Ranking every WrestleMania of the past decade: Part II (5 to 1)

WrestleMania is the biggest spectacle in sports and entertainment, with a consistent and high level of production and beauty. But the sights and sounds of the Show of Shows is not the biggest factor in what makes it great.

A good WrestleMania is made up of so many elements.

The main event matches should be big enough to headline such an event, while there should be a balance throughout the entire card, in terms of good action and logical storytelling.

Aside from all that, the key component that determines the success of a WrestleMania are those special moments, and how many of them connect with the WWE Universe.

While the quality of the first WrestleMania of this decade is in serious doubt, we can look at the past decade of WrestleManias fondly. There were some excellent editions of the 'Show of Shows'.

Here are the five greatest WrestleManias of the 2010s ranked, from decent to simply excellent. Part 1 of the same can be read here.

You can kill some time during this trying situation by watching some of them on the WWE Network, which has been made free for the time being.

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#5 WrestleMania 28 (2012)

Simply legendary.

If you look at the balance of the WrestleMania 28 match card, you might not think this was that good of an event. The undercard was so painfully average, that the first four matches were all completed in less than an hour.

The standout moment from Hour 1 was the 18-second debacle that was Daniel Bryan's world title defeat to Sheamus. Luckily though, despite the undercard, WrestleMania 28 was strongly held by two massive pillars, three if you count CM Punk vs Chris Jericho.

The Undertaker took on Triple H inside Hell in a Cell, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee, with the match being dubbed as the 'End of an Era'. It was one of the most dramatic and emotional matches in WrestleMania history, ending with the Deadman going 20-0 at the Show of Shows.

But the biggest selling point of this show was the mega match between John Cena and The Rock, as evidenced by the year-long build. It was the biggest match in 'Mania history and helped WrestleMania 28 score the highest pay-per-view buy rate in WWE history.

On the night, Cena and Rock delivered a great match thanks in part to an extremely hot crowd. The Great One won the epic encounter, one that was better than it's sequel a year later.

#4 WrestleMania 33 (2017)

One of the greatest returns in recent history.

This was one of these modern-day five-hour-long WrestleManias, meaning it is pretty difficult to judge. 'Mania 33 was similar to its 2018 counterpart in a number of ways.

The undercard was great, a McMahon was part of the show-stealer, and the show dipped in quality towards the end. However, the final few matches here were much better than what happened at the end of WrestleMania 34.

AJ Styles and Shane McMahon had a surprisingly fantastic match to open the show, while the biggest pop of the night belonged to the returning Hardy Boyz. Matt and Jeff came home and won the RAW Tag Title ladder match.

Triple H put over Seth Rollins in an Unsanctioned Match that would have benefited from being 5 to 10 minutes shorter. The rest of WrestleMania 33 was hit and miss, epitomized by the two world title matches.

Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton flopped, while Brock Lesnar's Universal Title victory over Goldberg set the Citrus Bowl on fire. However, the show was headlined by Roman Reigns, who defeated The Undertaker.

The Deadman put his hat, coat, and gloves in the middle of the ring after the main event, seemingly retiring and leaving the WWE Universe shocked.

Of course, we know that 'Taker returned, removing the emotion from that moment. Had this been his curtain call, WrestleMania 33 would have been looked back at much more fondly.

#3 WrestleMania 35 (2019)

Possibly the most feel-good 'Mania of all time.

Well, this was another really long show. 2017 had 10 matches, 2018 had 11 matches and wouldn't you know it, 2019 had 12. Luckily, despite the superhuman length, WrestleMania 35 had more good than bad on it.

It was boosted by three huge feel-good babyface victories. The show began in shocking fashion, with Brock Lesnar wrestling in the opening match.

He lost his Universal Championship to Seth Rollins in quick fashion to get off to the hottest start possible. After that, the matches on the SmackDown side were pretty great.

The Usos, The Miz, Ricochet, and AJ Styles, among others, impressed. But the Blue brand's WrestleMania highlight was that sweet victory earned by Kofi Kingston, as he won his first WWE Championship in 11 years with the company.

The story leading to the event was excellent and the match between Kingston and Daniel Bryan delivered on the night. After that, it was tough for the WWE Universe to really get into any other match.

The RAW side was not that great, save for an entertaining brawl between Batista and Triple H. While the Animal had a solid retirement match, Kurt Angle's farewell was not that great. He lost to Baron Corbin in a fairly mediocre match.

But the night belonged to the women, as we saw them headline WrestleMania for the first time ever. Becky Lynch defeated Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair to win the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships. It was a great moment to close the show, even if the finish was botched.

The three big title changes make this WrestleMania a great one, even if it lasted well over 5 hours.

#2 WrestleMania 31 (2015)

Almost everything was great.

What a fun show this was. Almost everything on the WrestleMania 31 card was great. Plus, it was under the unique setting of daylight in its entirety, even if it did take away from some cool entrances.

The show opening ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship was great, as Daniel Bryan picked up another title for his storied WrestleMania collection.

Matches pitting Seth Rollins against Randy Orton and John Cena against Rusev impressed without outstaying their welcome. The latter had an evening to remember, as he entered 'Mania in a tank.

Triple H had an interesting evening as well. He defeated Sting after a fun brawl in which DX and the nWo interfered, before donning the suit and tie to accompany Stephanie McMahon as the Authority got pummeled by The Rock and Ronda Rousey.

Bray Wyatt vs The Undertaker was not the best match and their entrances were both watered down due to the sun still being out. However, the main event brought WrestleMania 31 back on track to be one of the top editions of the entire decade.

Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns took each other to their limits in a brutal WWE Championship match. Both of them enjoyed periods of dominance, particularly Lesnar, who invented 'Suplex City' during the match.

In the end, none of them won as Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned Reigns to win the title. It was one of the most exciting 'Mania endings ever, as history was made.

Despite a lackluster build to the event, WWE pulled it out of the bag and WrestleMania 31 was excellent throughout.

#1 WrestleMania 30 (2014)

An emotional rollercoaster.

WrestleMania 30 is the epitome of the best parts of pro wrestling. There were moments, stories and emotions galore on this wonderful night in the Superdome.

The show began with Hulk Hogan, who welcomed everybody to the Silverdome, before 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and The Rock joined him. The three legends shared the ring and some beers as the WWE Universe witnessed a classic moment.

The Shield and Cesaro shone in the spotlight with impressive displays, but the night belonged to Daniel Bryan. He defeated Triple H in the opening match to face Randy Orton and Batista in the main event.

However, with all the joy of the Yes Movement, there was immense sadness, as The Undertaker's undefeated streak was snapped at the hands of Brock Lesnar. It remains the single most shocking moment in WrestleMania history.

Very few things could have brought the crowd back to life after that moment, but Daniel Bryan did just that. Magic was in the air as Bryan conquered the world and won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

It was an electric story, told magnificently throughout the entire evening. After making Batista tap out, Bryan celebrated his triumph with a euphoric WWE Universe. It was the ultimate good guy coronation at WrestleMania, such a lovely moment.

This is the best 'Mania of the past decade not necessarily because of the quality of the matches, but rather because of the peaks and troughs we were made to feel over the four hours of the show.

Whether we were happy or sad, WrestleMania 30 overwhelmed us with emotion. And isn't that what makes pro wrestling so great?