History of WrestleMania in Timeline

WrestleMania is WWE's flagship professional wrestling event, held annually since 1985. Conceptualized by Vince McMahon and named by Howard Finkel, it's WWE's first pay-per-view and the longest-running, most successful wrestling event. WrestleMania XXX in 2014 marked its debut on livestreaming. Along with Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, it is considered part of WWE's "Big Five" annual events. WrestleMania 40 occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 6 and 7, 2024.

1984: Howard Finkel names WrestleMania

In 1984, Howard Finkel is credited with coming up with the name "WrestleMania".

March 31, 1985: First WrestleMania held on March 31, 1985

On March 31, 1985, the World Wrestling Federation staged the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T facing Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in the main event.

1985: WrestleMania Premieres

In 1985, WrestleMania, WWE's first pay-per-view (PPV), premiered, becoming the most successful and longest-running professional wrestling event in history.

1988: WrestleMania IV Festival

In 1988, in association with The Trump Organization, WWF prepared a small festival to celebrate WrestleMania IV, which included autograph signings, a brunch, and a 5K run.

1989: WrestleMania V Festival

In 1989, a festival was held for WrestleMania V, which included autograph signings, a brunch, and a 5K run.

1992: WrestleMania VIII Festival

In 1992, a festival was held on the day of WrestleMania VIII, featuring a WWF superstar look-alike contest and a tournament for the WWF WrestleFest arcade game.

1993: WrestleMania IX Brunch

In 1993, the WWF held a "WrestleMania Brunch" on the day of WrestleMania IX at Caesars Palace, during which Lex Luger attacked Bret Hart.

1993: Royal Rumble winner gets WrestleMania title shot

Since 1993, the winner of the annual Royal Rumble match receives a guaranteed world championship match at the same year's WrestleMania.

1994: WrestleMania X Fan Fest

In 1994, WWF offered "Fan Fest" for the weekend of WrestleMania X, which allowed fans to step inside a WWF ring, participate in games, meet superstars, and purchase merchandise.

1995: WrestleMania XI Fan Fest

In 1995, WWF offered another "Fan Fest" for WrestleMania XI, which allowed fans to step inside a WWF ring, participate in games, meet superstars, and purchase merchandise.

1997: WrestleMania match rating

In 1997, a WrestleMania match earned a five-star rating from sports journalist Dave Meltzer. This was the first WrestleMania match since 1997 to earn such a high rating.

2000: Pete Rose vs Kane Feud

At WrestleMania 2000, Pete Rose continued a short feud with Kane that became a running gag. The appearance ended with Rose receiving a Tombstone piledriver or chokeslam from Kane.

2000: WrestleMania 2000

In 2000, WrestleMania 2000 featured the first-ever Triangle Ladder match for the WWF Tag Team Championship.

2001: WrestleMania Axxess at Reliant Hall

In 2001, WrestleMania Axxess was held at the Reliant Hall. The event was expanded by adding numerous activities including areas where attendees could buy special merchandise, see a production truck and check out special WWE vehicles.

2002: WrestleMania Axxess Extended to Three Days

From 2002, WrestleMania Axxess was extended to a three-day event (March 14–16) and was held at the Canadian National Exhibition. The three-day event included similar activities to that of the one-day line-up.

2002: World Heavyweight Championship defended at WrestleMania XIX

In 2002, WrestleMania XIX defended for the first time the World Heavyweight Championship version (2002–2013)

2002: Brand separation affects commentary teams

Since the brand separation in 2002, matches from the Raw brand have been called by Ross and Lawler; the SmackDown matches called by Michael Cole, Tazz, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, and Jonathan Coachman.

2002: Royal Rumble winner chooses WWE or World Heavyweight Championship

With the introduction of the World Heavyweight Championship in 2002, the Royal Rumble winner was given the option to choose between it or the WWE Championship.

2003: Final WrestleMania Axxess at Convention Center

2003 marked the final WrestleMania Axxess held at a convention center for 6 years.

2003: World Heavyweight Championship (2003-2013)

Since 2003, WrestleMania centers on the main event matches for additional men's world titles, such as the World Heavyweight Championship (2003–2013).

2004: WrestleMania Axxess Touring Version

From 2004, WrestleMania Axxess visited cities around the United States and Canada with a smaller touring version of what was previously presented at regular Axxess events.

2005: Money in the Bank ladder match Introduced

In 2005, WrestleMania 21 saw the introduction of the Money in the Bank ladder match which guarantees a world title match for the winner.

June 2006: ECW brand creation allows Rumble winner third option

In June 2006, the creation of the ECW brand gave the Royal Rumble winner a third option: the ECW Championship.

2006: ECW commentary team introduced

From 2006, the ECW matches called by Joey Styles and Tazz.

2007: ECW Championship option for Rumble winner

From 2007, the ECW Championship option was made available to the Royal Rumble winner.

2008: WrestleMania Axxess Touring Version

In 2008, WrestleMania Axxess continued to visit cities around the United States and Canada with a smaller touring version of what was previously presented at regular Axxess events.

2008: WrestleMania XXIV

In 2008, at WrestleMania XXIV, Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair in a retirement match, CM Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match, Kane won the ECW Championship, Randy Orton retained the WWE Championship, The Undertaker won the World Heavyweight Championship, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Big Show. The event marked the end of the Ruthless Aggression era.

2009: WrestleMania Axxess Returns

In 2009, WrestleMania Axxess returned as a four-day event at convention centers and arenas in the host city of that year's WrestleMania, and continued every year until 2020.

2009: WrestleMania 25

In 2009, at WrestleMania 25, Chris Jericho defeated WWE Hall of Famers, Shawn Michaels unsuccessfully attempted to end The Undertaker's streak, Rey Mysterio defeated John "Bradshaw" Layfield, John Cena defeated Edge, and Triple H retained the WWE Championship against Randy Orton.

February 14, 2010: NBA All-Star Game breaks attendance record

On February 14, 2010, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game broke the indoor sporting event attendance record with 108,713 attendees at Cowboys Stadium, since renamed AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, surpassing WrestleMania III's record.

2010: Money in the Bank pay-per-view introduced

Until 2010 when the Money in the Bank pay-per-view was introduced and thus the Money in the Bank ladder match was retired from WrestleMania.

2010: ECW commentary team until ECW Disbanded

Until 2010, the ECW matches called by Joey Styles and Tazz.

2010: ECW brand retired

Until the brand was retired in 2010, the ECW Championship option was made available to the Royal Rumble winner; however, the title was never chosen.

2011: End of brand split

The brand split ended in 2011.

2013: World Heavyweight Championship defended at WrestleMania XIX

In 2002, WrestleMania XIX defended for the first time the World Heavyweight Championship version (2002–2013)

2013: WWE releases list of best pay-per-views

In 2013, WWE released a list of their "15 best pay-per-views ever", with WrestleMania X-Seven ranked at number one.

2013: WrestleMania 29

In 2013, at WrestleMania 29, The Undertaker defeated CM Punk, Triple H defeated Brock Lesnar, John Cena defeated The Rock, Alberto Del Rio defeated Jack Swagger, Fandango defeated Chris Jericho, and The Shield defeated Big Show, Sheamus, and Randy Orton.

2013: WWE and World Heavyweight Championships unified

In 2013, the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships were unified, leaving the former as the only title to challenge for.

2013: World Heavyweight Championship (2003-2013)

Since 2003, WrestleMania centers on the main event matches for additional men's world titles, such as the World Heavyweight Championship (2003–2013).

April 6, 2014: WrestleMania XXX

On April 6, 2014, WrestleMania XXX took place, featuring Daniel Bryan defeating Triple H and later winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, AJ Lee retaining the WWE Divas Championship, Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak, John Cena defeating Bray Wyatt, The Shield defeating Kane and The New Age Outlaws, and Cesaro winning the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

2014: Undertaker's streak ends at WrestleMania XXX

At WrestleMania XXX in 2014, The Undertaker lost to Brock Lesnar, ending his undefeated streak in 21 WrestleMania matches.

2014: Forbes names WrestleMania as valuable sports brand

From 2014, Forbes named WrestleMania one of the world's most valuable sports event brands.

2014: WrestleMania available via livestreaming

In 2014, WrestleMania XXX was WWE's first major event available via livestreaming.

2014: WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans

In 2014, WrestleMania XXX was held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, marking the second WrestleMania in New Orleans.

March 29, 2015: WrestleMania 31

On March 29, 2015, WrestleMania 31 saw Seth Rollins win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Triple H defeat Sting, The Undertaker defeat Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton defeat Seth Rollins, John Cena defeat Rusev, Daniel Bryan winning the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match, AJ Lee and Paige defeat The Bella Twins, and Big Show winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

April 3, 2016: WrestleMania 32

On April 3, 2016, WrestleMania 32 took place, with Roman Reigns defeating Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, The Undertaker defeating Shane McMahon, Brock Lesnar defeating Dean Ambrose, Charlotte defeating Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks for the WWE Women's Championship, Chris Jericho defeating AJ Styles, The League of Nations defeating The New Day, Zack Ryder winning the Intercontinental Championship, The Rock defeating Erick Rowan, and Baron Corbin winning the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

2016: WrestleMania 32 attendance record

In 2016, WrestleMania 32 surpassed WrestleMania III as the highest-attended professional wrestling event ever held in America, with 101,763 fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium.

2016: WWE World Heavyweight Championship as Royal Rumble prize

In 2016, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was the prize of the Royal Rumble match itself.

April 2, 2017: WrestleMania 33

On April 2, 2017, WrestleMania 33 featured Roman Reigns defeating The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar defeating Goldberg for the Universal Championship, Randy Orton defeating Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship, Mojo Rawley winning the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and The Hardy Boyz winning the Raw Tag Team Championship.

2017: WWE Universal Championship (since 2017)

Since 2017, WrestleMania centers on the main event matches for additional men's world titles, such as the WWE Universal Championship.

2017: Money in the Bank ladder matches Raw and SmackDown

Since 2017, two matches have been held at the Money in the Bank event, but one each for the men and women, with participants divided between the brands.

April 8, 2018: WrestleMania 34

On April 8, 2018, at WrestleMania 34, Brock Lesnar retained the Universal Championship, AJ Styles retained the WWE Championship, Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, The Undertaker defeated John Cena, Charlotte Flair ended Asuka's undefeated streak, Nicholas and Braun Strowman won the Raw Tag Team Championship, The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, Matt Hardy won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and Naomi won the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.

2018: WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans

In 2018, WrestleMania 34 was held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, marking the second WrestleMania in New Orleans.

2018: Introduction of women's Royal Rumble match

In 2018, a women's Royal Rumble match was introduced, with the winner receiving the option of challenging for either the WWE Raw Women's Championship or WWE SmackDown Women's Championship.

April 7, 2019: WrestleMania 35

On April 7, 2019, WrestleMania 35 saw Kofi Kingston become the WWE Champion, Seth Rollins win the Universal Championship, Kurt Angle and Batista retire, and Becky Lynch win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships in the main event.

2019: WrestleMania brand value in 2019

In 2019, Forbes ranked WrestleMania sixth with a brand value of US$245 million.

2019: WrestleMania Weekend

In 2019, WrestleMania Weekend featured a special live WrestleMania SmackDown with the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and WWE Hall of Fame inductions.

2020: NXT Championships as Royal Rumble choices

In 2020, NXT's championships, the NXT Championship and NXT Women's Championship, became additional choices for the Royal Rumble winners.

2020: WrestleMania 36

In 2020, WrestleMania 36 took place over two nights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Undertaker defeated AJ Styles in a Boneyard match, Braun Strowman defeated Goldberg for the Universal Championship, Becky Lynch retained the Raw Women's Championship, Drew McIntyre defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt defeated John Cena in a Firefly Fun House match, and Charlotte Flair defeated Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Championship.

2020: WrestleMania 36 in 2020 held without fans

In 2020, WrestleMania 36 was the only WrestleMania in the event's history not to air live and was held without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it was the first major professional wrestling event to be affected by the pandemic and was also the first to be held across two nights.

2020: WrestleMania Axxess Canceled

In 2020, WrestleMania Axxess was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 2021: NXT reverts to developmental brand

In September 2021, NXT reverted to its original status as WWE's developmental brand.

2021: WrestleMania 37 with a live crowd

In 2021, WrestleMania 37 was WWE's first event back with a live crowd, but at a reduced venue capacity before the company resumed live touring with full capacity crowds in July that year.

2022: NXT Championships removed as Rumble choices

In 2022, NXT's championships were dropped as choices for Royal Rumble winners after NXT reverted to being WWE's developmental brand.

2022: WrestleMania 38

In 2022, WrestleMania 38 featured Cody Rhodes defeating Seth Rollins, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin defeating Kevin Owens, and Roman Reigns defeating Brock Lesnar to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

June 2023: WWE Raw Women's Championship and WWE SmackDown Women's Championship renamed

In June 2023, the WWE Raw Women's Championship or WWE SmackDown Women's Championship, which were renamed as the WWE Women's Championship and Women's World Championship, respectively.

2023: WrestleMania 39

In 2023, WrestleMania 39 took place on April 1 and 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The WrestleMania Weekend included a live WrestleMania SmackDown and the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 31, and NXT Stand & Deliver on April 1. The main event of Night 1 saw Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn defeat The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. In Night 2's main event, Roman Reigns retained the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Cody Rhodes.

April 2024: WWE World at WrestleMania Relaunch

In April 2024, WWE relaunched the WrestleMania Axxess event under the new name WWE World at WrestleMania as part of a partnership with Fanatics Events. The five-day event includes interview panel sessions, a WWE 2K gaming tournament, live podcast recordings, meet-and-greets, and a large merchandise store.

2024: WrestleMania XL

In 2024, WrestleMania XL took place on April 6 and 7 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The WrestleMania Weekend included a live WrestleMania SmackDown and the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 5, and NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6. Night 1 saw The Bloodline defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins. Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns in the Bloodline Rules match to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

2024: World Heavyweight Championship (since 2024)

Since 2024, WrestleMania centers on the main event matches for additional men's world titles, such as the current World Heavyweight Championship.

2025: Future WrestleMania in Indianapolis

In 2025, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, will host a future WrestleMania as part of a partnership with the Indiana Sports Corp.

2025: WrestleMania 41

In 2025, WrestleMania 41 is scheduled to take place on April 19 and 20 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, marking the latest April date for a WrestleMania and the first to be held during Easter weekend.