For 35 years ant counting, WWE has held its version of the Super Bowl in the form of the iconic WrestleMania. From the crowd, to the matches and entrances, to variety hour-esque entertainment, there’s nothing else out there that’s quite like the Showcase of the Immortals.
Throughout the year leading up to WrestleMania, all of WWE’s Superstars hope to get the chance to walk down the entrance ramp on the grandest stage of them all to the cheers of a sold-out capacity crowd. It’s during these scant few moments when a Superstar makes their way to the ring that they get the opportunity to make an impression on wrestling fans that will last well beyond their time in the business. While many have competed at Mania, very few have managed to provide fans with truly memorable entrances. So in celebration of this year’s upcoming unique WrestleMania, let’s take a look at some of the best entrances of all-time.
The New Day (WrestleMania 32)
The New Day are quite possibly the most entertaining faction in WWE history. At WrestleMania 32, they cemented that fact when they made what is easily the best entrance of their shared WWE careers in a giant box of their own cereal, Booty-O’s, while dressed up as Super Saiyans from Dragon Ball Z. I really don’t feel like any explanation is necessary as to why this is both amazing and legendary.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)
No matter where a wrestling fan is, no matter what they’re doing, if they hear glass break, they’re going to think of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as the Texas Rattlesnake’s theme song plays in their head. That iconic glass break literally happened during Stone Cold’s entrance at WrestleMania 13 where he had one of the best matches of his career against Bret Hart in a submission bout. The glass can’t break every time Austin hits the entrance ramp, but it sure was cool to see it happen at least once.
Bray Wyatt (WrestleMania 31)
In 2015, Bray Wyatt was determined to become the New Face of Fear within WWE. To accomplish his goal, he took on the then-holder of the title, The Undertaker, at WrestleMania 31. Wyatt was ultimately unsuccessful, but the one bright spot that came out of his failed attempt to defeat the Deadman was his disturbing and memorable entrance. It was like something out of Jeepers Creepers as dozens of creepy scarecrows jerkily made their way down to the ring under the sway of The Eater of Worlds. Ultimately, the entrance was much more memorable than the match.
Shawn Michaels (The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania)
Good against evil. Light against darkness. Shawn Michaels against The Undertaker in what is probably the greatest WrestleMania match of all time. This match is legendary and both Superstars’ entrances that night were something to behold. Shawn Michaels descended in all white attire like an angel of God as church hymns played and white light shined, all in a counter to The Undertaker’s darkness. Mr. WrestleMania was in his element as a born-again Christian, until suddenly his theme music hits and…ONCE AGAIN HE’S JUST A SEXY BOY!
Rusev (WrestleMania 31)
It’s safe to say that Rusev’s WWE career probably hasn’t gone in the direction that he’s wanted. Despite the popularity of Rusev Day, the Bulgarian Brute’s last big feud involved jumping out of a cake and a fellow wrestler stealing his cheating wife because Rusev wanted too much sex (yeah, that’s some badass rasslin’ all right). But even if Rusev never makes it back to the main event picture, he can always hang his hat on the fact that he’s the only wrestler to ever come out at WrestleMania in a tank and full military escort. As the Russian national anthem played and his wife walked his United States Championship down to the ring, Rusev rode into the stadium in a freaking tank. Not a bad high point for his career.
Ric Flair (WrestleMania XXIV)
Ric Flair’s entrance for last match in WWE against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV isn’t on this list because anything cool or particularly spectacular happened during it. No, it’s here because of the emotional weight behind it. From start to finish, this match was the perfect send-off for the Nature Boy, and you’d be hard pressed to find a dry eye in the house once Flair stepped onto the entrance ramp. The pure emotion on The Dirtiest Player in the Game’s face was enough that even now, years later, I still get a little choked up when I watch him walk down the ramp. Ric Flair is arguably the greatest wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots and his last walk down the entrance ramp was poetic and perfectly Flair.
John Cena (The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania)
At The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, John Cena was involved in a triple threat match against Edge and Big Show in a contest to capture the WWE Championship. The Cenation was out in force that night, and not just in the crowd: an army of John Cena clones flanked The Doctor of Thugonomics on his way to the ring and the whole way down they did his trademark “you can’t see me” taunt. The normally insufferable taunt was turned into something creative, hilarious, and downright awesome. Easily Cena’s best entrance ever.
The Undertaker (WrestleMania 29)
The Deadman faced off against CM Punk in what would unknowingly be his last successful defense of his legendary undefeated streak. The bout was easily the match of the night and to this day it was probably the last truly great contest Taker had at Mania. But what really stands out from that night was Taker’s entrance. It was incredible, spellbinding, and gave everyone who saw it goosebumps. The Phenom’s walk to the ring was truly a thing of legends as his slowly swept past the ghosts of victims past and lost souls that feebly reached up but couldn’t hope to grasp The Deadman.
Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII)
Every single serious wrestling fan will instantly recognize the shot of Shawn Michaels on the zipline. This moment in WWE history is iconic and for good reason. Two years after dubbing himself “Mr. WrestleMania,” Michaels went on to defeat Bret Hart in a 60-minute Iron Man match to win the WWE Championship on the grandest stage of them all. Since that day he has more than lived up to his moniker, putting on many memorable matches at a number of WrestleManias and being considered by many to be the greatest wrestler of all-time.
Triple H (WrestleMania XXX)
Triple H always goes big at WrestleMania and it always pays off. Every time The Game is on the card for WWE’s biggest show of the year, you know that you’re going to get one hell of an entrance. WrestleMania XXX is easily The King of Kings’ best entrance ever and perfectly encapsulates his character. Triple H arrived amidst a cloud of smoke and bright white lights seated upon a throne like Conan the Barbarian, complete with beautiful warrior women and jeweled goblets — all while wearing a gold crown atop a war helmet, gold spiked pauldrons, and a resplendent red cape to complete the ensemble. God damn if it wasn’t one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in wrestling.
Let us know what your favorite WrestleMania moments are down in the comments.
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