WRESTLEMANIA'S RICH HISTORY
The event that changed the direction of pro wrestling
By Steve Anderson from the June 2000 issue of Wrestling Digest
By Steve Anderson from the June 2000 issue of Wrestling Digest
It was the culmination of Vince McMahon's national invasion of the once-untouchable regional territories and the orchestration of the "Rock and Wrestling" phenomenon. It was shown at 135 closed-circuit locations, drawing an estimated 400,000 viewers. The WWF event attracted celebrities, luminaries and other "movers and shakers" from around the world.
The event was Wrestlemania-held on March 31, 1985-and it became a phenomenon. But it was not easy.
In an issue of TV Guide from last year, Vince McMahon recalled a drunken Billy Martin serving as the guest ring announcer, a "dancing-impaired" Liberace failing to get in step with the Rockettes, and the Hell's Angels offering to provide security.
If those hurdles were not enough, technical problems plagued the inaugural event. The closed-circuit broadcasts kept malfunctioning at theaters and arenas around the country. A riot almost broke out in Pittsburgh.
Yet in spite of all the challenges, Wrestlemania changed the face of professional wrestling and how it is promoted. It evolved from a regional sport that took place in smoke-filled arenas to a national craze attracting entire families who could watch from the comfort of their homes
WCW's Starrcade, billed as the "granddaddy of them all," may have come first by debuting on November 24, 1983, but it did not provide the spectacle and hype of Wrestlemania. Today, Wrestlemania still serves as the main pay-per-view of wrestling's calendar year. WWF storylines are built throughout the year and culminate at the "big event." Titles are won and lost. Alliances are created and destroyed. Stars are made, along with wrestling history.
Wrestlemania is pay-per-view wrestling wrestling's pioneer. The WWF used celebrities first, both in and out of the ring. It brought wrestling into the mainstream in the 1980s and continues to help the sport in its most recent resurgence.
Judging the sequels
Having the sequels surpassed the original? Yes and no. Wrestlemania 2 on April 7, 1986 was a technical challenge because it took place in three arenas concurrently. Wrestlemania 3 on March 29, 1987, set an indoor attendance record of 93,173 and featured a historic clash between Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan and a classic bout between Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage. It is still considered by many fans to be the best Wrestlemania of all time.
Controversy plagued other Wrestlemanias. The seventh offering on March 24. 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, featured defending champion Sgt. Slaughter portrayed as an Iraqi sympathizer. Wrestlemania 8 should have showcased the long-awaited confrontation between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan on April 5, 1992, but bad press resulting from a steroid controversy prevented that matchup.
Wrestlemania 10 on March 20,1994, was the first without Hulk Hogan, and many speculated about how it would fare with Bret Hart, Lex Lugar and Yokozuna in the top spots.
Wrestlemania regained an identity beginning with its 13th effort on March 23, 1997, when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin emerged as a top star and eventual world champion.
Wrestling has had its ups and downs since March 31, 1985, when Wrestlemania first appeared on screens around the world. One constant, however, has remained: All roads point to the crown jewel of wrestling pay-per-view-the event called Wrestlemania.
The event was Wrestlemania-held on March 31, 1985-and it became a phenomenon. But it was not easy.
In an issue of TV Guide from last year, Vince McMahon recalled a drunken Billy Martin serving as the guest ring announcer, a "dancing-impaired" Liberace failing to get in step with the Rockettes, and the Hell's Angels offering to provide security.
If those hurdles were not enough, technical problems plagued the inaugural event. The closed-circuit broadcasts kept malfunctioning at theaters and arenas around the country. A riot almost broke out in Pittsburgh.
Yet in spite of all the challenges, Wrestlemania changed the face of professional wrestling and how it is promoted. It evolved from a regional sport that took place in smoke-filled arenas to a national craze attracting entire families who could watch from the comfort of their homes
WCW's Starrcade, billed as the "granddaddy of them all," may have come first by debuting on November 24, 1983, but it did not provide the spectacle and hype of Wrestlemania. Today, Wrestlemania still serves as the main pay-per-view of wrestling's calendar year. WWF storylines are built throughout the year and culminate at the "big event." Titles are won and lost. Alliances are created and destroyed. Stars are made, along with wrestling history.
Wrestlemania is pay-per-view wrestling wrestling's pioneer. The WWF used celebrities first, both in and out of the ring. It brought wrestling into the mainstream in the 1980s and continues to help the sport in its most recent resurgence.
Judging the sequels
Having the sequels surpassed the original? Yes and no. Wrestlemania 2 on April 7, 1986 was a technical challenge because it took place in three arenas concurrently. Wrestlemania 3 on March 29, 1987, set an indoor attendance record of 93,173 and featured a historic clash between Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan and a classic bout between Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage. It is still considered by many fans to be the best Wrestlemania of all time.
Controversy plagued other Wrestlemanias. The seventh offering on March 24. 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, featured defending champion Sgt. Slaughter portrayed as an Iraqi sympathizer. Wrestlemania 8 should have showcased the long-awaited confrontation between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan on April 5, 1992, but bad press resulting from a steroid controversy prevented that matchup.
Wrestlemania 10 on March 20,1994, was the first without Hulk Hogan, and many speculated about how it would fare with Bret Hart, Lex Lugar and Yokozuna in the top spots.
Wrestlemania regained an identity beginning with its 13th effort on March 23, 1997, when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin emerged as a top star and eventual world champion.
Wrestling has had its ups and downs since March 31, 1985, when Wrestlemania first appeared on screens around the world. One constant, however, has remained: All roads point to the crown jewel of wrestling pay-per-view-the event called Wrestlemania.