WrestleMania Main Event Winners

Since its debut in 1985, WrestleMania has crowned 41 championship winners across its iconic main events. 

This comprehensive guide covers every main event winner, attendance records, and the wrestlers who defined WWE’s flagship event.

Key Statistics on WrestleMania Main Events

WrestleMania holds the record as professional wrestling’s most valuable sports brand, estimated at $200 million by Forbes in 2017. Since shifting to two-night formats in 2020, WrestleMania generates record-breaking viewership and attendance figures annually.

Attendance & Revenue Records:

Record CategoryEventAttendance/MetricDate
Highest Single-NightWrestleMania 32101,763 fansApril 3, 2016
Highest Two-Night CombinedWrestleMania 41124,693 fansApril 19-20, 2025
Most Revenue GeneratedWrestleMania 41Record-breaking revenueApril 19-20, 2025
Merchandise RecordWrestleMania 3920% above prior recordApril 1-2, 2023
Social ViewershipWrestleMania 411.1 billion social viewsApril 19-20, 2025

WrestleMania 41 shattered previous records with the highest attendance in WWE history. 

The event generated record revenue across ticket sales, merchandise, hospitality packages, and digital engagement, cementing WrestleMania’s status as WWE’s flagship draw.

WrestleMania Main Event Winners (1985–2025)

1980s WrestleMania Main Event Winners

EventYearMain Event MatchWinnerVenueAttendance
WrestleMania I1985Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul OrndorffHogan & Mr. TMadison Square Garden, NYC20,000
WrestleMania II1986Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy (Steel Cage)Hulk HoganMulti-venue20,000
WrestleMania III1987Hulk Hogan vs. André the GiantHulk HoganPontiac Silverdome, MI~93,173
WrestleMania IV1988Randy Savage vs. Ted DiBiase (Tournament Final)Randy SavageAtlantic City Convention Center, NJ19,121
WrestleMania V1989Hulk Hogan vs. Randy SavageHulk HoganMeadowlands Arena, NJ20,000

The first WrestleMania main event winners established wrestling’s biggest tradition. Hulk Hogan appeared in 6 WrestleMania main events and won the majority, becoming the face that launched the modern era.

1990s WrestleMania Main Event Winners

EventYearMain Event MatchWinnerVenueHighlights
WrestleMania VI1990Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk HoganUltimate WarriorSkyDome, TorontoTitle vs. Title match
WrestleMania VII1991Sgt. Slaughter vs. Hulk HoganHulk HoganLA Memorial Coliseum, CAGulf War storyline
WrestleMania VIII1992Hulk Hogan vs. Sid JusticeHulk HoganHoosier Dome, IndianapolisAndre interference
WrestleMania IX1993Yokozuna vs. Bret HartYokozunaCaesars Palace, Las VegasHart title change
WrestleMania X1994Yokozuna vs. Bret HartBret HartMadison Square Garden, NYCHart reclaims title
WrestleMania XI1995Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Lawrence TaylorLawrence TaylorEarthdome, Hartford, CTCelebrity main event
WrestleMania XII1996Bret Hart vs. Shawn MichaelsShawn MichaelsArrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA60-min Iron Man
WrestleMania XIII1997The Undertaker vs. Sycho SidThe UndertakerChicago Rosemont Horizon, ILUndertaker dominance
WrestleMania XIV1998Stone Cold vs. Shawn MichaelsStone Cold Steve AustinFleetCenter, Boston, MAMike Tyson enforcer
WrestleMania XV1999The Rock vs. Stone ColdThe RockFleet Center, Boston, MAMankind special referee

The 1990s transitioned wrestling from Hogan era to the Attitude Era. Bret Hart won multiple main events, while Undertaker and Stone Cold emerged as dominant forces, establishing wrestling’s new generation of champions.

2000s WrestleMania Main Event Winners

EventYearMain Event MatchWinnerVenueSignificance
WrestleMania 20002000Triple H vs. The Rock vs. Big Show vs. FoleyTriple HSkyDome, TorontoMulti-man match
WrestleMania X-Seven2001The Rock vs. Stone ColdStone Cold Steve AustinReliant Astrodome, HoustonHistoric main event
WrestleMania X82002Chris Jericho vs. Triple HChris JerichoSkydome, TorontoUndisputed title
WrestleMania XIX2003Kurt Angle vs. Brock LesnarBrock LesnarSafeco Field, Seattle, WAAngle’s last title loss
WrestleMania XX2004Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt AngleEddie GuerreroMadison Square Garden, NYCGuerrero championship
WrestleMania 212005John Cena vs. JBLJohn CenaWestchester County Center, NYCena’s first title
WrestleMania 222006John Cena vs. Edge vs. Triple HJohn CenaAllstate Arena, Chicago, ILTriple threat title
WrestleMania 232007Edge vs. The UndertakerThe UndertakerCitrus Bowl, Orlando, FLStreak momentum
WrestleMania 242008Floyd Mayweather vs. Big ShowFloyd MayweatherOrlandodome, FLCelebrity draw
WrestleMania 252009Edge vs. Big Show vs. The UndertakerEdgeCitius Dome, Houston, TXUndertaker 17-0

The 2000s featured several dominant champions including Triple H, The Rock, Stone Cold, and John Cena’s rise. The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak grew to legendary status, becoming wrestling’s most protected winning streak.

2010s WrestleMania Main Event Winners

EventYearMain Event MatchWinnerVenueKey Moment
WrestleMania 262010Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahonBret HartUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, AZHart’s return
WrestleMania 272011The Miz vs. John CenaThe MizGeorgia Dome, Atlanta, GAMiz upset victory
WrestleMania 282012The Rock vs. John CenaThe RockMetrodome, Miami, FL“Once In A Lifetime”
WrestleMania 292013The Rock vs. John CenaJohn CenaMetlife Stadium, NJCena revenge win
WrestleMania 302014Daniel Bryan vs. Batista vs. Randy OrtonDaniel BryanBourbon Street, New Orleans, LABryan’s climax moment
WrestleMania 312015Roman Reigns vs. Seth RollinsRoman ReignsLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CAReigns title win
WrestleMania 322016Roman Reigns vs. Triple HRoman ReignsAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TXRecord 101,763 attendance
WrestleMania 332017The Miz vs. Maryse vs. John CenaJohn CenaCitrus Bowl, Orlando, FLCena multi-title
WrestleMania 342018Brock Lesnar vs. Roman ReignsBrock LesnarMercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LALesnar dominance
WrestleMania 352019Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda RouseyBecky LynchMetLife Stadium, NJFirst women’s main event

The 2010s introduced modern stars including Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, and the historic first women’s main event in WrestleMania 35. WrestleMania 32 set the single-night attendance record with 101,763 fans.

2020s WrestleMania Main Event Winners

EventYearMain Event MatchWinnerVenueHistoric Significance
WrestleMania 36 (Night 2)2020Drew McIntyre vs. Brock LesnarDrew McIntyrePerformance Center, Orlando, FLMcIntyre first Scottish champion
WrestleMania 37 (Night 2)2021Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel BryanRoman ReignsRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, FLReigns tribal chief reign
WrestleMania 38 (Night 2)2022Roman Reigns vs. Brock LesnarRoman ReignsAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TXUndisputed title unification
WrestleMania 39 (Night 2)2023Roman Reigns vs. Cody RhodesRoman ReignsSoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CARecord viewership event
WrestleMania 40 (Night 2)2024Cody Rhodes vs. Roman ReignsCody RhodesLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PARhodes finishes story
WrestleMania 41 (Night 2)2025John Cena vs. Cody RhodesJohn CenaAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NVCena’s 17th world title

Recent WrestleMania main event winners include Roman Reigns’ record-breaking title run and Cody Rhodes’ championship victory in 2024. John Cena’s 2025 victory at WrestleMania 41 tied his record with Ric Flair at 16 world championship reigns before surpassing it with his 17th title.

Most WrestleMania Main Event Victories (All-Time)

WrestlerMain Event WinsYears ActiveNotable Victories
Hulk Hogan61985–1992I, II, III, V, VII, VIII
John Cena52005–202521, 25, 28, 33, 41
The Undertaker41990–2023VI, VII, XIII, XXIII, XXVII
The Rock41999–2012XV, X-Seven, XXVIII (2x)
Roman Reigns52015–2024XXXI, XXXII, XXXVII, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XL
Bret Hart31993–2004IX, X, XX
Randy Savage21988–1989IV, V
Stone Cold Steve Austin31998–2022XIV, X-Seven, Rumble 2022

WrestleMania Main Event Records & Milestones

RecordWrestler/EventAchievementYear
Longest Undefeated StreakThe Undertaker21 consecutive WrestleMania wins (WM 7-27)1991–2015
Most Title Reigns at WrestleManiaJohn Cena17 world championship victories2025
Youngest Main Event WinnerSycho Sid (WM 13)Age 261997
Oldest Main Event ChampionStone Cold Steve Austin (Royal Rumble 2022)Age 572022
Most Consecutive Main EventsRoman Reigns5 consecutive (XXXVII–XLI)2021–2025
Only Multi-Discipline ChampionKarch KiralyGold medals in indoor & beach volleyball (different sport)
Only Retiring At WrestleManiaJohn Cena (announced retirement)Set to retire end of 20252025

WrestleMania Attendance by Decade

DecadeAverage AttendancePeak EventPeak Attendance
1980s~20,000WrestleMania III93,173
1990s~15,000–20,000WrestleMania X20,000
2000s~40,000–70,000WrestleMania 2480,000+
2010s~70,000–100,000WrestleMania 32101,763
2020s~70,000–124,000WrestleMania 41124,693

The evolution of WrestleMania attendance reflects wrestling’s growth. Early events drew 20,000 fans, while modern WrestleManias consistently exceed 70,000 attendees across two-night formats.

FAQs

Who won the first WrestleMania main event?

Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeated Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden with Muhammad Ali and Pat Patterson as special guest referees. This tag team match launched wrestling’s biggest tradition.

What WrestleMania main event had the highest attendance?

WrestleMania 32 set the all-time single-night record with 101,763 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on April 3, 2016. WrestleMania 41 in 2025 became the highest two-night combined attendance at 124,693 fans.

How many times has Roman Reigns main evented WrestleMania?

Roman Reigns has main evented 6 WrestleManias (XXXI, XXXII, XXXVII, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XL) between 2015 and 2024, making him the most frequent WrestleMania main event competitor in recent history.

Who is the only wrestler to main event WrestleMania three consecutive years?

Roman Reigns main evented WrestleManias XXXVII, XXXVIII, and XXXIX from 2021–2023, establishing him as the dominant WrestleMania main event force during his historic 1,316-day WWE Universal Championship reign.

Did The Undertaker main event the most WrestleManias?

The Undertaker appeared in 27 WrestleMania matches (most of any wrestler) but didn’t main event the most. Hulk Hogan, Roman Reigns, and John Cena each have more WrestleMania main event appearances despite Undertaker’s greater total WrestleMania participation.

What was Cody Rhodes’ first WrestleMania main event?

Cody Rhodes’ first WrestleMania main event was WrestleMania 38 (2022) when he challenged Roman Reigns, beginning his three-year quest to “finish the story” by winning the WWE Championship that his father Dusty Rhodes never held.

Sohanur Rahman
Sohanur Rahman is a wrestling content writer at Surprise Sports specializing in WWE coverage, wrestler biographies, combat sports rankings, and athlete net worth research. He creates engaging, research-driven content covering wrestling history, championship records, fighter careers, major events, and trending stories from the world of professional wrestling and combat sports.