Top 10 Most Unpredictable WrestleMania Matches of All Time – WWE WrestleMania has established itself as the ultimate event in pro wrestling, thanks to the unforgettable moments that have unfolded at “The Showcase of the Immortals.”
These instances have featured both heroic and villainous transformations, along with unexpected returns that have brought some of the most prominent figures in the industry back to the organization.
From unexpected results to jaw-dropping twists of epic narratives, here are the 10 most astonishing moments and unpredictable matches in the history of WrestleMania.
1. The Streak Ends: Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 30)
For more than twenty years, The Undertaker’s Streak has been intricately linked to WrestleMania, overshadowing all other aspects of the event’s storied history. Achieving an unparalleled 21-0 at “The Show of Shows,” this feat has entered the annals of history and holds significance comparable to any draw the event has ever witnessed.
After a remarkable series of unforgettable matches against Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista, and Edge, it seemed as though this undefeated streak would never come to an end—until “The Deadman” confronted Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX.
In a stunning display of power and prowess, Lesnar emerged as the most formidable athlete ever to grace a WWE ring. On that fateful night in 2014, he unleashed an unstoppable force, reportedly leaving Taker concussed amid the brutal exchanges of the match. Following three F-5s delivered by “The Beast,” the count to three on Taker was met with a profound silence from the packed audience in the Superdome in New Orleans. Undoubtedly, the outcome of this match wasn’t just a surprise but the most unexpected result in pro wrestling history, and for those fortunate enough to have been following the betting odds on sites like Gambling.com, and actually believe in the streak ending, a 66/1 underdog price on Lesnar was available, meaning that a $100 bet on Lesnar to defeat Taker would’ve returned $6,600.
2. The Heel & Babyface Switch Roles: Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold (WrestleMania 13)
In the realm of unforgettable moments at the pinnacle of sports entertainment, the Submission Match between Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin at WWF WrestleMania 13 stands out as a true game-changer.
This remarkable contest is celebrated as one of the finest encounters in the annals of WWE and professional wrestling overall. The altercation unfolded across the entire venue, culminating in an explosive climax that has been the subject of discussion for years to come.
After sustaining a cut, Austin found himself ensnared in Hart’s lethal Sharpshooter submission hold. In a gripping moment that will forever be etched in WWE lore, Stone Cold battled valiantly towards the ropes, his face a canvas of determination as blood streamed down, creating an unforgettable image for fans. Austin’s determination was evident as he fought until the very end, ultimately losing consciousness in the hold, which paved the way for Bret’s triumph.
Hart, refusing to settle for merely securing the victory, locked in the Sharpshooter once again, much to the chagrin of the crowd at Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. This pivotal moment, along with the relentless spirit displayed, resulted in a double turn that transformed the organization for the better. Austin emerged as the leading hero who propelled WWE into “The Attitude Era,” while the long-time hero Hart transformed into a villainous figure in this pivotal moment.
3. The American Nightmare Returns: Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania 38)
As WrestleMania 38 approached, speculation intensified regarding Cody Rhodes’ potential return to WWE following the conclusion of his three-year tenure with the organization he founded, All Elite Wrestling. Rumors were circulating, leading numerous fans to speculate that Cody’s return might occur either before or after the event.
Seth Rollins found himself without a match lined up just weeks before the highly anticipated event known as “The Show of Shows.” Subsequently, Vince McMahon set up a match for him against a mystery opponent, sparking speculation that it might indeed be “The American Nightmare.”
The moment the crowd in Dallas, Texas, caught the first notes of Cody’s theme song, “Wrestling has more than one royal family,” the eruption of cheers that ensued marked a pivotal shift in WWE history. Rhodes made his comeback to the promotion and delivered a standout performance against Rollins, ultimately securing the victory.
4. The Story Didn’t Finish: Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 39)
Roman Reigns’ reign as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion seems to stretch on endlessly, seemingly for the sake of prolonging it. Ultimately, he was beginning to exhaust his list of credible challengers, particularly those who could convincingly secure that monumental victory and take the title from him. Then, it appeared that Roman’s reign was on the verge of ending at WrestleMania 39, with Cody Rhodes, the Royal Rumble victor, poised to claim victory. The championship journey had reached its conclusion, and now it was time to secure the victory.
However, that was not the reality. It seems that with the prospect of a Roman Reigns versus Rock showdown looming, the decision was made for Cody to falter. Documentary footage clearly revealed that this was a spur-of-the-moment choice, as Cody and his wife Brandi wore expressions of disappointment, akin to those who had just learned that Cody would not be “ending the story” as anticipated. As he lay defeated in the ring, a rubber chicken was hurled his way, prompting laughter from the crowd. They extended the storyline with another year of Roman intermittently defending his title, and we nearly witnessed that match with The Rock. However, the fans voiced their discontent so strongly that WrestleMania 40 became the opportunity for Cody to finally pin Roman and claim the championship.
5. Seth Rollins Cashes In: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 31)
When considering the unforgettable instances that have left fans breathless; the Money In The Bank cash-in has delivered numerous jaw-dropping moments since its inception with the inaugural ladder match at WrestleMania 21 in 2005. Nevertheless, this idea had yet to witness the financial payoff at “The Showcase of the Immortals.” That was until Seth Rollins took center stage in the main event of WrestleMania 31.
Following an intense and hard-fought clash between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, the unmistakable sound of “The Architect” echoed through the arena, signaling his rapid entrance to the ring. The thunderous applause and overwhelming cheers that erupted created an atmosphere unparalleled in the history of Mania’s finales.
In a stunning turn of events, Rollins sealed the victory by delivering a decisive stomp to his former Shield partner Reigns, driving him into the mat and securing the pinfall to claim the title of WWE Champion. Dubbed “The Heist of the Century” by Michael Cole, this conclusion stands out as one of the most remarkable finishes in the history of a WWE major event.
6. Stone Cold Aligns with Vince: Stone Cold vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 17)
In a perfect reflection of the Attitude Era, the main event of WM17 showcased a clash between the two titans of the time, with The Rock putting the WWF Championship on the line against Stone Cold Steve Austin. This matchup featured two colossal personalities, making it arguably the most significant main event to date.
Interestingly, just prior to the entrances, the match was declared as “no disqualification.” The stage was set for the climax, as Vince McMahon made his way to the ring to support Austin. Austin unleashed a relentless assault on The Rock with a chair, pushing his opponent to the brink until he could no longer withstand the punishment. Austin, in the lead-up to the match, asserted that victory was essential and that he was prepared to go to any lengths to achieve it. The handshake between him and Vince might have elicited a more significant response had it occurred outside of Texas.
7. A Death-Defying Move: TLC 2 (WrestleMania 17)
We’re back at WrestleMania 17 because the shock and awe of this event delivered in more ways than one!
The Dudley Boys put their WWF Tag Team Championships on the line against The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian in the thrilling second installment of the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. The match was undeniably one of the most exhilarating and perilous encounters in WWE history.
In a thrilling moment during the “human demolish derby,” Jeff Hardy was left suspended above the ring, reaching for the titles that hung tantalizingly overhead. Meanwhile, Edge seized the opportunity, ascending a nearby ladder to execute a jaw-dropping spear on the airborne daredevil. This car crash moment has become a staple in highlight reels ever since, ensuring it remains etched in memory.
8. Triple H Betrays DX: X-Pac vs. Shane McMahon (WrestleMania 15)
1999 marked a pivotal moment in Triple H’s career. After more than a year at the helm of D-Generation X, Hunter Heart Helmsley sought to carve out his own path and selected “The Grandest Stage of Them All” for a pivotal moment in his career.
In a dramatic turn of events during the WWE European Championship match between X-Pac and Shane McMahon, Triple H made a surprise appearance, delivering a Pedigree to his DX comrade, ultimately costing him the title. Helmsley transitioned into the Corporation and subsequently adopted the persona of “The Game,” propelling himself into the spotlight of the main event scene.
9. The Unexpected Hart Brother Wins: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania 10)
Bret Hart and Lex Luger shared the spotlight as co-winners at the 1994 Royal Rumble, both hitting the arena floor simultaneously. At the time, the organization had not yet conceived the straightforward idea of a triple threat match, so they opted to transform WrestleMania X into a compact tournament format. Lex Luger was set to take on Yokozuna for the championship, with the victor earning a shot against Bret Hart in the main event. In an effort to level the playing field, Bret would go head-to-head with his irate younger brother Owen in the opening match. No matter the outcome, Bret would move forward.
Bret and Owen kicked off the event with an electrifying performance that set the tone for the night. Approximately twenty minutes into the match, Owen executed a stunning upset by reversing a victory roll into a pinfall. Bret etched his name in the annals of wrestling history by becoming the first competitor to lose the opening match at WrestleMania and then triumphantly capture the title in the main event of the same spectacular show. This unexpected twist set the stage for an intriguing follow-up, as Owen, nursing his resentment over Bret’s victory, positioned himself as the legitimate #1 contender.
10. Charlotte Flair’s Ends the Streak: Flair vs. Asuka (WrestleMania 34)
Asuka made her debut on the main roster with an incredible undefeated streak that set her apart from the competition. After her historic victory in the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble Match, “The Empress of Tomorrow” set her sights on claiming the SmackDown Women’s Championship from Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34.
This evening marked the conclusion of her impressive 914-day streak, as “The Queen” executed the Figure Eight, securing a submission victory to retain her title. The match was undeniably thrilling, yet it caught many fans off guard to witness the abrupt end of Asuka’s impressive streak.
Top 10 Most Unpredictable WrestleMania Matches of All Time
