5 Great Wrestlemania matches and 5 disappointing ones

The Rock and Hollywood Hogan face off at Wrestlemania 18
The Rock and Hollywood Hogan face off at Wrestlemania 18

Not a great Wrestlemania match: Rocky Maivia vs. The Sultan--Wrestlemania XIII

It's hard to believe that this dud of a match involves the most Electrifying man in sports entertainment
It's hard to believe that this dud of a match involves the most Electrifying man in sports entertainment

Years before he would become the sensational ticket selling machine and movie star The Rock, Dwayne Johnson would portray a much different character: Third Generation wrestler Rocky Maivia, carrying the legacy for both his father, Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.

Fans did not take to Rocky Maivia--as in at all. His perpetual smile, bright blue flanged ring gear, and lack of experience all made the fans turn on him, even though he was aggressively pushed as a babyface. His opponent, the Sultan, was even less over, and would later enjoy a great deal more success as Rikishi sans the mask. But in this era, neither man was over in the least, and the fact that this match was for the Intercontinental championship did nothing to increase fan interest. If you look at the crowd in the above photo, literally no one is on their feet or cheering. They look as if they've been hypnotized into a near slumber.

Don't feel bad for Rock--he appears later on our list!

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