The 5 Best Wrestlemania Matches From New Orleans
Louisiana has some very strong roots in pro wrestling. It was home to Mid-South Wrestling, coming to TV sets in the region weekly from Shreveport, with big events being held in New Orleans. With World Class Championship Wrestling from Dallas leaking into the western part of the state, and Houston Wrestling getting into areas like Lake Charles. We're talking about some of the biggest wrestling names of that era, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, Junkyard Dog, Ted DiBiase, and many more. Running the roads of Louisiana nonstop.
By the 1990s, the Monday Night Wars between WWE(F) and WCW traded blows in stops like New Orleans, Bossier City, and Lafayette. Stars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Goldberg, and more appearing on TV with a Louisiana city listed on the screen.
With all of that rich history, its pretty wild to think that the biggest pro wrestling event of the year, Wrestlemania, has only been hosted in the state twice. Especially when we have a city built for this type of event, with New Orleans.
The city of New Orleans hosts massive events on a regular basis. From Super Bowls to Final Fours, and major college football bowl games, the city is used to hosting large-scale sporting events...and the crowds that come with them. So to have just two Wrestlemania's on New Orleans' resume is shocking.
But the two that New Orleans did host were two of the best. Wrestlemania 30 is often referenced in conversations about the best Wrestlemania ever. While Wrestlemania 34 had some of the best Wrestlemania moments ever.
So lets take a look at the Top 5 matches from the two Wrestlemania's New Orleans has hosted:
#5 - Braun Stroman & Nicholas win Raw Tag Titles at Wrestlemania 34
Can you do weird stuff and have a great match at the same time? Absolutely, that's why it's pro wrestling. So when Braun Strowman was still in peak monster-mode, it was logical that he could beat a tag team on his own. But when he's forced to find a partner, and his decision is to go into the audience to find a child, the place went nuts. Sure, Nicholas was actually the son of WWE referee John Cone, but not a single person watching this PPV at home knew that. The way the match played out was great fun, and it became a historic result. Just well crafted.
#4 - The Undertaker defeated John Cena at Wrestlemania 34
Speaking of "well crafted"...its beautiful in pro wrestling when the audience truly doesn't know what will happen. The Undertaker had symbolically left his boots in the ring a year prior, signaling he was done. The boots and hat were even on display the weekend of Wrestlemania 34 continuing to push that Taker was done. However John Cena kept calling him out. To the point of getting ready to actually face him at Mania. Insert a false start with a heel in the ring, then we get the full juke and Taker shows up. Then Taker looks great. Just a top tier moment.
#3 - Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania 34
Massive star debuting in the ring, three pro wrestling legends engaging in the match with her, and some classic Triple H shenanigans. This match was over the top in a number of ways. Ronda Rousey might hate it now, but we all loved it then.
#2 - Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) defeated The Undertaker - End of The Streak
It wasn't the greatest match between the ropes, but the weight of this moment instantly makes it a top 2 on a list like this. Something we didn't think we'd ever see, and done in a way no one would have expected. The Streak ended in a shocking way.
#1 - Daniel Bryan defeated Batista and Randy Orton (c) - Triple threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Yes-lemania. Daniel Bryan became an icon in one night. Between two matches, and three opponents, Daniel Bryan cashed in on one of the craziest storylines WWE has ever been able to execute. Although the whole crowd wanted Daniel Bryan to win, I don't think many believed it would until the bell actually rang.
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