Top 10 World Championship Matches in WrestleMania History

We’re mere weeks away from WrestleMania 42, which has been World Wrestling Entertainment’s marquee event since 1985. That means it’s the perfect time to look back and see who shined on the “Grandest Stage of Them All.”

Today, I’m focusing on matches where the World Championship belt was on the line—for clarity, I’m including both the WWF/WWE Title (the promotion’s linear belt held by Bruno Sammartino and Hulk Hogan) and the World Heavyweight Title (added after the acquisition of WCW)—and choosing my top 10:

10) Randy Savage (C) vs. Hulk Hogan: WrestleMania V

I narrowed the final slot down to two nostalgia matches: this and Hogan against Andre the Giant. In terms of pure spectacle, it’s hard to top WrestleMania III in the Silverdome. Hogan’s match with Savage was better, though, and the “Mega Powers explode” storyline was the culmination of a year-long build. The Hulkster wins with the Leg Drop of Doom.

9) John Cena (C) vs. Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania 23

At a time when the main event scene in WWE was stale, “The Showstopper” stepped in and pulled some good matches out of Cena. For as strong as this one was, though, it paled in comparison to their non-title rematch in London weeks later. While Michaels won that one, it was Super Cena that got his hand raised to close out WrestleMania 23.

Related: The Top 10 Tag Team Championship Matches in WrestleMania History

8) Bret Hart (C) vs. Shawn Michaels in an Iron Man Match: WrestleMania XII

I do not hold this match in the same regard as some. Yes, it had a strong finish with the intensity ramping up over the final 20 or so minutes and then in “overtime,” but those first 40 minutes were far from exhilarating. Still, you’re talking two all-time great technicians in a match that cemented Michaels as a top guy when he pinned Hart for his first WWF Title.

7) Hulk Hogan (C) vs. Ultimate Warrior (C) in a Title vs. Title Match: WrestleMania VI

This match also appeared on my list of the best Intercontinental Championship matches since both belts were on the line. It’s good enough to pull double duty, and I would consider it among the best matches in both men’s careers. Warrior won clean over Hogan, though his time at the top would be short, dropping the belt to Sgt. Slaughter at the Royal Rumble.

6) Diesel (C) vs. Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania XI

Score one for the Clique. Good friends behind the scenes, Michaels and Diesel had great chemistry in the ring. This somehow got bumped from the main event slot by the match between Lawrence Taylor and Bam Bam Bigelow, but it was easily the best thing on a massively underwhelming card. Diesel retained, becoming the first WWF Champion not named Hogan to enter and leave WrestleMania as champion.

5) Ric Flair (C) vs. Randy Savage: WrestleMania VIII

Originally, this was supposed to be the “dream match” of Flair and Hogan, but reportedly Vince McMahon didn’t like their matches on house shows and pivoted to Savage. In terms of match quality, it was the right move. Flair wore the crimson mask, a rarity at that time, and succumbed to a Macho Man rollup to give Savage his second stint with the gold.

4) Triple H (C) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit: WrestleMania XX

Based purely on in-ring action, this might warrant the top spot. Given what happened with Benoit outside the ring, however, this match will never be acknowledged on WWE television again. Focusing on the former, this was three top talents delivering on a night that ended with Benoit and Eddie Guerrero standing together as World Champions in what felt like a changing of the guard for pro wrestling.  

3) Roman Reigns (C) vs. Cody Rhodes in a Bloodline Rules Match: WrestleMania XL

Elite storytelling was at the heart of Reigns and Rhodes, including excellent work from The Rock in his “Final Boss” persona. Having lost the night before in a tag team match, Rhodes had to face Reigns in a Bloodline Rules Match, setting up one of the greatest finishes to any match with run-ins and nostalgia pops—if only Steve Austin had been the final reveal instead of The Undertaker. Rhodes finished his story and captured the title.

Related: The Top 10 Intercontinental Championship Matches in WrestleMania History

2) Randy Orton (C) vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan: WrestleMania XXX

YES! YES! YES! Bryan’s underdog story culminated in a great match where the “B-plus player” took home the gold on a night where he defeated every member of Evolution (except Flair).

1) The Rock (C) vs. Steve Austin in a No Disqualification Match: WrestleMania X-7

Two superstars at the absolute apex of their popularity. A years-long rivalry. The best hype video in pro wrestling history. Sure, Austin turning heel and joining McMahon doesn’t necessarily stand the test of time, but the intensity of the match and reactions of the crowd certainly do. This whole event felt like a victory lap for the WWF, having bought WCW just days earlier, and this was the crowning moment as Austin regained the belt.