One of the best things about Wrestlemania is the special entrances we get every year. So I have put together five of the best!
let me know what your favorite Wrestlemania entrance is in the comments below.
FIVE: ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage
Wrestlemania IX
Randy Savage was known for his lavish entrances and crazy colored ring gear, but ‘The Macho King’ took it one step further at Wrestlemania IX when he lay on a bed pulled by horses and fed grapes by two beautiful women… no, really.
Granted Wrestlemania IX was decked out to look like a coliseum, and what else is a King to do than become an emperor for a day, but maybe the most interesting thing about this entrance is Savage didn’t even have a match.
This was Savage’s first Wrestlemania in the commentary booth, although it’s no secret that he would have preferred to be in the ring, this didn’t stop him from being the Macho Man we would all expect him to be.
Why is it on the list: Can you make a list of great entrances and not include Randy Savage? He was known for being over-the-top extravagant, with his attire, promos, and gimmick in general. This entrance was no different, adding to that that he wasn’t even on the card and this entrance just becomes even more unnecessary but no less great.
FOUR: Shawn Michaels
Wrestlemania XII
This zip line spot has lived on for 20+ years and with good reason. For something that seems so simple, but looks so great, and the era it was done all the camera flashes just add to the epic-ness of the entrance.
One of the things that made this entrance so good was years later when the ‘True Story of Wrestlemania’ was released on DVD (If you haven’t watched it it’s a gem on the WWE Network) they showed the first person to do the zip-line spot was none other than Vince McMahon himself.
Not only was this a great entrance to the ring but it was the beginning of the marathon Iron Man between Shawn and Bret.
Why is it on the list: As a kid watching this I thought it was the coolest thing I had seen. Michaels is another wrestler who is known for being over the top, and in the mid-90s this entrance was perfect for The Showstopper. Although Michaels is more known for being ‘Mr. Wrestlemania’ in the ring, this entrance was his most impressive.
THREE: The Undertaker
Wrestlemania XX
It’s hard to pick just one Undertaker Wrestlemania entrance as firstly there have been so many of them, and let’s be honest, it doesn’t matter if it’s Wrestlemania, Smackdown, or a random house show, soon as that ‘gong’ hits you get goosebumps.
The reason 2004 stands out is simply that it was the return of The Deadman. Undertaker had been working the ‘American Badass’ gimmick for a few years now and this was his return to the classic. The Undertaker as the Deadman is so much cooler and invokes so much more emotion than the biker ever could.
I think the return of this gimmick was great enough, but to get the return of Paul Barer too just pushed it to the next level of nostalgia.
Did You Know: Paul Barer was almost not there as he had gained a lot of weight (weighing almost 500lb, and not being completely mobile) WWE wanted the return of The Undertaker to be authentic, so they paid for Barer’s gastric band, this helped him drop more than 100lb in preparation for his Wrestlemania return.
Why is it on the List: I was never a huge fan of ‘The American Badass’ gimmick, although saying that I have gone back and watched 2002-2004 WWE and I have warmed to the character. Even so, there is something truly great about The Undertaker with the hat and leather jacket. He may have had some better entrances after this, but this one will always stand out.
TWO: John Cena
Wrestlemania 25
Just like The Undertaker, Cena has had a far few Wrestlemania entrances, but there is one that stands out above all the others. It’s someone’s nightmare (and probably someone’s dream) when we see 100’s John Cena’s filling the stage.
This was (apparently) a nod to the ‘Real Slim Shady’ music video, and although it was so simple, it worked out to great effect. I have watched this recently, and I wonder how many of the “Fake Johns” were developmental talents that went on to be big names.
Why is it on the list: I couldn’t have a list of Wrestlemania entrances and not have John Cena in there somewhere. He has had some iconic moments on his way to the ring. The gangster (with a young CM Punk), the spaceship, the drumline, and even Machine Gunn Kelly. The real John Cena is one of the best though, leaning on his rap fan roots and a nod to his ‘CeNation army’ this encapsulated everything about John Cena.
Honorable Mention: Wrestlemania XXIV
This may not be everyone’s favorite Cena entrance, but I have a huge love for a drumline, I have always thought this entrance was so cool, and different.
If you were a fan, check out the ‘New Orleans Brass Band’ who traveled around New Orleans over Wrestlemania 30 weekend playing wrestlers’ music on their brass instruments.
ONE: Triple H
Wrestlemania 31
Triple H has had so many different and awesome entrances for Wrestlemania is hard to pick just one. It doesn’t matter if is an elaborate stage show, a throne, a live band (Motorhead played live twice), or even a biker gang, Triple H always kills it.
A standout performance was at Wrestlemania 32; when Stephanie McMahon cut possibly one of the best promos of her career introducing Triple H in a fitting ‘Game of Thrones’ style.
That being said the best Triple H entrance has to be his ‘Terminator’ entrance, and I know this isn’t everyone’s number one, but hey, this is my list!
It was Wrestlemania 31, and Triple H was set to face Sting. The night before Triple H had inducted Arnold Schwarzenegger into the Hall of Fame, which is where the idea to do this came from.
The opening vignette with Arnie introducing, then Triple H kitted out in Terminator/machine gear, but still incorporating the classic skull-face head gear Triple H I know for was beyond cool for any Schwarzenegger and Terminator fan.
Why is it on the List: It’s rare to get celebrity involvement in something wrestling-related (especially at Wrestlemania) where it just fits and comes off with both celebrity and wrestler coming off looking good, but this was exactly that. Arnie as The Terminator is old hat, and Triple H being the badass machine killing ‘King of Kings’ I’m all for! To me, this was a perfect match and came off as a clear stand-out entrance.
Do you agree with Tybo’s list? What’s your favorite entrance? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @SLTDWrestling
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