Every day from March 1 until WWE Wrestlemania 33 on April 2, Fightful will be bringing you the Countdown To WWE Wrestlemania 33.
In today’s column, we will be taking a look at the Top 10 International Stars In ‘Mania History. While a lot of stateside stars have made their mark at ‘Mania, so have some of the best international talent the rest of the world has to offer.
#10: Sheamus (Ireland)
Sheamus has fought some of the top talent at ‘Mania, from Triple H to Daniel Bryan to The Shield and everybody in between. Sheamus defeated Bryan in just 18 seconds at ‘Mania 28 to win the WWE Championship, in what was one of two singles matches between the two at ‘Mania.
#9: The Iron Sheik (Iran)
The Iron Sheik competed at the very first ‘Mania, teaming with Nikolai Volkoff to defeat Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda to win the WWE Tag Team Titles. A year later at ‘Mania 2, Sheik would participate in a battle royal that featured both WWE stars and NFL players. At ‘Mania 3, Sheik would again team with Volkoff, this time defeating The Killer Bees by disqualification. Over a decade later at ‘Mania 17, Sheik would win the Legends Battle Royal in his final ‘Mania in ring appearance.
#8: Roddy Piper (Canada)
Roddy Piper competed in the very first ‘Mania, teaming with Paul Orndorff in a losing effort against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Piper was also in one of bigger matches at ‘Mania 3, defeating Adrian Adonis in what would have been his retirement match before returning a few years later. Piper would also defend the WWE Intercontinental Title against Bret Hart in a losing effort at ‘Mania 8. Piper'sa also notably appeared in a Hollywood Back Lot Brawl against Goldust at ‘Mania 12.
#7: Andre The Giant (France)
Andre The Giant headlined what may be one of the greatest ‘Mania events off all time in a losing effort to Hulk Hogan at ‘Mania 3, the match that launched Hulkamania into the stratosphere. Andre also competed in the first ever ‘Mania, defeating “Big” John Studd in the lone Bodyslam Match in ‘Mania history. A year later at ‘Mania 2, Andre would win the battle royal that would include a mix of WWE wrestlers and NFL players. Andre would team with Haku at ‘Mania 6 to lose their WWE Tag Team Titles to Demolition -- it was his final in ring appearance at ‘Mania.
#6: Chris Jericho (Canada)
Chris Jericho started off his ‘Mania run at ‘Mania 2000, winning the WWE European Title in a triple threat match that also involved Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. Jericho would successfully defend the WWE Intercontinental Title against William Regal at ‘Mania 17, but would lose his WWE Title to Triple H a year later. Jericho also faced Shawn Michaels at ‘Mania 19 in one of the best matches in the history of the event, then feud with fellow Canadians Trish Stratus and Christian a year later at ‘Mania 20. Jericho is still competing at ‘Mania over a decade later, even successfully defending his WWE Title against Edge and also defeating AJ Styles at ‘Mania 32.
#5: Bret Hart (Canada)
Bret Hart did not compete at the first ‘Mania, but was at ‘Mania 2 as a participant in the battle royal with WWE wrestlers and NFL players. Hart would defeat Roddy Piper at ‘Mania 8 to win the WWE Intercontinental Title, but would lose the WWE Title to Yokozuna a year later. Hart won the WWE Title back a year later by defeating Yokozuna in the main event of ‘Mania 10. Hart would lose a 60 Minute Ironman Match to Shawn Michaels at ‘Mania 12, but would defeat Steve Austin in an historical match at ‘Mania 13.
#4: Eddie Guerrero (Mexico)
Eddie Guerrero had several big moments at ‘Mania, but nothing may be better than his moment with Chris Benoit, with both of them standing in the ring at the end of ‘Mania 20 while holding their titles in the air. Guerrero would defend his WWE Title earlier in the evening, defeating Kurt Angle with a roll up after losing his shoe. Guerrero won his first title at a ‘Mania at ‘Mania 17, when he defeated the late Test to win the WWE European Title. Guerrero would make history again at ‘Mania 21 when he fought Rey Mysterio, they were both WWE Tag Team Champions at the time and were the only reigning tag champs to face each other in a ‘Mania match.
#3: Chris Benoit (Canada)
Chris Benoit made his ‘Mania debut at ‘Mania 2000, winning the WWE Intercontinental Title in a triple threat match involving Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle. Benoit would fight Kurt Angle again at ‘Mania 17 in a match that would go down as a technical wrestling classic. Benoit would also win the WWE World Title by defeating Triple H and Shawn Michaels at ‘Mania 20, but his post-match moment with Guerrero being remembered forever. Benoit would also compete in the first ever Money In The Bank Ladder Match, which was won by Edge, at ‘Mania 21.
#2: Rey Mysterio (Mexico)
Rey Mysterio made his biggest impact at ‘Mania during ‘Mania 22, where he defeated Randy Orton and Kurt Angle to win the WWE Title. The match was his greatest tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero, who passed away a few months earlier. Mysterio would also defeat the legendary John “Bradshaw” Layfield at ‘Mania 25, in a match lasted less than 30 seconds. Mysterio would have many more great victories at ‘Mania, with two of the more notable ones coming over CM Punk and Eddie Guerrero.
#1: Edge (Canada)
Edge (teaming with Christian) would win the first ever Triple Threat Ladder Match in ‘Mania history (‘Mania 2000) and the first ever TLC Match in ‘Mania history (‘Mania 17). Edge also had one of the worst storylines in ‘Mania history, defeating Booker T in a feud that was to determine who got to star in a Japanese shampoo commercial. Edge would also win the first ever Money In The Bank Ladder Match, which took place at ‘Mania 21. Edge would also successfully defend the WWE World Title against Alberto Del Rio at ‘Mania 27, it would be the final wrestling match of his career.
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