ESPN Ranks the 10 Greatest Moments in WrestleMania History

ESPN released a comprehensive ranking on April 13, 2026, identifying the 10 greatest moments in the history of WrestleMania. To compile the list, the ESPN staff analyzed more than 450 matches spanning 42 iterations of the event.

The analysis designated Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak at WrestleMania XXX as the greatest moment in the event’s history.

Defining Moments of the Showcase of the Immortals

The ranked moments span from WrestleMania VII in 1991 to WrestleMania XL in 2024. Along with the streak-ending victory by Lesnar, the list highlights several pivotal career-defining events and shocking outcomes.

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Among the top selections is Daniel Bryan’s underdog victory at WrestleMania XXX, where he won the World Heavyweight Championship. This moment was characterized by unrelenting passion from the audience, which ESPN noted forced WWE to rewrite WrestleMania.

The path to that victory followed a period of instability for Bryan. He had previously defeated John Cena at the 2013 SummerSlam to win the WWE Championship, but held the title for only five minutes before Randy Orton cashed in a Money in the Bank contract.

Other high-ranking moments identified by ESPN include:

• The double turn involving Bret Hart and Steve Austin.
• Hulk Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant.
• Cody Rhodes finishing his story.
• Edge’s high-risk spear on Jeff Hardy at WrestleMania X-Seven.
• Seth Rollins’ surprise Money in the Bank cash-in at WrestleMania 31.
• The emotional retirement match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI.

Evolution of a Global Spectacle

WrestleMania has operated as an annual event since March 31, 1985. The inaugural event took place at Madison Square Garden in New York before a crowd of 19,121 fans.

Over four decades, the event has evolved from arena-based shows into a massive two-night extravaganza held in football stadiums to accommodate record-breaking audiences.

Roman Reigns and the Main Event Record

While the ESPN ranking focuses on historical moments, current records continue to be rewritten by Roman Reigns. Reigns currently holds the record for the most WrestleMania main event appearances.

During WrestleMania XL in 2024, Reigns competed in the main event on both nights. He tied Hulk Hogan’s record of eight main event appearances on Night 1 and surpassed it with his ninth appearance on Night 2.

Reigns has since added another main event to his record in 2025. He is scheduled to compete in his 11th WrestleMania main event on April 18, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

In that upcoming match, Reigns will challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42.