WWE Wrestlemania I - X
Welcome to the History of WWE's Wrestlemania
When the concept of Wrestlemania began, no one would think that it would be successful. But the chairman of the WWE/F took the risk and did it anyways and the results are still taking effect till this day for Wrestlemania became a huge success and moved the sport of wrestling to a whole new level. Even taking the name of 'sports entertainment'. With that said, let's take a trip down memory lane through the first ten Wrestlemania for they would make groundbreaking history.
Wrestlemania
Wrestlemania began on March 31st, 1985 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and it made an immediate impact. With the WWE cross-promoting with MTV and getting stars such as Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T, Liberace, Billy Martin and Mohammed Ali involved , Wrestlemania was a huge success within the media at that time. The main event was Hulk Hogan and The A-Team star Mr. T taking on ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff and ‘Rowdy Roddy Piper. Another exciting match was a Woman’s Title match which featured Wendi Richter (who had Cyndi Lauper in her corner) taking on the champ Leilani Kai (with The Fabolous Moolah in her corner). The first Wrestlemania was a huge success and set the stage for more to come.
Wrestlemania II
Wrestlemania 2 was slightly different. The WWE had wanted to do something different, so they’ve separated WM 2 into three locations. The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York. The Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The main event was taken inside a steel cage where the WWF Champion Hulk Hogan squared off against the monster King Kong Bundy. Also on the card was a boxing match between Mr. T and ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, continuing their feud from the first WM. This was also the first time where there was a battle royal that pitted 20 Superstars from both the WWF and the NFL. The WWE took Wrestlemania and made it better with the second one.
Wrestlemania III
Wrestlemania 3 will always be talked about for two matches, the Intercontinental Title match between the late ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage and Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat. Most (if not all) wrestling fans will call this one of the best matches of all time between the two high flyers. That match is not to be missed at all. The second would be the World Title match between two former best friends, Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan. They were once close until Andre became jealous of Hogan’s success and challenged him for the title. This was an epic battle that set the stage for all of wrestling. Wrestlemania 3 also set the record for the most attendance in an outdoor setting.
Wrestlemania IV
Wrestlemania 4 was taken place in Trump Plaza with the help of Donald Trump of course. WM 4 was different than the rest because this was the first (and so far only) time where they had a one night tournament to determine who would be the World Champion by the end of the night. The story revolved around how The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase paid Andre the Giant to defeat Hulk Hogan and hand him over the belt. But it wasn’t that easy for the WWE President took over and announced the tournament.
Wrestlemania V
Wrestlemania 5 was the continuation of Summerslam where ‘The Macho Man’ Randy Savage became best friends with Hulk Hogan as they were The Mega Powers. After Savage became jealous of Hogan for being close with his manager and girlfriend, Elizabeth. He soon turned his back on Hogan and issued a challenge to him at Wrestlemania. Hogan would soon accept as the two Mega Powers collided.
Wrestlemania VI
Wrestlemania 6 was different for two reasons. Not only did it take place outside of the United States (It took place in Toronto, Canada), but for the main event it would be the first time that it would be a title for title match for the Intercontinental champ The Ultimate Warrior would clash with the World Heavyweight champ, Hulk Hogan. Though both were fan favorites at the time, the two have both agreed to do battle with one another to determine who was the true top dog in the WWE/F.
Wrestlemania VII
Wrestlemania 7 main event was a personal one on a country stand point. At the time, we was in the middle of the Gulf War and if things couldn’t get any worse, the one man that stood for all that America was turned his back on us and went to side with the likes of The Iron Sheik and General Adnan. That man was Sergeant Slaughter. The only man that was capable and powerful enough to stop the most hated WWE champ ever was the Real American Hero, Hulk Hogan.
Wrestlemania VIII
Wrestlemania 8 had a double main event where former allies became the best of foes as the tall monster Sid Justice went one on one with the Immortal Hulk Hogan. As for the World Title, Randy Savage looked to avenge his wife Elizabeth as he went up against the champion, 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair along with his consultant Mr. Perfect.
Wrestlemania IX
Wrestlemania 9 had a different outtake as it took on a Roman Times theme. This also marked the first Wrestlemania for Good Ol’ J.R. Jim Ross. While this Wrestlemania was mainly remembered for the toga wearing people, it was also known for the main event and the twist that became of it afterwards as the World champ Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart squared off against the sumo Yokozuna. Who will win and what became of the winner after the match?
Wrestlemania X
Wrestlemania 10 took the WWE/F back home to New York City in Madison Square Garden. So many classic memories and matches happened that night. From the opening match between brother vs. brother Owen Hart verses Bret Hart, to the exciting and classic ladder match for the Intercontinental Title between the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon. To the double WWE/F Title main event where the champ Yokozuna would go on to fight not only Bret Hart in one match, but also had to face Lex Luger in another as well all in one night.