The supposed “Granddaddy of ’em All,” WrestleMania, is right around the corner. And the unfortunate trend of WWE booking matches that nobody cares about is continuing, as evidenced by Big Show being included in the World Heavyweight Championship Match. Come on, who really cares about that blob?
In celebration of what will assuredly be a horrible World Heavyweight Championship Match, we have compiled the 10 worst matches in WrestleMania history. No, the Playboy Evening Gown Match will not be on the list. Instead, we’re talking about matches that WWE actually intended on being good. Let’s face it, everybody knew the Evening Gown Match was gonna be a stinker.
10. Triple H vs. Chris Jericho, WrestleMania X8
You’ll be hard pressed to find bigger Jericho fans than us. But we even understand his limitations. There should never be a scenario where Y2J is the final match on a WrestleMania card. That type of privilege should be reserved for the likes of Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage or even John Cena. Not Chris Jericho. To make matters worse, WWE removed any heat Jericho may have had by having him drop to title to Triple H. Not a good idea. Hunter is on his way to becoming a 67-time World Champion; did he really need to ruin Jericho’s career by winning at WrestleMania? Watch
9. Triple H vs. John Cena vs. Randy Orton, WrestleMania XXIV
What ever happened to actually building up to a WrestleMania main event? Not only was the promotion for this match extremely lackluster, but so was the match itself, lowlighted by the out-of-nowhere win by Randy Orton.
8. Alundra Blayze vs. Leilani Kai, WrestleMania X
We understand that Leilani Kai was a part of the first-ever WrestleMania Women’s Championship Match, and that on the 10th anniversary of the event they were feeling a little nostalgic. But there is no reason to roll out an out-of-shape, elderly woman and try to pass her off as a legitimate threat to Alundra Blayze’s Women’s Championship. We would’ve been better off watching grass grow. Watch
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Vicious / Justice, WrestleMania VIII
This main event was the biggest ball-drop in WWE history. After nearly a decade of Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan claiming dominance in separate promotions, the stars were finally aligned for the two Superstars to square off on the grandest stage of them all. Undoubtedly, this would’ve been the biggest match in wrestling history. But instead, WWE chose to close the show with an exhibition between Hogan and Sid. Unfortunately for wrestling fans, the match was equally hideous. Not only was the finish screwed up, due to poor timing on Papa Shango’s part, but it ended in a lousy DQ. On top of all that, there are rumors that Sid went No. 2 in his tights during the match. For real. Watch
6. Tito Santana vs. The Executioner, WrestleMania I
What a way to kick off the biggest event in wrestling history – some masked jobber vs. Tito Santana. The truth is, the masked jobber was actually “Playboy” Buddy Rose, who was somewhat popular at the time. WWE would’ve been better off letting him compete as himself. But apparently, WWE didn’t want the loss on Rose’s record, so they put a mask over his head and sent him out there.
5. Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show
This boxer vs. wrestler match didn’t quite have the cache of Muhammad Ali vs. Gorilla Monsoon. Watch
4. The Great Khali vs. Kane
It’s truly unbelievable that these guys are former World Champions. We could see Kane, maybe. But Khali? Seriously, when was the last time these guys actually performed a wrestling move other than a kick or punch? We guess WWE was just giving all its fans a chance to get some popcorn or use the head. This one was pure garbage. Punch, kick, punch, chop, kick, punch.
3. Test & Albert vs. Steve Blackman & Al Snow, WrestleMania 2000
These four guys are so bad that they really shouldn’t even be on the list. They probably fall under the aforementioned Playboy Evening Gown Match Rule. But this is just one of many examples of how poorly WrestleMania has been booked at times. None of these guys really deserved a WrestleMania match, let alone a match that included all four of them at once. Negative 5 stars.
2. Akebono vs. Big Show
Nothing worse than watching Big Show in a diaper. Who thought this was a good idea? Watch
1. John Cena vs. JBL, WrestleMania 21
Over the course of WrestleMania history, there have been many classic WWE Championship Matches … Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels, The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin. Then there’s John Cena vs. JBL. This match looked more like it deserved to be on Velocity late some Saturday night. After 10 minutes of boredom, the Dr. of Thuganomics hit his lame finisher and the Cena era officially began … unfortunately. Watch
The Max 
Sorry – for the life of me- I just don’t get wrestling!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Where is Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar? WM XX? Madison Square Garden? “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was the special referee in this pathetic match and actually saved it by giving both wrestlers a “Stunner.”
WWE has faded guys … old ECW was where it’s at. The ECW before Vince bought it. Give Ring of Honor a try. Look up videos of Low Ki or Samoa Joe.
Rosh Koch – http://roshkoch.mlblogs.com
Yeah I’m sorry..the author of this clearly did not do his homework. Lesnar vs. Goldberg should top this list, easily.
Now I’m not a Cena fan either, but the JBL vs. Cena does not belong here. John Cena is a lot of things, but one thing you can’t call him is a lack-luster superstar. When he comes out, he does his best to put on a top quality match, especially at Wrestlemania.
“There should never be a scenario where Y2J is the final match on a WrestleMania card.” -Is this a joke? Chris Jericho is one of the greatest pure wrestlers in the business today. He is up there with Shelton Benjamin and the late Chris Benoit. His skills on the mic alone merit him a main event spot. To say that Chris Jericho should never close a show is absolutely absurd, especially with the lack of actual wrestling ability from 95% of the current roster.
I think this article is incredibly off base, its clear that the writer has issues with the WWE and took issue with their top stars as a result. 2 Cena matches? 2 Hunter matches? 2 Show matches (and a cheap shot)?
I suggest reviewing ALL the wrestleManias before making a list like this, specifically go back and rewatch Mania 2, Mania 9, & Mania 13.
Wheres Lesnar vs Goldberg, Taker vs Gonzales, Mero/Sable vs Luna/Goldust, Taker vs Bundy, Rocky vs Sultan, Road Dogg vs Val vs Goldust vs Shamrock, Eddie vs Test, Doink vs Crush, Razor vs Backlund, Luger & Bulldog vs Jacob & Eli Blu, and pretty much the whole meanless card of Mania 2.
As for this years WM I think the World Heavyweight Title match is gonna be lame since Cena weaseled his way into the match, and everyone knows Cena can’t wrestle especially having 2 moves. Now the match for the WWE Championship will save WM 25 they’re building the match up nicely, now as long as the writers don’t do something stupid it will be good. I mean the last time I remember seeing a storyline this good was during the Attitude Era. Oh yea the WM 20 match between Goldberg/Lesnar I personally I got bored waiting to see who was gonna make the 1st move. Pretty much that match was 2 moves a spear followed by the jackhammer, and thank you Stone Cold for saving the match.
i am a cena fan, he may have a few moves and he can pull of more moves but for some reason the writers dont do it. but for him to have the worst match is simply ridiucuilous(can’t spell the word). i don’t know if it should be in the top ten till i see it again but i doubt it very much.
goldberg vs lesner was the worst match ever in wrestlemaina history. what was it -20 mins of boredom. easily number 1.
big shows fights for the sujmo wrestling was funny from looking at the pics but what was it doing as event on wrestlemania? also the show vs mayweather was another waste of a match.
jerciho is a class wrestler and yeah losing the title to tripple h lost his momentum but that is tripple h, it is all about him.
top twop worst mathces –
1- goldberg vs lesner
2 – show vs mayweather.
for sure their have been far worse matches.
what about chavo guerrero and kane, the red rooster and bobby heenan?
triple h and jericho was a good match.
triple h, orton, and cena was alright
alundra blaze and leilani kai, i’ve never seen it
floyd mayweather and big show absolutely sucked
khali and kane kinda sucked
test, albert, blackman, and al snow was alright
akebono and show sucked
john cena and jbl was good.
i wanted cena to become champ in 2004 and 2005. but he has been too greedy for the last 3 years.