Wrestlemania beginnings and first event...

This is my first entry into the history of Wrestlemania. Wrestlemania started in 1985, created by Vince McMahon. Since it’s arrival it has gone on to become the “Superbowl” or “World Series” of it’s genre. Wrestlemania has amazed fans for over 25 years now. Wrestlemania started the merger of music with sports, and has been responsible for making many normal men become superstars. Since the 80’s stars like Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, have gone on to become household names and even movie stars. Wrestlemania was the beginning of many memorable and monumental moments for the WWF; now WWE. Wrestlemania led the way for many other Pay Per View ideas like the Royal Rumble, Summerslam and Survivor Series.



Wrestlemania 1 was held in Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 people (which is small compared to this year’s Wrestlemania attendance of 73,000). The first PPV (Pay-Per-View) for this company showcased the main event of Hulk Hogan and Mr.T VS. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff, as well as the 15,000 dollar body slam match between Andre the Giant and Big John Studd. MTV was just starting at this time and helped with the promotion for the “show of shows.” In edition to MTV helping to promote this event, Muhammad Ali, and Cyndi Lauper were there as well.
Muhammad Ali was the special guest referee for the main event match, and at one point knocked out Roddy Piper to restore order. Cyndi Lauper was in the corner of Wendi Richter going against Leilani Kai for the Woman’s Championship. This was the first time celebrities made a big impact in any kind of professional entertainment matter. Entertainers being a part of Wrestlemania has continued for 26 years now, as well as the singing of our national anthem at the beginning of each event. Now, let’s talk a little bit more on the importance of the two matches mentioned above.
Andre the Giant had never been body slammed by anyone, nether had Big John Studd. So 15,000 was put on the line and whoever could body slam the other would win. Andre won the match, and took the 15,000 and threw it out to the crowd. This was one of the first moments in Wrestlemania history of it’s superstars reacting to it’s fans. Now, there is the WWE Universe; a website just for WWE fans.



The main event match witnessed the beginning of Hulkamania. Hulk Hogan became an icon in the wrestling business and is known worldwide, but this was his first main event match. Roddy Piper had created the first wrestling talk show called The Piper’s Pit, this is where his and Hogan’s feud began. Roddy Piper being a more classic wrestler and Hogan being the next big thing, ideologies were put to the test. Roddy Piper would use his talk show to bad mouth the rise of the “Rock and Wrestling” and Hogan came on to defend it. This confrontation led to the main event match, and the beginning of professional wrestling becoming a dominate force in sports entertainment.