Brian Gewirtz Describes Unhappy Afterparty for WrestleMania 16 Being the Impetus for ‘The Greatest ‘Mania Ever’

In a recent post on social media, former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz reflected on this being the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania 17, aka WrestleMania X-7, which took place 25 years ago today. Gewirtz explained that the feeling going around the afterparty at WrestleMania 16, aka WrestleMania 2000, the previous year, was what ultimately drove the team to put together what’s widely seen as the best WrestleMania ever the following year.

Brian Gewirtz wrote, “Will never forget the afterparty of WM 2000. No one looked happy. It was like ‘Um…did we just **** the bed with an overbooked mess of a show and desperately need to get back to 1-1 matches with huge personal issues?’ Big letdown that paved the way for the greatest Mania ever imo.”

Of course, WrestleMania 17 featured The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin in the main event. Austin famously defeated The Rock to win the WWE Title, turning heel and siding with his former bitter enemy, Vince McMahon.

WrestleMania 16 featured a 4-Way Elimination Match in the main event, with Triple H vs. The Rock vs. Big Show vs. Mick Foley, and a McMahon in each corner. Triple H defeated The Rock in the final fall to retain the WWE Title, with McMahon turning on The Rock to make things right with his daughter, Stephanie McMahon.

Will never forget the afterparty of WM 2000. No one looked happy. It was like “um…did we just shit the bed with an overbooked mess of a show and desperately need to get back to 1-1 matches with huge personal issues?” Big letdown that paved the way for the greatest Mania ever imo https://t.co/vWqBEhAI0L

— Brian Gewirtz (@bfg728) April 1, 2026