WrestleMania: 35 iconic images from the show's history

The streak ends!
The streak ends!

The 35th edition of the annual wrestling extravaganza is almost on the horizon. WrestleMania 35 could quite possibly end up being the biggest event of all time, with around 17 matches rumored to fill up the card.

With women rumored to headline the show for the very first time, Kofi Kingston's 11-year struggle possibly coming to an end, The Game locking horns with The Animal, and Seth Rollins all set to rid us of "The Reign of Terror", this is one show a fan wouldn't want to miss for the world.

As we head towards The Show of Shows, let's take a stroll down memory lane and marvel at some of the most iconic images in the history of WrestleMania.


#1 WrestleMania: Andre the Generous

Andre's generosity knew no bounds
Andre's generosity knew no bounds

The 8th Wonder of the World battled Big John Studd in a $15,000 Bodyslam Challenge. Andre went on to win the whole thing, and proceeded to throw the dollar bills at the sea of fans in the arena.

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Before Andre could empty the bag, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan snuck in and managed to snatch the bag from the giant, fleeing the spot with the bag secured in his hands.


# 2 WrestleMania II: Piper and Mr. T slug it out

Piper wasn't a fan of Mr. T
Piper wasn't a fan of Mr. T

Two participants from the main event of the first WrestleMania went on to compete in a boxing match the next year. Roddy Piper had real life heat with the TV star, as he didn't think that Mr. T deserved to come in and hog the spotlight from other hard working wrestlers.

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The bout ended in chaos as Piper bodyslammed T and lost the match via disqualification, leading to a fight getting ensued at ringside.


#3 WrestleMania III: Hogan slams Andre

When David slayed Goliath at WrestleMania 3
When David slayed Goliath at WrestleMania 3

In front of a mind boggling number of fans (93,000, if WWE is to be believed), Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant in the biggest and most publicized match of all time.

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In one of the most memorable visuals in WWE history, Hogan bodyslammed Andre, followed by a leg drop to retain his WWE title.

Also read: Baron Corbin set to create history at WrestleMania

#4 WrestleMania IV: Hogan and Savage stand tall

Savage wins the WWE title
Savage wins the WWE title

The card for WrestleMania 4 featured a tournament to crown the new WWE Champion. Randy Savage and Ted Dibiase faced off in the finals, with Savage winning his first WWE title with Hogan's aid.

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As Savage and Miss Elizabeth celebrated the legendary win, Hogan raised his thumb towards The Macho Man, signifying his approval of the new WWE Champion.


#5 WrestleMania V: The Mega Powers explode

Hogan reminds Savage that his time is up
Hogan reminds Savage that his time is up

Randy Savage had turned heel during the build-up to WrestleMania 5, when he saw that Hogan was giving more attention to Elizabeth than Savage was comfortable with.

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This led to the breakup of one the biggest tag teams of all time, with Hogan finally meeting Savage at WrestleMania 5 for the gold. As the future President of the United States watched in awe, Hogan greeted Savage with a warning that signified the end of his title reign.


#6 WrestleMania VI: Hogan passes the torch

The Ultimate Warrior becomes the new face of WWE
The Ultimate Warrior becomes the new face of WWE

In front of a packed stadium, that included the future Hall of Famer Edge, The Ultimate Warrior went on to pin Hulk Hogan to win the WWE Title.

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Warrior was set to be the new face of WWE following his win over Hogan, but the plans didn't come to fruition, due to backstage disagreements between Warrior and Vince McMahon.

Also read: WWE drops a major hint on Undertaker's WrestleMania 35 status

#7 WrestleMania VII: The Phenom arrives

The Undertaker debuts against Snuka
The Undertaker debuts against Snuka

At Survivor Series, Ted Dibiase introduced the world to The Undertaker, who would go on to become quite possibly the greatest WWE Superstar of all time. The Deadman went toe to toe with the high-flyer Jimmy Snuka and kicked off his legendary WrestleMania streak.

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#8 WrestleMania VIII: Macho Man and Elizabeth reunite

A moment that will live forever in the annals of wrestling history
A moment that will live forever in the annals of wrestling history

After Randy Savage lost his match against The Ultimate Warrior, Savage's manager Sherri Martelbegan started assaulting him, with no end in sight. Miss Elizabeth, who was at ringside, sprinted towards Martel and threw her out of the ring.

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What followed was a visual that left the sea of fans in tears, as Randy Savage hoisted Elizabeth on his shoulders, cementing the fact that they were reunited.

Also read: 6 Superstars who might return at WrestleMania 35

#9 WrestleMania IX: Mr. Fuji screws Bret Hart

Mr. Fuji throws salt at an unsuspecting Bret Hart
Mr. Fuji throws salt at an unsuspecting Bret Hart

As the main event of WrestleMania 9 was coming to an end, with Bret Hart locking the sharpshooter on Yokozuna, Mr. Fuji threw a handful of salt in his face.

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This was enough for Yokozuna to capitalize on Hart and pin him to win the WWE Title. Moments later, Hulk Hogan came out to the aid of Hart, got challenged to a match at the spot, and ended up winning the WWE Title in one of the worst finishes in WrestleMania history.


#10 WrestleMania X: Bret Hart wins the gold

Hart defeated Yokozuna to win the WWE title
Hart defeated Yokozuna to win the WWE title

Bret Hart had just lost one of the greatest opening matches in the history of WrestleMania, to his brother Owen.

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Hart faced Yokozuna in the main event, and managed to slay the giant as the special referee Roddy Piper made the three-count. A string of babyfaces entered the ring, with Hall and Luger hoisting the newly crowned champion on their shoulders.

Also read: Three shocking ways Triple H vs Batista could end

#11 WrestleMania XI: Pamela Anderson raises Diesel's hands

Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, and others celebrate with Diesel
Pamela Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, and others celebrate with Diesel

For his match against Shawn Michaels, Diesel came down to the ring with Pamela Anderson as his valet. After disposing of Michaels to win the WWE Title, the celebs entered the ring and raised Diesel's hands up in the air, kicking off possibly the worst period in WWE history.

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1995 is still considered as being one of the worst years for WWE, with Summerslam 1995 being main-evented by Diesel and King Mabel.


#12 WrestleMania XII: Michaels' entrance wows the fans

Michaels' legendary entrance at WrestleMania 12
Michaels' legendary entrance at WrestleMania 12

Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart faced off in the first ever Iron Man match in the main event of WrestleMania 12.

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In a visual that has been used countless times in WWE's highlight reels, Michaels came down to the ring from the rafters, while being attatched to a rope. The Heart Break Kid went on to win the match in overtime, finally realizing his boyhood dream.

Also read: 8 reasons WrestleMania 35 could be the greatest show of all time

#13 WrestleMania XIII: The double turn

A bloody Austin, passing out to the sharpshooter
A bloody Austin, passing out to the sharpshooter

Austin and Bret Hart tore the house down in a bloody brawl at WrestleMania 13. The bout is widely regarded as one of the best matches in the history of this business. The visual of a bloodied Austin struggling to escape the sharpshooter has become synonymous with The Rattlesnake's "Never give up" persona .

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The match ended with Hart turning into a full-blown heel, while Austin became one of the hottest commodities in wrestling.


#14 WrestleMania XIV: Tyson punches Michaels

Tyson knocks Michaels down
Tyson knocks Michaels down

Mike Tyson's presence garnered an astronomical buyrate for WWE at WrestleMania 14, with the event being headlined by Austin vs Michaels for the WWE Title.

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Tyson made the three-count to give Austin his first WWE title, kick-starting The Austin Era. A confused Michaels got up and confronted the boxing legend, earning himself a thunderous knockout punch to the jaw.

Also read: 2 legit reasons Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal should be canceled

#15 WrestleMania XV: The Undertaker hangs The Big Boss Man

A disturbing visual to end the Hell in a Cell match
A disturbing visual to end the Hell in a Cell match

Following his victory over The Big Boss Man inside Hell in a Cell, The Undertaker did the unthinkable. The Brood came down from the rafters and attached a rope to the Cell. The Phenom tied the rope around Boss Man's neck and signaled to elevate the Cell.

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In a horrifying visual, Boss Man was hanged by his neck, signfying that he had actually died in the process.


#16 WrestleMania XVI: A heel stands tall

Triple H poses with his newly won WWE title
Triple H poses with his newly won WWE title

The main event of WrestleMania 16 was billed as "A McMahon in every corner". The Fatal Four Way pitted The Rock, Triple H, Mick Foley and The Big Show, with each one being managed by a McMahon.

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In a shocking climax, The Rock's manager Vince McMahon hit him with a chair, with Triple H securing a pin on The Brahma Bull. This was the first time that a heel stood tall at the end of a WrestleMania.

Also read: 7 things WWE should avoid at WrestleMania 35

#17 Austin shakes hand with Vince

Vince screws The Rock again
Vince screws The Rock again

The greatest WrestleMania of all time ended when Vince McMahon betrayed The Rock again, aiding Austin to win the WWE Title in front of 70,000 roaring fans.

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The moment is widely regarded by fans and experts as being the official end of the Attitude Era.


#18 WrestleMania X8: A heel Hogan gets cheered over The Rock

The Rock was visibly confused at the crowd reaction
The Rock was visibly confused at the crowd reaction

In a clash of the generations, The Rock battled The Immortal Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18. While Hogan entered the match as a heel, the sea of fans inside the stadium cheered him, while booing The Rock simultaneously.

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As the two icons faced off, the crowd went wild for Hogan, not having forgotten his match against The Ultimate Warrior in the same building at WrestleMania 6. Hogan lost the match, and turned babyface immediately after fending off The NWO with The Rock's aid.

Also read: 3 thunderous stipulations for the possible Reigns vs McIntyre match at WrestleMania 35

#19 WrestleMania XIX: Lesnar botches the Shooting Star Press

The mistake that almost cost Lesnar his career
The mistake that almost cost Lesnar his career

The main event of WrestleMania 19 featured a white-hot Brock Lesnar taking on Kurt Angle for the WWE Title.

As the match neared its end, Lesnar decided to try out a Shooting Star Press on Angle. He ended up botching the move horribly, and almost broke his neck.

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Lesnar ended up having his hand raised to close the show, but was very close to turning the main event into a disaster.


#20 WrestleMania XX: Benoit and Eddie celebrate their victories

Benoit finally wins the big one
Benoit finally wins the big one

WrestleMania 20 was built around Chris Benoit's 18-year struggle to become the World Champion. The Rabid Wolverine went on to win the main event by making Triple H submit to the Crippler Crossface.

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Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero celebrated together amidst a sea of falling confetti, to close the show.

Also read: 3 WrestleMania matches that were too short

# WrestleMania 21: The new blood takes over

Batista wins the World title to close the show
Batista wins the World title to close the show

The 21st edition of WrestleMania marked a new beginning, as the new blood took over the reigns from the old guard.

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John Cena and Batista went on to win their respective World Title matches, against JBL and Triple H, respectively. Batista's win closed the show, as he held the title high above his head with a bloodied Triple H watching his reign come to an end.


#22 WrestleMania 22: Edge spears Foley on a flaming table

A move that left the fans in utter disbelief
A move that left the fans in utter disbelief

The rivalry between Edge and Mick Foley culminated in a hardcore match at WrestleMania 22. During the final moments of the match, Lita set a table on fire outside, and Edge speared an unsuspecting Foley on the the flaming table.

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This was enough for Edge to secure a pin, and the match is widely regarded as the moment that turned Edge into a main event caliber star.

Also read: 3 ways Becky is destroying her opponents even before WrestleMania 35

#23 WrestleMania 23: Trump shaves McMahon's head

The duo shaved Vince bald
The duo shaved Vince bald

Bobby Lashley vs Umaga was billed as "The Battle of the Billionaires", with a stipulation of the loser getting his head shaved bald.

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Vince McMahon did everything in his power to win the match, including a run-in by Shane, but to no avail.

After Lashley disposed of Umaga with a thunderous spear, Vince McMahon was shaved bald in front of millions of fans, garnering a record buyrate for WrestleMania 23.


#24 WrestleMania XXIV: Michaels retires Flair

Shawn Michaels superkicked Flair into retirement
Shawn Michaels superkicked Flair into retirement

Ric Flair's retirement match turned into a tear-jerking affair, as Shawn Michaels uttered the words, "I'm sorry. I love you!", before superkicking him and pinning the veteran in the middle of the ring.

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Ric Flair received possibly the greatest sendoff of all time, the following night on Raw.

Also read: 4 WrestleMania openers that stole the show

#25 WrestleMania 25: The disbelief on Taker's face

An iconic visual from a five-star classic
An iconic visual from a five-star classic

The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels had possibly the greatest match in WrestleMania history, with The Phenom coming on top in the end. Although the match was full of thrilling moments from beginning to end, this visual of The Undertaker's face in disbelief takes the cake.

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After Michaels kicked out of a Tombstone Piledriver, Undertaker couldn't believe his eyes and looked visibly aghast.


#26 WrestleMaia XXVI: Michaels retires

Two of the absolute best shaking hands in the middle of the ring
Two of the absolute best shaking hands in the middle of the ring

The Undertaker and Michaels had another classic at WrestleMania 26, although it didn't top the showdown from the previous year.

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Michaels lost the match after a thunderous Tombstone Piledriver. An exhausted Undertaker helped Michaels get up, and proceeded to shake his hand amidst a sea of cheers. The Undertaker then left the ring to let The Heart Break Kid take it all in, one final time.

Also read: 3 possible finishes to Lesnar vs Rollins at WrestleMania 35

#27 WrestleMania XVII: The Rock and Austin face off

Two legends meet again after a long time
Two legends meet again after a long time

In a backstage segment at WrestleMania 27, The Rock shared a light-hearted moment with Eve Torres and Mae Young. After the duo left, The Rock turned back to see none other than his greatest rival, Stone Cold Steve Austin!

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A few words were exchanged, as the sea of fans inside Georgia Dome cheered to no end.


#28 WrestleMania XVIII: End of an Era

Three legendary veterens together, one final time
Three legendary veterens together, one final time

The End Of An Era Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania 28 was a great example of excellent storytelling. The match came off like a thrilling movie, with the WWE making the fans believe that the streak was about to break that night.

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After The Undertaker won the match, both The Phenom and Michaels helped a semi-conscious Triple H towards the ramp. Before leaving, the trio looked one last time at the sea of fans, truly marking the end of an era.

Also read: 4 women who are ready for Asuka at WrestleMania 35

#29 WrestleMania XXIX: The Shield makes their WrestleMania debut

The trio making their iconic entrance through the crowd
The trio making their iconic entrance through the crowd

The Shield made their WrestleMania debut against Orton, Sheamus and The Big Show in a 6-man tag team match. The trio made their way to the ring in their own unique way, coming down through the sea of fans.

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The debut led to a thunderous win, with The Shield going on to do bigger and better things inside the squared circle for years to come.


#30 WrestleMania XXX: The streak is broken

Lesnar stands tall, as the streak comes to an end
Lesnar stands tall, as the streak comes to an end

In a last minute change made by Vince McMahon himself, Brock Lesnar broke The Undertaker's legendary streak that had kicked off way back at WrestleMania 7.

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As 70,000 fans gasped in unison, Lesnar's hand was raised as he looked at the battered form of The Phenom.

Also read: 3 WrestleMania matches that never happened

#31 WrestleMania 31: Heist of the Century

Rollins shocked the wrestling world in the main event of WrestleMania 31
Rollins shocked the wrestling world in the main event of WrestleMania 31

Seth Rollins had just lost his match against Randy Orton. He was immediately called to the back, where it was revealed that he would be cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.

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As Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar lied on their backs, Seth's music hit and he sprinted towards the ring. The stadium erupted into a roar and Rollins pinned Reigns to win the WWE Title, in one of the biggest shockers in WrestleMania history.


#32 WrestleMania 32: Shane jumps off the cell

Shane fell down 20 feet on the announce table
Shane fell down 20 feet on the announce table

Shane McMahon made his long-awaited return to WWE on the road to WrestleMania. Mr. McMahon put him in a match against The Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell.

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Shane held his own throughout the match, but he was no match for The Deadman. In one of the most awe-inspiring visuals in WrestleMania history, Shane jumped off the cell and fell on top of the announce table, missing The Undertaker. The Phenom went on to win the match, but Shane's leap off the top of the cell is what's remembered the most to this day.

Also read: 5 things that need to happen at WrestleMania 35

#33 WrestleMania 33: The Hardy Boyz return

The Hardy Boyz made their triumphant return to WWE
The Hardy Boyz made their triumphant return to WWE

The multi-team ladder match for the Tag Team titles was about to begin, when The New Day came out on the ramp. They announced that one more team was about to join the others in the ring.

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The stadium went into a frenzy as The Hardy Boyz came out in one of the most shocking returns of all time. The duo ended up winning the whole thing and became the new Tag Team Champions.


#34 WrestleMania 34: Asuka's 276 match streak ends

Asuka taps out to Charlotte
Asuka taps out to Charlotte

Asuka won the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match and went on to challenge Charlotte to a match at WrestleMania. A hard-fought match came to an end as Charlotte managed to do the unthinkable, and break Asuka's 6 year streak.

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The duo hugged after the match, and Charlotte left with her title still in her hands.

Also read: 3 WrestleMania backstage moments that weren't televised originally

# 35 WrestleMania 35: What's next?

Which moment will go down as an iconic visual?
Which moment will go down as an iconic visual?

WrestleMania 35 is almost on the horizon, and all three main events could leave us with iconic visuals.

Kofi Kingston has been screwed over by Mr. McMahon on multiple occasions, with the final straw being on last night's SmackDown. Kofi is bound to compete in the WWE Title match at WrestleMania, and his eventual win would be an underdog moment for the ages.

Will we see this at Mania?
Will we see this at Mania?

On the red brand, the fans are clamouring for The Architect to beat Brock Lesnar and bring the Universal Title back home. Lesnar has defeated Reigns and Ambrose in separate WrestleMania encounters. Will we see the same happen to Rollins, or will he manage to slay The Beast on The Grandest Stage Of Them All?

A possible iconic moment?
A possible iconic moment?

Finally, we have the headliner in the Raw Women's Title triple threat match. With Becky Lynch having become the hottest commodity in wrestling, there's a strong possibility that "The Man" will win the Raw Women's Title to close the show.

Will this happen again?
Will this happen again?

In a nutshell, there are plenty of possible moments that could go on to become iconic visuals in their own right. What's the most iconic image in the history of WrestleMania? Which possible WrestleMania 35 moment could go on to become an iconic visual?

Also read: 5 reasons the Raw Women's triple threat match should main event WrestleMania 35

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Edited by Kishan Prasad
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