Ranking the WrestleManias - The Middle 10 [Archive]

hb2k

03-09-2015, 08:43 AM

This week we are doing Part 2 in our series of podcasts debating the rankings for all 30 WrestleManias in order, from worst to first in blocks of ten, and would like to get some feedback to read on the shows.

I've written an article on what I feel are the middle 10 (if you're interested you can read it here: http://steelchair.co.uk/ranking-the-wrestlemanias-the-middle-10), and want to hear what agreements or disagreements people have with it, what they would rank higher or lower, and why.

For those who don't want to read the whole article, the middle 10 are:

#20 - WrestleMania 18 (2002)
#19 - WrestleMania 13 (1997)
#18 - WrestleMania 12 (1996)
#17 - WrestleMania 25 (2009)
#16 - WrestleMania 26 (2010)
#15 - WrestleMania 16 (2000)
#14 - WrestleMania 7 (1991)
#13 - WrestleMania 8 (1992)
#12 - WrestleMania 24 (2008)
#11 - WrestleMania 22 (2006)

We'll be debating the order on the shows and reading your responses and crediting you accordingly, so what do you think?

Big Vic

03-09-2015, 10:04 AM

Not only was this held in the Skydome, but it is memorable only for one match, that involved Hulk Hogan stealing the scene in defeat. But unlike Mania 6, the show kept going after Hogan’s match, which was regrettable, and the decision to put Triple H Vs. Chris Jericho on last was a bad call (interesting how both times babyface HHH has closed Mania, it sucked, huh?).

Hogan Vs. Rock was a very unique match, a magic experience, and it’s not really something that will ever be duplicated given the changes in the business since. I imagine that being there live for this was a surreal, amazing experience that the fans will remember forever. Watching at home, captivating as it was, I was extremely confused. Not only did this piss away the nWo angle (that was botched from the start) once and for all, but it marked the first time in WWF history that nostalgia overruled the here and now. And that’s not a good thing. The period of time between this show and King Of The Ring 2002 is nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. Hogan gets the belt based on this. Taker gets the belt in a horrific match against Hogan. The company name changes, the brand split is executed terribly and Steve Austin quits the company. What sucks about all this is that they had an incredible roster during this time, but it sat there, wasted, when it should have been the focus.
And that’s the story of the rest of this show. Kurt Angle, who at this point was probably the best worker in the company, was stuck with Kane. Steve Austin, who never really recovered from the heel turn, wrestled Scott Hall in a forgettable match. Edge and Booker T have a throwaway feud based on a shampoo commercial, and Rob Van Dam, who had main event potential based on his incredible popularity, was stuck in the opener against William Regal in a short match that cemented both in midcard purgatory.

The only other thing of value was a strong Undertaker/Ric Flair match, featuring the best run-in in WrestleMania history from Arn Anderson, who hits his finisher and blades, all before the match ends.
I for one think the Stone Cold/Hall match was very good. I still love the stunner Hall took in the match, I love that he decided to jump 15 feet in the air afterwards.

RVD vs Regal was a good opener got us pumped for the show; and DDP vs Christian was awesome as well. 90% of the people on the advertised card were former or future world champs This mania was better than much more of the manias moving forward.

The Condor

03-09-2015, 10:38 AM

#20 WM 7
#19 WM 18
#18 WM 25
#17 WM 5
#16 WM 22
#15 WM 26
#14 WM 6
#13 WM 13
#12 WM 24
#11 WM 30
#10 WM 8

hb2k

03-10-2015, 07:47 AM

Will be recording this later today, any more for any more?

loopydate

03-11-2015, 12:34 AM

Honestly, almost very Mania in the 20s runs together for me. I remember 20, mostly for the Benoit & Eddie wins and the Brock/Goldberg fiasco. I remember the Michaels/Taker matches from... 25 and 26? Clearly the shows made an impression. I was AT 27, so I remember it well, but the rest? Completely a blur. I'd given up on WWE by 30, and I don't see me watching another any time soon.

Just re-watched 12, 16, and 18. They're all solid shows, but I think middle of the road ranks are fair.

Seven was the first PPV I ever saw. So, it's got the nostalgia thing going for it. Savage/Warrior is maybe the greatest match... Ever? That might be too far. But it's incredible. One of the most perfect stories in wrestling history.

XL

03-11-2015, 11:59 AM

Too late, I know, but 22 seems really high at #11. Just looked at the card, was really, really middle of the road.

Show/Kane (funny how they're teaming again almost 10 years later, and it's just as bad) vs. Carlito/Masters, Boogeyman vs. Booker/Sharmell, Candice vs. Torrie Wilson, Taker vs. Henry in the last really poor Streak Match, Rey/Angle/Orton in a Triple Threat that was way, way too short, and came on the back of some really awkward booking in the build.

HBK/Vince, Edge/Foley, Mickie/Trish, MITB save the show but not to the point I'd consider it the 11th best of all time.

Big Vic

03-11-2015, 01:11 PM

So unless I missed it WM 23 will be ranked in the top 10 which includes an overrated HBK/Cena match, A forgettable Taker/Batista match, The MITB that ended Edges WM streak that Mr. Kennedy won.

The only thing I remember liking about that Mania was Bobby Lashley vs Umaga......

SlickyTrickyDamon

03-11-2015, 01:24 PM

There is only a winner in a multi-man Ladder Matches and Battle Royals. Edge's first mania loss was at WrestleMania against the Undertaker.

Big Vic

03-11-2015, 02:00 PM

There is only a winner in a multi-man Ladder Matches and Battle Royals. Edge's first mania loss was at WrestleMania against the Undertaker.
Roman Reigns was Rusev's first lost technically. By DQ and when he eliminated him in some Battle Royal. (Not the Royal Rumble)

XL

03-11-2015, 02:01 PM

Lol.

hb2k

03-15-2015, 08:48 AM

This week's podcast discussing the Middle 10 in my list Ranking The WrestleManias is now up at the following link:

http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/w7ueqx/SCGRadio32-RankingtheWrestleManias-TheMiddle10.mp3

This ended up being a really fun podcast, breaking down the different elements of all the shows in the Middle 10 and debating the order of the list itself, and with it being the middle group, there are many polarising views. Check it out and let me know what you think!