WrestleMania has been the home to a wide variety of matches. One can look to the traditional one-on-one contests to see some greats, but it’s in the gimmick matches where WrestleMania has flourished. The gimmick matches are a great way to add variety to the WrestleMania card while drumming up excitement. The visual aspect of the match and the potential for some truly awe-inspiring spots make the gimmick match an essential part of WrestleMania. It breaks up the card nicely and has produced some of the greatest matches at WrestleMania.<\/p>\n
There is such a wide array of gimmick matches that have had their chance to shine at WrestleMania. Matches that have helped to establish stars and add to the rich history of the Showcase of the Immortals. These matches have produced iconic moments, legendary stars, and helped create the aura that has surrounded WrestleMania. Below, we will examine the best of these gimmick matches and their WrestleMania legacy.<\/p>\n
The Bad Guy and The Heartbreak Kid were engaged in a bitter feud over WWE\u2019s secondary strap. HBK was stripped of the championship in late 1993, and when he returned, he took issue with the man who won the Intercontinental Championship in his absence. Both claimed they were the real champion, and it was decided that a Ladder Match would determine the man who could say he was the real Intercontinental Champion.<\/p>\n
This was the Ladder Match that started it all. It was the first time that WrestleMania had witnessed the Ladder Match gimmick, with HBK and Ramon making sure to leave their mark. Their sense of creativity shown during this match was only matched by its violence. It was a sight that no one had seen before, and it was such a success that it spawned a generation of Ladder Matches. HBK and Ramon<\/a> walked so the world could run.<\/p>\n The hatred between Bret Hart and Steve Austin was incredible. Austin made it his mission to make his name off the back of Bret Hart, and thus the two engaged in classic battles all over the world. Their feud was a launching point for WWE\u2019s Attitude Era, and it was their 5-star Submission Match that started Steve Austin on his path to greatness.<\/p>\n This gimmick match has become the thing of legend, and with good cause. The technical expertise of both men remained, but with the stipulation that they could increase the intensity. The brawling spilled out into the ringside area, and the contest became a war. The realism with which they performed every move made this match one that will remain on the list of great WrestleMania matches in WWE history.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time WrestleMania 21 had rolled around, WWE had exhausted the ladder match stipulation. It had become a staple of programming, but it was getting to the point where there was no new ground to conquer. Then the light bulbs came on when a new twist was applied to a classic stipulation, and the Money in the Bank ladder man was born.<\/p>\n As with many things, the first is usually the best. The originality of Money in the Bank was one thing, but WWE needed its talent to stick the landing.<\/p>\n Thankfully, the talent involved put on a show for the Los Angeles crowd. They sold the importance of winning the briefcase with fantastic spots that hadn\u2019t been seen in ladder matches of past eras. Shelton Benjamin, working his butt off on every spot, was a particular highlight, showing off his tremendous athleticism. \u00a0The greatness achieved at WrestleMania 21 is a massive reason Money in the Bank remains an integral part of WWE programming today.<\/p>\n The WrestleMania trilogy between Triple H and The Undertaker is one of the best in WWE history. There aren\u2019t many wrestlers who could weave together WrestleMania matches spanning a decade, putting together contests that increase in intensity. All with the amazing finale that took place within the confines of Hell in a Cell.<\/p>\n The End of an Era match had all the Hell in a Cell trimmings the fans want, but included a very personal story that made it that much better. The violence was there, but it all had a purpose of Triple H doing everything he could to end The Undertaker’s fabled undefeated streak.<\/p>\n The bonus of Shawn Michaels being the guest referee added another layer to this already captivating story. This was the first time in years that the world believed that streak might end. The Superkick\/Pedigree combination was incredible, and the entire Miami crowd jumped out of their seats. It was only matched by The Undertaker’s<\/a> mind-bending kickout that had us all screaming.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These three teams made tag team wrestling cool again. After years of the tag ranks being treated as second-rate, this trio of teams put on classic matches all over the world, making us fall in love with tag wrestling. The highlight of all their work was when Edge & Christian, The Hardy and Dudley Boyz stole the show in Houston at WrestleMania 17.<\/p>\nBret Hart v Steve Austin (Submission Match; WrestleMania 13) <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Money in the Bank Ladder Match (WrestleMania 21) <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Triple H v The Undertaker (Hell in a Cell Match; WrestleMania 28) <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Edge & Christian v The Dudley Boyz v The Hardy Boyz (TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships; WrestleMania 17) <\/strong><\/h2>\n