The 5 Best WrestleManias Before WrestleMania 42
We’ve made it: WrestleMania 42 weekend is here, and Allegiant Stadium will be filled with WWE fans for the next two nights as the next chapter in the illustrious history of the “Super Bowl of Pro Wrestling” is written.
But not all WrestleManias are created equal.
Throughout its lore, there have been events that have transcended the pomp and circumstance of a regular climax to be something more special.
Can WrestleMania 42 be one of those shows?
It’s not going to be easy. Here are my top five WrestleManias of all-time as we lead into the next installment.
More news: WrestleMania 42 Saturday: Full Card Predictions and Surprises
More news: WrestleMania 42 Sunday: Full Card Predictions and Surprises
5. WrestleMania 21
Back when it was still called the Staples Center, Los Angeles hosted a star-studded affair in 2005. While most commonly remembered as the night John Cena and Batista both won their first world championships and ushered in a new era of the WWE, it was also the setting for arguably the greatest WrestleMania match ever: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle.
4. WrestleMania 40
The most action-packed, plot-twisting, cinematic ending in WrestleMania history happened in Philadelphia when Cody Rhodes finally completed his story by ending the 1,300-plus-day world title run of Roman Reigns.
Along with an unforgettable main event, there was a slew of top-tier matches, like Sami Zayn vs. Gunther and Iyo Sky vs. Bayley. Plus, The Rock wrestled a full match for the first time in over a decade.
3. WrestleMania XIX
The hardcore fan’s favorite WrestleMania, the 19th edition in Seattle, isn’t always the most talked about, but it is one of the best all-around shows the WWE has ever produced.
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho was fantastic. Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon’s street was better than it had any right to be. The Rock finally beat “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to end their ‘Mania trilogy. And to cap it all off, Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar were two athletic freaks in their primes bending minds in the main event.
2. WrestleMania 39
The second Los Angeles WrestleMania in the top-five, the first ‘Mania under the booking of Triple H was truly something special.
In terms of pure work rate, this is the greatest WrestleMania in history. There are five or six matches over these two nights that would be the best match on a majority of previous WrestleManias.
This was the peak of the Bloodline story, as The Usos vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens stole the show during Saturday’s main event, and then Cody Rhodes against Roman Reigns had the best atmosphere and suspense to a world title match since the main event of the best WrestleMania of all time.
1. WrestleMania X-Seven
While 39 is longer, has a bigger crowd, and better match quality overall, it’s nearly impossible to touch the 17th WrestleMania.
It’s a perfect pro wrestling show. It has something for everyone, and almost nothing feels wasted across its runtime. From technical masterpieces to hardcore mayhem to a comedy battle royal to a pulse-racing main event between the company’s two biggest stars, with Rock and Austin, everything flows to perfection.
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 12:02 PM.