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Wrestlemania review: XIII to X8

With Wrestlemania XXX just over four weeks away, Sports Mole takes a look back at what transpired at the annual pay-per-view between 1997 and 2002.

This year will see the 30th staging of Wrestlemania, which is being held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on April 6.

The annual supershow has been the stage of many of the most memorable moments in the history of the company, and more are expected to occur in just over two weeks' time.

Below, Sports Mole continues its look back at how Wrestlemania turned into a global phenomenon, with the pay-per-views held between 1997 and 2002 receiving the spotlight on this occasion.

Wrestlemania XIII

The 13th staging of Wrestlemania was the setting for one of the defining moments of Stone Cold Steve Austin's career as he faced Bret Hart in a submission match that is considered one of the most memorable matches in history.

The lengthy feud came to a head in Illinois as a back-and-forth contest, which was refereed by UFC fighter Ken Shamrock, concluded when Austin conceded defeat when he passed out in a pool of his own blood when in a sharpshooter from his opponent.

The WWF title was contested between The Undertaker and Sycho Sid, with 'The Phenom' winning the belt after delivering a tombstone to the champion, while the Legion of Doom and Ahmed Johnson won a Chicago street fight against the Nation of Domination.

The event also marked the Wrestlemania debut of The Rock, who wrestled under the name Rocky Maivia as he overcome the challenge of The Sultan.

Wrestlemania XIV

Wrestlemania XIV was most notable for the appearance of boxer Mike Tyson, who was named as the special enforcer for the WWF Championship match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels.

The fight came to a conclusion when Tyson made the three-count after Austin had delivered a Stone Cold Stunner to Michaels, with the DX leader receiving a knockout punch from Tyson as Austin celebrated his victory.

The pay-per-view, which was being held in the FleetCenter in Boston, also staged the highly-anticipated bout between The Undertaker and his brother, Kane, with 'Taker surviving three tombstones before edging past The Big Red Machine with one of his own.

Wrestlemania XV

The first of a trilogy of matches between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock took place at the First Union Center in Philadelphia as 'The Corporate Champion' headlined his first Wrestlemania.

However, the night ended on a low note for The Rock as he lost the WWF title to Austin, with Mankind making the three count after earlier defeating Paul Wight for the right to be the official in the main event.

Elsewhere on the card, Triple H joined The Corporation after interfering in X-Pac's match with Test, while The Undertaker came through his contest with The Big Boss Man, which was held inside the Hell in a Cell structure.

Wrestlemania 2000

Wrestlemania 2000 was headlined by a four-way elimination match between Triple H, The Rock, Big Show and Mankind, which was being contested for the WWF title.

After Mankind and Big Show had been eliminated, the encounter, which featured a member of the McMahon family in each participant's corner, reached a conclusion when Vince McMahon turned on The Rock to allow Triple H to successfully defend his belt.

The pay-per-view also saw Kurt Angle lose both his Intercontinental and European straps to Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho respectively, despite never being pinned during the two-fall triple-threat bout, while Edge and Christian won the tag-team titles in a triangle ladder match against The Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz.

Wrestlemania X-Seven

Wrestlemania X-Seven is widely regarded as one of the best pay-per-views in history with the Reliant Astrodome in Houston playing host to the second Wrestlemania showdown between Steve Austin and The Rock.

The ending came when Austin performed the ultimate heel turn in joining forces with Vince McMahon to get the better of The Rock, who had been left in a heap after numerous chair shots from the challenger.

The Undertaker continued his dominance at the event with a singles victory over Triple H, while Edge and Christian overcame The Dudleyz and The Hardyz in a memorable Tables, Ladders and Chairs encounter.

In the week leading up to Wrestlemania, it had been revealed that Shane McMahon had bought WCW, which he capped off with a street-fight triumph over Vince, who he had beaten to the purchase.

Wrestlemania X8

The 68,237 fans present at the SkyDome in Toronto were given the opportunity to witness the encounter between The Rock and Hollywood Hulk Hogan in what was universally considered to be a "dream match".

Hogan, who came into the fight as the heel, was heavily cheered by the Canadian crowd but he fell to defeat against The Rock, who was able to deliver two Rock Bottoms and a People's Elbow to get the win.

Elsewhere on a star-studded card, Triple H won the Undisputed WWF Championship from Chris Jericho, while Steve Austin beat Scott Hall.

The Undertaker continued his unbeaten record at Wrestlemania with victory over Ric Flair, with Kurt Angle also picking up a singles success against Kane.

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Former wreslter Shawn Michaels sits courtside as the San Antonio Spurs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 27, 2012
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