Skysports.com concludes its review of 'The Grandest Stage Of Them All' with 'Manias XV to XXIV.
Join skysports.com as we review 'Mania's illustrious history
Skysports.com concludes its review of 'The Grandest Stage Of Them All' with a look back at WrestleManias XV to XXIV.
Notable for the final appearances of superstars like Mr Perfect, Test, Owen Hart, Eddie Guerrero and Big Boss Man before their deaths, the WWE was enjoying a golden age.
Edge and Christian, the Dudleys and Hardy Boyz were rewriting history in spectacular Tag Team action, while Mr WrestleMania Shawn Michaels and the undefeated Undertaker continued their destructive paths.
Stone Cold and The Rock proved huge draws as headliners before powerhouses like Brock Lesnar and Goldberg briefly took over and Triple H and John Cena went on to carry the torch.
So join us now as we take a look back at the best of 'Mania history from the end of the nineties to present day.
WRESTLEMANIA XV
Owen Hart made his last 'Mania appearance in 1999, just two months before his tragic death, as he teamed up with Jeff Jarrett to retain the Tag Team titles against D'Lo Brown and another late great - Test.
Butterbean continued the triumphant run of heavyweight boxers in the wrestling arena, with a clean roundhouse right knocking out Bart Gunn in double quick time in Texas.
Big Boss Man - sadly also no longer with us - was found out in Hell In A Cell Match against Undertaker, meanwhile, as The Streak moved to 8-0.
Austin continued to take the federation by storm as well and maintained his dominance with a No Disqualifications victory over WWE champion The Rock, sealed with a Stunner.
WRESTLEMANIA 2000
Edge and Christian may have claimed the World Tag Team titles in a Triangle Ladder Match in California, but the Dudley Boyz and Hardy Boyz certainly played their part in one of the most memorable matches ever witnessed.
Responding to the passionate Anaheim crowd, D-Von and Bubba Ray introduced tables into the piece and there can seldom have been a more thrilling sight than Jeff Hardy hitting the Swanton Bomb to Bubba through a table from atop a ladder.
It was little wonder then that Intercontinental championship winner Chris Benoit and European title victor Chris Jericho found it hard to follow.
Triple H later retained his WWE championship with success in a Fatal Four Way Elimination Match against Big Show, Mick Foley and The Rock.
WRESTLEMANIA X-Seven
Stone Cold made a successful return home to Texas at WrestleMania X-Seven - again defeating The Rock in a No Disqualification epic to win the WWE title.
Y2J Chris Jericho was the only superstar to walk out of the Reliant Astrodome, the scene of WrestleMania XXV, with his title intact after a successful defence of his Intercontinental belt against William Regal.
Edge and Christian began to dominate the Tag Team stakes with a stunning Tables, Ladders and Chairs win over the Hardy and Dudley Boyz for the gold, while Kane overcame champion Raven and Big Show to be crowned Hardcore Champion.
An action-packed evening in Houston also saw Test relinquish his European championship to Eddie Guerrero before Undertaker delivered The Last Ride on old adversary Triple H to maintain his winning streak.
WRESTLEMANIA X8
One of the more easily forgettable WrestleMania's came in Toronto with singles matches between Triple H and Chris Jericho and The Rock and Hollywood Hulk Hogan the main attractions.
The King of Kings nailed Y2J with a Pedigree to retain his status as Undisputed champion while the People's Champion hit Hogan with the People's Elbow to come out on top of the 'Icon versus Icon' match-up.
Another champion to have the gold whipped from his waist was William Regal, as WWE newcomer Rob Van Dam won the Intercontinental title thanks to a Five-Star Frog Splash.
However there was no such pain for Maven, Billy and Chuck, Jazz and Diamond Dallas Page, who all left the SkyDome with their respective titles intact, and Mr Perfect also made his last appearance on The Grandest Stage Of Them All in Six-man Tag action.
WRESTLEMANIA XIX
Brock Lesnar recovered from a botched Shooting Star Press - which saw him land square on his head - to overcame WWE champion Kurt Angle and strike gold in Seattle.
Another Pedigree did the trick for Triple H in Washington as he, with a little help from Ric Flair, overcame the challenge of Booker T to retain the World Heavyweight championship.
Familiar foes The Rock and Stone Cold faced off again with The Great One finally prevailing thanks to three Rock Bottoms.
Other notable matches saw Matt Hardy keep hold of his Cruiserweight title with victory over Rey Mysterio and Undertaker and Shawn Michaels register successes against Big Show and A-Train and Chris Jericho respectively.
WRESTLEMANIA XX
John Cena made his WrestleMania debut at Madison Square Garden and in doing so became the new United States champion with a win over Show.
In one of the two main events, an epic Triple Threat Match was decided by a Cripple Crossface as Chris Benoit made Triple H tap out to win the World Heavyweight title.
Eddie Guerrero got the better of a technical exchange with Kurt Angle to retain the WWE championship and there was also a return to the Grandest Stage Of Them All for Undertaker in New York, where he took his record to 12-0 after delivering a Tombstone Piledriver on Kane.
Special guest referee Stone Cold officiated as Goldberg beat Brock Lesnar, while RVD and Booker T successfully defended their Tag Team belts in a Fatal Four Way match.
WRESTLEMANIA 21
A devastating Batista Bomb lit up the 21st edition of WrestleMania as The Animal Batista pinned Triple H for the World Heavyweight championship.
Cena also made a winning return to The Grandest Stage Of Them All - an FU setting up a pinfall success which saw WWE champion JBL relinquish his gold.
The Undertaker's impeccable record continued in California with victory over Randy Orton, while Angle and Rey Mysterio also picked up wins over HBK and Eddie Guerrero, in what proved to be Latino Heat's last 'Mania appearance.
Elsewhere, an easy on the eye Women's championship match saw Trish Stratus defend her title with victory over Christy Hemme in front of the ringside Lita.
WRESTLEMANIA 22
An STFU proved decisive between Cena and Triple H in Illinois as the WWE championship remained around the waist of the Chain Gang Commander.
An entertaining Triple Threat Match between Mysterio, Angle and Orton saw the former deliver a 619 on The Legend Killer followed by a West Coast Pop to win the World Heavyweight belt.
Tag Team champions Kane and Big Show joined forces to regain the gold with a powerful victory over Carlito and Chris Masters - the former failing to get up after a shattering Chokeslam from the Big Red Machine.
The Undertaker's flawless record continued with triumph over Mark Henry, while an entertaining Six-man Money In The Bank Ladder Match saw Rob Van Dam grab the briefcase and the match.
WRESTLEMANIA 23
Once again fan favourite Cena starred in Michigan when he stunned The Showstopper Shawn Michaels to snatch the WWE Championship.
On the SmackDown card, Batista was the latest name added to The Deadman's WrestleMania victims as 'Taker became the first man to win both the World Heavyweight championship and the WWE championship at The Grandest Stage Of Them All.
The third annual Money In The Bank Ladder Match also took place and Mr Kennedy overcame Edge, Jeff Hardy, Orton, King Booker (with Queen Sharmell), Matt Hardy, Finlay, Hornswoggle and CM Punk to snatch the win.
There was also a fitting tribute to ring announcer Howard Finkel in Detroit as he introduced the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2007.
WRESTLEMANIA XXIV
The Citrus Bowl, Florida, was the venue for the 24th WrestleMania in a main event which featured a special appearance from pound-for-pound boxing king Floyd Mayweather Jnr and an emotional farewell for Ric Flair.
'Money' Mayweather took on the Big Show in a real David versus Goliath showdown - a match decided by a knockout punch from the boxing superstar.
HBK apologetically delivered three doses of Sweet Chin Music to 'Nature Boy' Flair in a match that ended the WWE Hall of Famer's distinguished 'Mania career.
Elsewhere on an action-packed night, Orton defended his WWE championship against Triple H and Cena in a Triple Threat Match, while Undertaker maintained his 100 per cent record by defeating Edge for the World Heavyweight championship.
