WWE stands as the unrivaled titan of professional wrestling, a legacy that stretches back to its origins in the 1950s under a different name. Through shifts in ownership and branding, the promotion has endured and thrived into the present day.
The crown jewel of WWE’s annual calendar is WrestleMania, a tradition launched in 1985 that has grown from a single-night event into a grand two-night extravaganza. Known as The Show of Shows, it has hosted some of the most iconic matches in wrestling history—alongside a fair share of flops and oddities. While certain lackluster or quirky bouts linger in fans’ memories, others have faded into obscurity.
This article dives into four of the strangest WrestleMania matches that have likely slipped from fans’ radar, featuring a peculiar celebrity clash, an unusual stipulation, and even a bout involving a child. Here are four WrestleMania oddities you might not recall.
#4. A Blindfold Match Stumbles at WrestleMania 7
WWE WrestleMania VII aired live on March 24, 1991, from the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in California, drawing about 16,000 fans. The event is most often remembered for Hulk Hogan’s WWF Championship showdown with Sgt. Slaughter in the main event. But tucked into the card was a peculiar clash between Jake Roberts and Rick Martel.
Dubbed a Blindfold Match, the two wrestled for roughly eight minutes with hoods covering their eyes, severely limiting their sight. The result was a clumsy, action-light affair that ended when Roberts “located” Martel and dropped him with a DDT for the win. It’s a bout that’s easy to forget—and many have.
#3. Mick Foley’s Dumpster Dive at WrestleMania 14
WrestleMania 14 unfolded on March 29, 1998, at The FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, with 19,000 fans in attendance. The show isn’t widely celebrated for its quality, but it did deliver one of the oddest matches in WrestleMania lore: a Tag Team Dumpster Match pitting Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) and Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) against Road Dogg Jesse James and Billy Gunn of The New Age Outlaws.
The objective? Toss both opponents into a dumpster and close the lid. With the aid of a forklift, Funk and Foley managed to trap their rivals inside, securing a victory in a match as bizarre as it sounds.
#2. Big Show’s Sumo Showdown at WrestleMania 21
WrestleMania 21, held on April 3, 2005, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, marked a turning point for WWE. Over 20,000 fans filled the arena for a night that included a truly offbeat spectacle: a Sumo Match between The Big Show and sumo icon Akebono.
The clash of giants lasted just one minute, with Big Show falling to defeat. It’s little wonder that, after a brief run on the ECW brand, he stepped away from WWE a year and a half later—perhaps eager to leave this oddity behind.
#1. Braun Strowman and a Child Conquer at WrestleMania 34
Fast forward to April 8, 2018, when WrestleMania 34 lit up the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This match stands out not for its stipulation but for its sheer absurdity: WWE crowned a 10-year-old boy as a RAW Tag Team Champion.
Braun Strowman, brimming with confidence, insisted he could topple The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) with any partner—even a fan. He picked Nicholas, the son of referee John Cone, from the crowd. Strowman then dismantled The Bar single-handedly, allowing him and young Nicholas to claim the titles. The duo relinquished the belts shortly after, but the moment remains one of WrestleMania’s most surreal chapters.
FAQs
What is the weirdest match in WWE WrestleMania history?
One of the weirdest matches in WWE WrestleMania history was when Braun Strowman picked a 10-year-old child, Nicholas, as his tag team partner to win the RAW Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 34.
Did WWE ever have a Blindfold Match at WrestleMania?
Yes, WWE had a Blindfold Match at WrestleMania 7 between Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and Rick ‘The Model’ Martel. Both wrestlers wore hoods over their heads, making it difficult for them to see and fight properly.
What is a Tag Team Dumpster Match in WWE?
A Tag Team Dumpster Match is a type of match where the goal is to throw both members of the opposing team into a dumpster and close the lid. At WrestleMania 14, Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie defeated The New Age Outlaws in this unique match.
Who fought in a Sumo Match at WrestleMania?
At WrestleMania 21, WWE legend Big Show faced sumo champion Akebono in a Sumo Match. Both wore traditional sumo attire, and Akebono won by pushing Big Show out of the ring.
Why did Braun Strowman team up with a child at WrestleMania 34?
Braun Strowman wanted to prove he could win the RAW Tag Team Titles alone, but since he needed a partner, he picked a young fan named Nicholas from the audience. Together, they won the match but vacated the titles soon after.
