2 had nothing to inspire the crowds, and is remembered as one of the worst ever. Same with IX, and that was a shame because the venue was one of their best. No one remembers pretty much anything about XI, because there was nothing memorable on the card -- just a standard big man/little man WWF title match, a standard UT/big man match, and a celebrity versus a midcarder in the main event.

 

Do you think that's what this WM will be like?

 

I can't say myself, because I don't know enough/haven't seen enough Manias, but you seem to be describing the card for this Sunday.

 

I'm going to try and watch WM this year.

 

I don't because the WWE Title match has three guys of similar size, Taker has an opponent that isn't a lumbering slug, and well... you do have a celebrity vs. an upper midcarder, though.

 

The worst match on the card is obviously the Divas match, but outside of that... the rest should be at least entertaining. Finlay/JBL should be a stiff enough brawl to hide any technical shortcomings, and the same can be said for Umaga/Batista... especially if both men are motivated to defy expectations. The triple threat match will deliver an entertaining encounter but anti-climactic finish, as will probably Edge/Taker. Big Show/Mayweather should be good for the spectacle. MITB is always good for some sick spots. Flair and Shawn, though, will steal the show. If Shawn could produce the match he had with Hogan, just think what he'll do with Flair.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

Ah yes, I forgot about Flair vs Shawn, that's a big match. I agree that most of the matches should be good, but none of them really have the 'big feel' people are talking about that makes a WM stand out. I haven't been watching the product, so maybe they do and I'm just too far out of tune to notice.

[Dandy 0]

Good discussion going on, but if I might make a suggestion: If discussion turns to the current Wrestlemania card, point out that you want to discuss that point in that thread, and then we can all jump over there to discuss that. Keep this more about all Wrestlemania's matches (including this one), but any talk of the card or potential should go in the current WM thread. Just my opinion.

[Exslade ZX 0]

Ah, I first read this as pretty much favorite Wrestlemania match. Not quite, but I'll bring it up anyways. But yea, I'd say before 99, I had not interest in wrestling at all. I had a aunt who literally watched it constantly. It seems like every time I was at her house it was on the tv, and at the time I was one of those people who was like "What is this? It's stupid and it's fake..." I distinctly remember saying this during the Undertaker/Stone Cold buried alive match. Although I guess there was a part of me that didn't think it was so stupid as I did watch RAW/SD every now and then, but just barely, while flipping channels or something. Then I moved away, and I remember going to a friend's house and that night, they just so happened to be ordering Wrestlemania 16. And that night, it was like something just clicked, and all of a sudden I was the biggest wrestling fan in the world. The match? Hardy Boyz vs Edge & Christian vs The Dudleyz of course.

 

I mean, I honestly don't know how highly rated WM16 is, I would guess not much, hell at this point, I really couldn't even tell you what happened as the only things I remember off the top of my head (Without having to look it up and go...'Oh that's right') were this match, the main event, and Godfather coming out with Ice T and hos. But still, this was totally the match that got me hooked. We've all the heard the "We got out there and put our bodies on the line every night for the fans" sentiment before, and of course it's true. Just simple back bumps would build over time. But this, this was like something I hadn't seen before. (I didn't catch the No Mercy ladder match until afterwards) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIiDXbJ-48w

 

The bumps in this match are ridiculous. On a ladder. Through a table. Off the ladder. To the outside. Fuck. Now at this point, I can appreciate a good story (Part of what I didn't like about great feuds like Austin/Taker and others, was that I never really did know the story, nor did I really care, since I would only catch bits and pieces of storylines and matches every week, since I didn't actually watch myself, but instead just happened to be in the room with it) But I have always, and will always, be a sucker for spotfest. Which is essentially what this was. That clip didn't focus on anything that wasn't a high spot, and anything that happened in between, is pretty much forgotten, but damn, there were so many high spots. And I really could not help but enjoy the effort (and danger) these guys put into this match and I became an instant fan.

 

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? On the same note, the TLC/ladder matches. TLC 1 was at Summerslam I know, but I still can't help but group them all together in my head to some degree.

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? I'd say to look at the fact this was there WM debuts...and to look at where they are, all three teams were definitely made here, or at least within that year. Granted, half the match now works for TNA. You have Jeff Hardy, who was my favorite for years, but I never really saw as a potential WWE Champion, on the brink of greatness. (Of course, that was fucked up. Although I believe the fire, will somehow gain him sympathy, and make it easier for him to get back in the good graces of management..not that that's a good thing). Edge, who now is my favorite. Crazy how that works out, is already great, a World Champion, and although, it's a very, very long shot, as a chance of ending the Undertaker's Wrestlemania win streak? Christian a World champion in his own right. The dudleyz, even though they annoy me in TNA, are still recognized as one of the greatest tag teams in history. Matt, has gotten the short end of the stick for quite a few years, but I still believe, and they've shown with the what was great MVP/Matt feud they had, that they will do something big with him one day still. So to look at how they were 'Rookies' then to where each of them is now, they were definitely made.

 

 

[haws bah gawd 0]

Not really sure where to start with this one. Everyone usually steps up their game at Wrestlemania. You have guys pushing themselves to the limit, and doing all in their ability to create their own special moment. You can almost always look forward to a wrestler doing stuff in the ring you wouldn't normally see them doing, when their just wrestling a nothing TV match, and going through the motions.

 

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

I have 2 for this one.

1 - Stone Cold Steve Austin - mounting injuries cut his career short, but the guy did some amazing things in his handful of 'Mania matches. His match with The Rock at X-SEVEN is my favorite match of all time, and his I Quit match with Bret is a classic in it's own right.

2 - Shawn Michaels - I know anytime he is in a match, I can look forward to seeing something special. They don't call him the Showstopper for nothing. He's had more Wrestlemania matches than nearly anyone else on the roster, and you know he's going to pull out all the stops to make his Wrestlemania matches memorable.

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

Without a doubt, the I Quit match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart MADE Stone Cold's career. This is the match that put him over as the toughest, never quit, never say die wrestler in the company. Becoming one of the first (if not THE first) to break the Sharpshooter helped him tremendously as well. The shot of him powering-out of the Sharpshooter with blood pouring down his face is one of the most memorable Wrestlemania moments of all time.

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania X-SEVEN. I mentioned this in a previous thread, but this is still to this day, the only good thing that Limp Bizkit has ever been a part of. "My Way" was the perfect theme song, not only for the PPV, but the match. This is the match that re-cemented Austin as the best in the WWF at the time.

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

I cant think of this without remembering Shawn Michael's zipline entrance at Wrestlemania 12. You knew right then that this was his night, and his time to shine. It made me pull for him that much more.

As cornball as it may have been (mainly due to the gigantic fake hammer, and oddly-placed bottle of water), I will NEVER forget HHH's "King of Kings" entrance from Wrestlemania 22. He looked like such a badass.

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

Shawn Michael's had the best single entrance at Wrestlemania 12, but the best series of entrances will have to go to The Undertaker. Along with the PPV itself, Undertaker's entrance is one of the main things I always look forward to. It never disappoints.

[bob_barron 0]

The Wrestlemania matches are the only matches that really stand the time, unless something extraordinary happens ie Foley falling off the cell.

 

Does anyone remember ****+ matches at non-big 5 PPVs? No, not really, but everyone remembers a great match at Wrestlemania for years to come.

 

Great matches helped establish Austin and HBK, and there's nothing more important to establish a wrestler as THE man by having them win the main event at Wrestlemania.

 

The Rock and Steve Austin, two of the fed's biggest stars, chose to have their last match at Wrestlemania. Flair probably is going to as well. That means something.

 

In the end, it doesn't happen, unless it happens at Wrestlemania.

 

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

 

Stone Cold Steve Austin. The classics at Wrestlemania 13 and X-7, retiring HBK for 4.5 years at Wrestlemania XIV and I think a very underrated match with The Rock at Wrestlemania XIX. I love the ending to that match so much.

 

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

 

Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Hardyz, The Dudleyz and Edge and Christian

 

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

 

The Rock v. Austin at X-7.

 

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

 

I hate the Undertaker, but that entrance at Wrestlemania XIV gives me goosebumps.

 

 

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

 

See above. You knew Kane was going down when that happened

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

Steve Austin. I began REALLY watching during the Attitude Era, and WM14 was my first 'Mania live on PPV. Austin/Hart from WM13, Austin/HBK from WM14, and Austin/Rock from WM17 cement my choice.

 

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

Austin again. He was over as a good heel going into WM13 with a solid cult following, and because of the match he was sent on a path to become the biggest face in the company, and the match itself is great to boot.

 

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

Somebody's legacy being forever cemented in history. Be it through a great match, a great entrance, a great segment, or just a well-booked and well-timed victory, a big WrestleMania match has to serve as one of, if not, THE highlight of said wrestler's career. Hogan slamming Andre. Warrior pinning Hogan. Michaels on the zipline, and pinning Bret Hart. Austin reversing Sweet Chin Music into the Stunner and holding the WWF Title up high next to his other hand giving the bird. Rock and Hogan staring each other down. Every single bump taken by Jeff Hardy in TLC II and Money in the Bank. Cena F-U'ing Big Show. Benoit and Guerrero hugging with their World and WWE titles, respectively, in their hands as confetti falls. Edge shaking uncontrollably after Spearing Foley through a flaming table. THESE are moments I'll always remember and associate with WM. A truly great WM match needs to have a truly memorable moment.

 

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

It's important to an extent. Michaels coming down the zipline at WM12, Austin walking over broken glass at WM13, HHH coming out to Motörhead at WM17, the Undertaker returning to his old-school "darkside" entrance at WM20, the ECW Originals walking through the crowd at WM22, and even Cena coming out as a mobster for WM22: they helped hype up the matches they were involved in tremendously, but the finish of the match is the most important part, not the parts before the opening bell.

 

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

Undertaker. He has the single best entrance in the entire industry. Deadman 'Taker, not the Underbiker (though heel-turn '02 through his return as the Deadman Underbiker was great, the entrance wasn't the same). The bell chimes as the lights go out, seguining into creepy orchestral strings building up with chanting heard over it, and then BAM! Funeral march as a smoke machine fills the entrance way. The moment 'Taker looks up, his eyes revealed under the brim of his hat, is just spine-tingling.

[Jericho2000Mark 0]

I haven't cared about WrestleMania since I last ordered four years ago. However, I remember how excited I was to see WrestleMania X-7, and how pumped I was for Rock-Hogan at WrestleMania X-8. I missed WrestleMania 2000 because I was in England. WrestleMania XIX was a little underwhelming and lacked a real main event, though it was nice to see Rock finally go over Austin. Brock-Angle was a good main event, but lacked the electricity of prior main events and the fans weren't strongly behind or against either guy. WrestleMania XX was the last time I marked out for a wrestling match...

 

I watched the earlier Wrestlemanias by renting them from my local video station (back when they carried old wrestling tapes; they stopped in 2001). I remember renting WrestleMania X for the heavily hyped ladder match between Michaels and Razor, and coming away far more impressed with Bret-Owen. WrestleMania 13 had quite possibly the best match in wrestling history with Bret-Austin. I really enjoyed WrestleMania 3, and 5 through 8, Savage was a great worker in his day and better than Flair at his peak. Give me Savage-Steamboat over any of Flair's matches with The Dragon, or Savage-Warrior over Flair-Sting.

 

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

 

Bret. WrestleMania VIII against Piper, WrestleMania X against Owen, WrestleMania 12 against Michaels, and WrestleMania 13 against Austin.

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

 

If it weren't for WrestleMania 6, people wouldn't still be talking about Warrior today.

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

 

Rock vs Austin at WrestleMania X-7. It was probably the most watched and anticipated main event ever in wrestling.

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

 

It does make the match seem more important than it probably is but I'm really sick of seeing Michaels repelling from the ceiling at WrestleMania XII, since WWE has played it at least a million times whenever they look back on his career or hype WrestleMania.

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

 

Austin at WrestleMania 13. That shattered "glass" was a cool visual and signified that this match was going to be violent.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Big Mania matches are extremely important to how the fanbase views the top stars of wrestling, not only because they were the biggest shows, but also because they were the most easily accessable tapes for the fans for years. Many of current fans do not know much of the stars that didn't have big showings there (Harley Race, Bruno Sammartino, Verne Gagne, Superstar Billy Graham and other big stars prior to 1985). Wrestling history is generally divided into the pre and post-Wrestlemania Eras for a reason.

 

Additional Questions

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you? Randy Savage. He was absolutely huge at III, IV, V, VII & VIII with some of the best matches and best angles in WWF history.

 

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom? Bret Hart. He was basically a tag wrestler who was having yet another attempted run at being a singles star. He had a big match against an ailing Curt Hennig at Summerslam, but spent the time since back down the card feuding with Skinner & Mountie and not doing a whole lot even when he was IC Champion. Then at Wrestlemania he defeats Roddy Piper clean which nobody ever does in a great match and true passing of the torch moment.

 

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match? Hogan/Warrior. I sadly had not started watching for Wrestlemania III and I am obviously biased here, but this match was huge when it happened. It is just the type of dream match between the two top faces that simply didn't happen in the days of kayfabe. And honestly, the fact that it is simply a much better match than Hogan/Andre factors into my mind as well.

 

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

A lot. Now it doesn't necessarily mean that we need rock music, pyro and a ten minute walk down the aisle for everybody, but the entrance is a big part of the show. One of my favourite entrances is Andre the Giant's from Wrestlemania III. No music, no pyro, just Andre standing in the cart with Heenan while being introduced by Bob Uecker and being pelted with garbage. Classic.

 

 

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match? I have to go with other people here and say Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania VII. For the first and only time in his WWF career he didn't run down to the ring like a maniac, but took it slowly to conserve his energy. It really made it seem that much more important.

 

A more recent one is HHH's Motorhead entrance at X-7. Going into the match I didn't think HHH stood a snowball's chance in hell of beating Taker and giving such a elaborate entrance to a guy that I knew was going to be looking up at the lights in a few minutes did put some doubt into my mind whether he could actually pull it off. I didn't care about the match at all beforehand and it ended up being one of my favourite things on the show.

[Boxer 0]

FORMAT

 

Additional Questions

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

 

1. Bret Hart. All his matches as a single wrestler had that big match feel to it. Until someone shatters Hart's record of 12 straight Wrestlemania's I consider him Mr. Wrestlemania.

 

2. Owen Hart. I can agree with the Austin pick, but Austin already won the Royal Rumble, already had world title shots. Owen defeating Bret made him. Won the King of the Ring, got a world title shot at Summerslam and was established. Before that win, Owen was just seen as Bret's brother, beating him made him a threat.

 

3. Austin vs. Rock Mania 17/Rock vs. Hogan X-8. They were built right and were huge.

 

4. The only entrance that stands out is Shawn Michaels in 1996. It doesn't really add to the match, with the exception of the pop they get when they enter. That pop for Austin in 2001 was awesome.

 

5. Austin. Again, that 2001 entrance, probably my favorite due to the crowd giving him probably the biggest pop of his career.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

1. What wrestler has had the most memorable Mania matches for you?

I'd like to say Bret, but I'm not sure if that's fair - he might be a 'sleeper' answer, because he really doesn't have a big moment the way an Austin or an HBK has. My favourite matches are his (Piper, Owen, and Austin), but two of those involved him essentially putting the other guy over. Even his title win at X is kind of forgotten. Incidentally, Mick Foley fits my above description in the same way. I loved his match with Edge, and his tag title win with the Funker, but he put Edge over, and his tag match isn't a classic either.

 

So my answer, with that in mind, is Austin - two of my all-time faves at XIII and XVII, and, during the height of my mark age, coming off the heels of Montreal, I was thrilled that he beat HBK.

 

2. Has anyone been "made" from a Wrestlemania match? If so, whom?

Austin of course, but I'd also say Owen, and all three teams in the TLC matches. (Was it a TLC, or just a ladder match at XVI?) I'd say the Warrior, but that might be a stretch.

 

3. What match do you think of first when you think of a big Mania match?

Hulk-Andre, with Bret-Austin just behind.

 

4. How important is a memorable entrance for a match at Mania? How much does that add to the feel of the match?

It varies. I don't remember the Iron Man match for HBK's entrance, but I do remember Chris Warren singing for him two years later. I also remember, quite well, Taker at XIV, and Motorhead and Warren for HHH. The one I think had the biggest impact on my memory is answered below. To a lesser degree, I remember the carts at III and VI, but they didn't add any feel.

 

5. Who has had the best Mania entrance that has added to the feel of the match?

Bret-Austin. The glass breaking was cool, Austin had an awesome swagger to the ring, and Bret had this great look of determination walking over the glass, a "nothing's going to stop me from getting my hands on you" feel. Even something minor, like Fink's introduction, stands out.