5 biggest upsets at WrestleMania history

Triple H outlasted three World Champions at WrestleMania 2000.
Triple H outlasted three World Champions at WrestleMania 2000.

There is a reason why WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year in the world of Sports Entertainment.

For over 30 years, the showcase of the immortals has hosted hundreds of matches, with some of the most historic moments in wrestling history taking place at the show.

Whether it be Shawn Michaels' boyhood dream coming true in 1996, the handshake heard around the world between Steve Austin and Vince McMahon in 2001, or the end of The Undertaker's undefeated streak in 2014, WrestleMania is a place where Superstars become legends.

But sometimes, the WWE Universe has seen matches which they naturally assumed were going to go one way, only for all their expectations to be subverted, as the WWE pull the metaphorical rug from under their feet.

Here are the five biggest upsets in the history of the showcase of the immortals, WrestleMania.

#5 Fandango dances his way to a debut win - WrestleMania 29

Fandango leg drops his way into history.
Fandango leg drops his way into history.

When Fandango (re)debuted in WWE, he certainly hoped to make a good first impression, at the cost of the legendary Chris Jericho.

After weeks of being embarrassed by Y2J, the waltzing warrior agreed to meet Jericho for a match at WrestleMania 29, his first under the new character.

Many expected the cocky heel to get his comeuppance, as for years the fans had seen Jericho win at the show, including championship victories at both WrestleMania 2000, and X-Seven.

Instead, though, Fandango got a huge win following a huge leg-drop, pinning the former World Champion.

It's a result very few saw coming, that made Fandango a star overnight.

Whilst his career, and popularity would wane following the match, no-one can deny that WrestleMania 29, belonged to WWE's lord of the dance.

#4 Zack Ryder Woo Woo Wins the IC Title: WrestleMania 32

Woo Woo Woo!
Woo Woo Woo!

When WrestleMania 32 rolled around, Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens was not happy.

Being forced to defend his title against six opponents, things were made even worse for the Canadian when the match became a ladder match.

But out of foes that included former World Champions such as Dolph Ziggler and The Miz, as well as former friend Sami Zayn, it was the unlikely Zack Ryder who won the match, winning his first title in nearly five years.

In a truly heart-warming moment, Ryder's dad entered the ring to celebrate with his son, forcing a cowboy hat on the embarrassed but delighted head of his son.

The feel-goodness was turned up even further, when Ryder posed backstage with his title with Scott Hall, the same man who a young Ryder had snapped a photo with, when Hall held the same title, all those years ago.

#3 Lawrence Taylor slams Bam Bam: WrestleMania 11

Bam Bam was no match for the NFL legend.
Bam Bam was no match for the NFL legend.

WrestleMania 11 has interestingly been called the worst WrestleMania of all time, as well as the one that helped save the WWF.

In the main event of the show, NFL star Lawrence 'L.T.' Taylor met Bam Bam Bigelow, which should surely have been a certified win for the Beast from the East.

This win was even more assured when Bigelow brought a legion of WWF Superstars with him including Tatanka, King Kong Bundy and Kama.

To combat this, L.T. brought his own army, including Rickey Jackon, Reggie White and Steve McMichael, evening the playing field.

After a hard-fought bout, L.T. was able to topple the super-heavyweight, diving on him from the second rope with a forearm, pinning the former ECW World Champion, and showing he meant business, on the field and in the ring.

#2 Owen steps out of his brother's shadow: WrestleMania 10

Owen punished his brother in the opener of WrestleMania.
Owen punished his brother in the opener of WrestleMania.

As the youngest of eleven siblings, things could not have been easy for the young Owen Hart.

Joining the WWE after brother Bret, the Rocket was often compared to his much more successful brother, leaving the younger Hart resentful.

This all boiled over when the two brothers faced in the opener of the show, in an epic 20-minute bout, which saw Owen finally beat his brother, pinning him in the middle of the ring.

To call this a huge win for the Rocket, would be a huge understatement, though Bret would wrestle later that night, winning the WWF Championship from Yokozuna.

Whilst his brother may have left champion, none could deny that Owen had finally made his own name in the WWF, and would have plenty of championship gold of his own very soon.

#1 The Game survives the night: WrestleMania 2000

The Game, with WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.
The Game, with WWF Women's Champion Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.

We all know how much the McMahon family love putting themselves in front of the camera, and at WrestleMania 2000, the show could easily have been called 'McMahonomania'.

That is because all four members of the McMahon family appeared in the main event fatal 4-way, with Vince McMahon accompanying The Rock, Linda with Mick Foley, Shane with the Big Show, and Stephanie with her husband and reigning WWF Champion, Triple H.

Despite the odds being stacked against him, the Game outlasted the other three, retaining his title after a heel turn by Vince.

This marked the first time a heel had won in the main event of WrestleMania, as most fans naturally assumed that it would be the Brahma Bull standing on top, or perhaps Foley, who had returned from retirement, just a few weeks ago.

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