WrestleMania stands as the pinnacle event in sports entertainment, akin to the Super Bowl for professional wrestling enthusiasts. This momentous occasion garners heightened anticipation, leading to matches that are scrutinized more rigorously, botches that are glaringly obvious, and social media reactions that can reach a fever pitch.
Throughout the event’s illustrious history, audiences have been treated to some spectacular matches, yet there have also been disappointments. Underwhelming bouts can be particularly frustrating, especially when fans have high expectations for greatness.
In this article, we delve into some of the most disappointing matches in WrestleMania history. These encounters didn’t quite hit the mark, leaving fans feeling disillusioned.
10 Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns, WrestleMania 34
Roman’s Lack of Readiness
While both Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns have delivered exceptional matches in the past, they have also been responsible for some of the most lackluster performances. This was evident in their encounter at WrestleMania 34, which is often regarded as one of the event’s most disappointing main events.
The buildup lacked excitement due to previous matchups that had already dulled audience anticipation. Instead of delivering an engaging contest, fans witnessed a monotonous back-and-forth battle devoid of any memorable moments. Having already showcased everything these two could offer in prior matches, the contest felt painfully stale.
Reigns’ mic work was uninspiring, and despite Paul Heyman’s presence, the promo work surrounding the feud struggled to ignite interest. As the match concluded with Lesnar’s victory, he famously threw the WWE Championship belt at Vince McMahon backstage—an awkward conclusion that made it abundantly clear how he felt about the match.
9 Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker, WrestleMania 33
The Big Dog vs. The Dead Man, and the Uninspired Crowd
This encounter had all the makings of a breakout moment for Roman Reigns but fell dramatically short. With the Undertaker showing signs of being past his prime and the match riddled with botches, it quickly turned into a disappointing spectacle. The audience’s discontent was palpable, often booing throughout.
The match ended with a lackluster spear from Reigns, followed by a pinfall that was met with a chorus of boos, signaling a less-than-ideal finish to the marquee event. Forcing Undertaker to take yet another WrestleMania loss to further Reigns’ career progression proved to be divisive and lacked storytelling depth. Reigns’ subsequent declaration on RAW, “This is my yard now, ”only served to fuel the audience’s disdain further.
8 Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg, WrestleMania 20
Two Titans Departing in Silence
WrestleMania 20 saw two of wrestling’s biggest stars, Brock Lesnar and Goldberg, facing off, but the match was marred by the revelation that both would be leaving the company afterward. This news cast a shadow over the match, leading to a heavily negative crowd reaction from the onset.
What followed was a slow-paced affair, with both competitors seemingly going through the motions. The only high point came when Stone Cold Steve Austin, acting as the special guest referee, delivered stunning actions that drew the best crowd reaction. Sadly, the nature of the match ensured it wouldn’t go down in history as one of the best. Thankfully, it was not the main event, or the backlash could have been far worse.
7 Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole, WrestleMania 27
The Disappointment of an Overrated Match
Some matches are destined for failure, and Jerry Lawler’s long-anticipated clash with Michael Cole fell squarely into this category. Despite the excitement generated by having Stone Cold Steve Austin as a special guest referee, the actual contest failed to deliver.
Both competitors struggled to present any kind of compelling wrestling, and despite some interference from Jack Swagger, the match dragged on unnecessarily. Vince McMahon’s backstage comment, “That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen, ”epitomized the widely shared sentiment about this lackluster encounter.
6 Triple H vs. Randy Orton, WrestleMania 25
The Difficulty of Following a Legendary Match
Randy Orton and Triple H faced the daunting task of following one of WWE’s greatest matches—Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker—at WrestleMania 25. Their intense storyline involving home invasions was built up to expect a brutal clash, yet the match itself delivered far less than anticipated.
While it was decent in quality, it lacked the intensity expected given their history. Fans anticipated a high-stakes, memorable encounter, but instead received a straightforward match devoid of standout moments.
5 Sid Justice vs. Hulk Hogan, WrestleMania 8
A Memorable yet Flawed Conclusion
Anticipation was high for Hulk Hogan’s match at WrestleMania 8, as many believed it could be his last for a significant period. However, after a last-minute change from a matchup with Ric Flair to one against Sid, the result was less than thrilling.
As the match dragged, a botched ending involving Papa Shango led to a chaotic finish that fell flat. The ultimate moment of surprise came with The Ultimate Warrior’s unexpected return, but overall, the sense of resolution and excitement was utterly lacking.
4 Roman Reigns vs. Triple H, WrestleMania 32
A Disappointing Passing of the Torch
The match between Roman Reigns and Triple H was designed to symbolize a significant moment in WWE, but instead, it devolved into a crowd-pleasing disaster. Despite expectations for a monumental passing of the torch, the audience booed Reigns vociferously throughout.
In a twist of fate, the match’s intense interference from Stephanie McMahon couldn’t elevate the performance. With the chemistry between the two lacking, fans were left unfulfilling, and the post-match reactions were decidedly negative.
3 Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt, WrestleMania 33
A Surreal Encounter
Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt’s match had potential, given Wyatt’s strong character work, but the execution fell short. The buildup included intriguing story elements, yet the actual matchup was bland and static.
What became a laughable moment was when visuals of bugs and worms unexpectedly appeared in the ring, leading to a confused audience reaction; it detracted significantly from the match itself. Orton’s victory via RKO did little to mask the lackluster nature of this bout, raising questions about its execution and intent.
2 Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon, WrestleMania 26
Cold and Tediously Boring
This match aimed to bring closure to Bret Hart’s tumultuous relationship with Vince McMahon, stemming from the infamous Montreal Screwjob. However, Hart’s deterioration over the years limited the expected outcome of what should have been an impactful matchup.
While there were fun moments featuring family members acting as lumberjacks, the lack of compelling action in the ring left much to be desired. The long runtime made the whole experience feel tedious instead of cathartic, dampening what was meant to be a revenge story.
1 Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin, WrestleMania 35
A Disappointing Finale for a Legendary Career
Kurt Angle’s retirement match had the potential to be a blockbuster event, with many possible opponents like Brock Lesnar or John Cena. Instead, it became an underwhelming bout against Baron Corbin, who lacked the star power that would do justice to such a pivotal moment.
The match ended up feeling flat, with Angle’s signature moves failing to create the excitement expected from his farewell. Ultimately, Corbin’s inability to deliver an impactful match turned this retirement match into a forgettable affair rather than a fitting tribute to Angle’s storied career.
Leave a Reply