The wrestling staff of Back Sports Page have carefully selected what they believe to be the top 41 matches in WrestleMania history. Presented in chronological order, this series will detail the backstory, match review, and aftermath of each match, along with how the outcomes shaped the careers of those involved.
Backstory:
Mrs. Foley’s baby boy and the ultimate opportunist put on the best hardcore match in WrestleMania history in 2006. At WrestleMania 22, Mick Foley took on Edge in a 15-minute car crash of a match.
Edge’s first reign as world champion ended in January 2006 at the Royal Rumble at the hands of John Cena. Cena won back his WWE Championship from the man who beat him, but Edge blamed special guest referee Foley for the loss. The Rated R Superstar attacked Foley after the match. He said Foley ruined his dream of walking into WrestleMania as champion and that if he didn’t accept his challenge for WrestleMania, he would drag Foley into his backyard and beat him in front of his family. This goaded Foley into accepting Edge’s challenge for the show of shows.
Match Review:
Edge came out to little fanfare wearing a pair of black jeans, an outfit different from his usual style but in line with the attire for most WWE street fights and hardcore matches. The match begins with Edge chasing Foley around with a bat unsuccessfully. It wouldn’t stay that way for long, as Edge lands a few shots to Foley’s head with a cookie sheet and other metal objects. While nothing new for wrestling, or Foley specifically, the unprotected head shots with weapons can be uncomfortable to watch with modern eyes.
Edge had the upper hand until a spear attempt was foiled by Foley secretly wrapping himself in barbed wire. Edge becomes very acquainted with barbed wire throughout the match, including enduring a visit from Barbie, Foley’s signature bat wrapped in barbed wire. The brutality continued, with both men putting their bodies through the steps, tables and each other. The most iconic moment of the match came at the end. Edge speared Foley through the ropes to the outside of the ring through a flaming table. It was finally enough to put the hardcore legend out.
Aftermath:
- Edge said in an interview with Chris Van Vliet that this match cemented him as a main event player. Edge was immediately reinserted into the WWE championship feud. While he didn’t win his title rematch, his stock had undoubtedly risen after WrestleMania 22. He teamed with Foley through the critically acclaimed ECW One Night Stand 2006. He won the WWE Championship for the second time in July.
- Mick Foley proved that the hardcore legend could still go in the ring under the right circumstances. Foley also finally achieved the iconic WrestleMania moment he’d wanted for years. He would turn heel and have a short-lived pairing with Edge through ECW One Night Stand 2006. Foley would then feud with Ric Flair based on real-life animosity from Flair’s comments about Foley in his autobiography. He would take a break at the end of the summer and start winding his legendary career down.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
