After WrestleMania 22, WrestleMania 23 began the trend for WrestleManias to be staged in huge stadiums. 'Mania 23 emanated from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan and it was a historical event.
Only four titles were on the line but there was a memorable Battle of the Billionaires match involving Mr. McMahon and Donald Trump. Arguably, the greatest Money in the Bank ladder match to take place at WrestleMania happened at this edition of the event. Moreover, the two marquee World Title matches were instant classics, but how do these matches stack up against each other in the grand scheme of things?
8 The Great Khali Vs. Kane
Unfortunately, fans had to endure a dreadful match between The Great Khali and Kane. The Great Khali wasn't up to scratch as a top-level competitor, and The Big Red Machine couldn't do anything to salvage this match, and make it even a mildly watchable contest.
It was an inter-promotional contest with Kane representing SmackDown, and Khali a proud member of Raw. Kane managed to body slam Khali, but he was unable to pick up the victory. The match between the two giants was languid, but Khali still managed to get the bragging rights in one of the worst WrestleMania matches in history, beating Kane in the bout.
7 Melina Vs. Ashley
The WWE Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 23 was a Lumberjill match. Melina put her gold on the line against Ashley, who was the 2005 Diva Search winner. Their positioning on the card wasn't the best, as they were sandwiched between The Battle of the Billionaire match and the WWE Championship main event.
This was an utter disaster. Even though Melina's in-ring skills had improved drastically, Ashley wasn't the greatest in-ring performer. Ashley was the Playboy cover girl which is why she got this championship match at WrestleMania. Nonetheless, Melina worked hard and retained the Women's Championship with a bridging pinfall, after reversing Ashley's roll-up attempt.
6 ECW Originals Vs. The New Breed
ECW was officially involved at WrestleMania 23 for the first time since its failed revival in June 2006. ECW stalwarts Rob Van Dam, The Sandman, Sabu, and Tommy Dreamer collided with The New Breed's Elijah Burke, Marcus Cor Von, Kevin Thorn, and Matt Striker in an eight-man tag team match.
This was a decent, fast-past match that served to get these eight men on the card. Van Dam was the star of the match, after having won the Money in the Bank ladder match a year prior. Ultimately, RVD executed a Van Daminator with a chair to Striker's face, and then prevailed with a jaw-dropping Five-Star Frog Splash.
5 Bobby Lashley Vs. Umaga
Bobby Lashley was the first ECW Champion to compete in a match at WrestleMania, which was a significant moment. Lashley was Donald Trump's representative in the Battle of the Billionaires match, and the Intercontinental Champion Umaga went to battle for Mr. McMahon.
A match of this magnitude had Stone Cold Steve Austin oversee proceedings, as the special guest referee. This was a hard-hitting affair, and was actually a decent match between the two. Shane McMahon got involved by aiding his father, and he nailed Lashley with his Coast to Coast. However, Austin gave Umaga a Stone Cold Stunner, and Lashley finished off the job with a spear. Mr. McMahon tried to run away from the inevitable, but as per the stipulations, he was humiliated by getting his head shaved bald.
4 Chris Benoit Vs. MVP
Chris Benoit defended the United States Championship against MVP, who had vastly improved in the ring. The Rabid Wolverine had his hands full, with MVP as he believed that he would wrestle the US Title away from Benoit.
This is an underrated match that gets lost in the shuffle, due to the other marquee matches on the card, taking center stage. It was a back and forth encounter, but Benoit got a stranglehold on the match and retained the United States Championship in his final WrestleMania appearance, with a Diving Headbutt.
3 Mr. Kennedy Vs. Finlay Vs. King Booker Vs. CM Punk Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Jeff Hardy Vs. Edge Vs. Matt Hardy
The third edition of the Money in the Bank ladder match opened up WrestleMania 23 in a huge way. The biggest Money in the Bank ladder match at the time featured eight wrestlers in a star-studded bout. Mr. Kennedy, Finlay, King Booker, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, Edge, and Matt Hardy all put their bodies on the line, to make this an enthralling contest.
Everyone had a huge part to play in this match, which involved many ladder match specialists. Orton executed an outstanding RKO to Punk off the top of the ladder, and Booker hit Orton with a Book End off the top of the ladder. Reminiscent of their TLC match days, Jeff planted Edge with an almighty leg drop onto a ladder propped on the outside. Mr. Kennedy then emerged from the field, prevailing to earn the biggest win in his WWE career.
2 John Cena Vs. Shawn Michaels
John Cena and Shawn Michaels got the nod to close out WrestleMania 23 in their blockbuster WWE Championship match. Cena had proven his credentials by besting Triple H a year prior, and he was hoping to do the same to Michaels.
The intensity in this bout was at a high-level, and with both men operating at the top of their game encapsulated their true greatness. Michaels lived up to his 'Mr. WrestleMania' status by putting on another memorable showdown. Both were bleeding profusely with Cena's head cut, and Michaels' face covered in blood. After a few false finishes and near falls, Big Match John was victorious, by forcing Michaels to tap out to the STF.
1 Batista Vs. The Undertaker
Bitterly frustrated with their positioning at WrestleMania 23, Batista and The Undertaker, two of SmackDown's finest, stole the show in their World Heavyweight Championship match. As a matter of fact, it was Undertaker's first World Title match at WrestleMania in 10 years, since he defeated Sycho Sid for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 13.
Their match was breathtaking, and The Animal put Undertaker through the announce table with a spear. However, Undertaker nailed Batista with a Tombstone Piledriver, extending his WrestleMania streak to 15-0. He became the first man to capture both the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles at WrestleMania.