Since 2001, the United States Championship has been WWE's property when they purchased WCW. The United States Championship is one of the most coveted titles in the history of professional wrestling. Nevertheless, WrestleMania has had its fair share of US Championship encounters. Although, there were some occasions where the United States Title was not on the line at WrestleMania as the reigning US Champion may have been competing in the Money in the Bank ladder match or another featured match.The United States Championship has only been defended 10 times at WrestleMania, and it is on the same level as the Intercontinental Title. Nevertheless, some United States Championship matches that have taken place on the Grandest Stage of Them All were fantastic encounters, and others failed to live up to the hype.
10 Sheamus Vs. Daniel Bryan - WrestleMania 27
A year before Sheamus humiliated Daniel Bryan to win the World Heavyweight Championship in 18 seconds at WrestleMania 28, they met in a United States Championship lumberjack match at WrestleMania 27. This match didn't even make it to the main card, and they competed on the pre-show. Hardly anyone would have seen the match as this was before WWE aired the pre-show of WrestleMania live.
Sheamus and Bryan could have made this match special had they been given more than four minutes. The match was ruled as no contest as lumberjacks interfered. The bout turned into a Battle Royal with the United States Championship no longer on the line.
9 Samoa Joe Vs. Rey Mysterio - WrestleMania 35
At WrestleMania 35, Samoa Joe defended the United States Championship against Rey Mysterio. Unfortunately, the Master of the 619 came into this titular bout carrying an injury. There was a chance of this match being pulled from the card, but Mysterio pushed through the pain barrier, although the match was abrupt to prevent further damage.
The Samoan Submission Machine kicked Mysterio in the head in the early exchanges. Mysterio responded with a hurricanrana, and he connected with the 619. That's as good as it got for Mysterio as Joe cinched in the coquina clutch, and he retained the US Championship in just 58 seconds.
8 Randy Orton Vs. Jinder Mahal Vs. Bobby Roode Vs. Rusev - WrestleMania 34
Randy Orton put the United States Championship on the line in a fatal-4-way match with Jinder Mahal, Bobby Roode, and Rusev as his challengers at WrestleMania 34. It wasn't a good match as the bout felt rushed, and Rusev was popular with the fans.
Unquestionably, Rusev should have triumphed, but that failed to materialize. Orton wasn't even involved in the decision when he dropped the title. Moreover, Mahal planted Rusev with his patented Khallas, and he captured the US Title for the first time in his career.
7 Chris Benoit Vs. JBL - WrestleMania 22
For a couple of months in 2004, Chris Benoit and JBL were World Champions simultaneously. At WrestleMania 22, Chris Benoit and JBL were fighting over the United States Championship on the Grandest Stage of Them All. JBL had a grand entrance before the match began as the ramp was lifted, and his limousine appeared underneath.
As expected this was a physical match with both Benoit and JBL physical wrestlers. This wasn't the best of US Title matches, but it wasn't bad either. However, JBL was smart, and he countered the Crossface but rolled over, and he held the ropes to end Benoit's US Title reign.
6 Kalisto Vs. Ryback - WrestleMania 32
The opening match of the WrestleMania 32 pre-show featured Kalisto defending the United States Championship against Ryback. Ryback had the size and strength advantage. He utilized it well, and he was the aggressor. The Big Guy pummeled Kalisto on the outside by ramming him into the barricade.
Kalisto fought back, and he had refused to stay down. He caught Ryback off-guard a couple of times. Nonetheless, Kalisto retained the United States Championship after he saw off Ryback with his patented Salida Del Sol.
5 Big Show Vs. John Cena - WrestleMania 20
WrestleMania 20 was one of the greatest WrestleManias of all time, and it played host to the first-ever United States Championship match. Big Show was the defending US Champion, and John Cena was the challenger in the curtain-raiser. Moreover, Cena had a slight advantage as Show was carrying an injury, but Show wasn't going down without a fight.
This was a superb United States Championship match with both having some offense. Cena planted Show with the AA, but Show kicked out. Nevertheless, Cena had to be resourceful, and he used a pair of brass knuckles followed by a second AA to win his first piece of silverware in WWE.
4 Chris Benoit Vs. MVP - WrestleMania 23
For the second consecutive year, Chris Benoit entered WrestleMania as the reigning United States Champion. He was hoping that lightning wouldn't strike twice for the challenger at WrestleMania 23. The Rabid Wolverine had a stiff challenge in the form of MVP, who was riding a wave of momentum and competing at WrestleMania for the first time.
This was a quality US Title match that isn't spoken about as much because of Benoit's involvement, and the other important matches being noteworthy. Nonetheless, MVP gave a good account of himself, but he had to wait until Judgment Day 2007 to take the United States Championship away from Benoit.
3 Rusev Vs. John Cena - WrestleMania 31
11 years after winning the United States Championship for the first time, John Cena was once again hunting down the US Title. Big Match John had to overcome Rusev, who made his way down the aisle at WrestleMania 31 in a tank. The Bulgarian Brute dominated the early proceedings of the match, but Cena was in control, once he had a stranglehold on the match.
Rusev clocked Cena with a vicious knee in the face, which momentarily stopped Cena in his tracks. Ultimately, this hard-hitting match ended with Cena dethroning Rusev with his trademark AA to become a four-time United States Champion. It was the first time in a decade that Cena held the United States Title.
2 Chris Jericho Vs. Kevin Owens - WrestleMania 33
WrestleMania 33 emanated from the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida but it was bitterly disappointing. However, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens put on an excellent United States Championship match. Although Mr. McMahon wasn't happy with the match when KO returned to the gorilla position.
Nonetheless, the stage of WrestleMania didn't faze either man, and both were motivated to produce a good match. Jericho was close to retaining the United States Title, but KO put his finger on the rope. However, Owens planted Y2J with a devastating Pop-Up powerbomb on the ring apron and Jericho continued his reign as US Champion.
1 Riddle Vs. Sheamus - WrestleMania 37
Night two of WrestleMania 37 featured Riddle and Sheamus on a collision course for the United States Championship. The Celtic Warrior had a determined look on his face, and he dished out a tremendous amount of punishment on Riddle. The intensity was there throughout this outstanding United States Championship match. Riddle performed an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on Sheamus on the top rope. Their US Title match was captivating to watch, and they hit a home run.
There was a botch with Sheamus attempting to do White Noise on the top rope, but they pulled off the move successfully when they were on their feet. Nonetheless, Riddle was aiming to slow Sheamus down with a springboard moonsault. Sheamus intercepted it, and he became a three-time US Champion after he planted Riddle with a brogue kick, and Riddle was bleeding from the mouth afterward.