Richard Parr looks at how the Wrestlemania series began back in the Eighties.
It was the era of big hair and even bigger names as Wrestlemania sprang to prominence.
Richard Parr looks at how the series began with stars such as Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant ruling the ring.
WRESTLEMANIA - 31st March, 1985
Hulk Hogan and Mr. T v "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
WRESTLEMANIA 2 - 7th April, 1986
Steel Cage match for the WWE Championship:
King Kong Bundy v Hulk Hogan (c)
New York's Nassau Coliseum / Chicago's Rosemont Horizon / Los Angeles Sports Arena
WRESTLEMANIA III - 29th March, 1987
WWE Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) v Andre The Giant
Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
"The Irresistible Force versus the Immovable Object" - Gorilla Monsoon
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan claimed one hour before the match that Hulkamania would be "dead and over". Andre The Giant's manager emphasised that Hogan had never faced someone bigger and stronger than him, like the giant from Montreal. This did not faze the Champion. Hogan understood he was facing a man who it was claimed had never been defeated in over 15 years of professional sports, but that Andre was facing 'The Hulkster' and 90,000 Hulkamaniacs.
Once again the Wrestlemania main event was surrounded by stars such as 'Mr Baseball' Bob Uecker who was the guest ring announcer and Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart who was guest timekeeper.
With the guests in place, the largest athlete in the world entered the Skydome for his first ever title match. As 'The Giant' and Heenan slowly progressed to the ring in a moving mini-ring they were pelted by garbage from the thousands of fans. Whilst approaching the ring, colour commentator Jesse Ventura gave some shattering statistics on what Hogan was up against.
Andre The Giant measured in at 7 foot 5 inches and 525lbs. He had a 24 inch neck, a 71 inch chest, 21 inch biceps, 16 inch hands, 11 inch wrists, 17 inch forearms, 36 inch thighs and 22 inch calves.
The crowd's boos were quickly transformed into hysteria as the Silverdome erupted as the Real American theme tune began to play and their hero Hulk Hogan began to make his way to the squared-circle.
With the two warriors in the ring they would then stand toe-to-toe, eye-to-eye in a stare down which has become one of the most iconic images in wrestling history.
The bell then rang and the match was underway. Hogan began with a poor strategy as he tried to body slam the 500 pound monster early in the match but failed, hurting his back in the process. With a weakness identified Andre began to focus on 'The Hulkster's' lower back, slamming him with ease in the process.
As 'The Giant' began to dominate, Hogan had one opportunity to swing the momentum in his favour after he ducked a head butt at the turnbuckle. However a succession of forearms and clotheslines failed to knockdown the challenger. With one big boot to the face Andre once again controlled the match-up.
After a long bear hug from the 7-footer the match would then spill to the outside of the ring. Showing how important the title was to him Hogan even tried to piledrive Andre on exposed concrete, only for 'The Giant' to reverse it.
The title match then resumed back inside the ring. 'The Giant' attempted to clothesline Hogan but 'the Hulkster' ducked and hit the big man with one of his own. With Andre The Giant on the ground the Silverdome exploded. As Andre struggled to get to his feet, Hogan, to the amazement of the thousands watching, slammed 'The Giant'. The patented leg-drop was then hit and Hogan made the pin for the 1-2-3. 93,173 fans went berserk as Hogan basked in the glory of his biggest victory to date.
WRESTLEMANIA IV - 27th March, 1988
WWE Championship tournament finals match: 'Macho Man' Randy Savage v 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase
Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
With the WWE Championship vacant, Wrestlemania IV would play host for a tournament for the title.
Having defeated 'The Natural' Butch Reed, Greg 'The Hammer Valentine and the One Man Gang, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage had cemented his place in the final and main event.
He would be going up against 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase who had defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Don 'The Rock' Muraco before receiving a bye in the semi-finals.
After his success as guest ring announcer at Wrestlemania III Mr Baseball Bob Uecker as guest ring announcer. He was joined by more American celebrity guests in the form of Robin Leach (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous host) as the presenter of the Championship Belt and Vanna White (Wheel of Fortune Hostess) as guest timekeeper. More importantly sitting at ringside was the owner of the event Donald Trump.
With Virgil injured at the hands of Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase made sure he wouldn't be coming out on his own and enlisted the help of Andre The Giant. Having fought one less match than the 'Macho Man' DiBiase was well rested and ready to go.
Macho Man's famous 'Pomp and Circumstance' music then rang round the Trump Plaza as Randy Savage and the first lady of professional wrestling Elizabeth headed down to the ring for his fourth match of the night.
As the match begins before either Superstar can get into his stride Andre The Giant trips the Macho Man behind referee Hebner's back. The 500 pound behemoth caused Savage more problems as he purposely got in the Macho Man's way as he planned to cross body DiBiase on the outside of the ring. Having interrupted twice Savage whispered into Miss Elizabeth's ear and she left the arena and ran to the back.
When Elizabeth returned she did not come alone. With a standing ovation from the New Jersey crowd, Elizabeth was joined by Hulk Hogan to equal the score.
This time when Andre tried to interfere in the match by dragging Savage through the ropes, Hogan hit and attacked 'The Giant'.
After missing his famous flying elbow, the 'Macho Man' found himself slapped in the Million Dollar Dream by DiBiase. Andre The Giant once again got involved by distracting the referee. However this would only aid the 'Macho Man' as Hogan entered the ring to smash the back of the 'Million Dollar Man' with a steel chair. This time Savage did not miss with the flying elbow from the top rope and a new champion was crowned.
After four victories in one night there was 'Macho-madness' in the Trump Plaza as Elizabeth cried tears of joy while Savage and Hogan celebrated.
WRESTLEMANIA V - 2nd April, 1989
WWE Championship match: "Macho Man" Randy Savage (c) v Hulk Hogan
Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
One year after Hogan helped the 'Macho Man' win the title, Wrestlemania V would be the event where the "Mega Powers would explode!"
Having been a tag-team since Wrestlemania IV, Miss Elizabeth wanted to show no bias and decided to be in a neutral corner to support both men.
With Donald Trump at ringside once again, the 'Macho Man' continued where he left off in the Trump Plaza one year ago and cut Hogan's left eye open in the early stages of the match and then viciously kicked him in the face.
But a little cut could never stop 'The Hulkster'. Hogan then slammed Savage over the top rope and outside to the floor. While on the floor Miss Elizabeth tried to help the champion only to be refused and admonished by the 'Macho Man'.
As the two continued to battle on the outside, Hogan planned to ram Savage into one of the ring posts. Elizabeth refused to move allowing the 'Macho Man' to push Hogan instead into the steel post.
With "Elizabeth causing all kinds of trouble", as Jesse Ventura remarked, Hebner removed Elizabeth and sent her to the back.
With Elizabeth gone, Savage resumed control of the bout. With referee Hebner unawares Savage began to drain Hogan's energy by choking the 'Immortal One' to the mat with his wrist tape. With Hogan down the 'Macho Man' then connects with the big elbow. Unbelievably Hogan kicks out and begins to 'Hulk Up'. With the adrenalin flowing through Hogan's veins he hits Savage with the Big Boot, then the Leg Drop and the resulting 1-2-3. The Trump plaza went wild for the bleeding and hurt but new WWE Champion.
