The greatest professional wrestling event of the year, WrestleMania, has some of the biggest performers in the business participating in nail-biting contests that frequently have spectators on the edge of their seats. WrestleMania has seen its share of shocking matchups throughout the years that have surprised the globe, leaving fans and experts discussing the results and repercussions of these contests. The most contentious matchups in WrestleMania history will be discussed in this article, along with the circumstances that led up to them, the matches themselves, and the effects they had on the wrestling business.
Yokozuna vs Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania IX
On April 4, 1993, WrestleMania IX took place at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, Yokozuna defended the WWE Championship against Bret Hart, who had won it at WrestleMania the year before. Yokozuna prevailed after a hard bout, but the controversy started when Hulk Hogan, who wasn’t supposed to wrestle, unexpectedly showed up and challenged Yokozuna for the championship. Hogan defeated Yokozuna in under 22 seconds to capture the belt in an unexpected turn of events.
Both fans and commentators disagreed with the choice to have Hogan win the championship so soon after Yokozuna had recently done it. Many believed that the choice damaged the reputation of the WWE Title and was a clumsy attempt to profit from Hogan’s fame.
WrestleMania X: Yokozuna vs. Bret Hart
On March 20, 1994, Maddison Square Garden in New York City hosted WrestleMania X. In the main event, Bret Hart fought Yokozuna for the WWE Championship in a rematch from WrestleMania the year before. Hart won a tough fight, but controversy broke out when his victory celebration was cut short by a furious Owen Hart, Bret’s brother.
Owen, who was supposed to play Bret earlier that night, lost his match and gave Bret the blame. Bret and Owen got into a fight that would endure for months when Owen assaulted Bret.
Many people believed that Owen’s attack on Bret was unwarranted and obscured the significance of Bret’s victory, which is what caused the controversy around this bout.
Bret Hart against Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIII
On March 23, 1997, WrestleMania XIII took place at Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois. Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin competed in the main event in a submission match. Both men suffered a great deal of punishment in the actual fight, which was severe. Even though Stone Cold won the bout in the end, the real controversy started after it.
Austin ambushed Bret as he was exiting the ring and struck him with his finishing manoeuvre, the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin’s career underwent a critical turning point following the assault, when he started to embrace his anti-hero character and went on to become one of the most well-liked wrestlers in WWE history.
Having Austin assault Bret, who was one of the most adored wrestlers of his day, turned Austin become the villain in this encounter, which sparked debate. Several admirers and detractors believed that the choice betrayed Bret’s legacy and diminished the significance of his contribution to the business.
Chris Benoit against Triple H versus Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XX
On March 14, 2004, Maddison Square Garden in New York City hosted WrestleMania XX. Chris Benoit, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels engaged in a triple threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event. The actual match was a technical marvel, and Benoit triumphed to claim the title.
The debate around this match, meanwhile, is mostly unrelated to what happened inside the ring. Benoit killed his wife and kid in 2007 before committing suicide, which prompted a review of his life’s work and legacy. Because to these sad incidents, WWE has mainly cut ties with Benoit, deleting his legacy and kicking him out of their Hall of Fame.
The reason this encounter is controversial is because it was one of the pinnacles of Benoit’s career, which has subsequently been tarnished by his behaviour outside the ring. Although the match itself was a classic, it has become one of the most contentious matchups in WrestleMania history due of its connection to Benoit.
Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX
On April 6, 2014, WrestleMania XXX took place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar squared off in the main event, which electrified the wrestling community. For more over 20 years, The Undertaker had gone unbeaten at WrestleMania, and many fans thought he would never lose there.
Lesnar beat The Undertaker in an unexpected change of events that shocked the crowd and ended his winning streak. Many believed that by breaking The Undertaker’s run, the importance of his victories at WrestleMania would have been diminished.
Since then, the encounter has become one of the most discussed events in WrestleMania history, with fans and experts still discussing the choice.
Conclusion
With contests that have left fans in wonder, astonishment, and controversy, WrestleMania has produced some of the most enduring moments in professional wrestling history. From The Undertaker’s startling defeat to Hulk Hogan’s unexpected triumph over Yokozuna, these fights have left a lasting impression on the sport of professional wrestling.
These encounters stand out as some of the most contentious in WrestleMania history, igniting discussions that have lasted for years and will continue to do so for decades to come, despite the fact that controversy may be ingrained in the wrestling industry’s Genetics.
