WWE WrestleMania main events are typically the biggest match on the best show. It is the slot that every wrestler aspires to be in and works year-round to accomplish. The main event is reserved for only the biggest storylines and the best wrestlers. It promotes the show and is the driving force behind attendance numbers and buy rates.
The main event is assumed to be the best on the show, but this is not always the case. In some instances, the main event is overshadowed by the first match of the show. Sure, the first match has moved away from curtain-jerker territory, but it’s not supposed to be better than the main event. In some cases, the opener straight-up blows the main event out of the water. Below are some of those cases.
Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania X)
This match may be one of the best openers in WrestleMania history. Bret Hart and Owen Hart were engaged in a bitter feud from jealousy and family standing. Owen was ready to prove himself, and he did just that against Bret. The match was one of the best pure wrestling contests in WWE history. It was a wrestling contest that worked in some great brawling when the match called for it.
Bret and Owen was a five-star classic, which can’t be said for Bret’s second match of the night. Yokozuna and Bret put on a so-so match for the WWE Championship. It was okay to watch, but it contained a slow, plodding pace and a finish that got an eye roll from everyone in Madison Square Garden. It was a show that peaked when the curtains raised.
Shawn Michaels vs. Tito Santana (WrestleMania VIII)
HBK was a man on the rise. He had recently embarked on his first singles run, and ‘El Matador’ was his measuring stick at WrestleMania. Santana was the perfect veteran for HBK to have his first singles match against.
He was a proven star who could have a great match with just about anyone, and he proved it. He and Michaels put together a great contest that featured some great wrestling that worked its way to legitimizing HBK as a star.
HBK and Tito Santana were great openers, much better than the horrible main event. Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice was the worst main event in WrestleMania history. It was a match that had no business going on last and was overshadowed by every match on the card.
Seth Rollins vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor (WrestleMania 34)
In a night of underwhelming matches, we were blessed that the Intercontinental Championship match stole the show. Finn Balor, The Miz, and Seth Rollins built a solid feud going into the night and then delivered a fantastic triple-threat match. The action was frantic throughout the 15-minute run-time. It was a great way to start the night and was the best match of WrestleMania 34.
The opener was head and shoulders above better than what should have been the best match. Roman Reigns taking on Brock Lesnar was supposed to be the culmination of Reigns’ battle to regain the World Championship. Instead, it was a boring match that got no reaction and had a finish that confused everyone in attendance.
Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka (WrestleMania IX)
WrestleMania IX will not live fondly in fans’ memories. It was a boring night of wrestling without the WrestleMania atmosphere. Luckily, there was one bright star in the Intercontinental Championship match.
Tatanka and Shawn Michaels were incredibly entertaining during their bout. Shawn was great in his heel role, and Tatanka was never more popular. It was a great match that should have spawned a better feud.
If we are going by the true main event, the opener was far above the quality of Hulk Hogan and Yokozuna. Hogan had to have his moment in the sun and hijacked the main event for his ego. It put a stain on the serviceable Yokozuna and Bret Hart match that should have finished the night. It also made the Intercontinental opener a better match.
Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio (WrestleMania 27)
In hindsight, the match between Edge and Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship was bittersweet. On the one hand, it was a sad moment as we saw the last match of ‘The Rated-R; Superstar for nine long years.
On the other, this was a fantastic match that only a few expected to see. This match didn’t have a ton of hype around it, but it blew the doors off the night. It was a great swan song for Edge and one that nearly nabbed the best match of the night.
Their match was great, much better than the atrocious main event. The Miz and John Cena were not a good match. On Raw or SmackDown, it would have been passable, but this was the main event of WrestleMania. Everyone deserved better than this; they deserved Edge and Del Rio to close out the show.
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