Revisiting every single WrestleMania ahead of WrestleMania 39
For the better part of 30 years, it's been the biggest day on the wrestling calendar. As we look ahead to WrestleMania 39, let's take a brief look at what all the previous events had to offer.
The first WrestleMania saw Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in the main event. Other notable matches included Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd and a tag team match featuring Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana.
A unique event held in three different locations (New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles) featuring multiple matches. Highlights included Hulk Hogan winning a steel cage match against King Kong Bundy, and a battle royal featuring NFL players. It was also noted for an appearance of Ozzy Osborne, who accompanied The British Bulldog ringside for his match against The Dream Team.
One of the most iconic WrestleMania events, which saw Hulk Hogan defeat Andre the Giant in the main event. The event also featured a classic match between Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat for the Intercontinental Championship. This event helped push professional wrestling into the global mainstream.
Hulk Hogan regained the WWF Championship by defeating Randy Savage in the main event. The event also featured memorable matches between Rick Rude and Ultimate Warrior, and Ted DiBiase and Jake Roberts.
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The first WrestleMania event to be held outside the United States – this time at SkyDome in Toronto, Canada – featured an iconic main event title match between Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior, with Warrior winning the WWE Championship. Other notable matches included a classic between Rick Martel and Jake Roberts, and a tag team match featuring Demolition and The Colossal Connection.
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Held during the Gulf War, this event was originally scheduled to be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum but was moved to the smaller Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena due to security concerns. The event featured a retirement match between Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior, which Warrior ultimately won, and Hulk Hogan defeating Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF Championship.
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Held in at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, this event saw Ric Flair defeat Randy Savage for the WWE Championship in the main event. Other notable matches included a classic between Roddy Piper and Bret Hart, and a match between Undertaker and Jake Roberts.
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Often regarded as one of the worst WrestleMania events, this edition featured a cheesy Roman-themed set, the bizarre decision to have Hulk Hogan defeat Yokozuna for the WWE Championship in an impromptu match, and the lack of quality matches on the card. It was also notable as Hulk Hogan came out to the match with a black eye, after an alleged altercation with Randy Savage backstage.
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Held at Madison Square Garden, this event saw Bret Hart win the WWE Championship in a classic match against Yokozuna. It also featured a ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon, and a match between Lex Luger and Yokozuna.
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Also thought by fans to be among the worst WrestleMania events due to its lackluster card and poor attendance. The event is known for its main event between Bam Bam Bigelow and NFL star Lawrence Taylor, which was surprisingly decent but did not make up for the rest of the show's shortcomings.
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Held at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California, this event saw Shawn Michaels win the WWF Championship in a classic Iron Man match against Bret Hart. It also had Hollywood Backlot Brawl, a cinematically shot no-DQ matched staged in a car park, between Goldust and Roddy Piper, and a match between The Undertaker and Diesel.
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This event is notable for a classic submission match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin, which saw Austin pass out instead of submitting, a moment that helped propel his character within the fan base. The event also featured The Undertaker defeating Sycho Sid for the WWE Championship and a Chicago Street Fight between Ahmed Johnson and The Nation of Domination.
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Held at the FleetCenter in Boston, this event saw Steve Austin win the WWF Championship by defeating Shawn Michaels in the main event. This was notable because the match-up was 'enforced' by boxer Mike Tyson. Other notable matches included a match between The Undertaker and Kane and a match between The Rock and Ken Shamrock.
The highlight of this WrestleMania, this time held at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, was Steve Austin's retention of the WWE Championship against The Rock in a thrilling match. Undertaker and Big Boss Man also faced off in a brutal Hell in a Cell match, while Shane McMahon took on X-Pac in another exciting match.
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Held at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California, this event saw Triple H retain the WWF Championship in a fatal four-way match against The Rock, Big Show, and Mick Foley. Other notable matches included a TLC match between Edge and Christian, The Hardy Boyz, and The Dudley Boyz and a match between Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho.
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Often regarded as one of the best WrestleMania events of all time, this event saw Stone Cold Steve Austin turn heel and align with Vince McMahon, controversially defeating The Rock with the aid of steel chairs to win the WWF Championship. Other notable matches included TLC between Edge and Christian, The Hardy Boyz, and The Dudley Boyz, and a match between Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.
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Returning to Toronto's SkyDome this event saw Triple H defeat Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event. But many fans will remember this WrestleMania for The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan, in what was billed as an Icon v Icon match, and a match between The Undertaker and Ric Flair.
Held at Safeco Field in Seattle, this event saw Brock Lesnar defeat Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship in the main event. This was particularly memorable for Lesnar almost breaking his neck failing to execute a shooting star press. Other notable matches included a match between The Rock and Steve Austin and a match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho.
Held at Madison Square Garden, this event saw Chris Benoit win the WWE Championship in a triple-threat match against Triple H and Shawn Michaels. There was also the unlikely pairing of The Rock and Mick Foley taking on Evolution in a handicap Tag Team match. The Undertaker also faced off in a grudge match against newly denounced brother Kane.
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This Wrestlemania saw John Cena win his first WWE Championship by defeating JBL. Other notable matches from this event, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, included a match between Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle and a match between The Undertaker and Randy Orton.
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Held at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, this event saw John Cena retain the WWE Championship in a triple-threat match against Triple H and Edge. Other notable matches included a "No Holds Barred" match between Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon and a match between The Undertaker and Mark Henry.
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John Cena held onto the WWE Championship by defeating Shawn Michaels in the main event. Other notable matches for this event held at Ford Field in Detroit included The Undertaker facing off against Batista for the World Heavyweight title and a "Battle of the Billionaires" match between Vince McMahon, represented by Bobby Lashly, and Donald Trump, represented by Umaga.
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Held at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, this event saw The Undertaker defeat Edge to win the World Heavyweight Championship and extend his undefeated streak to 16-0. Other notable matches included a match between Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair, which saw Flair retire from in-ring competition, and a no-DQ match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and The Big Show.
Taking place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, the most talked-about match of the night was the epic showdown between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, which has since been recognized as one of the best matches in WrestleMania history. Other notable matches included a battle between Triple H and Randy Orton, as well as a face-off between John Cena and Edge, both of which provided exciting moments for fans.
Held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, this event saw The Undertaker defeat Shawn Michaels in a career vs. streak match. This saw The Undertaker's WrestleMania streak go to 18. The event also featured a match between John Cena and Batista for the WWE Championship.
This time in Atlanta, at the Georgia Dome, this saw The Miz retain the WWE Championship in the main event against John Cena with help from The Rock. Other notable matches included a "No Holds Barred" match between The Undertaker and Triple H and a match between Edge and Alberto Del Rio.
Held at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, this event saw The Rock defeat John Cena in the thrilling main event. It also featured The Undertaker defeating Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match and CM Punk defending the WWE Championship against Chris Jericho.
John Cena faced off against The Rock once again to win the WWE Championship in a rematch from the previous year's WrestleMania. Held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the event also featured The Undertaker defeating CM Punk to extend his undefeated streak to 21-0
Held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, this event saw Daniel Bryan win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event by defeating Triple H and then defeating Batista and Randy Orton in a triple threat match. The event also featured The Undertaker losing his undefeated streak to Brock Lesnar.
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Held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, this event saw Seth Rollins cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The event also featured The Undertaker defeating Bray Wyatt and a match between Sting and Triple H.
Taking place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, this saw Roman Reigns defeat Triple H to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event. Other notable matches included a Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Shane McMahon and a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship featuring Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Sin Cara, Zack Ryder, Stardust, The Miz and Kevin Owens, which was won by Ryder.
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Held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, this saw Roman Reigns defeat The Undertaker in what was billed as Undertaker's retirement match. The event also featured a match between Brock Lesnar and Goldberg and a match between John Cena and Nikki Bella against The Miz and Maryse. It also featured the 'shock' return of the Hardy Boyz to WWE.
The major talking points of this event, held at Held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, was Brock Lesnar facing off against Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship and The Undertaker defeating John Cena in a squash match. Other notable matches included a match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura and a match between Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Becky Lynch for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Once again at MetLife Stadium, this time the women's title was the main talking point as Becky Lynch won both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships in the main event by defeating Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. Other notable matches included Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Championship from Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins defeating Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event was held over two nights at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Highlights included The Undertaker defeating AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard match and Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Championship from Brock Lesnar. This one was unusual in that it had no live audience.
Again held over two nights, this time at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, this event saw Bianca Belair defeat Sasha Banks to win the SmackDown Women's Championship and Roman Reigns defeat Edge and Daniel Bryan in the main event to retain the Universal Championship. The event also marked the return of live audiences for WWE events after the COVID-19 shutdown.
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, WrestleMania 37 saw Roman Reigns successfully defend his Universal Championship against Drew McIntyre, while Charlotte defeated Ronda Rousey to hold onto the Raw Women's Championship. Brock Lesnar defeated Bobby Lashley to win the WWE Championship, and Edge defeated Seth Rollins in a highly-anticipated match.
The jam-packed event also featured a surprise appearance by The Undertaker, who confronted John Cena during Cena's match against AJ Styles, and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's first WWE appearance in 19 years. What surprises will WrestleMania 39 have in store?