Beyond HBK vs The Undertaker: The 8 Best WrestleMania Matches of the Decade

The biggest event of the year for WWE is nothing short of mesmerizing. Some of the best storylines reach their climax at WrestleMania, and the best matches are fought in front of a large crowd. However, certain matches stood out from the rest over the decade.

Here is a list of those matches that ticked every box and managed to live up to every expectation at WrestleMania.

1.Randy Orton vs Edge (WrestleMania 36)

Edge’s return was big, but a feud with a man that used to be his closest friend was larger than life. ‘The Rated R Superstar’ found himself in a bitter fight with Randy Orton that was headed for WrestleMania. 

After Orton tried to trigger Edge’s injury once more with a brutal attack, Edge sought to prove his nemesis wrong and challenged him to a Last Man Standing Match at WrestleMania. 

The match was of epic proportions and dragged both Superstars throughout the arenas with the better part of the match taking place backstage. 

Creative use of the gym equipment coupled with iconic backstage locations made the fight memorable. Edge managed to finally pull off the win after nearly paralyzing Orton with steel chair shots to his back on top of an ambulance. 

The match’s main element was the gripping emotion in the punches that encompassed the entire history between the two veterans. Orton vs Edge was a rivalry that stood out. 

2.The Undertaker vs AJ Styles (Boneyard Match) (WrestleMania 36)

The Undertaker made his way to records throughout his illustrious career and left us with one final masterpiece before calling it on his time in WWE. 

Fighting AJ Styles as the conclusion to a long feud, Taker entered the Boneyard in the first-ever cinematic match in WWE history. ‘The Deadman’ was in his natural surroundings in the dark and shady vibe of the boneyard. 

He revived his Big Evil persona for the night and his limitations were effectively covered by the cinematic setup. The action was also a lot more friendly to The Undertaker’s age and abilities. 

The WWE legend managed to win after a typical Undertaker resurrection from the grave and kicked a pleading Styles into the grave, burying him alive. 

The match will surely go down as a classic and Taker was sent off with a fitting farewell match in this one. 

3.Becky Lynch vs Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair (WrestleMania 35)

The hype around this match was phenomenal. Apart from being the first-ever Women’s match as a WrestleMania main event, the rivalry that brewed between the three Superstars was deep. 

Rousey and Charlotte had a bitter feud all year round as they fought for dominance of the Women’s division. Becky Lynch had her own issue with both stars and was the clear underdog in the fight. 

The match was a winner takes all fight with Ronda Rousey holding the Raw Women’s Championship and Charlotte Flair the SmackDown Women’s Championship. 

Against all odds, Becky Lynch managed to fight her way through the two Champions and steal it all by pinning Ronda Rousey. Through the next few months, Becky grew to become one of the biggest stars on the WWE Women’s Roster. 

4. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker (WrestleMania XXVI)

Shawn Michaels had the greatest match of his career at the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania. The loss did not sit well with him and Michaels made it his ambition to face Taker and break the streak the next year. 

At WrestleMania 26, the stage was set as Taker accepted the challenge. The cruel stipulation? If Shawn Michaels won, the legendary streak would be broken, but if he lost, he would have to retire. 

The emotion in the crowd that night was inexplicable. Fans could not decide which side to choose as the outcome would be a deep loss either way. 

The two Superstars and veterans gave it all they had. The emotion of each of their lengthy careers came into play as Michaels attempted to take down the biggest opponent of his career. 

Fighting for their legacies, the two men brought each other to their wobbly knees until Shawn Michaels found himself at the mercy of The Undertaker; both men had been through hell. 

In a last symbol of defiance, Michaels slapped Taker in what would be the final act of his WWE career. HBK was then viciously Tombstoned and pinned.

Emotions were high as Michaels waved goodbye to the fans he had entertained for decades. The Undertaker shook the hand of his beaten foe as a sign of mutual respect. 

5. The Undertaker vs Triple H (WrestleMania XXVIII)

Triple H failed to avenge his best friend Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 27 and found himself caught in the same ambition as HBK. 

‘The Game’ challenged The Undertaker to a match in his playground- Hell in a Cell. The match at WrestleMania saw Triple H at his absolute best, fighting ‘The Phenom’ in the house of no escape. 

With HBK as the guest referee, everything was in Triple H’s favor, but he was up against a supernatural foe. The Undertaker managed to counter Hunter’s every offense with equal brutality. 

Finding ‘The Deadman’ at a weak moment, Triple H capitalized by pushing him to Michaels who delivered a thumping Sweet Chin Music to Taker who was then Pedigreed by Triple H. 

Everyone thought the streak was over and the crowd was all ready to witness history but ‘The Phenom’ kicked out! This was probably the biggest Kickout in history as The Undertaker kept the faint heartbeat of his legacy beating. 

Following a fight to the end, The Undertaker Tombstoned Triple H for the win. The two stars then left the ring together as a sign of sportsmanship, waving to the audience for a final time. 

6. Daniel Bryan vs Batista vs Randy Orton(WrestleMania XXX)

The fans pushed Daniel Bryan to be one of the most popular WWE Superstars of the year. The heroic man had a gimmick that took him to the stars and the ‘Yes!’ Chants became the most powerful chant in WWE.

After beating Triple H in the opening match of WrestleMania, Daniel Bryan joined the match between Randy Orton and Batista to make it a Triple threat for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. 

Being the fan favorite and the underdog, Bryan was at his peak. The energy in the audience was unreal as Bryan battled every odd to take the fight to Batista and Orton. 

Daniel Bryan managed to pull off an emphatic win, beating Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista on the same night and claiming the Championship he had fought for all year long. 

The crowd went crazy and the ‘Yes!’ Chants could probably be heard all around the area as Bryan celebrated his win. The fans got their champion, and he was there to stay.

7. The Rock vs John Cena (WrestleMania XXVIII)

One of the biggest dream matches became a reality when The Rock faced off against John Cena in a huge showdown at WrestleMania.

The hype around this match was a fight between the Attitude and PG eras and between the two biggest names in WWE of all time. Turning into an annoying babyface, Cena played off his role perfectly. 

With nearly all fans backing The Rock, ‘The Brahma Bull’ pulled off a huge win over Cena in a match that lasted over 30 minutes. He caught Cena who was trying to mock him with a People’s Elbow and delivered a big Rock Bottom to pin Cena.

8. Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar vs Seth Rollins (WrestleMania XXXI)

Roman Reigns was in the climax of his huge feud with Brock Lesnar that finally seemed to be going his way. Reigns was about to slay the beast and both Superstars were tired out when the unthinkable happened. Mr. Money in the Bank Seth Rollins came running down the ramp and cashed in his contract!

The match became a triple threat and despite some scares for Rollins, he managed to pin Roman Reigns in one of the biggest WrestleMania shockers of all time. Seth Rollins is the opportunist, and ‘The Kingslayer’ walked into a fight between two lions and came out alive. His cash-in has widely been considered the best in WWE history.