Jey Uso wants special entrance at WrestleMania 41
WrestleMania means more than wrestling. It’s an event renowned around the world as being the ultimate showcase of the immortals. It’s the one time a year when even the most pessimistic of wrestling fans will tune in to see which “moment” will define that year’s biggest PPV. For most wrestlers, ‘Mania is considered the pinnacle — the Super Bowl of wrestling. Whether they’re opening the show and getting the crowd pumped up or competing in the main event for the title, everyone wants to get on the card and be a part of the magic.
While WrestleMania has been a fundamental part of the wrestling calendar since it debuted in 1985, there are some matches that have truly stood the test of time. They’re more than high spots or fan-favorite segments, as these bouts have changed the course of wrestling history in the process. From Brock Lesnar sending The Undertaker’s streak straight to hell to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin creating a whole new era of domination, here are the biggest wins that changed WrestleMania history.
The Ultimate Warrior running wild on Hulk Hogan
WrestleMania VI’s claimed attendance of over 67,000 people (via Cagematch) was legendary. The main event wasn’t bad, either, as it pitted the Intercontinental Champion, The Ultimate Warrior, against the WWF Champion, Hulk Hogan, in a winner-takes-all match. The Hulkster had been on top of the wrestling world for years at that point, being the face of the company and the industry as a whole. Creeping up behind him from parts unknown was the Warrior, whose high-energy entrance and Greek god-inspired physique had made him a major hit with the fans. The two gladiators duked it out in the squared circle colosseum for almost 25 minutes, as the Warrior crushed the might of Hulkamania and secured all the gold. This signaled the first time in the modern era when Hogan was pinned without any shenanigans — losing fair and square to his opponent.
Despite Hogan and Warrior not being fans of each other in real life, Warrior spoke fondly of the match, explaining how the natural chemistry resulted in a magic moment. Hogan, though, took a potshot at Warrior’s drawing power, telling Fighting Spirit Magazine: “You gave the belt to The Ultimate Warrior — I don’t want to drop a bunch of names — and right away the revenue went down.”
The rise of John Cena
From the moment John Cena debuted on WWE television, everyone could see there was something special about him. He carried himself like a main event superstar and instantly connected with the fans — both with his entertaining promos and Five Moves of Doom. Vince McMahon made him work for the big one, though, as the Doctor of Thuganomics spent three years building up a name for himself before he finally won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21.
While JBL wasn’t the biggest name Cena conquered on the grandest stage, it was a pivotal match since it symbolized the changing of the guard within the WWE. Cena’s victory occurred on the same night Batista picked up the win over Triple H to secure his first World Heavyweight Championship. From a historical perspective, WrestleMania 21 marked the rise of a legend, as it etched Cena’s name into the pantheon of champions. It was the first important chapter in a storied career bursting with jorts and caps, as well as a healthy attitude adjustment of hustle, loyalty, and respect.