Some of the biggest names in pro wrestling of the last 50 years have competed at WrestleMania. As the event has grown, more stars have been making it to the main card in recent years. And with talks of WrestleMania someday expanding to a two-day event, that means more opportunities for WWE's best to ply their trade on the big stage.
But until that time comes, it's fascinating to consider who hasn't wrestled at WrestleMania. Several WWE Hall of Famers and legends were close to stepping into the ring for a match, while others never had a shot. Meanwhile, several current superstars are still waiting for their chance to steal the show on WWE's most important night.
10 CURRENT: Elias
Though Elias worked with John Cena at the last two WrestleManias, neither of those opportunities were in the form of a match. At WrestleMania 34, Elias came out to taunt Cena, who was expecting a showdown with the Undertaker.
At WrestleMania 35, Cena reversed the tables on Elias by interrupting the troubadour's in-ring concert. WWE clearly thinks highly of Elias as a performer to feature him in such roles. Perhaps 2020 will be the year where Elias gets to strut his stuff in a match on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
9 LEGEND: Brian Pillman
Brian Pillman was the hottest free agent in wrestling in 1996. His "Loose Cannon" persona was the talk of the industry. So valued was Pillman that WWE took a chance on signing him after Pillman sustained career-threatening injuries in a car accident that spring.
Pillman made several appearances throughout the year while recovering. His most memorable moment came in the fall of '96, in the infamous "Pillman's Got A Gun" angle. Pillman was cleared to wrestle in the spring of '97, just missing WrestleMania 13. Tragically, he passed away later that year.
8 CURRENT: Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews made his debut in WWE for the NXT brand in the spring of 2015. Crews was promoted to the main roster less than a year later. Since then, Crews has been stuck doing pre-show duty at WrestleMania, appearing in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal the last three years.
After he and Shorty G lost to Sheamus on a recent episode of Smackdown, Crews doesn't seem to be going anywhere this season. Assuming WWE continues with the Andre battle royal, Crews' only hope of making it to 'Mania is if the match gets bumped to the main card.
7 LEGEND: Jimmy Hart
Jimmy Hart was a fixture at WrestleMania, appearing in the first nine editions of the event. Given WWE's history of putting managers in the ring, it's surprising that the evil Hart never had to atone for his sins at the Showcase of the Immortals.
While managers such as Bobby Heenan, Mr. Fuji, and even Jim Cornette, have each wrestled at WWE's spring spectacular, Hart somehow avoided getting tossed into a match at 'Mania. Hart did, however, get his comeuppance at WrestleMania IV, where he received an unwanted haircut from Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.
6 CURRENT: Shorty G
Since 2017, the former Chad Gable has been a regular on the WrestleMania pre-show, appearing in three straight Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royals. Where that match ends up at this year's WrestleMania may determine whether Shorty G makes it to the big show.
It's also possible for Shorty G to make a run at the 24/7 title at 'Mania. Since the title can be defended at any time, anyplace, Shorty could come up big if an opportunity presents itself in Tampa, Florida.
5 LEGEND: Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Along with Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Ventura was the voice of WrestleMania from 1985-1990. During his time with WWE, Jesse was a main eventer and star attraction. So big was his personality that he appeared in several Arnold Schwarzenegger films including Predator. But his in-ring career came to a halt due to blood clots in his lungs.
Ventura would often tease a comeback during his commentary, threatening to take the world title from Hulk Hogan. Though it never happened, Ventura continued to steal the show from the comfort of the announcers' chair until his exit from WWE in 1990.
4 CURRENT: Mustafa Ali
Mustafa Ali got a taste of the big stage when he wrestled for the vacant Cruiserweight Title during the WrestleMania pre-show in 2018. Ali looked to be in line for a major push heading into last year's Elimination Chamber match before going down with an injury.
Since that time, Ali lost and regained his character's first name. Beyond that, it's been a quiet year for him. Ali hasn't wrestled on television since December. Barring a sudden change, of course, Ali might be on this list again next year.
3 LEGEND: Larry Zbyszko
From 1972-1980, WWE ran a series of three super shows at Shea Stadium, the old home of the New York Mets. Called the Showdown at Shea, these events were the pre-cursor to WrestleMania. The final event saw Larry Zbyszko battle his former mentor Bruno Sammartino inside a steel cage.
Despite headlining the event, Zbyszko left WWE shortly after. He didn't return to the company until his Hall of Fame induction in 2015. During his absence, Zbyszko became one of wrestling's greatest villains. The fact that a heat magnet such as Zbyszko was never brought back to work a program at 'Mania is mind-blowing.
2 CURRENT: Mojo Rawley
Like his peers on this list, Mojo Rawley is a bridesmaid who's never been a bride. But Rawley has at least caught the bouquet, winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal during the WrestleMania pre-show in 2017.
In recent weeks, Rawley has been a regular on Raw, chasing after, and defending, the 24/7 Title. It'll be interesting to see how the 24/7 Championship factors into the show, as it may present Rawley's only shot at a WrestleMania moment this year.
1 LEGEND: Superstar Billy Graham
The 1970s were host to four of WWE's greatest world champions ever. Of those four, only three went on to have a match at WrestleMania: Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, and Bob Backlund (Backlund wrestled twice at 'Mania). Absent from this list is Superstar Billy Graham.
Graham's run with the WWE Championship in the late '70s still stands as the title's longest reign ever for a heel. After a few years away from the company, The Superstar returned in 1986, only to see his comeback ended due to injuries. Graham would make an appearance at WrestleMania IV, but as the manager for Don Muraco.