The SoBros coverage of Wrestlemania steamrolls on. If you guys are anything like me, you’re enjoying the hell out of all the past events. It’s my favorite part of Wrestlemania season – going back through years past and reading everyone’s “best of” lists. But, I feel like that’s a little easy. It’s usually, almost always, the same group of matches in a different order.
So, I thought I’d go down a different road here today and go over some of my favorite hidden gems in the grand mythos of Wrestlemania.
I’m not necessarily talking about underrated matches, but more so the fun stuff. Some guilty pleasures. Some deep cuts. Whatever you want to call it. But, what follows will be a list of some of the great matches in show history that might not come to mind immediately.
Big Natural’s Wrestlemania Hidden Gems
This ended up being in reverse chronological order by accident…I dunno…maybe it helps you sift through the WWE Network? Meh – anyway…
Cruiserweight Championship: Neville vs. Austin Aries, Wrestlemania 33 – Not going to have to scroll back too far for this one. It was a loooooooooong Wrestlemania last year, but this match was one of the best on the card. Who cares that it was in front of maybe 6% of the full Wrestlemania crowd? It was the first match up and brought pretty of energy to a show that needed it.
WWE Tag Team Championship: Team Hell No vs. Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston, Wrestlemania 29 – I’d call this one pretty underrated as well as a hidden gem. It stands out on an otherwise pretty mediocre card. These two teams, unconventional as they may be, took full advantage of the time they were given.
Belfast Brawl: Finlay vs. JBL, Wrestlemania XXIV – One of the surprisingly strong openers in Wrestlemania history. It was physical, fast, and fun. I don’t care if it was the culmination of a train wreck of a storyline (Vince McMahon’s illegitimate son).
Hardcore Championship: Kane vs. Big Show vs. Raven, Wrestlemania X-7 – How did this even happen? Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but what were Kane and Big Show ever doing in a Hardcore Championship feud? Whatever – the match was good. Any time you can work someone getting run over by a golf cart into a wrestling match, you know you’re pushing the creative envelope.
European Championship: Triple H vs. Owen Hart, Wrestlemania XIV – People will remember the strong showing from Triple H and Goldust from the year before, but I think this sneaky fun match slips through the cracks from that era. Sure, the DX antics made it a little silly with Sgt. Slaughter and Chyna’s involvement. But, it’s two dependable workers putting on a good match.
Falls Count Anywhere: “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Crush, Wrestlemania X – Maybe this match was bad. I can admit that much. But, wasn’t it still cool to see? Crush gettin’ strung up by his feet in the back. Priceless.
The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers, Wrestlemania IX – I still say Wrestlemania IX is underrated, and this tag team contest was pretty stout. Plus, you get to see someone dumped over the top rope onto their head.
The Nasty Boys vs. The Hart Foundation, Wrestlemania VII – Two quintessential tag teams of the era going at it in a solid contest. I still say the Nasty Boys deserve a call to the Hall of Fame.
The British Bulldog vs. The Warlord, Wrestlemania VII – Go ahead. @ me. I enjoyed a Warlord match.
Intercontinental Championship: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine vs. Junk Yard Dog, Wrestlemania I – Yep. We’re gonna go way back to the IC title match from the very first Wrestlemania. Valentine is one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time, and people forget how over JYD was back in his day. Fun match.
MORE WRESTLEMANIA COVERAGE
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The 5 Most Underrated Wrestlemanias
Matches I Do and Don’t Want to See at Wrestlemania 34
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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