By Shawn Valentino, Torch specialist

Twenty-five years of WrestleMania have brought us countless memories. From the great stars to the great moments, WrestleMania is an event steeped in tradition and has become an annual celebration of the sport itself. Although the original incarnation of the event was based on spectacle and celebrity, over the years, it has evolved to where the great matches have become the centerpiece. Although WrestleMania still has plenty of glitz and glamour, the spectacular athletic ability of the performers and the stories they create in the ring on the Grand Stage are now the featured attraction.

This reaction to this year's sensational Shawn Michaels versus Undertaker confrontation highlight the fact that wrestling fans thirst for drama in the squared circle between combatants who seek the thrill of victory and fear the agony of defeat.

This week, we look back on 25 years of WrestleMania classics that define the history of the event, as well as, in many ways, the industry itself. I have chosen 25 essential WrestleMania matches based on the characteristics I feel make a match memorable. Of course, there is the quality of the action itself, but that is not the only factor. We must also look at the importance of the match in its historical context. Furthermore, one must consider various miscellaneous factors such as the crowd, the buildup, the atmosphere, and the emotions the contest generated.

This weekend, I went into my collection and watched all of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history, which was an amazing experience in itself. I have attempted to rank the matches in order based on the criteria explained, but it is difficult to compare a match such as, say Hogan versus Andre, with a technical showcase like the WrestleMania 20 triple threat, so I am not that strict on my placement. Remember that lists are only one person's opinion and fodder for debate and discussion so I welcome your thoughts as well. That being said, here are the twenty-five essential matches in WrestleMania history.

(25) Hulk Hogan and Mr. T versus Rowdy Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff: WrestleMania 1

As the legend goes, Vince McMahon bet the future of his company on the success of the first installment of WrestleMania. In order to maximize his chances of success on this gamble, he needed a main event that would attract national mainstream attention. Brilliantly, he realized that if he brought in some A-list celebrities and mixed them in with his top stars it would create a buzz that would ensure the event's success.

Although the actual match quality of the inaugural WrestleMania main event was nothing special, the intangibles were off the charts. Muhammad Ali, arguably the most famous athlete alive at the time, was at ringside, as was Liberace and infamous baseball manager Billy Martin. Most importantly of all, however, was the involvement of Mr. T, who was a pop culture phenomenon in the mid-eighties, so seeing a top television star wrestle was an enormous attraction. Of course, the match also featured the two biggest stars in the WWF, heated rivals Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper. On the strength of this event, WWF marketing, and his own unmatched charisma, Hogan was about to become a phenom himself.

Hogan and Mr. T won the contest, but this is the perfect example of a mat being much more than winning and losing or the moves that take place being in the ring. No rating can quantify the importance of this finale to the original Showcase of the Immortals. The hype, atmosphere, and excitement surrounding the spectacle ensured that WrestleMania was here to stay and for that reason, it is one of the essential matches in the history of the event.

(24) Hulk Hogan versus Vince McMahon, Street Fight: WrestleMania 19

If you were to pick the two primary figures responsible for the success of WrestleMania, they would be Hogan and McMahon. When Hulkamania reigned supreme as the centerpiece talent in the first decade of the event, Vince was the master puppeteer behind the scenes. At that time, never could we have imagined that the cheesy commentator that would hype the "good guys" in that cartoonish era would one day become the ultimate bad guy of his own company and face off against the main event superstar of his promotion.

The hype for this match was everything sports entertainment is all about. Pop culture luminaries such as Bob Costas and Arnold Schwarzenegger contemplated the magnitude of the battle. Vince and Hulk dug deep into their histories to make the match seem monumental. It was hyped as a match "20 years in the making" and it would decide once and for all who created WrestleMania. The actual in-ring showdown was a very entertaining brutal brawl with some unforgettable moments.

Vince was at his best here as the devilish owner and the image of his bloody face giving Hogan an evil stare could be a poster for his character. His leg drop off of the top of the ladder through the table showed he would do anything to entertain the fans. The match played off of twenty years of history (even Piper made an appearance) and Hogan won after a series of leg drops of his own. There have been better worked battles, but the strength of the characters and the historic nature of the bout make it one of the most important matches in WrestleMania lore.

(23) Edge versus Mick Foley, Hardcore Match: WrestleMania 22

When Mick Foley decided to "retire" in 2000, he never had a true WrestleMania moment. Although Edge was an up and coming superstar, he had already established himself as a formidable force on The Grandest Stage of Them All. When it was decided the two would lock up in a street fight at WrestleMania, it was a setup for something spectacular. They did not disappoint.

This was the best hardcore match in the history of the event. The two real life friends brought out all the stops to make it a memorable struggle. Barbed wire, thumb tacks, bats and more were utilized to terrorize each other. It was all a buildup to a truly unbelievable finale, when Edge speared Foley by going face first into a flaming table. Foley had gotten his WrestleMania moment and Edge further established himself as the top heel of his generation.

(22) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin versus The Rock: WrestleMania 19

The Rock and Steve Austin were the two men responsible for the WWF winning the Monday Night Wars as they revolutionized the business and brought it to unprecedented levels of success. They had a trilogy of epic matches at WrestleMania that cemented their legacy at the event. By their final battle, WCW was already out of business and The Attitude Era was over. The Rock was becoming a major star in Hollywood and injuries had taken their toll on Austin, so fans realized that this would be the end of something special.

The storyline was that The Rock was upset that Austin was voted Raw Superstar of the Decade, and he wanted to prove that he was the superior star. This was the best incarnation of The Great One as he played a pompous Hollywood character that acted like he was above the business. Austin had just returned from a long self-imposed exile in time for WrestleMania. The two icons gave it their all and gave us one final classic match. In an emotional conclusion, The Rock won the match and sat alone in the ring with Stone Cold and told him how much their grand rivalry meant to him. Not only was it the last time that The People's Champion was a significant contributor to the company, little did we know that it would also be Austin's final wrestling match. Thankfully, before they left, they gave us a poignant lasting memory under the bright lights of WrestleMania.

(21) Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Christian vs. Chris Benoit vs. Shelton Benjamin, Money in the Bank Ladder Match: WrestleMania 21

By WrestleMania 21, the ladder matches had come full circle. What was once a rare special attraction had become overexposed to the point where fans thought they had seen everything that they could possibly see with the gimmick. Smartly, the WWE scaled down the amount of crazy matches to the point where fans once again thirsted for something sensational. When Chris Jericho announced that he had a new concept involving six men and a ladder at WrestleMania, curiosity peaked, and The Money in the Bank Ladder Match was born.

The actual match was a scintillating display of athleticism as six men put their bodies on the line in an effort to capture the briefcase that contained a contract for a World Title shot. The combatants actually found innovative ways to use the ladder, particularly Shelton Benjamin, who stole the show with his unmatched agility. Benoit was also incredible, with his convincing selling of a shoulder injury, and added intensity and realism to the chaos. Edge, who probably did the least in the match itself, ended up climbing the ladder to victory, and The Ultimate Opportunist was born. This inaugural showcase not only elevated Edge to main event status, the execution and the innovation by all men involved ensured that it would be an annual tradition at WrestleMania.

(20) Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 3

This is where putting together a list like this becomes tricky. This mammoth battle of titans in front of a record-breaking crowd is arguably the most important match in the history of wrestling. Even two decades later, every fan has seen the iconic highlight of Hogan slamming Andre, probably the most memorable moment in the annals of sports entertainment. Despite its unmatched stature, the actual match itself was atrocious. The "action" was laborious and boring, and The Giant could barely move at this juncture of his career.

Of course, this is one of those encounters where the workrate was meaningless. This was all about the hype, the audience, and the atmosphere of two larger than life figures going head to head. When the irresistible force met the immovable object, time stood still. It is impossible to explain to younger fans how huge this was. It was bigger than the business, as everybody was talking about it, and it put pro wrestling in the center of the mainstream consciousness. As a match, this may not be the greatest ever, but as a vital moment in the industry's history, it is off the charts.

(19) "Macho Man" Randy Savage versus "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 8

Before Shawn Michaels became The Showstopper, Randy Savage was Mr. WrestleMania. In the first decade of the event, he had the best match on the card on the majority of the shows. When Ric Flair arrived on the scene in the WWF, the two best all-around performers in wrestling were in the same company. This was a match that was almost never to be, because there was something even bigger in the works. It was supposed to be long-awaited Hogan versus Flair showdown that was over a decade in the making. For a variety of reasons, The Hulkster and The Nature Boy would not battle it out on The Grand Stage.

This made room for another match-up between two legendary icons and one that promised to be a much better contest in the ring than the original plan could ever have been. The storyline was terrific with the playboy Flair claiming that he once had a relationship with Savage's wife Elizabeth and that she was still in love with him. The catchphrase was, "she was mine before she was yours." Flair, who won the World Championship at the Royal Rumble, promised to unveil a centerfold of Liz after he beat the angry Savage.

The actual contest was an intense back-and-forth struggle that exemplified the athleticism and storytelling capabilities of the two superstars. The Macho Man was absolutely manic in his attack on The Dirtiest Player in the Game, and in the end, he avenged his wife's name and won the World Championship. This match was also a perfect example of great commentary adding to the entertainment of a contest, as Gorilla Monsoon and especially Bobby Heenan, were pure gold here. The only negative about this excellent match was we never got to see the centerfold of my childhood crush, Miss Elizabeth.

(18) The Dudleys versus The Hardys versus Edge and Christian, Tag Team Championship TLC Match: WrestleMania 17

Shawn Michaels may have innovated the ladder match, but at the height of The Attitude Era, three young dynamic tag teams took it to a new level. The Dudleys, Hardys and Edge and Christian all had a flair for the spectacular and showcased their incredible skills in a series of struggles for the Tag Team Titles, including a ladder match and a TLC match the previous year. It was their breathtaking battle at WrestleMania 17, however, that was the absolute peak of their sensational feud.

It is impossible to describe the series of jaw-dropping moments that took place here. Tables, ladders and chairs were used in manners never thought possible, and it is a wonder that none of the wrestlers suffered career-ending injuries after their outlandish stunts. The highlight amongst highlights was Edge leaping off a ladder and spearing Jeff Hardy, who was hanging from the ceiling trying to capture the Tag Titles. This move symbolized the lengths these men would go to entertain the audience.

The only complaint I have was that many of the spots were thrown out there without any context in the story of the match. WWE has made a smart move in scaling back the danger over the years, and focusing more on psychology and storytelling. Nonetheless, these three teams deserve to be recognized for their groundbreaking efforts and willingness to risk their lives to please the crowd.

(17) Bret "The Hitman" Hart versus Owen Hart: WrestleMania 10

In an era where the wrestling business was struggling both financially and creatively, this feud was regularly the highlight of the program. It is a perfect example of wrestling being at its best when there are simple, compelling stories between strong characters based on real issues. It had been built up for months that Owen was jealous of his older brother, who was a much bigger star and better wrestler. It finally reached a boiling point when he attacked Bret during a match, thus setting up this classic encounter.

This is probably the best opening match in the history of pay-per-views. Bret and Owen went out there and put on a technical masterpiece. After years of focusing on cartoonish characters, here was the WWF displaying pure wrestling at its finest. The success of this match helped send the company in a different direction that focused more on quality of in-ring work. Ironically, it was this lower card showcase that helped cement Bret's place as the top star in the company more than the main event championship match later on in the same show. Owen was also elevated to become a top-notch heel that could be weaved into World Championship matches when needed. When wrestling was slumping, the Hart brothers helped save the company from falling into ruin, and this was the highlight of their epic feud.

(16) "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels versus Bret "The Hitman" Hart, World Championship Iron Man Match: WrestleMania 12

In the mid-'90s, Michaels and Hart were undoubtedly the two biggest stars in the WWF. Hart was the strong, steady, noble champion, and Michaels was the flashy, dynamic, cocky challenger. They were opposites in personality, but each shared a passion for the business as well as incredible wrestling acumen. They were both responsible for holding up the company during a very difficult time, and they were instrumental in setting a new standard for match quality in the American wrestling scene. It was inevitable that the two superstars would collide under the WrestleMania spotlight. When it was announced that they would be an hour long Iron Man Match, fans salivated at the possibilities.

HBK and The Hitman largely delivered, but in my opinion, this match has been overrated over time. I found much of the work to be slow and boring, and feel the fact that there were no falls during the hour took away from the drama of the match. If you strip away many of the restholds and basic matwork, it would be a phenomenal forty minute match. Despite its faults, the last ten minutes of the battle were gripping and the final image of Michaels's boyhood dream coming true is one of the great WrestleMania moments. This solidified his place as the top star in the company and he has been an icon of the industry to this day. Bret would take a few months off, but he would come back stronger than ever for the greatest feud of his career. It is only fitting that the two top workers of the decade had an epic match at WrestleMania.

(15) Kurt Angle versus Brock Lesnar, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 19

While Michaels and Hart had set a new plateau for wrestling ability in the nineties, the arrival of Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle in the WWF gave the company credibility unlike anyone before him. Angle successfully made the transition from amateur to professional wrestling and his personality soon matched his formidable wrestling skills in entertainment value. A few years later, another amateur wrestling national champion entered the sphere, and it was evident that a dream match was on the horizon. When Lesnar arrived, he was introduced by Paul Heyman as "The Next Big Thing" in the industry, and he did not disappoint.

WWE wisely waited a year to give their first battle a proper stage. Unfortunately, it almost never happened, as Angle was in need of a serious neck surgery, and it was questionable whether he would be able to perform. Fortunately, both athletes performed at the highest level for this tremendous main event. They employed a hybrid of amateur and professional moves to create a compelling drama.

The finale was breathtaking and frightening at the same time. The sight of the mammoth Lesnar soaring through the sky for a shooting star press and almost killing himself will never be forgotten by anybody who witnessed it. Thankfully, Brock was able to recover to give Angle the F5 and win the World Championship. As we know now, Lesnar would years later become the biggest star in another avenue, but we were lucky enough to see him give us a series of excellent bouts that make us wonder what might have been.

(14) "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels versus "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 14

In late 1997 to early 1998, the WCW had become the dominant brand in sports entertainment and the WWF was in serious danger. McMahon knew that he would need to reinvent his company in order to compete. Enter "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake was a heel that began to enjoy a grassroots following and eventually become a phenomenon. It was only a matter of time before he would become the World Champion. Around the same time, another red hot stable was pushing the envelope of edginess never before seen in mainstream wrestling. Michaels and his DX faction and Austin's rebellious working man persona were vital in turning the tide in the Monday Night War.
When Stone Cold won the Royal Rumble and a World Championship match against HBK, it laid the path to his elevation to the top of the wrestling business. While these elements were enough to create an intriguing WrestleMania match, Vince wanted to do something that really captured people's attention. Enter Mike Tyson. When Tyson became involved in the main event storyline and joined D-Generation X, the mainstream media took notice, and suddenly the WWF was the product with the hot buzz.

Although Michaels wrestled the match with a severely injured back, he and Austin put on a terrific contest that would anoint a new champion. Tyson may not have done much at ringside, but his very presence at the show added a sense of excitement and unpredictability in the atmosphere. When he punched out HBK and raised Austin's arm, it was a symbolic changing of the guard, and Austin was proclaimed the future of the WWF. This match and its buildup not only resulted in the WWF overtaking WCW, it also brought them unparalleled success and put them back on the pop culture radar.

(13) Hulk Hogan versus "Macho Man" Randy Savage, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 5

The Rock and Wrestling generation of the eighties was a time of larger than life, comic book-type superheroes. No two wrestlers exemplified this cartoonish spectacle more than the Hulkster and The Macho Man. When they united to form the Mega Powers, it was the wrestling equivalent of Superman and Batman joining forces. The saga of Hogan, Savage, and Miss Elizabeth may be WWF/E's best written storyline ever. It was a different time, where top stars did not appear weekly on television and there were only four pay-per-views a year so they were able to take their time and let the characters and plot develop. Savage was the intense World Champion, overprotective of his beautiful manager Elizabeth. Hogan was the egotistical former champ who craved the spotlight. Savage's jealousy and paranoia slowly simmered over the course of a year until he finally snapped against his partner on The Main Event special.

When the Mega Powers exploded at WrestleMania 5, it was the biggest match in wrestling since Hogan versus Andre two years prior. Thanks to the WWF marketing machine as well as their own captivating charisma, Hulk and Macho Man were household names. The added dynamic of Savage's volatile relationship to the shy, perpetually concerned beauty at his side made this an intriguing triangle. The actual match was one of the best of Hogan's career, which is testament to Savage's amazing wrestling talent. It played off the relationship between the three characters to near perfection, and it was enhanced by the excellent commentary of Monsoon, and especially Jesse Ventura. When you watch these old WrestleMania matches, you realize the importance of a strong heel commentator to give the bad guy's perspective. As one of the few preteen Hogan-haters at the time, I was irritated by the formulaic ending, but it gave most fans the satisfying conclusion to the best WWF feud of the decade.

(12) "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels versus Chris Jericho: WrestleMania 19

It seems unbelievable now, but in 2002, we all believed that Michaels was finished as an in-ring competitor. To the surprise of many, he came back and put on a series of show-stopping performances. It became apparent after awhile, that HBK would be around until WrestleMania 19, where he would likely wrestle his final match. In the months leading to the event, Chris Jericho began to verbally berate the returning hero, his childhood idol. It was the classic kung fu storyline of the student believing he has surpassed the master, and it was brilliantly done, with Y2J and HBK playing their parts to perfection.

When it was decided that Michaels and Jericho would face off at Mania, the wrestling world was thrilled about The Showstopper's return to The Grand Stage. They put on an excellent pure wrestling display that perfectly illustrated the art of telling a story in the ring. Jericho was sensational, imitating and mocking his old hero in the ring, before eventually getting his comeuppance.

The real story here was Michaels, who proved he still had unmatched wrestling ability, especially in a big match setting. What was supposed to be a dramatic finish to HBK's career became his return to prominence, as he has been the best performer in wrestling this decade. This match also laid a good backdrop for their incredible series of matches in 2008, and the best wrestling feud in years. We take his greatness for granted now, but this match marked the return of Mr. WrestleMania.

(11) The Ultimate Warrior versus "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Retirement Match: WrestleMania 7

I mentioned before that Hogan and Savage were the epitome of the over-the-top characters that dominated the WWF in the early WrestleMania years, perhaps the ultimate example, no pun intended, of such a personality was The Ultimate Warrior. While he was never a great wrestler, do not let the hatchet job of a DVD the WWE put out fool you. The Warrior was a tremendous act that oozed charisma and had a presence that electrified the arena as well as television screens. Put him together with another wrestler that was equally flashy and flamboyant and you have the makings of something unforgettable. The Ultimate one was set to be the heir to Hogan's throne as the long term champion that represented the company. When they realized that he was not up to the challenge, the belt was taken off him when Savage's interference cost him the World Title to Sgt. Slaughter. This laid the foundation for a match where the stakes were bigger than the championship.

Retirement matches were rare at the time so when each man decided to put his career on the line at the height of their success, nobody knew what to expect because it was hard to imagine either star retiring. Despite Warrior's drawbacks as a worker, this match was booked to perfection and was tremendously well executed by both wrestlers. The little details made it special. The Warrior emphasized the importance of the contest by slowly walking to the ring instead of his trademark run down the aisle. His robe had a picture of the World Title with the statement "Means Much More Than This," illustrating the enormity of what was on the line.

Sensational Sherri put on a Hall of Fame performance here with her ringside interference. Once again, Gorilla and Bobby Heenan escalated the match to new heights with their banter. Heenan, in particular, was incredible, as he made us feel that the competitors' lives were on the line. When Warrior survived five flying elbows and pinned Savage, it was an unbelievable moment. Even the brilliance of the match, however, would not compare to what took place after it.

The soap opera saga of Savage and Elizabeth was years in the making, and they had not been together for almost two years. When Sherri attacked Savage and Liz made the save, it was one of the most emotional moments you will see in any entertainment venue. The reunion of Macho Man and Elizabeth literally brought fans to tears and the real life husband and wife would soon have their WWF wedding. Of course, Savage would have a triumphant return, but if his career ended here, it would be a fitting conclusion because the match and its aftermath were a dramatic masterpiece.

(10) Razor Ramon versus "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: WrestleMania 10

What more can be said about this legendary match? Before Money in the Bank and before all of the TLC chaos, there was this one-one-one classic between two real-life friends who revolutionized the industry with this groundbreaking showdown. As I said before, the best stories in wrestling are simple. Michaels was suspended by the WWF for a supposed drug violation. He denied the allegation and refused to lose the belt, and Ramon won the championship in his absence. When HBK returned, he brought back the Championship that he had never lost in the ring and claimed to be the real champion. It was decided that the two belts would be hung from the rafters and would be contested in a ladder match.

What made this match so great was that there was a strong story leading to it and a real reason for the gimmick. The action in the ring was revolutionary for the time as Razor, and especially Michaels, utilized the ladder in creative ways that few could have imagined at the time. It may look tame in retrospect, but these types of moves were simply not seen at the time in mainstream American wrestling. Additionally, unlike later years when wrestlers would do crazy stunts simply to wow the crowd, there was a reason for each use of the ladder in the context of the match. When Michaels flew off the ladder for the diving splash, the wrestling universe stood in awe and it is one of the iconic moments in the ring.

Ramon won the match, but it was HBK's superhuman performance that truly stood out, and it was apparent that he would be a megastar in the future. The match sent the industry in a different direction and raised the bar for action and excitement in the ring. It also assured that The Ladder Match was here to stay and would become an integral way to settle feuds over a championship.

(9) The Ultimate Warrior versus Hulk Hogan, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 6

To give everyone an idea of just how big of a force Hulkamania was in the WWF, by the time of WrestleMania 6, Hogan had yet to lose a match clean by pinfall on television since the first Mania. Although he remained extremely popular, his act was beginning to get stale with many fans. Around the same time, The Ultimate Warrior was at the peak of his fame and had gained an enormous following of his own. The WWF decided to go in a different direction at WrestleMania by presenting a match between the two top heroes in the company. The Warrior issued The Ultimate Challenge to The Hulkster and history would be made.

The newly created Skydome setting was sensational for this colossal clash between two larger than life characters. Neither man was a great wrestler but both were master showmen at the time, and the booking of the match maximized their strengths. The atmosphere in the arena was absolutely amazing as the rabid crowd was split in their alliances. In the end, Warrior did the unthinkable and pinned Hogan clean in the center of the ring.

We have become accustomed to such frequent World Title changes now that we have a hard time even remembering who has the belt. At that time, championships changed so infrequently that it felt like a major deal. Hogan's devastated reaction after losing the belt made it feel like having holding the title was a true honor. When Hulk handed the belt to the new World Champion, it was supposed to be a passing of the torch to the "next superhero."

Although he would hold the championship again, this was the beginning of the end for the Hulkamania era. The Warrior unsurprisingly did not have the stability to be the face of the company, but for this one night, he and Hogan gave the fans a magical moment we will never forget.

(8) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin versus The Rock, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 17

I discussed the importance of the legendary Austin versus Rock rivalry earlier, and this was the peak of their feud. It was the second match of their WrestleMania trilogy and it saw Stone Cold go back to his home state of Texas to try to win the championship back from The Great One. Austin had been gone for nearly a year with an injury, and during that time, The Rock had taken his place as the top star of the company. He became obsessed with getting his belt back and echoed the classic line, "I need to beat you Rock. I need it more than you can ever imagine."

This was the main event of what is widely regarded as the greatest pay per view of all time. The Astrodome crowd was frantic and behind their hometown hero's quest to regain the championship. It was obvious something was in the works when the bout was changed to a "no rules match" at the last minute. The contest was thirty epic minutes of incredible action that saw each man break out their entire arsenal of moves. Even their finishers could not keep them down, and The Rattlesnake became frustrated at not being able to pin his heated rival. When Vince McMahon came out to ringside and joined forces with Austin, it showed the extreme lengths he would go to win the belt again.

While the sight of seeing Austin and McMahon shake hands was surreal, I feel that it was a contrived ending. Stone Cold never really caught on as a heel, and business began to go down after this event. Nonetheless, it was an amazing battle between the two biggest stars of wrestling's most successful era and it earns its legendary status.

(7) Kurt Angle versus "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania 21

In recent years, WWE has needlessly run through its top matches so quickly that there are rarely any dream matches. One dream match that we thought we would never see was a battle between the greatest wrestler of the nineties, and the Olympic Gold Medalist and top wrestler of the early two-thousands. Even when Michaels returned from his injury to Raw, Angle was on Smackdown and the two never crossed paths. At the time, there was more discipline in the brand-split so when the two had a confrontation at the Royal Rumble, it felt really special. In the months leading to WrestleMania, the two superstars had some fantastic promos and skits to hype their first ever encounter. Angle was consumed with showing HBK that he could do everything he could do but better.

Although it was on the middle of the card, this was the most anticipated match on the show. It was the year WrestleMania went Hollywood, and the drama and excitement in the ring when Angle and Michaels faced off rivaled any studio blockbuster. The two greatest pure wrestlers of the generation battled it out in a showdown for the ages. It was the perfect example of WWE Main Event style, as it started slowly and built to a rousing finish. The sight of the undersized Michaels struggling to get out of the Ankle Lock from the relentless Angle was unforgettable. I was lucky enough to be at Staples Center for this one and it is as good of a display of the art form of wrestling as you will ever see. Sometimes dream matches do not live up to the hype, but this one was better than we could have imagined even in our wildest fantasies.

(6) Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat versus "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Intercontinental Championship Match: WrestleMania 3

In the early years of WrestleMania, style was emphasized over substance, and the actual quality of the matches was secondary to the spectacle. WrestleMania 3 was built around the mammoth battle between Hulk and Andre, but this famous match stole the show. For years, the classic Intercontinental Championship match between Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat was considered the best match in WWF history. The feud was based not only on the belt but the intense hatred between two competitors. When Savage attempted to end The Dragon's career by crushing his throat with the ring bell, fans yearned to see his revenge.

A reported crowd of over 93,000 people were witness to a fast-paced battle between two spectacular athletes in their prime. The bout featured frantic action and numerous near-falls, all leading to a satisfying conclusion where Steamboat not only got his retribution but the Intercontinental Title as well. At the time, the belt was extremely important and had become an integral part of Macho Man's character. He had held the belt for over a year and The Dragon taking it from him felt like a major happening. Unfathomably, Steamboat's title reign lasted but a couple months before he was quickly fell down the card. On the other hand, Savage became elevated to the main event and became the World Champion a year later. Even two decades later, this match stands the test of time.

(5) Chris Benoit versus Triple H versus Shawn Michaels, World Championship Match: WrestleMania 20

If there ever was a match where judgment evolved over the passage of time, this is the prime example. Many call it one of the greatest matches in wrestling history. Many vow never to watch it again. Others want to watch it again, but cannot find it within themselves to do so. The storylines leading into the match and stemming from it now seem meaningless compared to the real life tragedies that were to come in the ensuing years.

The actual bout was perfect in its execution and featured everything from high risk maneuvers to technical wrestling to crimson masks of blood. Multiple stories interweaved seamlessly to create a masterpiece of a match. Triple H and Michaels tried to settle their heated rivalry while Benoit overcame them both to grab "the brass ring," his first meaningful World Championship. Seeing The Game tap out to The Crossface was a dramatic conclusion to an epic struggle. The emotional post-match scene of Benoit celebrating with his best friend Eddie Guerrero was considered one of the great feel-good moments in wresting history at the time.

It is amazing how we look at that same image now and it generates completely different emotions. Both Benoit and Guerrero are now gone, and of course we all know that Benoit took his wife and son with him. Despite the tragic events, I can still enjoy the match for its unmatched drama and athleticism. It should stand as a symbol for both the good and the bad side of the wrestling business because it represents the incredible artistry of the competitors as well as the devastating effects on the human mind and body that the wrestlers go throw to put on such a show.

(4) "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels versus "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Retirement Match: WrestleMania 24

Ric Flair is recognized as the greatest wrestler of his generation. Shawn Michaels shares the same acclaim as being the top worker of his time. Due to age difference and being part of different companies, they had never really fought in a classic match with each other and most assumed that it would never happen. When Flair was in the middle of his retirement storyline and he announced that he wanted to fight Michaels at WrestleMania, the path was set for something truly memorable. In the months leading to Mania, HBK was reluctant to fight Nature Boy and be responsible for ending his hero's career. Flair proclaimed that if he could not still fight against the best, he did not want to wrestle anymore.

The match was to take place in Orlando, home of Disney, and it was only fitting because the night would be full of magic. Although he was approaching sixty, Flair miraculously had one final sensational performance. Michaels lived up to his Mr. WrestleMania moniker by helping to carry The Nature Boy to another classic to end his career. The story of the match was beautifully illustrated with Flair giving everything he had in his body to win the match and save his career and Michaels trying to be The Showstopper, but also hesitant to do the inevitable and defeat his idol. The ending was an emotional tour de force with Flair coming to terms with the end of his career, and Michaels telling his friend he loved him before giving him Sweet Chin Music and pinning him.

There have been better wrestled matches, but this is a match that transcends the traditional match rating system. The real emotions involved, as well as the real consequences of the legendary Flair retiring, make this a master work of art between arguably the two greatest in-ring artists of all time.

(3) The Rock versus "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan: WrestleMania 18

Flair versus Michaels was a match that transcended any form of ratings, this was another one. WrestleMania 18 was the first one I had ever attended, and when I purchased the tickets, I had no idea what the WWF had in store for the event. When Hogan and The NWO arrived on the scene and The Rock challenged him to a match at WrestleMania, I became thankful that I had the foresight to get seats to the match of for the ages.

There is a reason this contest generated such a huge reaction from all who saw it. The Rock and Wrestling era with Hogan at the forefront brought in a whole generation of kids who became enamored with the spectacle. When those kids grew up, the WWF marketed The Attitude Era to young adults, and many of them became fans all over again. The Hulkster and The Rock were the two top mainstream icons of their respective eras and when the Icon versus Icon match was announced, it was the dream match of all dream matches. It was Hulkamania returning to WrestleMania after nearly a decade-long absence. It was two generations colliding and millions of fans, including myself, saw it as our childhood versus our adulthood.

Words cannot convey the atmosphere and the emotion of being in the Skydome that unforgettable night. This match not only stole the show, but it was the show, as the sheer spectacle and excitement in the air during this battle made everything else seem irrelevant in comparison. There was a wave of nostalgia that overcame everybody in the arena and seeing Hogan back in a WWF ring sent many of us on a time capsule back to our youth. I did not even like Hulkamania, but I was screaming like a little girl at a Hannah Montana concert for his every move. I have never seen a wrestler cheered more wildly than Hogan that night, and Rock wisely played into it with heel mannerisms even though he was the face coming into the contest. When Hogan hulked up, it seemed as if the roof of the building would explode.

Rock ended up with the victory, but this was more than a match about winning and losing, but an experience that everybody in the Skydome that night felt lucky to be a part of. When Hogan stood in the middle of the ring and posed after the match, there was not a person who did not have chills down their spines. This was the WWF delivering the ultimate feel-good moment and the fans ate it up. It is what wrestling is all about, putting on an entertaining spectacle that gave the fans an escape into a different world, and in that regard, it put on a better show than any match I have ever seen.

(2) Bret "the Hitman" Hart versus "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Submission Match: WrestleMania 13

Hogan versus Rock may have been a match between wrestling's past and its present, but this was a match that laid the foundation for wrestling's future. When Bret Hart returned from a long absence, he chose Austin as the man he wanted to feud with when he came back. We should all be thankful for his choice because they had an epic rivalry with some of the greatest matches in wrestling history. They were perfect foils in personality and in-ring style. Hart was the traditional hero who played by the rules and was the technical Excellence of Execution, but the fans were beginning to turn on him. Austin was the new-age antihero who broke all the rules, but was beginning to attain a strong fan following. Their rivalry reflected the change in the pop culture climate and the desire for flawed idols with edgy personas.

WrestleMania 13 was, by all accounts, a disappointment, but it was saved from complete disaster with this astounding battle. Both men were at their best and they shared tremendous chemistry in the ring. It was a mixture of bloody brawling and technical brilliance, and it concluded with one of the most iconic images in wrestling history. The bleeding Austin caught in The Sharpshooter, but refusing to submit became the symbolic portrait of the Attitude Era. Hart came in the heel and Austin the face but during the course of the match, they reversed roles and fans got behind the courageous rebel who refused to quit.

This match was important on various levels. In the ring, it was a perfectly worked battle between two of the WWF's greatest superstars ever. It fueled Austin's ascent to megastar status and it also led to the best incarnation of Hart's character as the jaded wrestler who was a heel in the USA, but a face everywhere else. The contest was also the birth of the Attitude Era, and a more cutting edge product that would soon bring the WWF its most successful period ever. Looking back, we can all be thankful that HBK "lost his smile" and was backed out of his rematch with Hart because viewing this match still brings smiles to faces of wrestling fans everywhere.

(1) The Undertaker versus "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania 25

Let us look at some of the characteristics that defined other top matches on this list. Take the larger than life characters in The Ultimate Challenge, the frenzied crowd in Hogan versus Rock, the technical brilliance of the Triple Threat Match, the drama of HBK and Angle, and then combine them into one match. The result is the greatest match in the history of WrestleMania. The Undertaker and The Heartbreak Kid are the two longest tenured WWE superstars of the Mania years. Amazingly, they had never faced off on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Even more incredible is the fact that they did not wrestle in a one-on-one match for over eleven years. The last time they did wrestle, they had a series of great matches, including one of the most legendary battles in the history of the business in the inaugural Hell in a Cell match. They teased us with a dramatic conclusion to the Royal Rumble in 2007, but the WWE smartly waited for a truly huge event that would be worthy of such an epic encounter.

By WrestleMania 25, Undertaker's streak had become intertwined with the event itself, and Michaels had firmly established himself as the greatest performer in its history. It would be The Streak versus Mr. WrestleMania at The Showcase of the Immortals and the two icons gave us a visual and emotional extravaganza that electrified the gigantic Texas crowd. There were too many highlights in this match to mention and you have to witness this match to appreciate its genius. From the awe-inspiring entrances that showcased the heaven versus hell theme in the feud to the symbolic finale where Michaels came from above only to get Tombstoned into the ground and pinned, it was a theatrical masterpiece. The match was a roller coaster ride that took the entire audience on a journey of ups and downs before its dramatic conclusion.

I know that much of the ranking of a match depends on its historical context and that normally can only be judged over time, but this is a match that does not need a follow-up to be appreciated because it has over twenty years of buildup. It has taken two decades for Michaels to establish himself as the greatest wrestler in WWE history and the same amount of time for Undertaker to become the best gimmick performer of all time. Each of them has defied logic by becoming better with age, and wrestling fans were lucky to see them compete against each other on a huge stage. I was fortunate to be in the stadium that night and was overcome by emotion by the end of the contest. Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25 was not only a celebration of WrestleMania history, but the best of the sport of wrestling itself.

Honorable Mention

Bret Hart versus Roddy Piper: WrestleMania 8, Eddie Guerrero versus Kurt Angle: WrestleMania 20, Triple H versus John Cena: WrestleMania 22, The Undertaker versus Batista: WrestleMania 23, Shawn Michaels versus John Cena: WrestleMania 23, The Undertaker versus Edge: WrestleMania 24

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