WWE WrestleMania 21 was a night to remember in professional wrestling history. The event featured several historic moments, incredible matches, and a showcase of athleticism and entertainment that left a lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling. As one of the greatest WrestleMania events of all time, WrestleMania 21 will continue to be celebrated by fans for years to come.
If you ask purists which match is the best at , the answer is unanimous: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle. Dubbed "Mr. WrestleMania" vs. "The Wrestling Machine," this was a 30-minute technical masterpiece. WWE WrestleMania 21
For fans and historians alike, represents a perfect storm of storytelling, celebrity star power, and career-defining matches. It is remembered not just for the action in the ring, but for the "WrestleMania Hollywood" theme that permeated every moment, from the red carpet arrivals to the star-studded commentary booths. WWE WrestleMania 21 was a night to remember
| # | Match | Result | Notes | |---|-------|--------|-------| |1|Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero|Rey Mysterio won|Tribute match after Guerrero’s real-life health scare; friendly rivalry| |2|Money in the Bank ladder match|Edge won|Inaugural MITB| |3|Chris Benoit vs. MVP (wrestling under protest)|Chris Benoit won|Short match; MVP was originally scheduled vs. Big Show but refused| |4|The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton|The Undertaker won|Streak: 13–0| |5|Trish Stratus (c) vs. Christy Hemme (with Lita)|Trish Stratus won|WWE Women’s Championship| |6|Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels|Kurt Angle won|Submission match (Angle made Michaels tap)| |7|Akebono vs. Big Show|Akebono won|Sumo match (pre-show dark match? – aired on Sunday Night Heat)| |8|John Cena vs. JBL (c)|John Cena won|WWE Championship| |9|Batista vs. Triple H (c)|Batista won|World Heavyweight Championship| If you ask purists which match is the
The main event of WrestleMania 21 was a highly anticipated match between Batista and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. The two superstars had been building up to this moment for months, with a series of intense and physical matches that had left fans eager to see who would emerge victorious.
Let’s not forget the aesthetic. The set design for was a massive Hollywood Bowl-inspired structure with a giant video screen shaped like a movie marquee. The stage had staircases, white pillars, and a "WrestleMania" sign that looked like a Hollywood landmark. For fans of production design, this event set the bar for how to make a sports event feel like the Oscars.
The story was about pride. Angle claimed he could out-wrestle anyone, including Michaels. The two exchanged holds, suplexes, and near-falls at a breakneck pace. In the end, Angle countered a crossbody into the Angle Slam and locked in the ankle lock. Michaels passed out from the pain rather than submit. It was a rare clean loss for Michaels, but it elevated both men. This match is often listed as the greatest match in history, and it single-handedly saved the middle portion of the show from lagging.