WrestleMania
WrestleMania I was the inaugural professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). It took place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA. The event was headlined by a tag team match between Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. ##
The event also featured several other notable matches, including a match between Andre the Giant and Big John Studd, and a women's tag team match featuring The Fabulous Moolah and Velvet McIntyre against Leilani Kai and Judy Martin. ##
WrestleMania I was a major success and is widely considered to be the beginning of the modern era of professional wrestling. It set a precedent for future WrestleMania events and established the WWF as a dominant force in the wrestling industry. ##
WWE WrestleMania 1 (1985) Results: Full Recap ##
Singles Match: Tito Santana Vs The Executioner ##
The first match of WrestleMania I was indeed between Tito Santana and The Executioner (Buddy Rose). Santana emerged victorious after making The Executioner submit to his signature submission hold, the figure-four leglock, which was a clear message to the reigning Intercontinental Champion at the time, Greg Valentine, who was known for using the same move as his finisher. ##
WINNER: Tito Santana by submission ##
MATCH RATING: ** ##
Singles Match: King Kong Bundy (with Jimmy Hart) Vs Special Delivery Jones ##
After King Kong Bundy (accompanied by Jimmy Hart) and Special Delivery Jones entered the ring, Bundy quickly gained the upper hand by smashing Jones into the turnbuckle and then landing on him with his stomach. Jones was then pinned by Bundy, and although the WWF's official time for the match was a then-record of nine seconds (which has since been surpassed by The Rock's victory over Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32), the actual duration of the match was 25 seconds. ##
WINNER: King Kong Bundy via pinfall ##
MATCH RATING: * ##
Singles Match: Ricky Steamboat Vs Matt Borne ##
Up next was a match-up between Ricky Steamboat and Matt Borne. Steamboat gained the early advantage in the match, but Borne quickly turned the tables by flipping him over and slamming him to the mat with a belly-to-belly suplex. Despite this setback, Steamboat managed to mount a comeback by executing a flying crossbody, which he used to pin Borne and secure the victory. ##
WINNER: Ricky Steamboat pinfall ##
MATCH RATING: * ##
Singles Match: Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny Valiant) vs. David Sammartino (with Bruno Sammartino) ##
Following the match, David Sammartino made his way to the ring accompanied by his father, Bruno Sammartino, while Brutus Beefcake was accompanied by Johnny Valiant. Both wrestlers showed their skills as the momentum of the match swung back and forth between them. At one point, Beefcake threw David Sammartino out of the ring and Valiant followed up by slamming him onto the unforgiving cement floor. Valiant then returned Sammartino to the ring, but was promptly attacked by Bruno Sammartino. This led to a wild brawl involving all four men, ultimately resulting in the match being declared a no-contest. ##
WINNER: Ended in a double disqualification ##
MATCH RATING: *** ##
WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match: Junkyard Dog Vs. Greg Valentine (c) (with Jimmy Hart) ##
The first championship match of WrestleMania featured Junkyard Dog taking on the reigning WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Greg Valentine, who was accompanied to the ring by his manager Jimmy Hart. Junkyard Dog started off the match aggressively, unleashing a barrage of headbutts and punches on Valentine. The momentum of the match shifted back and forth until Hart climbed onto the ring apron, where Valentine accidentally hit him. Taking advantage of the distraction, Valentine pinned Junkyard Dog with his feet on the ropes, an illegal maneuver. Tito Santana rushed down to the ring and explained to the referee what had happened, prompting the match to be restarted. ##
Junkyard Dog eventually won the match by count-out as Valentine failed to re-enter the ring. However, since titles do not change hands via count-out, Valentine retained his Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. Despite this, Junkyard Dog still celebrated his victory in the ring. ##
WINNER: Junkyard Dog via countout ##
MATCH RATING: **** ##
WWF Tag Team Championship: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie) Vs The U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) (c) (with Lou Albano) ##
Up next was a highly-anticipated match for the WWF Tag Team Championship. The challengers, Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, accompanied by Freddie Blassie, took on the reigning champions, The U.S. Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham), accompanied by Lou Albano. The U.S. Express dominated the early part of the match, but Volkoff and The Sheik managed to gain the upper hand over Rotundo as the match progressed. ##
Rotundo eventually tagged in Windham, who executed a bulldog on The Sheik. However, when the referee was distracted, The Sheik used Blassie's cane to strike Windham in the head. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Volkoff pinned Windham and the referee counted to three, making Volkoff and The Sheik the new WWF Tag Team Champions. Their victory at WrestleMania made them the first tag team to win a championship at the iconic event. ##
WINNER: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff ##
MATCH RATING: **** ##
Career vs. $15,000 Body Slam Challenge: André the Giant Vs Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) ##
The next match on the card was a highly anticipated showdown between two of the biggest names in professional wrestling: André the Giant and Big John Studd, who was accompanied by his manager Bobby Heenan. The $15,000 Body Slam Challenge stipulated that André had to body slam Studd to win $15,000, and if he failed, he would be forced to retire from wrestling. ##
Although Studd began the match on the offensive, André quickly regained control with his signature chops and headbutts. After wearing down Studd's knees with a series of kicks, André was finally able to lift him over his shoulders and execute the body slam to win the match. André then threw some of the prize money into the cheering crowd, much to their delight. ##
However, things took a turn when Heenan grabbed the bag holding the remaining winnings and fled the ringside. Despite this setback, André emerged victorious and continued his legendary career with his undefeated streak still intact. ##
WINNER: André the Giant ##
MATCH RATING: **** ##
WWF Women's Championship: Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper) Vs Leilani Kai (c) (with The Fabulous Moolah) ##
After all the women had left ringside, it was time for the WWF Women's Championship match between Wendi Richter, managed by singer Cyndi Lauper, and Leilani Kai, managed by former champion The Fabulous Moolah. Shortly after the match began, Moolah tried to interfere by pulling Richter's hair from the outside, but Lauper prevented her from doing so. ##
Kai then performed a flying crossbody from the top rope, but Richter was able to roll through and pin Kai for the win, becoming the new Women's Champion. This moment was historic, as it marked the beginning of the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection and brought more mainstream attention to women's wrestling. ##
WINNER: Wendi Richter ##
MATCH RATING: **** ##
Hulk Hogan and Mr. T (with Jimmy Snuka) Vs Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper (with Bob Orton Jr.) ##
The main event and last match of the night pitted Hulk Hogan, the reigning WWF World Heavyweight Champion, and Mr. T, accompanied by Jimmy Snuka, against "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, accompanied by "Cowboy" Bob Orton. Professional boxer Muhammad Ali was the special guest referee (on the outside of the ring), New York Yankees manager Billy Martin was the guest ring announcer while Liberace (accompanied by The Rockettes) was the guest time keeper. First, Piper, Orndorff, and Orton made their way to the ring as drums and bagpipes played, causing the crowd to boo. Crowd favorites Hogan, Mr. T, and Snuka made their way to the ring next. ##
The match began with Mr. T and Piper in the ring and the two traded blows. Midway through the match, all four men began brawling in the ring, and Muhammad Ali punched Piper in an attempt to restore order. After the match's order was restored, Orndorff and Piper had the offensive advantage. As Orndorff locked Hogan into a full nelson, Orton climbed the top rope to attempt to knock out Hogan. Instead, Orton mistakenly hit Orndorff, and Hogan pinned him to win the match. In frustration, Piper knocked out the in-ring official, Pat Patterson, before he and Orton retreated backstage leaving Orndorff alone in the ring with Hogan, Mr. T, and Snuka. ##
WINNER:Hulk Hogan and Mr. T ##
MATCH RATING: ***** ##
That Will DO! ##
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