Attitude Era: Every WWF Championship Match On A Big Five PPV, Decisively Ranked

The WWF Championship was never more central to the product than it was during the Attitude Era. Whether contested in chaotic multi-man matches, bloody street fights, or overbooked main events filled with McMahons and wild run-ins, the World Wrestling Federation Championship was the axis around which the entire company spun. It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t always clean, but the stakes felt sky-high and fans went bananas every single time.

READ NEXT: New Generation Era: Every WWF Championship Match On A Big Five PPV, Decisively Ranked

This ranking covers every WWF Championship match that took place on one of the Big Five pay-per-views (WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and King of the Ring) during the popular and controversial Attitude Era. As always, matches are ranked based on in-ring quality, crowd heat, in-ring psychology, the story leading up to the major event and how well they reflect what made the Attitude Era such a phenomenon. Some still hold up as classics. Others were falling apart before the bell rang. But each one, for better or worse, meant something.

Note: for the purpose of this article, we’ll start off after the Montreal Screwjob (Survivor Series 1997 was already addressed in the New Generation Era post) and we’ll finish in mid 2002 (King of the Ring 2002 will be included here since it was the last edition of that event, and that way the Ruthless Aggression Era post can feature just the Big Four PPVs).

22. The Undertaker Vs. Triple H (King Of The Ring 2002)

• Match Quality Rating: 3/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 4/10
• Psychology Rating: 3/10
• Storytelling Rating: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 15/40

On paper, this should have worked. The Undertaker and Triple H have great chemistry and a proven track record together – just look at their WrestleMania matches – but this was the rare exception. Despite the high stakes and a marquee spot on the card, the match never found its rhythm. The pacing was sluggish, the crowd lukewarm, and the action unremarkable. For two performers known for putting on great matches against each other, this outing felt more like a going-through-the-motions house show main event than a pay-per-view main event.

Even the finish, which involved The Rock interfering to keep multiple storylines spinning, felt more like a distraction than a dramatic payoff. The storytelling mechanics were technically there, but they lacked the tension or urgency to make them land. This wasn’t a disaster, just deeply forgettable – and with these two, that might be more disappointing. Great rivals, terrible night.

21. The Undertaker Vs. The Rock (King Of The Ring 1999)

• Match Quality Rating: 3/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 8/10
• Psychology Rating: 4/10
• Storytelling Rating: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 20/40

Two of the era’s biggest stars collided in what promised to be a major WWF Title match, but the end result felt underwhelming. While both brought their star power and signature styles, the match struggled to build momentum. The back-and-forth brawling around ringside and through the crowd became routine rather than exciting, and the overall pace dragged more than it should have.

The crowd’s enthusiasm was tempered, clearly waiting for something to happen beyond the basic action. When Triple H’s interference secured the win for Undertaker, it was less a shocking twist and more a predictable formality. This wasn’t a bad match, but for such a marquee pairing, it lacked the spark that could have made it truly memorable.

20. Kurt Angle Vs. The Undertaker (Survivor Series 2000)

• Match Quality Rating: 5/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 7/10
• Psychology Rating: 3/10
• Storytelling Rating: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 20/40

Given the context, this should have felt like a major moment. Kurt Angle was in the middle of one of the best rookie years WWE had ever seen, if not the best, and Survivor Series 2000 landed squarely on both his one-year anniversary and The Undertaker’s tenth. On paper, it looked like a marquee clash of rising star vs. established legend. In practice? A perfectly average match, remembered mostly for the wrong reasons… like Undertaker’s attire.

Angle retained via Eric Angle–assisted shenanigans, and while the twin-switch twist drew some heat, it also undercut what could’ve been a stronger, cleaner moment in Kurt Angle’s first world title reign. Psychology was minimal, and the match never built to anything particularly memorable. And again, Taker’s look didn’t help the seriousness of the occasion, either. It wasn’t bad, but it felt far smaller than the names and stakes involved. They’d have much better matches a few years later.

19. Triple H Vs. The Rock Vs. Big Show (Survivor Series 1999)

• Match Quality Rating: 5/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 7/10
• Psychology Rating: 5/10
• Storytelling Rating: 4/10
• Overall Rating: 21/40

This match arrived under less-than-ideal circumstances, with Stone Cold Steve Austin’s unexpected absence looming large. Originally slated to challenge Triple H alongside The Rock, Austin’s neck injury forced the WWF into a last-minute reshuffle (well, sort of…), replacing him with Big Show – a decision the crowd met with clear disappointment. Despite that, the match itself was solid technically, delivering the kind of back-and-forth action you’d expect from three of the company’s biggest stars.

Still, the storytelling felt patchy, weighed down by the awkward setup and sudden changes. Vince McMahon’s interference to help Big Show claim the WWF Championship added a layer of drama, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the overall lack of cohesion. For all its moments, the match felt like a holding pattern rather than a definitive chapter in the title’s history.

18. Triple H, Vince McMahon & Shane McMahon Vs. The Rock, Kane & The Undertaker – Six Man Tag Team Match (King Of The Ring 2000)

• Match Quality Rating: 4/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 8/10
• Psychology Rating: 5/10
• Storytelling Rating: 6/10
• Overall Rating: 23/40

This was less a title match and more a spectacle with championship implications stapled on. The WWF Championship was technically on the line – whichever member of the babyface team scored the fall would win the title – but it still felt like a McMahon Family Drama™ episode disguised as a pay-per-view main event. That said, the crowd was molten for everything, reacting big to almost every hot tag, stare down, and chaotic flurry.

In terms of quality, it was passable at best. The match was more about moments than structure: Kane’s high spots, Undertaker’s power bursts and The Rock’s comeback energy. Honestly, this match didn’t need finesse; it needed noise, and it got plenty of it. When The Rock pinned Mr. McMahon to win the title, it capped off the kind of overbooked, crowd-popping finish that defined the Attitude Era. Messy? Sure. But undeniably effective.

17. Triple H Vs. The Rock Vs. Big Show Vs. Mick Foley – Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match (WrestleMania 16)

• Match Quality Rating: 6/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 8/10
• Psychology Rating: 5/10
• Storytelling Rating: 4/10
• Overall Rating: 23/40

This one had all the names, all the hype, and a tagline (“A McMahon In Every Corner”) that promised drama – but what it delivered was a cluttered, drawn-out main event that felt like a detour from the match everyone actually wanted. The Rock vs. Triple H for the WWF Championship was the money bout, but with Foley and Big Show added for reasons more political than creative, the four-way structure diluted the energy. The early eliminations did little to change that – Big Show was gone before the crowd got warmed up, and Foley’s exit, while more substantial, felt like the last gasp of a retirement angle that wasn’t fully committed to.

SCOTT KEITH REVIEWS: WWF WrestleMania 16

Once it was down to Rock and Triple H, the match finally hit its stride – but by then, the damage was done. Vince McMahon’s inevitable turn on The Rock capped off a story that leaned too heavily on boardroom soap opera over in-ring storytelling. The crowd was hot throughout, and Rock standing tall after the show went off the air gave fans something to cheer for – but it was hard to ignore that the better version of this match was saved for Backlash a month later.

16. Chris Jericho Vs. Triple H (WrestleMania 18)

• Match Quality Rating: 7/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 6/10
• Psychology Rating: 7/10
• Storytelling Rating: 3/10
• Overall Rating: 23/40

This was supposed to be the crowning moment of Triple H’s comeback, a triumphant win after rehabbing one of the most devastating injuries of his career. Instead, it was the payoff to one of the worst builds to a WrestleMania main event. Chris Jericho, despite being the Undisputed WWF Champion, was reduced to an afterthought in his own storyline – treated more like Stephanie McMahon’s lackey than a serious threat. The feud centered on dog jokes, divorce drama, and parking lot humiliation, undercutting any sense that this was a battle for the top prize in the industry.

In the ring, the match was perfectly competent. Both men worked hard, and there were flashes of the big-match feel it should have had. But the crowd, still riding the emotional high from the all-time classic that was The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan earlier in the night, wasn’t buying into it. Jericho’s credibility had been eroded by months of bad booking, and Triple H’s win, while logical, felt inevitable. To sum it up, the action was good, the context around it was not.

15. Kurt Angle Vs. Triple H (Royal Rumble 2001)

• Match Quality Rating: 6/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 8/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 6/10
• Overall Rating: 26/40

At one point in 2000, this matchup had real heat behind it. But by the time they finally clashed one-on-one for the WWF Championship on pay-per-view, the angle had cooled, overshadowed by Triple H’s escalating war with Stone Cold Steve Austin. What should’ve been a marquee title defense instead felt like a subplot in someone else’s feud. Kurt Angle, despite being the WWF Champion, didn’t feel like the central figure – and that imbalance hurt the match’s impact.

SCOTT KEITH REVIEWS: WWF Royal Rumble 2001

The in-ring work was really good, as you’d expect from two of the company’s most reliable performers, and the crowd stayed engaged throughout. But the story got lost in a mess of overbooking: Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Trish Stratus, and eventually Steve Austin all got involved, muddying what could’ve been a clean, focused title bout. Angle walked out with the belt after an Austin Stunner to Triple H, but it felt like more of a plot device than a triumph. A good match that could’ve been much more.

14. Steve Austin Vs. Triple H Vs. Mankind (SummerSlam 1999)

• Match Quality Rating: 6/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 9/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 28/40

This had all the moving parts of a major title match: three top-tier stars, a red-hot crowd, and the main event slot at one of the biggest shows of the year. What it lacked was focus. The build-up was strange, with Chyna becoming the number one contender at one point until she was replaced by Triple H, the last-minute inclusion of Mankind to make it a triple threat, Jesse Ventura’s involvement as the special guest referee… The work was solid, the crowd was into it, but it never felt like the definitive clash it should’ve been.

The match itself was fine. All three men delivered their usual intensity, and the action never dragged, but it lacked cohesion. Mankind pinning Austin to win the title felt abrupt – almost like a swerve for swerve’s sake – and with Triple H attacking Austin post-match to get his heat back, the booking came off muddled. This was less about crowning a champion and more about shifting gears before the next storyline could begin. A fun watch, but a forgettable result. Especially considering the fact Mankind lost the gold to Triple H the very next night on Raw.

13. Steve Austin Vs. The Undertaker (SummerSlam 1998)

• Match Quality Rating: 4/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 4/10
• Storytelling Rating: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 28/40

This wasn’t a technical masterpiece, but it was a main event bursting with energy, importance, and the kind of star power that defined the Attitude Era. The build was strong – two top stars battling with tension, not hatred – and the Madison Square Garden crowd was locked in from the first moment. Austin and Undertaker didn’t need a fast-paced match or deep psychology to keep people invested; their presence did most of the heavy lifting.

In-ring, though, things were rough. Austin suffered a concussion early, which threw off the timing, and the structure never quite recovered. Despite that, they powered through to a finish that was pure Attitude Era logic: Austin hit a low blow behind the referee’s back, landed the Stunner, and retained the title. And then, in a moment that made absolutely no sense, Undertaker shook his hand in respect. A memorable and meaningful match – just not a clean one. Steve Austin himself admitted he didn’t like this match, saying this on The Steve Austin Show:

The reason we were not happy with the caliber of that match [was],” Austin continued, “we knew that we could have had a better match. (h/t Wrestling Inc)

12. Steve Austin Vs. Chris Benoit Vs. Chris Jericho (King Of The Ring 2001)

• Match Quality Rating: 7/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 9/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 29/40

This triple threat had all the makings of a show-stealer: Steve Austin, just two months into his run as a heel champion, was challenged by two surging workhorses in Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho, and the fast-paced chaotic structure allowed all three to shine. What it lacked in clean storytelling, it made up for in intensity. Benoit and Jericho double-teaming Austin early gave the match urgency, and Austin bumping like a madman for both men sold the idea that he could very well lose the belt.

The action was strong, the nearfalls were convincing enough, and the crowd stayed with it despite a card that didn’t have much else going for it. But the overbooking reared its head again – multiple ref bumps, weapon shots, and interference from WCW Champion Booker T (making his WWF debut) created more clutter than drama. Still, the match delivered where it counted. It may not have had the cleanest execution, but it gave the fans a reason to stay invested in Austin’s title reign, while showcasing two future main eventers hanging right there with him.

11. Steve Austin Vs. Kane – First Blood Match (King Of The Ring 1998)

• Match Quality Rating: 4/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 29/40

It’s easy to forget just how much pressure this match was under. Not only did it have to headline the show, but it followed the Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind – one of the most iconic bouts of all time. Austin and Kane responded with a wild, chaotic brawl that leaned into storytelling and crowd heat rather than in-ring finesse. Austin’s offense looked urgent, Kane was booked like an unstoppable monster, and the First Blood stipulation added a layer of tension you couldn’t replicate in a standard match. After all, how in the hell would Austin make this masked monster bleed!?

From a pure match quality standpoint, this one’s rough around the edges. The pacing is clunky, there’s a lot of downtime, and it essentially turns into a vehicle for Undertaker and Mankind to interfere. But the crowd carried it, the drama worked, and the finish, while fluky, was logical within the story. Austin bleeding because of a chair shot meant for Kane wasn’t just a twist – it was chaos above clean resolution, what the Attitude Era was all about. Not a great match, but a great moment, and that distinction is everything here.

10. The Rock Vs. Mankind – Deadly Games Tournament Final (Survivor Series 1998)

• Match Quality Rating: 6/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 8/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 30/40

As a standalone match, this one is solid if unspectacular, especially considering it was both men’s fourth bout of the night. But in terms of storytelling, it’s a masterclass in late 1990s swerve booking. The Rock was seemingly fighting uphill all night, winning three matches to reach the finals, while Mankind was being pushed as Vince McMahon’s oddball corporate favorite. The crowd was engaged throughout, sensing something big was coming, and sure enough, they got it.

SCOTT KEITH REVIEWS: WWF Survivor Series 1998

What elevates this bout is the finish, an infamous callback to the Montreal Screwjob just one year later. When The Rock locked in a sudden Sharpshooter – a move he’d never used – the bell rang, and Vince’s plan became clear. It was a shocking turn, a star-making double-cross that officially launched The Rock into main event superstardom and turned Mankind into a sympathetic fan favorite overnight. The match itself wasn’t a barnburner, but its place in Attitude Era lore is unquestionable.

9. Shawn Michaels Vs. Steve Austin (WrestleMania 14)

• Match Quality Rating: 5/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 31/40

The main event of WrestleMania 14 was more than just a title match, it was a game-changing battle. This was the night WWF officially handed the ball to Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels’ last match of his first WWF run. Everything from the explosive Boston crowd to Mike Tyson’s ringside presence screamed “big match feel”. From a pure in-ring perspective, it’s a match held back by circumstances. Michaels, visibly injured and emotionally checked out, gutted through one last match before a four-year hiatus, and that effort alone deserves immense respect.

Even with its limitations, this match worked because the story was undeniable. Michaels’ arrogance, Austin’s defiance, and Tyson’s unpredictable presence made every moment mean something. When Tyson counted the three and decked HBK, the building erupted – and with Austin’s crowning, the Attitude Era truly began. It wasn’t the cleanest technical bout either man ever had, but in terms of historical significance and emotional payoff, it ranks among the most important championship matches WWE has ever produced.

8. Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker – Casket Match (Royal Rumble 1998)

• Match Quality Rating: 6/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 9/10
• Psychology Rating: 7/10
• Storytelling Rating: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 31/40

Casket Matches are notoriously clunky, but this one stands as the rare exception. While not quite on the level of their Hell in a Cell classic from the previous fall, this title bout had all the chaos, drama, and intensity you’d expect from Attitude Era storytelling. Michaels and Undertaker worked with an almost reckless edge, and unfortunately, that edge came at a cost – Michaels’ brutal bump on the casket’s edge mid-match would ultimately sideline him for over four years.

Despite the grim real-life consequences, the match delivered in spades. The crowd was hot, the pace never dragged, and the finish – while far from perfect – advanced the ongoing Brothers of Destruction saga. Story-wise, it had everything: betrayal, brutality, and a champion surviving by the skin of his teeth. It’s not just the best Casket Match in WWF history, it’s a crucial chapter in both men’s legacies.

7. Chris Jericho Vs. The Rock (Royal Rumble 2002)

• Match Quality Rating: 8/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 9/10
• Psychology Rating: 7/10
• Storytelling Rating: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 31/40

This match stands out as a high-quality main event from the twilight of the Attitude Era, blending crisp in-ring action with the charisma that both Chris Jericho and The Rock brought to the table. The bout featured a great mix of technical wrestling and big-moment spots, with Jericho showcasing his versatility against the undeniable star power of The Rock. The crowd was deeply invested, reacting to all the nearfalls and signature moves.

SCOTT KEITH REVIEWS: WWF Royal Rumble 2002

Storytelling here was solid if not groundbreaking. Jericho might’ve been the cocky Undisputed WWF Champion, but deep down inside he knew he was the underdog, even though he’d already defeated The Great One at No Mercy and Vengeance 2001. Jericho’s booking during his Undisputed Title run was far from great, but this was arguably Y2J’s best title defense. The match balanced smart psychology with star-driven storytelling, delivering a satisfying clash with Rock once again elevating Jericho as a top talent.

6. Mankind Vs. The Rock – I Quit Match (Royal Rumble 1999)

• Match Quality Rating: 5/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 9/10
• Psychology Rating: 8/10
• Storytelling Rating: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 31/40

This brutal I Quit Match epitomizes the extremes the Attitude Era was willing to go to for drama and shock value. The storyline was tense and personal, with The Corporation desperate to reclaim the title after Mankind’s upset victory. The match itself is a harsh reminder of the era’s unforgiving style, especially looking back on the sheer number of chair shots Foley took to the head, which modern audiences watch with a grim awareness of the long-term risks involved.

Despite its rough edges and uncomfortable moments, the match told a gripping story of resilience and desperation. The Rock’s victory came through a clever and controversial finish, using a taped “I Quit” to outsmart Mankind. It may not be the most technically polished or comfortable bout to revisit, but its emotional weight and storytelling make it a significant chapter in Attitude Era’s history.

5. The Rock Vs. Triple H Vs. Kurt Angle (SummerSlam 2000)

• Match Quality Rating: 7/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 6/10
• Storytelling Rating: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 32/40

The main event of SummerSlam 2000 was a huge triple threat battle between three of the era’s biggest stars. The match quality was solid, with each competitor getting moments to showcase their distinct styles: The Rock’s charisma and brawling, Triple H’s cunning, and Angle’s technical prowess. While the psychology occasionally took a backseat to the fast pace, especially since Angle suffered a concussion before Rock had even made his entrance, the crowd was fully invested from bell to bell, riding the highs of near falls and momentum shifts.

Storytelling here was top-notch, weaving together long-running rivalries and personal stakes that made every pin attempt feel meaningful. The finish, featuring interference and betrayal, was perfectly in tune with the Attitude Era’s chaotic energy, setting up future storylines while giving The Rock a hard-fought victory. It wasn’t flawless, but this match and the whole drama around it encapsulates why 2000 was one of the greatest years in the entire history of WWE.

4. The Rock Vs. Steve Austin – No DQ Match (WrestleMania 15)

• Match Quality Rating: 6/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 7/10
• Storytelling Rating: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 32/40

WrestleMania 15 marked the official arrival of The Rock vs. Stone Cold as the defining feud of the Attitude Era. But here, it was still more about Austin vs. McMahon, with Rock as McMahon’s handpicked Corporate Champion. While their later ‘Mania bouts would hit higher technical peaks, their first clash on the grand stage still delivered the goods in pure Attitude Era fashion – chaotic brawling, table spots, referee bumps, and a red-hot crowd hanging on every exchange. This was less a match and more of a whirlwind, with Austin bulldozing his way back to the top and Rock proving he could more than hang in the main event spotlight.

The storytelling was simple but powerful: the rebellious antihero reclaiming his throne from the corporate poster boy. Stone Cold’s win felt like the natural culmination of a year-long rivalry with Vince McMahon, while Rock’s performance solidified him as more than just a flavor-of-the-month heel. It wasn’t a technical masterclass, but it didn’t need to be; the crowd was molten, the stakes were sky-high, and the finish was definitive. Not the most epic clash between them at WrestleMania, but still one of the most important main events in ‘Mania history.

3. Steve Austin Vs. Kurt Angle (SummerSlam 2001)

• Match Quality Rating: 10/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 10/10
• Storytelling Rating: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 39/40

If Austin’s heel run in 2001 had one major redeeming quality, it was the depth it brought to his in-ring storytelling – nowhere more evident than in this SummerSlam classic against Kurt Angle. The match was a violent, gritty masterpiece that blended raw emotion with technical brilliance. Angle played the resilient, blood-soaked hero to perfection, and Austin? He was an unhinged, paranoid champion desperately clinging to his WWF Title by any means necessary.

That paranoia made the psychology hit even harder. Austin kept trying to get disqualified, lashing out at referees and doing whatever it took to survive. The WWF officials, refusing to reward his cowardice, kept the match going – until Alliance referee Nick Patrick finally stepped in and conveniently rang the bell the moment Austin was trapped in the Ankle Lock. It was the perfect heel escape, brilliantly woven into the larger Invasion storyline. While the finish robbed fans of a clean ending, it only added to the drama of an all-time great title match. And, unlike most DQ finishes, it actually made sense and felt justified.

2. Triple H Vs. Cactus Jack – Street Fight (Royal Rumble 2000)

• Match Quality Rating: 9/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 10/10
• Storytelling Rating: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 39/40

Some matches elevate a title. Others elevate a wrestler. This one did both. In front of a molten MSG crowd, Triple H and Cactus Jack waged an absolutely brutal Street Fight that not only stole the show – it cemented The Game as a made man in the main event scene. Foley, reverting to his most dangerous persona, brought the violence early and often, while Triple H responded with the kind of grit and edge that critics hadn’t quite seen from him before.

This was far more than just a carwreck filled with dangerous spots. The psychology and storytelling were flawless. Every weapon shot felt earned, every bump had weight, and by the time Triple H hit that final Pedigree onto the thumbtacks, he wasn’t just retaining the title – he was proving that he could survive a war with one of the most sadistic icons of the Attitude Era. It’s still arguably the greatest match of Triple H’s career and a benchmark for what a violent, character-driven WWF main event should look like.

1. The Rock Vs. Steve Austin – No DQ Match (WrestleMania 17)

• Match Quality Rating: 10/10
• Crowd Reaction Rating: 10/10
• Psychology Rating: 9/10
• Storytelling Rating: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 39/40

There was never any doubt what would top this list. WrestleMania X-Seven is often hailed as the peak of the Attitude Era, and its main event is a perfect encapsulation of why. Austin and Rock delivered an absolute classic in front of one of the hottest crowds in wrestling history. The pacing was relentless, the nearfalls heart-stopping, and the callbacks to Austin’s past – like the Million Dollar Dream spot and that blood-soaked Sharpshooter – elevated this from great to generational.

SCOTT KEITH REVIEWS: WWF WrestleMania 17

The only asterisk is Austin’s infamous heel turn, which landed with a thud in real time. From a story perspective, it made sense. Austin had promised he’d do whatever it took to become champion again, but the decision to align him with Vince McMahon, and keep that alliance going post-match, created a disconnect the audience never embraced. Still, judged purely on bell-to-bell execution and crowd investment, this is one of the greatest championship matches WWE has ever produced. And the definitive Attitude Era main event.

Thank you for reading!

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