WrestleMania

Wrestlemania (1985) was Vince K. McMahon's big step into mainstreaming pro-wrestling. Back in the day Wrestlemania was huge and Hulk Hogan was the muscle behind it. The card and the matches weren't so hot but the hype sure was. I have to hand to V.K. McMahon for pulling off this great event. He turned a dying "sport" into "sports entertainment and am I ever so thankful.

P.S. Don't play the video game that came out a few years later on the N.E.S. because it's real bad. If you ever get that nostalgic trip watch a couple of Andre The Giant vs. Big John Studd matches circa. 1988-1989, you'll stop cold turkey believe me.

Though no one can say that the first Wrestlemania wasn't a landmark event in professional wrestling history, this event (for a number of reasons) just doesn't pass muster compared to other events that would come later.

First of all, the presentation is not befitting of an epic event. The announcing team of Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura is rock-solid, but the transitions between matches and camera work leaves much to be desired. Instead of the truly magnificent feel of later shows, "Wrestlemania I" is a bit dark and sparse.

In terms of the matches themselves, they really don't start to get going until the last half hour or so. Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd in a Slam Match is kind of fun, as is the women's match featuring Cyndi Lauper. The finale (Rowdy Piper and Paul Orndorf vs. Hulk Hogan and Mr. T) is full of energy, if not a bit anti-climactic.

Overall, it is clear from viewing this in hindsight that the WWF was still searching for the "magic touch" to truly make Wrestlemania a must-see event.

March 31, 1985, Wrestlemania was born!!

Hulk Hogan and Mr. T squared off against Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr Wonderful Paul Orndorff. The very first main event of a Wrestlemania. Truly memorable.

The Executioner got kicked over the top rope, but landed right on a chair!! Classic!

Always great to look back on the evolution of wrestling's 🤼‍♀️ sports entertainment begins here. All the best in the business under one roof instead of working territory. Unusually for what we know will follow in the years ahead this features a tag team main event .

WrestleMania was denifitely a great way to start out for the WWF(Oops excuse me...WWE). Star ratings wise, it really was not a great card. The WWF would be in trouble for making P.P.V. cards that bad. But, the magic was there.

The MOTN(Match of the night) of course, was Hogan/T vs. Piper/Orndorf. Alot of junk was in it too like the King Kong Bundy match that was really 24 seconds but kayfabe says 9 seconds.

All in all. Easy recommendation.

BTW, if you want to chat about the good old days of wrestling just drop me an e-mail!