WWF WrestleMania Results
March 31, 1985
New York City, New York (Madison Square Garden)
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
A video showcasing a picture of the New York City skyline along with pictures of the WWF Superstars who will be in action tonight. The first WrestleMania is ready to go.
We go live into Madison Square Garden. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura are at ringside to call the action. Howard Finkel welcomes the crowd to WrestleMania. Finkel asks the crowd to rise. Here to sing the National Anthem is “Mean” Gene Okerlund. Okerlund says he’ll need a little help singing. Okerlund goes on to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The crowd gives him a nice hand and Monsoon exclaims, “Unbelievable!”
Lord Alfred Hayes talks about the match that will open WrestleMania. Hayes puts over The Masked Executioner and Tito Santana.
Tito Santana was interviewed earlier by “Mean” Gene Okerlund. Santana knows nothing about The Executioner. Santana says he respects every man he gets in the ring with. Executioner hasn’t been in the big leagues, but he won’t stand in Santana’s way. Executioner is going down. Ariba!
Okerlund then had an interview with The Executioner. Executioner stumbles on his words, but says he’s going after Tito Santana’s leg that was injured by Greg Valentine. He’ll show him that he’s a big leaguer.
The Executioner vs. Tito Santana
The bell rings, and they circle the ring. Executioner hooks a side headlock. Santana whips him off, they crisscross the ropes, and Santana hits a back body drop. Santana then dropkicks him out of the ring. The cameraman is taken out. Executioner gets on the apron, and the referee holds Santana back. Executioner gets in the ring, and Santana hooks a side headlock. Santana climbs the ropes and hits a headlock takeover. Executioner punches out, but Santana punches right back at him. Santana slams Executioner’s head off the mat and sizes him up. Executioner kicks him before bouncing him off the turnbuckles. Executioner knees him in the midsection before stomping him. Executioner goes to work on the leg, but Santana escapes. Santana kicks and punches him, and Executioner retreats. Santana boots and punches him in the corner before sending him to the opposite corner. Santana sets up for a piledriver, but Executioner counters with a back body drop. Executioner hits a scoop slam before going to the top rope. Santana gets up and slams him off the top rope. Santana goes for a big splash, but Executioner gets the knees up. Executioner drapes the leg over the bottom rope and jumps on it. Santana quickly kicks him over the top rope before bringing him in the ring the hard way. Santana hits a flying forearm before applying a figure four leglock for the win.
Winner by Submission: Tito Santana
The commentators talk about how Santana could have pinned Executioner after the flying forearm, but he wanted to send a message to Greg Valentine with the figure four leglock.
Lord Alfred Hayes talks about S.D. Jones vs. King Kong Bundy.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund says he’s going to get down with the biggest thing in town, King Kong Bundy. Today is the day for him. Jones tells everyone to get ready. We’re going to get down. Jimmy Hart and King Kong Bundy walk up after. Bundy tells Jones to think about the avalanche and the 5 count.
King Kong Bundy w/ Jimmy Hart vs. S.D. Jones
The bell rings, and Jones hits the ropes. Bundy catches him with a bear hug before throwing him to the corner. Bundy avalanches him in the corner before hitting a big splash for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: King Kong Bundy
The official match time is given as 9 seconds, which was the record in WWF at the time. The actual match time was 17 seconds.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Matt Borne. Borne will face Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat is a great wrestler, but he’s too nice. Borne is there to beat him up. Ricky Steamboat walks up and puts over WrestleMania as a huge event. Steamboat is here to develop his meanness. Steamboat will show Borne what he’s learned.
Matt Borne vs. Ricky Steamboat
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before locking up. Borne hooks a side headlock, buy Steamboat whips him off. Steamboat leapfrogs him twice and goes for a chop but Borne stops. Borne charges, and Steamboat chops him down. Steamboat punches him and hits a snapmare before going to a reverse chin lock. Borne gets to his feet, so Steamboat hooks a side headlock. Borne goes for a back suplex, but Steamboat flips through and lands on his feet before going back to the side headlock. Borne goes for a another back suplex, but Steamboat flips through. Steamboat connects with an atomic drop and goes back to the side headlock. Borne counters with an inverted atomic drop and knees him in the face. Borne punches and chops him to the corner before whipping him the opposite way. Steamboat quickly kicks him back and comes off the ropes with a chop. Steamboat uppercuts him and once again goes to the side headlock. Steamboat transitions to a front facelock before Borne backs him to the corner. Borne knees him and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Borne connects with a suplex for a two count. They trade punches before Steamboat punches him down. Steamboat hits a back suplex before connecting with a neckbreaker. Steamboat drops a chop to the throat before dropping a knee for a near fall. Borne punches him back and sends him into the ropes for a clothesline. Steamboat ducks it, leapfrogs him, and hits a diving shoulder block. Steamboat goes to the top rope for a flying cross-body block for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Ricky Steamboat
Lord Alfred Hayes talks about Brutus Beefcake taking on David Sammartino. Brutus Beefcake walks by Hayes with Johnny Valiant.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund interviewed David Sammartino. Sammartino says Brutus Beefcake has too much confidence and will be taken down. Bruno Sammartino warns that if Johnny Valiant gets involved, he’ll eat a fist. Beefcake and Valiant walk up after. Valiant says he’ll stick his nose in wherever he wants, and Beefcake will be victorious.
Brutus Beefcake w/ “Luscious” Johnny Valiant vs. David Sammartino w/ Bruno Sammartino
The bell rings, and “Luscious” Johnny takes his time removing Beefcake’s entrance attire. Sammartino speaks with his father at ringside, while Valiant hugs Beefcake. They circle the ring and lock up. Beefcake quickly powers him to the corner and taunts the crowd. Sammartino goes for a lock-up, but Beefcake simply struts away to laughs from the crowd. Sammartino quickly powers Beefcake into the corner before hitting a drop-toe-hold. Beefcake angrily gets to his feet and signals for a test of strength. Sammartino pushes the hand away. Sammartino hooks a waistlock, but Beefcake reverses it. Beefcake takes him down, but Sammartino twists him off. Beefcake quickly gets out of the ring to talk strategy with Valiant.
Sammartino takes him down when Beefcake gets in the ring. Sammartino applies a front facelock, but Beefcake gets to the ropes to break the hold. Beefcake gets in the referee’s face, and the referee admonishes him. They lock up, and Sammartino wrenches the arm. Beefcake grabs the face before hitting a scoop slam, but Sammartino holds the arm and takes him down with him. Sammartino drops a knee on the arm, and Beefcake again goes to talk with Valiant. Sammartino leans over to hear advice from his father at ringside. They lock up, and Beefcake applies a side headlock. Beefcake hits a headlock takeover and cinches it in. Sammartino fights up and whips him off, but Beefcake quickly shoulder blocks him down. Beefcake hits the ropes and hits a hip toss. Sammartino kicks him back and hits a drop-toe-hold before applying a leglock. Sammartino wrenches the ankle, but Beefcake kicks him back. Sammartino quickly takes him down and goes back to the left leg. Sammartino locks on a spinning toe hold until Beefcake kicks him back. Sammartino immediately takes him down and goes back to working on the leg. Beefcake rakes the eyes to get out.
Beefcake sends him to the ropes for a back body drop followed by a pair of falling forearms. Beefcake hits a scoop slam and kicks him in the face. Beefcake clubs away at the chest and kicks him in the back. Beefcake knocks him to the corner and elbows him in the jaw. Beefcake then whips him hard into the corner, and Sammartino collapses in pain. Beefcake taunts the crowd and elbows away at Sammartino. Beefcake knees away at him before delivering some more forearms. Beefcake rakes the eyes, but Sammartino reverses a whip to the corner. Sammartino then takes him down with a back body drop. Beefcake gets up first, but Sammartino punches him back. Sammartino uppercuts him and sends him to the ropes for a kick. Sammartino knees him in the head and connects with a suplex for a two count. Beefcake quickly head-butts him in the midsection before throwing him out of the ring. Valiant grabs Sammartino and scoop slams him on the concrete floor! Bruno Sammartino runs over and attacks Valiant, getting him in the ring. Bruno punches away at Valiant to a huge ovation. All four men start fighting before Beefcake and Valiant retreat.
Double Disqualification
Lord Alfred Hayes talks about the WWF Intercontinental Championship match between champion Greg Valentine and Junkyard Dog.
Greg Valentine says he’s in the greatest shape of his entire life. He’s the master of the figure four leglock. Junkyard Dog then walks up to “Mean” Gene Okerlund. JYD says he needs a bone to chew on.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Junkyard Dog vs. Greg Valentine (c) w/ Jimmy Hart
The bell rings to begin the match. JYD scares him to the corner. Valentine circles the ring, and they lock up. JYD quickly grabs the arm and wrenches. JYD punches and head-butts the arm. Valentine whips him off and goes for a boot, but JYD blocks it. JYD quickly punches him down and taunts him. They lock up, and Valentine elbows him down. JYD avoids an elbow drop and starts crawling on all fours to head-butt him a few times. Valentine goes to the apron and talks with Hart. Valentine backs away from JYD before going for a test of strength. Valentine shoulders him before wrenching the arm. Valentine forearms him and clubs the neck, taking JYD down. Valentine attacks the leg with an elbow drop before stretching it out. Valentine wrenches the leg before DDTing it. Valentine clubs away at JYD before head-butting the midsection. JYD kicks Valentine off attempting a figure four leglock.
JYD limps to the corner. Valentine punches and chops him, but JYD responds with right hands. JYD head-butts him, keeps hold of the hair, and head-butts him again to take him down. JYD pulls Valentine up, but Jimmy Hart gets on the apron to distract the referee. JYD grabs Hart. Valentine goes to hit JYD, but he moves so Hart takes the hit. Hart falls off the apron flat onto the concrete floor. JYD punches away at Valentine. Valentine sweeps the feet and covers him with his feet on the ropes for the win.
Tito Santana runs down and tells the referee what happened. The referee signals for the match to restart. Valentine and Hart walk off as the referee is counting. The referee officially counts Valentine out. The crowd erupts at JYD’s victory, but he does not win the title.
Winner by Count-Out: Junkyard Dog
Greg Valentine remains WWF Intercontinental Champion
Lord Alfred Hays talks about the WWF Tag Team Championship match.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Freddie Blassie. Blassie says he has the next Tag Team Champions with him. Everyone shouts nonsensically. Captain Lou Albano is backstage with Windham and Rotundo. They’re going to try real hard.
Howard Finkel asks the crowd to be quiet on behalf of Nikolai Volkoff while he sings the Soviet Union’s National Anthem. Volkoff sings the anthem while the crowd loudly boos. Sheik grabs the microphone after and shouts that Russia and Iran are number one before spitting after saying USA.
WWF Tag Team Championship
Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff w/ “Classy” Freddie Blassie vs. The U.S. Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham, c’s) w/ Captain Lou Albano
The bell rings, and it’ll be Rotundo starting against Iron Sheik. Sheik taunts the crowd. They lock up, and Sheik applies a side headlock. Rotundo whips him off, but Sheik shoulder blocks him down. Sheik hits the ropes, but Rotundo goes up and over him before hitting a hip toss. Rotundo connects with a dropkick and a scoop slam. Barry Windham gets a right hand in on Sheik as well. Rotundo takes him down with a headlock. Sheik rolls him onto his shoulders for a two count. Windham tags in and comes off the top rope with an elbow to the back of the neck. Windham drops a leg on the midsection before applying a headlock. Sheik powers him to the corner, and Volkoff holds Windham. Sheik goes for a dropkick, but he hits Volkoff when Windham moves.
Volkoff tags in, and Windham applies a side headlock. Rotundo tags in and takes Volkoff down for a two count. Rotundo wrenches the arm and tags Windham back in. Windham comes off the top rope and hits an elbow. Windham wrenches the arm before tagging Rotundo in. Rotundo hits an elbow to the arm off the top rope. Volkoff pulls Rotundo’s hair before driving him into Sheik’s boot. Sheik tags in and sends Rotundo into the ropes for a back body drop. Sheik hits the ropes and drops an elbow for a near fall. Sheik hits a gutwrench suplex for another near fall. Sheik goes for a suplex, but Rotundo blocks it. Rotundo lifts Sheik up for a textbook suplex. Volkoff quickly tags in and stomps Rotundo. Volkoff hits a stun gun before kicking him in the neck. Rotundo gets out of a cover and applies a hammerlock. Volkoff quickly powers him into the ropes. The crowd is chanting, “USA.” Rotundo hits a sunset flip for a near fall. Volkoff stomps Rotundo before sending him into the ropes for a knee to the midsection. Volkoff hits a big stomp and bounces him off Sheik’s boot before tagging him in. Sheik boots Rotundo and applies an abdominal stretch. At ringside, Blassie and Albano get into a shouting match. Rotundo gets out with a hip toss, but Sheik takes him down. Volkoff tags in, but so does Windham.
Windham runs wild on Volkoff before dropkicking him. Windham punches away at him before hitting a bulldog. Sheik breaks up the pin. Rotundo runs in and hits a dropkick to send Sheik out of the ring. Windham punches away at Volkoff. The referee argues with Rotundo, which allows Sheik to hit Windham in the head with Blassie’s cane, breaking it! Volkoff covers for the win!
Winners and new WWF Tag Team Champions: Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff
The crowd is loudly booing the new WWF Tag Team Champions. Iron Sheik shouts that Iran and Russia are number one. The crowd throws garbage at them as they walk off.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with the new WWF Tag Team Champions. Okerlund calls the victory controversial. Blassie shouts that there’s nothing controversial about it. Windham was pinned in the middle of the ring. Okerlund asks Blassie where his cane is. Blassie shouts that he didn’t have a cane. The Iron Sheik says they proved it that their countries are the best.
Lord Alfred Hayes sets the stage for the $15,000 Body Slam Challenge. If André the Giant cannot slam Big John Studd, he’ll retire from wrestling.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Big John Studd and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Studd puts over his height. In a few moments, we’re going to see the last match of André the Giant. Heenan says for $15,000 and a haircut, they’re eliminating André the Giant from wrestling.
Career vs. $15,000 Body Slam Challenge
Big John Studd w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. André the Giant
The bell sounds, and Studd quickly begins punching away at André. André quickly responds with some chops and a head-butt that floors Studd. Studd rolls out of the ring and talks strategy with Heenan. Studd cautiously gets back in the ring. André quickly powers him to the corner and chokes him. Heenan is furious and shouts at the referee to count André out. André punches Studd and squashes him in the corner a few times. André punches away at Studd. Studd goes for a scoop slam, but André knees him in the midsection. André applies a bearhug. The crowd chants, “Slam.” Studd rakes the eyes, but André won’t release the bearhug. André cinches it in before clubbing him in the back a few times. Studd elbows him, but André quickly applies a chin lock. Studd backs him into the ropes, so André punches him back. André punches him in the midsection before head-butting him back. André clubs him and sends him into the ropes. Studd goes to kick him in the face, but André blocks it. André punches and kicks him down before putting Studd into the corner. André chops the chest before kicking him a few times. André finally just body slams him for the win!
Winner: André the Giant
The crowd roars in approval. André the Giant grabs the duffel bag full of money and starts to throw the contents into the crowd. Heenan quickly steals the bag and runs away. André the Giant continues to celebrate in the ring.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with André the Giant. André doesn’t care where the money is. André just wanted to prove that he could slam Big John Studd for all the wrestling fans.
Lord Alfred Hayes is talking backstage when The Fabulous Moolah comes up and kisses him on the lips. Leilani Kai also kisses Hayes.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Cyndi Lauper and Wendi Richter. Lauper says she’s a powerful manager after being trained by Captain Lou Albano. Richter says the only reason she lost the title was because of Moolah. She’ll win it back. Moolah and Kai walk up. Moolah says she is proud of her champion. Kai says she’ll do what it takes to be the victor.
WWF Women’s Championship
Leilani Kai (c) w/ The Fabulous Moolah vs. Wendi Richter w/ Cyndi Lauper
David Wolfe, the manager of Cyndi Lauper, is shown at ringside.
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before locking up. Richter backs Kai into the ropes, but they soon tussle to the corner. Richter blocks a punch and sends Kai flying with a right hand. Richter takes her down, but Kai quickly kicks her back and gets up. Kai takes her down with an arm drag, but Richter quickly counters with a hammerlock. Richter takes her down with a hammerlock. Kai fights up and hits a snapmare before pulling the hair for a two count. Lauper shouts that Kai pulled the hair. Kai takes Richter down and wrenches the arm. Kai stomps the arm. Richter fights back, but Kai pulls the hair and puts her in the corner. Kai hits a snapmare and pulls the hair. Kai mounts Richter and chokes her in full view of the referee. Richter counters with the body scissor. Kai powers her up, but Richter takes her down for a two count. Richter takes her down for another two count. Kai quickly kicks her in the midsection and hits a snapmare using the hair. Kai sends her to the corner, but Richter quickly boots her back. Richter covers for a near fall. Richter powers her to the corner, but Moolah pulls her by the hair. Lauper runs over and pushes Moolah off.
Kai sends Richter into the ropes for a big boot. Richter fights back with some punches to the midsection. Richter picks her up for a fireman’s carry slam, but Kai kicks out! Richter sends her to the corner, but Kai hits double knees to take her down. Kai stomps her for a near fall. Kai hits a backbreaker for another near fall. Kai scoop slams Richter down and goes to the top rope for a cross-body block, but Richter rolls through for the win!
Winner by Pinfall and new WWF Women’s Champion: Wendi Richter
David Wolfe gets into the ring and pulls Cyndi Lauper off The Fabulous Moolah. Kai slams Richter down by the hair. Moolah trips getting into the ring and flops around. Cyndi Lauper celebrates with Wendi Richter. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” blares on the speakers as they dance around (though it’s a generic rock song on the WWE Network).
“Mean” Gene Okerlund catches Wendi Richter and Cyndi Lauper backstage. Richter celebrates getting the title back. Richter says it took two to take the title away from her and two to get it back. Lauper, who has lipstick all over her teeth, says Richter has a ton of ability and was only there to make sure Moolah doesn’t interfere. They celebrate some more.
Howard Finkel says in just a few moments we will have our main event. Finkel then introduces the guest ring announcer, one of the all-time baseball greats, the former manager of the New York Yankees and New York’s #1, Billy Martin. Martin makes his way to the ring and gets into a great ovation. Martin thanks the crowd and says they are the best fans in the world.
Billy Martin introduces the officials for the main event. The guest timekeeper is Liberace, who is accompanied by four of the Rockettes. Liberace happily enters the ring to the tune, “Manhattan Strut.” Liberace and the Rockettes do the high kicks in the ring before he tires out and struts for a bit. Liberace returns one more time to do some more kicks.
The crowd is now buzzing loudly as Muhammad Ali makes his way to the ring. LOUD chants of “Ali” as the boxing great gets in the ring and poses. Ali shakes hands with Billy Martin. Jose Torres is shown at ringside. Ali stands with Pat Patterson, who will be the referee in the ring while Ali enforces the outside.
Main Event
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff w/ Cowboy Bob Orton vs. WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Mr. T w/ “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
The crowd is absolutely buzzing in anticipation. Liberace sits down at ringside and rings a handbell while someone else rings the actual ring bell. It’ll be WWF Champion Hulk Hogan starting against Paul Orndorff. They circle the ring, and Orndorff casually dismisses him. Roddy Piper tags in, and he circles the ring with Hogan. Mr. T begs to be tagged in. The crowd is going crazy. Mr. T tags in to a huge reception. A “T” chant picks up. Piper and Mr. T go face-to-face. Piper slaps him, so Mr. T slaps back. Piper slaps again, and Mr. T rocks him with a slap. Piper takes him down and rides him on the mat. Mr. T gets out, and Piper backs to the corner. Another “T” chant fires up. Piper talks strategy with Orndorff. They lock up, and Mr. T shoves him off. Mr. T quickly lifts Piper up in the fireman’s carry before dumping him. Piper quickly tackles Mr. T into his corner. Hogan runs in to stop the double-team. Orton gets into the ring, as does outside enforcer Muhammad Ali. Ali chases Piper out of the ring and throws a very fast right hand. Piper immediately gets out of the ring to avoid that.
Order is restored after Ali scares Orton back with a right hand. Billy Martin is shown laughing at ringside, truly enjoying himself. Piper and Orndorff decide to walk off on the first main event in WrestleMania history. Pat Patterson starts to count them out, but Hogan stops him and demands Piper and Orndorff return to the ring. They angrily oblige. Piper and Orndorff get into the ring and try to blindside Hogan and Mr. T. Hogan and Mr. T clunk the heads of Piper and Orndorff. Hogan punches Piper before sending him to the corner for a corner clothesline. Hogan slams Piper into Orndorff’s head again. Hogan takes Piper down with an atomic drop before slamming the head off the canvas. Hogan punches Piper back before Mr. T tags back in. They send Piper into the ropes for a double-team clothesline. Mr. T hits a scoop slam before catching Orndorff with a hip toss. Hogan punches Orndorff down. Mr. T sends Piper into Hogan’s knee. Hogan tags in and punches Piper back. Hogan sends Piper into the ropes and big boots him over the top rope. Orndorff quickly blindsides Hogan with a clothesline, knocking him out of the ring. Piper grabs a wonky padded chair at ringside and throws it onto Hogan.
Orndorff gets Hogan in the ring. Patterson regains control. Orndorff gets some cheap shots in. Piper taunts Mr. T to goad him into the ring. Patterson deals with Mr. T while Piper and Orndorff double-team Hogan. Mr. T gets in the ring, but Patterson powers Mr. T back. Piper and Orndorff hit a double-team atomic drop on Hogan. Ali gets in the ring and threatens Piper! Orndorff boots Hogan in the head a few times before hitting a suplex. Orndorff boots Hogan before tagging Piper in. Piper punches Hogan in the face a few times, bringing him down to his knees. Piper knees him in the face for a near fall. Orndorff tags in, and he comes off the top rope with an elbow to the neck. Orndorff covers for a near fall. Orndorff hits a backbreaker before going to the top rope. Orndorff goes for a flying knee, but Hogan moves. Mr. T tags in and punches Orndorff before gouging Piper’s eyes. Piper and Orndorff quickly double-team Mr. T to take him down. Orndorff tries to grab him, but Mr. T gets away. Orndorff quickly grounds Mr. T before tagging Piper back in. Piper applies a front facelock to Mr. T.
Mr. T desperately tags Hogan in. Hogan punches Piper and Orndorff before hitting another noggin knocker. Orndorff is tagged in, and he quickly hits a back suplex. Piper runs into the ring to distract Patterson while Orton comes in. Snuka quickly runs in and head-butts him. Orndorff puts Hogan in a full nelson for Piper to hit, but Mr. T cuts Piper off. Orton comes off the top rope to hit Hogan with his arm cast, but Hogan moves and Orndorff takes the move! Snuka punches Orton out of the ring while Patterson counts the pinfall!
Winners by Pinfall: WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Mr. T
Billy Martin announces that Hulk Hogan and Mr. T have won the match. Mr. T checks on the unconscious Orndorff out of concern. Orndorff comes to and wildly pops up. Orndorff gets his bearing straight and leaves the ring. Hogan, Mr. T, and Snuka raise their arms in celebration. They celebrate with all the celebrities from tonight’s main event.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, and Mr. T. Mr. T says this was rough, but he trained hard. Wrestling isn’t for wimps. Hogan says what turned him on was training with Mr. T and knowing what was inside. Hogan says now everyone knows what it’s all about. WrestleMania, Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, and Jimmy Snuka reigned supreme. Okerlund finally interviews Snuka. Snuka says it was a pleasure to be with Hogan and Mr. T. Hogan says they’ll be around for a long, long time.
We go back to ringside for Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura to give us the final breakdown for the show. Monsoon thanks the fans around the world for being part of this happening. Ventura finishes by saying, “Unbelievable, Gorilla!”
The credits roll as the show comes to an end.
Quick Match Results
— Tito Santana def. The Executioner via Submission
— King Kong Bundy def. S.D. Jones
— Ricky Steamboat def. Matt Borne
— Brutus Beefcake vs. David Sammartino went to a Double DQ
— Junkyard Dog def. Greg Valentine via CO in a WWF Intercontinental Championship match
— The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff def. The U.S. Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham) to win the WWF Tag Team Championship
— André the Giant def. Big John Studd in a Career vs. $15,000 Body Slam Challenge
— Wendi Richter def. Leilani Kai for the WWF Women’s Championship
— WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Mr. T def. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
WrestleMania I Thoughts
WrestleMania I, where it all began. What can be said that hasn’t already been said about this event? There weren’t any great in-ring performances, even by the standards of the time (David Sammartino vs. Brutus Beefcake… yikes), but that’s not what matters. It was what Gorilla Monsoon said it was multiple times throughout the broadcast: it was a happening.
I think I love the fact that this show was just so quintessential 1980s. The opening theme was “Easy Lover,” the closing “Axel F” (though on the WWE Network it’s neither of those), Hogan comes out to “Eye of the Tiger,” Cyndi Lauper is there doing stuff, Mr. T from “The A-Team” is in the main event, Liberace, Billy Martin (in between one of his many managerial stints with the New York Yankees), Muhammad Ali… they’re all there and it’s amazing. It’s a sight to behold. Everybody was in their prime, it was the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection, the golden era of professional wrestling, insert cliché here. Just wonderful. I had so much fun just watching the spectacle. To see what it has grown into is incredible.
A few thoughts on some of the events…
“Mean” Gene Okerlund can sing! Legend has it there was supposed to be a famous singer that was supposed to come in and do the National Anthem, but they no showed the event, leading to Okerlund doing the honors. It’s never been revealed who that singer was.
King Kong Bundy’s legendary (and supposedly record breaking) victory over S.D. Jones is really just a case of someone not being able to count. Rumor has it that Jones was not happy about having to be on the wrong side of history and made it difficult for Bundy to get him off his feet for the pin so early on. However, even though it was 17 seconds in reality, they wanted 9 seconds and that’s what they pushed. It’s pro wrestling. It’s also a record that’s been broken when The Rock pinned Erick Rowan in 6 seconds at WrestleMania 32.
David Sammartino was never going to be a thing and this match shows why. It also makes you wonder how Brutus Beefcake was ever a thing. Must be nice to have friends in high places. Great to see Bruno get in there and light up the Madison Square Garden crowd.
Check out the bump Jimmy Hart took on the concrete during the Junkyard Dog match. Brutal.
It’s kind of ironic that all of André the Giant’s big WrestleMania moments involve a body slam. This time he was on the right side of it.
During the main event, I wonder if Roddy Piper’s life flashed before his eyes when he saw that right hand from Muhammad Ali coming for his face. From all accounts of the event (it’s wrestlers telling the stories, mind you), Ali was confused throughout the day and had to be directed what to do. It’s said when he got in the ring, instinct took over and he was throwing real punches. Scary situation, but wow that main event was a lot of fun. Hogan and Mr. T were super over as a duo. Great stuff.
What did you think of the very first WrestleMania? Comment below!
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!