The Road to Mania and Historic Titles

In 1987, the wrestling world converged on the Pontiac Silverdome for WrestleMania III. While the main event remains the most famous, the mid-card featured a technical showcase between Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat.

Steamboat captured the Intercontinental Championship after a grueling 14-minute match. He countered a bodyslam attempt into a small package to secure the pinfall victory.

A Changing of the Guard

March 23, 1997, saw the conclusion of the WCW Uncensored pay-per-view. The main event was a three-team elimination match featuring Team nWo, Team WCW, and Team Piper.

Hulk Hogan emerged victorious for the nWo, cementing their dominance during the Monday Night Wars. The booking was frustratingly predictable, as the nWo simply overwhelmed the competition with sheer numbers.

Mid-2000s Milestones

The year 2003 brought us WrestleMania XIX at Safeco Field. Rey Mysterio made his WrestleMania debut against Matt Hardy for the Cruiserweight Championship.

Hardy won the match after hitting a Twist of Fate, though the finish felt abrupt given the talent involved. It was a missed opportunity to let Mysterio showcase his high-flying style on the biggest stage.

On March 23, 2008, WWE held WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando. The event is remembered for the retirement match between Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels.

Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music to end Flair's legendary career. The emotional weight of the moment was genuine, marking the end of an era for the industry.

Modern Era Developments

In 2015, the RAW after WrestleMania 31 took place in San Jose. Brock Lesnar, fresh off his loss at the hands of Seth Rollins, went on a rampage that resulted in him being suspended for attacking Michael Cole.

It was a chaotic segment that highlighted Lesnar's status as a unique attraction. The unpredictable nature of his character often provided the best television during this period.

Finally, in 2022, AEW Dynamite featured a significant title change. Scorpio Sky defeated Wardlow to retain the TNT Championship, thanks to interference from MJF and Shawn Spears.

The finish was widely criticized by fans who wanted to see Wardlow capture the gold. It was a classic example of protecting a heel champion at the expense of a surging babyface.