5 matches that should have been the main event of WrestleMania

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Wrestler Ric Flair on the sidelines before the NFC Championship game as the Chicago Bears host the New Orleans Saints Jan. 21, 2007 at Soldier Field, Chicago. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

1. WrestleMania 24 Dream Main Event: Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair with Flair retiring with a loss

Actual Main Event — Undertaker vs Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship

If there was ever a time to put a match that didn’t feature a title on last, this may have been it. When arguably the greatest wrestler of all time is having his last match for the biggest company in wrestling, he should get his final moment. Yes, Ric Flair has continued to be involved with WWE after this match but he has only wrestled outside of the promotion since. As far as WWE is concerned, Flair retired as an active wrestler on this night and his match against Shawn Michaels should have been the last one of the night.

It’s not even a shot at ‘Taker and Edge, because their match was perfectly fine. It’s more of how the Flair and Michaels match played out. Not only did Flair somehow manage to put together a great effort at the age of 59 years old, Michaels wound up giving us one of the more enduring images in WrestleMania history. Towards the end of the match, Michaels had emerged as the superior man but was having trouble finishing off his opponent. The Heartbreak Kid had idolized the Nature Boy for years and couldn’t seem to wrap his head around having to be the man to end Flair’s illustrious career.

However, Michaels had his legacy as “Mr. WrestleMania” on the line as well and couldn’t lose to a man nearing his 60th birthday. Michaels sat in the corner preparing for his trademark Sweet Chin Music finisher, looked at Flair and said clear as day, “I’m sorry. I love you.” He then gave Flair the superkick that ended the career of the Dirtiest Player in the Game.

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Simply put, wrestling would not be where it is today without Flair. Maybe he hung around a little too long and at times was close to a parody of himself. Sometimes for the younger fans, it’s hard to grasp just how good Flair was in his heyday. Even though he’s had a presence on WWE television for a decade since, this night should have been spent celebrating a career that we are unlikely to ever see again. No fan would have been unhappy if this match closed the show and it could have made a stronger impact if it was the main event.

Let’s hope this year’s main event doesn’t end up on this list and is one of the best ones WWE can put out.