Posted in: Doctor's Orders
Doctor's Orders: Wrestlemania 28 Matches Ranked into the Complete Countdown
By The Doc
Apr 2, 2012 - 6:53:39 PM

Well, Wrestlemania season is officially over. I'm saddened by this fact, but it's time to move forward. Before we do, let's look back at the complete list version of the Countdown. In the midst, we'll look at the Mania 28 matches and review last night's PPV in the process. I'll get the skits and interviews out of the way, first.

Skits and Interviews from Mania 28 (**) (Pretty lousy night for the skits, thanks in large part to the Brodus Clay incident. That didn’t belong on a Mania card, in my opinion, but each Mania has something like that, be it backstage or on the ramp. I did like the Jericho and Punk segments backstage, but that was about it)

269. Terri vs. The Kat at Wrestlemania 2000
268. Torrie Wilson vs. Candice Michelle at Wrestlemania 22
267. Fabulous Moolah vs. Velvet McIntyre at Wrestlemania 2
266. Earthquake vs. Adam Bomb at Wrestlemania X
265. King Kong Bundy vs. S.D. Jones at Wrestlemania
264. Hillbilly Jim, Haiti Kid, & Little Beaver vs. King Kong Bundy, Little Tokyo , & Lord Littlebrook at Wrestlemania III
263. Terry Taylor vs. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan at Wrestlemania V
262. Bart Gunn vs. Butterbean in the Brawl-For-All Finals at Wrestlemania XV
261. Boogeyman vs. Sharmell and Booker T at Wrestlemania 22
260. Hulk Hogan vs. Yokozuna at Wrestlemania IX
259. The Hart Foundation vs. The Bolsheviks at Wrestlemania VI
258. Miss Wrestlemania Battle Royal at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania
257. Ashley vs. Melina at Wrestlemania 23
256. Michael Cole vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler at Wrestlemania XXVII
255. Kane vs. Chavo Guerrero at Wrestlemania XXIV
254. Ultimate Warrior vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley at Wrestlemania XII
253. Akebono vs. Big Show at Wrestlemania 21
252. Sable vs. Tori at Wrestlemania XV
251. The Bushwhackers vs. The Fabulous Rougeaus at Wrestlemania V
250. Bad News Brown vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan at Wrestlemania V
249. Goldust vs. Maven at Wrestlemania X-8

Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus at Wrestlemania XXVIII - Well, I must admit that I was disappointed by how this turned out. I thought both deserved to showcase their skills. It was memorable, though. Bryan lost the title in 18 seconds so, in essence, he lost it in a similar fashion to how he won it. Sheamus is going to have to really work hard to make this run work for him. Winning the title in that short a time span will have its advantages and disadvantages. Whether or not the positives outweigh the negatives will be up to Sheamus and how he handles himself in the coming weeks and months. I was damn disappointed and vocal with the crowd that I watched with about Sheamus and Bryan getting shafted. The two of them professionally deserved a better chance, but I’d honestly rather them have done it like they did then only give them 5-8 minutes. (1/2 *)

248. The Mountie vs. Tito Santana at Wrestlemania VII
247. Test and Albert (T&A) vs. Head Cheese (Steve Blackman and Al Snow) at Wrestlemania 2000
246. Big Show, Kane, Santino, and Kofi Kingston vs. The Corre at Wrestlemania XXVII
245. Hardcore Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 2000
244. Texas Tornado vs. Dino Bravo at Wrestlemania VII
243. Kitao and Tenryu vs. Demolition at Wrestlemania VII
242. Chyna vs. Ivory at Wrestlemania X-Seven
241. Razor Ramon vs. Bob Backlund
240. Sable and Torrie Wilson vs. Stacy Keibler and Jackie Gayda at Wrestlemania XX
239. Adrian Adonis vs. Uncle Elmer at Wrestlemania 2
238. Earthquake vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine at Wrestlemania VII
237. Kane vs. The Great Khali at Wrestlemania 23
236. Corporal Kirchner vs. Nikolai Volkoff at Wrestlemania 2
235. Dino Bravo vs. Ronnie Garvin at Wrestlemania V
234. Giant Gonzalez vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania IX
233. Big Bossman vs. Akeem at Wrestlemania VI
232. Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania XXVI
231. Ultimate Warrior vs. Hercules at Wrestlemania IV
230. Yokozuna vs. Lex Luger at Wrestlemania X
229. Lex Luger and British Bulldog vs. Jacob and Eli Blue at Wrestlemania XI
228. Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon vs. Doink and Dink the Clowns at Wrestlemania X
227. Owen Hart vs. Skinner at Wrestlemania VIII
226. Legion of Doom vs. Power and Glory at Wrestlemania VII
225. Doug Furnas/Phil Lafon vs. The Headbangers vs. The New Blackjacks vs. The Godwinns at Wrestlemania 13
224. Tito Santana vs. The Executioner at Wrestlemania
223. Bam Bam Bigelow vs. One Man Gang at Wrestlemania IV
222. Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Dino Bravo at Wrestlemania VI
221. Butch Reed vs. Koko B. Ware at Wrestlemania III
220. King Kong Bundy vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XI
219. Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Layla, Maryse, and Alicia Fox beat Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Eve, & Gail Kim
218. The APA and Tazz vs. The Right to Censor at Wrestlemania X-Seven
217. Jake Roberts vs. George Wells at Wrestlemania 2
216. Rick Martel vs. Koko B. Ware at Wrestlemania VI
215. John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool, and Layla at Wrestlemania XXVII
214. Undertaker vs. Superfly Jimmy Snuka at Wrestlemania VII
213. Rocky Maivia vs. The Sultan at Wrestlemania 13
212. Randy Savage vs. One Man Gang at Wrestlemania IV
211. Junkyard Dog vs. Greg Valentine at Wrestlemania
210. Dino Bravo vs. Don Muraco at Wrestlemania IV
209. Alundra Blayze vs. Leilani Kai at Wrestlemania X
208. Don Muraco vs. Paul Orndorff at Wrestlemania 2
207. Tito Santana vs. The Barbarian at Wrestlemania VI
206. Hercules vs. Earthquake at Wrestlemania VI
205. Doink the Clown vs. Crush at Wrestlemania IX
205. Tatanka vs. Rick Martel at Wrestlemania VIII (the missing match from the Countdown)
204. Hardcore Holly vs. Billy Gunn vs. Al Snow at Wrestlemania XV
203. Virgil vs. The Million Dollar Man at Wrestlemania VII
202. Harley Race vs. Junkyard Dog at Wrestlemania III
201. Show Miz vs. John Morrison and R-Truth at Wrestlemania XXVI
200. Umaga vs. Batista at Wrestlemania XXIV
199. Maria and Ashley vs. Beth Phoenix and Melina at Wrestlemania XXIV
198. Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania 2
197. Sid Justice vs. Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VIII
196. Undertaker vs. Big Bossman at Wrestlemania XV
195. Trish Stratus vs. Christy Hemme at Wrestlemania 21
194. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Rey Mysterio at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania
193. The Islanders and Bobby Heenan vs. The British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware at Wrestlemania IV
192. Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett vs. D-Lo Brown and Test at Wrestlemania XV
191. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Honky Tonk Man at Wrestlemania IV

Kelly Kelly and Maria Menunous vs. Beth Phoenix and Eve at Wrestlemania XXVIII - It took a second viewing to realize that Maria didn’t actually crap her pants and instead had Eve’s make-up on her pants from rubbing her fanny in the Hoe-ski’s face. The ladies actually did a nice job. Interesting that they had Maria play the face-in-peril and smart of the heels to focus on the rumored broken ribs of their celebrity opponent. I thought the girls did well to show that they’re capable of more and I don’t get the hate for Kelly anymore. She proved last year in her matches with Beth that she’s quite capable if in there with a good worker. It ain’t always pretty, but it’s now more than competent. The Molly Go Round spot was awesome! (*1/2)

190. The Gimmick Battle Royal at Wrestlemania X-Seven
189. Bad News Brown vs. Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania VI
188. Goldust vs. Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania XII
187. Randy Savage vs. George “The Animal” Steele
186. Molly Holly vs. Victoria at Wrestlemania XX
185. Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter, Virgil, and Big Bossman vs. The Nasty Boys, The Mountie, and Repo Man at Wrestlemania VIII
184. Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff vs. The Killer Bees at Wrestlemania III
183. Big John Studd vs. Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania
182. The Natural Disasters vs. Money, Inc. at Wrestlemania VIII
181. Randy Savage vs. Butch Reed at Wrestlemania IV
180. The Rock vs. Ken Shamrock at Wrestlemania XIV
179. John Cena vs. JBL at Wrestlemania 21
178. Rikishi and Kane vs. X-Pac and Road Dogg at Wrestlemania 2000
177. Ted Dibiase vs. Brutus Beefcake at Wrestlemania V
176. Tag Team Battle Royal at Wrestlemania XIV
175. The ECW Originals vs. The New Breed at Wrestlemania 23
174. Mankind vs. Big Show at Wrestlemania XV
173 AND 172. Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty vs. The World’s Greatest Tag Team vs. The Basham Brothers vs. The APA at Wrestlemania XX AND #172 – RVD and Booker T vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Mark Jindrak and Garrison Cade vs. La Resistance at Wrestlemania XX
171. David Sammartino vs. Brutus Beefcake at Wrestlemania
170. Trish Stratus vs. Jazz vs. Lita at Wrestlemania X-8
169. The Dream Team vs. The Fabulous Rougeaus at Wrestlemania III
168. King Haku vs. Hercules at Wrestlemania V
167. “Ravishing” Rick Rude vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka at Wrestlemania VI
166. Big Bossman and Bull Buchanan vs. D’Lo Brown and Godfather at Wrestlemania 2000
165. Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania V

Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show at Wrestlemania XXVIII - I think that some expected what happened with Bryan and Sheamus to happen to Rhodes and Show – a quick knockout followed by the pin. I thought it was a good sign for Rhodes that he got the chance to be competitive against Show. He did a nice job of making himself look like a threat, but it was time for Show to finally get his Mania moment. Show has the chance to have another big match at Mania one day, but not if he continued putting everyone over when the most eyes were on him. Rhodes will have his day and hopefully the main-event is not far away for him. Losing to a guy 2.5 times your size is a decent way to end your title reign without losing much momentum. (**)

164. Undertaker vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts at Wrestlemania VIII
163. Hart Foundation vs. Rhythm and Blues at Wrestlemania V
162. The Rockers vs. The Orient Express at Wrestlemania VI
161. Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne at Wrestlemania
160. The Brainbusters vs. Strike Force at Wrestlemania V
159. Mr. Perfect vs. Brutus Beefcake at Wrestlemania VI
158. Jake Roberts vs. Honky Tonk Man Wrestlemania III
157. Trish Stratus vs. Jazz vs. Victoria at Wrestlemania XIX
156. The Radicalz vs. Chyna and Too Cool at Wrestlemania 2000
155. Billy Jack Haynes vs. Hercules at Wrestlemania III
154. Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg at Wrestlemania XX
153. Taka Michinoku vs. Aguila at Wrestlemania XIV
152. Undertaker vs. A-Train and Big Show at Wrestlemania XIX
151. The Can-Am Connection vs. “Cowboy” Bob Orton and Don Muraco
150. Big Show and Kane vs. Carlito and Chris Masters at Wrestlemania 22
149. The Rockers vs. The Twin Towers at Wrestlemania V
148. Ted Dibiase vs. Don Muraco at Wrestlemania IV
147. Demolition vs. The Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji at Wrestlemania V
146. Kane vs. Raven vs. Big Show at Wrestlemania X-Seven
145. Mr. Perfect vs. The Blue Blazer at Wrestlemania V
144. Colossal Connection vs. Demolition at Wrestlemania VI
143. The Cruiserweight Open at Wrestlemania XX
142. Owen Hart and Yokozuna vs. The Smokin’ Gunns at Wrestlemania XI
141. Kane vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XX
140. Mr. Perfect vs. Lex Luger at Wrestlemania IX
139. Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund Wrestlemania XI
138. Men on a Mission vs. The Quebecers at Wrestlemania X
137. Road Dogg vs. Val Venis vs. Goldust vs. Ken Shamrock at Wrestlemania XV
136. Undertaker vs. Mark Henry at Wrestlemania 22
135. Wendi Richter vs. Leilani Kai at Wrestlemania
134. Owen Hart and British Bulldog vs. Mankind and Vader at Wrestlemania 13
133. The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers at Wrestlemania IX
132. Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik vs. The U.S. Express at Wrestlemania
131. The Hardys vs. The Dudleys vs. The APA vs. Billy and Chuck at Wrestlemania X-8
130. Jake Roberts vs. Rick Martel in a Blindfold Match at Wrestlemania VII
129. Ricky Steamboat vs. Hercules at Wrestlemania 2
128. Edge vs. Booker T at Wrestlemania X-8
127. Demolition vs. Strike Force at Wrestlemania IV
126. NFL vs. WWE Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 2
125. Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Jimmy Snuka
124. Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted Dibiase at Wrestlemania XXVI
123. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania IV
122. Nation of Domination vs. Legion of Doom and Ahmed Johnson at Wrestlemania 13
121. The Funks vs. Tito Santana and Junkyard Dog at Wrestlemania 2
120. Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna at Wrestlemania X
119. 20-Man Battle Royal at Wrestlemania IV
118. Chris Jericho vs. William Regal at Wrestlemania X-Seven
117. Mega-Maniacs vs. Money, Inc. at Wrestlemania IX
116. Eddie Guerrero vs. Test at Wrestlemania X-Seven
115. Jake Roberts, Yokozuna, and Ahmed Johnson vs. Owen Hart, Vader, and British Bulldog at Wrestlemania XII
114. Steve Austin vs. Savio Vega at Wrestlemania XII
113. Undertaker vs. Psycho Sid at Wrestlemania 13
112. Randy Savage and Sherri vs. Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire at Wrestlemania VI
111. Randy Savage vs. Greg Valentine at Wrestlemania IV
110. Big Show vs. John Cena at Wrestlemania XX
109. Danny Davis and The Hart Foundation vs. Tito Santana and The British Bulldogs at Wrestlemania III
108. Marc Mero and Sable vs. Goldust and Luna at Wrestlemania XIV

Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy at Wrestlemania XXVIII - While you’re never going to have something quite as effective at getting a bunch of guys in an important match at Mania as MITB, that gimmick at the big event ran its course and this was the first example of a fitting replacement for it. I thought they did a good job this year of giving the mid-card guys something to do that was, in context of the overall direction of the shows, high profile. Several young guys got the chance to showcase their skills, namely Miz, Ziggler, and Ryder – the three that I thought that stood out the most. The right team won and the right guy got the win, with Ziggler looking really good throughout, and Ryder coming away looking like someone that was important despite taking the pin. This served its purpose well and I hope the WWE can come up with a creative way to continue featuring a mix of their young and veteran talent like this in future years. (**1/2)

107. The Hart Foundation vs. The Nasty Boys at Wrestlemania VII
106. Team Angle vs. Los Guerreros vs. Chris Benoit and Rhyno at Wrestlemania XIX
105. Big Bossman vs. Mr. Perfect at Wrestlemania VII
104. Randy Savage vs. Crush at Wrestlemania X
103. Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy at Wrestlemania 2
102. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Finlay
101. Ted Dibiase vs. Jim Duggan at Wrestlemania IV
100. The British Bulldog vs. The Warlord at Wrestlemania VII
99. Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Hardy Version 1.0 at Wrestlemania XIX
98. Christian vs. Diamond Dallas Page at Wrestlemania X-8
97. Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk at Wrestlemania XXVI
96. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Goldust at Wrestlemania 13
95. Greg Valentine vs. Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania IV
94. Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Lawrence Taylor at Wrestlemania XI
93. Triple H vs. Kane at Wrestlemania XV
92. Rick Rude vs. Jake Roberts at Wrestlemania IV
91. Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett at Wrestlemania XI
90. The New Age Outlaws vs. Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie at Wrestlemania XIV
89. Shawn Michaels vs. Tito Santana at Wrestlemania VIII
88. Ravishing Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania V
87. Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna at Wrestlemania IX
86. Scott Hall vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania X-8
85. Chris Benoit vs. John Bradshaw Layfield at Wrestlemania 22
84. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 2000
83. Rob Van Dam vs. William Regal at Wrestlemania X-8
82. Triple H vs. Owen Hart at Wrestlemania XIV
81. Kane vs. Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania X-8
80. The Battle of the Billionaires at Wrestlemania 23

Randy Orton vs. Kane at Wrestlemania XXVIII - Right when it became apparent that this match would take place, I stated that I thought it could be the type of match that Angle vs. Kane had been ten years ago (when Angle was the odd top man out). I think I ended up being right on the money with that prediction. This was every bit as good as its predecessor from Mania X-8, only the finish was much better executed, thus bumping it up a notch. I thought Orton and Kane worked well together much like they did the night that this feud began last summer. The counters were well done and the near falls were nicely placed. I thought it was over when Kane countered the Punt into the chokeslam. The finish off the second rope gave us a surprise victor, in my eyes. Good match. (***)

79. Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff at Wrestlemania
78. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 21
77. Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus at Wrestlemania 22
76. Randy Savage vs. Ted Dibiase at Wrestlemania IV
75. Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania XXVII
74. Adorable Adrian Adonis vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania III
73. Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter at Wrestlemania VII
72. Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka at Wrestlemania IX
71. Chris Benoit vs. MVP at Wrestlemania 23
70. The Rockers vs. The Barbarian and Haku at Wrestlemania VII
69. X-Pac vs. Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania XV
68. Batista vs. Triple H at Wrestlemania 21
67. Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania XXIV
66. The Miz vs. John Cena at Wrestlemania XXVII
65. Undertaker vs. Diesel at Wrestlemania XII
64. Vince McMahon vs. Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania X-Seven
63. The Dream Team vs. The British Bulldogs at Wrestlemania 2
62. Money in the Bank 2 at Wrestlemania 22
61. Triple H vs. Sheamus at Wrestlemania XXVI
60. Money in the Bank VI at Wrestlemania XXVI
59. Randy Orton vs. Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 22
58. Triple H vs. Booker T at Wrestlemania XIX
57. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania
56. Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania XIX
55. Alberto Del Rio vs. Edge at Wrestlemania XXVII
54. Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. The Million Dollar Man at Wrestlemania VI
53. Randy Orton vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania 21
52. The Rock and Sock Connection vs. Evolution at Wrestlemania XX
51. Money in the Bank 5 at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania
50. Shawn Michaels vs. Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania 22
49. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania X-Seven
48. The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Mick Foley vs. Big Show at Wrestlemania 2000
47. Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel at Wrestlemania XI
46. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock at Wrestlemania XV
45. Kane vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XIV
44. John Cena vs. Edge vs. Big Show at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania
43. Ric Flair vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania X-8
42. Triple H vs. Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania X-8
41. Chris Jericho vs. Christian at Wrestlemania XX
40. Edge vs. Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania XXVI
39. Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage at Wrestlemania V
38. CM Punk vs. Randy Orton at Wrestlemania XXVII
37. Shawn Michaels vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania XIV
36. John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Triple H at Wrestlemania XXIV
35. Money in the Bank 3 at Wrestlemania 23
34. Triple H vs. Randy Orton at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania
33. Money in the Bank IV at Wrestlemania XXIV
32. Triple H vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania X-Seven
31. John Cena vs. Batista at Wrestlemania XXVI
30. Bret Hart vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania VIII
29. Edge vs. Mick Foley at Wrestlemania 22
28. Andre the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania III
27. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania XIX
26. The Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Wrestlemania 21
25. Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania VI
24. Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania XX
23. Batista vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania 23
22. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 23
21. Triple H vs. John Cena at Wrestlemania 22
20. Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXIV
19. Edge and Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz at Wrestlemania-Seven

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania XXVIII - Man, was I ever thrilled at how their match placement worked out and how much time that they were given and how important that the WWE made their match look on my TV. From where I sat, they made this match seem very important. This was the showcase that Punk needed and I thought he and Jericho had an awesome exhibition. The counters that they so seamlessly performed were such a change of pace from what we’d seen earlier in the night. One thing that I like about Punk is that, with rare exception, he does a nice job of making his finishers matter, in that very few have actually kicked out of them or escaped them since he became a top guy. Every time that Jericho countered the GTS, I was thinking that it was a moment near victory for Punk. Some of those exchanges were just fantastic, by the way. The standing switch sequences were a thing of beauty. I think it may take a little bit of time for it to sink in for everyone just how very good that match really was and I wonder just how high some might end up placing it on their lists. I see it as a match that the years will be kind to. (****1/4)

18. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart at Wrestlemania XII
17. Edge vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXIV
16. Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania XIX
15. Ric Flair vs. Macho Man Randy Savage at Wrestlemania VIII
14. Triple H vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XX
13. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVI
12. Triple H vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVII
11. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania XIX
10. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge and Christian at Wrestlemania 2000
9. Macho Man Randy Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat at Wrestlemania III
8. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon at Wrestlemania X
7. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart at Wrestlemania X
6. The Ultimate Warrior vs. Macho King Randy Savage at Wrestlemania VII

The Rock vs. John Cena at Wrestlemania XXVIII - So much hype went into this match. Whether you loved that build or didn’t, the fact of the matter was that there was a lot of hype and the two had to live up to it. I, personally, thought that the match was excellent. It was everything that I could’ve hoped it would be. The crowd was going crazy and it will take subsequent viewings to make out what they were chanting throughout; there was so much energy in that place. Cena worked one of the great matches of his career considering that Rock had not wrestled a singles match in nine years. They did a good job of trading the momentum. To be honest, the roller coaster ride that I envisioned ended with Cena winning the match. I never do predict things all that well at this time of year. The near fall with Cena rolling through the cross body into the AA was tremendous. I thought that was it. I foresaw that finish as soon as Rock was propped up there on the top rope and when he kicked out, I nearly came out of my chair. Rock winning was an interesting twist and it’ll be interesting to see what happens from here, but damn if he didn’t put on a helluva performance. I commend both of them. (****1/2)

Triple H vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVIII - I went into this match expecting that the Deadman had another few matches left in his tank, but left it thinking that it might be truly over (maybe for Trips, too). That whole closing shot of the three of those guys standing at the top of the ramp, arms around each other, is an enduring moment. It was an epic rematch and a true classic that I cannot wait to one day watch back-to-back-to-back-to-back starting with the Mania 25 HBK-Taker match. Michaels, to his credit, did an awesome job as the referee and added a ton of drama to an already dramatic situation. It was another war, though, between Trips and Taker that played so well off their match from last year. They put their bodies on the line, man. Did you see that welt on Taker’s back around his left shoulder blade area? Wow. Brutal. I hope that people understand how great a story was told in that match and can put aside whatever bias they may hold against any of the guys involved. That was an amazing performance by three of the best of all-time. I called the false finish of the match that saw HBK superkick Taker and the subsequent near fall that drew “This is awesome” chants. My being able to recognize that well in advance sadly hindered its overall effectiveness as a potential match ending sequence (still awesome, though). It was a nice touch to add JR to commentary, but again I must say that it felt like the era ended when the match was done and they all began to hug each other. A great moment for Wrestlemania…(****3/4)

5. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock at Wrestlemania X-Seven
4. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 21
2. The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania X-8
1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania


Wrestlemania XXVIII’s Final Score = ***

Doc’s Note – Well, I thought Wrestlemania 28 was great, by and large, thanks to the top three matches. Those three bouts all delivered in a big way, each offering something a little bit different. Jericho-Punk was not epic, but it was a great match. I thought it was good enough to be in the conversation with a lot of those bouts in the four-star or slightly above range. Time may be kind to it, but we’ll see. I had a hard time deciding on a match of the night between the two big matches. Taker-HHH was an amazing story told, but so was Rock-Cena. Here’s how it ultimately plays out for me: Taker-HHH was a damn near five-star match and it might end up earning that with future viewings. I really cannot imagine how that story could have been told any better. It has a chance for upward mobility, but it will have a hard time getting past Rock vs. Austin II, in my eyes. I thought Rock vs. Cena was very close to as good in a very different way. Given where I place Trips-Taker III, I had to look at whether or not I thought Rock-Cena was better, in overall presentation, than the other matches I had in the top 10. My answer, when I asked myself honestly, was “Yes it was."

In looking at Mania 28, overall, my impression is that it was, indeed, one of the great Wrestlemanias of all-time. I think it would be in the conversation for best, period, simply because of the top three matches. Jericho-Punk is a top 20 (top 25 at least). That was the third best match and the best pure wrestling match of the night. Rock vs. Cena was everything that I thought it could be, telling a great story and combining a fantastic atmosphere with two of the all-time best entertainers putting on classic performances. I think it's top 10 and can make its case, over time, for the top 5. Trips vs. Taker didn't steal the show. I just don't think anyone stole the show. Rather, I think Trips and Taker simply had the best match by a hair and will make its own strong case for the top 5.

This was a big night for a few guys, in particular. It was huge for CM Punk, who delivered big on the grand stage and came out smelling like roses. Jericho added another top 20-25 match to his resume at Mania. It was a big night for Triple H's legacy. Taker added a sixth consecutive 4-5 star match, but Triple H had one of the best nights of his life, despite the loss. His place in the discussion of all-time greats should be settled, now. HBK even slightly added something to his amazing career. Rock beating Cena was significant. In an art form where winning doesn't always matter as much as it should, Rock added a win that will stamp his career. Nobody will ever be able to say that they beat Austin, Hogan, and Cena, but The Rock. And as for John Cena? That was the single best performance of his career. He carried that match and he took the fall like a professional.