WWF Wrestlemania I Review

Wrestlemania I Review

October 24, 2011 (edited August 11, 2021)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: Wrestlemania I
Tagline: The Greatest Wrestling Event of All Time!
Date: March 31, 1985
Location: New York City, New York
Live or Tape: Live
Arena: Madison Square Garden
Attendance: 19,121
Announcers: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Interviewers: "Mean" Gene Okerlund and "Lord' Alfred Hayes
Broadcast: Closed Circuit Television and Pay-Per-View (select markets)

We start things off with Vince McMahon doing a voice-over announcing the matches for Wrestlemania to the tune of Phil Collins and Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover"

Monsoon and Ventura (with ugly Pink Suit) welcome us to the show

"Mean" Gene Okerlund does the Star Spangled Banner. Apparently from a story I heard, WWF did plan on bringing in a singer but they didn't show up and both Okerlund and Vince have refused to say who it was. Anyway, Okerlund wasn't bad. Interesting note, Ventura compares Okerlund to Robert Goulet who sang "O Canada" at Wrestlemania VI five years later.

"Lord" Alfred Hayes previews the opening match

In pre-recorded interviews, Okerlund interviews Tito Santana first and says moments from now he'll take on The Executioner who is undefeated and he knows nothing about him. Santana says he doesn't know anything about him except he's a big man but he knows he hasn't been in the big leagues in the WWF. He tells Executioner he respects every opponent he goes up against but he's got goals and nobody is going to stop him. Santana says Executioner will know about the big leagues real soon after they step into the ring before giving an “arriba!”. Okerlund then brings in the Executioner and says they don't know nothing about him but Executioner says we'll know something about him when he gets finished with Tito Santana. He says he's going after Santana's leg which was injured by Greg Valentine and says there's a reason for it before telling Santana he's going down. Decent promos from both.

Tito Santana vs. The Executioner- The Executioner is "Playboy" Buddy Rose and is not only from Parts Unknown but his weight is also unknown. Ooooh, how mysterious. I love the fact the WWF was so determined to make him a mystery that he couldn't even bother to step on a scale. That's what you would call dedication. Anyway, Rose is a wrestling legend best known for his time in Don Owens' Pacific Northwest Wrestling as one of the biggest names in that territory's history. He also enjoyed success in the west coast like NWA San Francisco and All-Star Wrestling in Vancouver as well as 50^th State Big Time Wrestling in Hawaii. He's best known to national audiences for his run in the AWA in 1986-1987 teaming with Doug Somers to win the World Tag Team Championship and having a big feud with The Rockers as well as his 1990-1991 WWF run as a comedy wrestler who had a thing called the Blow-a-Way diet which was powder you pour on yourself, sit in front of a fan, and supposedly blow the weight away. By the way, the Executioner looks nothing like an Executioner as he's wearing a red ski mask, black shirt, and pants. He looks more like a mugger but then again this was 1985 and they were in NYC so he must have felt at home.

Criss-Crossing to start with Santana getting a Back Body Drop and a dropkick sending the Executioner to the outside. Back in the ring, Santana gets a side headlock and runs the ropes to take the Executioner down for 2. Santana continues with the headlock until the Executioner goes for the leg, Santana then rams him to the canvas. Executioner comes back with a kick and works over Santana in the corner. Executioner gets a knee to the stomach and a stomp to the stomach. Executioner works over the leg but Santana rolls him up for 2. Santana works over the Executioner in the corner. Santana attempts either a piledriver or the scissors stomp but Executioner back drops out and body slams Santana. Executioner goes to the top but Santana catches him and throws him off. Santana tries for a splash but the Executioner gets the knees up. Executioner puts the leg on the ropes and hits a seated senton on it but then gets propelled out to ringside in a pretty cool bump. Executioner makes it back to the apron but Santana bodyslams him back in the ring. Santana comes off the ropes, hits the Flying Forearm, and finishes with the Figure Four Leglock at 4:50.

Thoughts: ** Decent opener with some solid action but mostly a one sided squash for Santana which made sense as Santana was on the hunt for Valentine and the IC Title. The plus side is the crowd was into it. I would've preferred them being giving another minute or two as it was a bit short. Perhaps the most interesting part of this match was Ventura correctly calling Santana "Tito" instead of "Chico" like he would do for years afterwards.

Hayes previews Bundy/Jones

In pre-recorded interviews, Okerlund interviews SD Jones who gives a funny interview saying he's ready, he's going to get down and busy and encourages people to buy their hats and things cause this is the biggest in wrestling history. Then Okerlund interviews King Kong Bundy and Jimmy Hart with Hart saying Bundy is ready before telling Bundy to tell them. Bundy says it's fitting the biggest card in professional wrestling and the biggest man should be there saying Jones should think about being in that corner, that big avalanche, and a five count. Solid promo from Bundy while Jones was funny.

King Kong Bundy (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. Special Delivery Jones- After having done prelim work for the WWF early on in his career, Bundy returned to the WWF only weeks before Wrestlemania on the March 16, 1985 Championship Wrestling while Jimmy Hart debuted prior to that on the February 23, 1985 Championship Wrestling. Jones was a long time preliminary wrestler for the WWF. 

Jones comes off the ropes and charges at Bundy like an idiot, gets caught in a bearhug, and rammed into the corner. Bundy hits the avalanche and comes off with a splash to finish at 22 seconds. Ring Announcer Howard Finkel announces the time at 9 seconds. I know Bundy is supposed to be a monster but isn't 22 seconds impressive enough?

Thoughts: DUD Not much to say as this was designed for Bundy to look like a beast and it succeeded.

Hayes previews Steamboat/Bourne

Okerlund interviews Matt Bourne and says the maniac has his work cut out for him this afternoon. Borne says he looks at this as an opportunity to beat up a man who is known worldwide. He says Steamboat is in phenomenal shape but he misses one quality and that he's too much of a nice guy as Steamboat is there to win just like him but he's also there to beat Steamboat up. Okerlund then brings in Ricky Steamboat and says he has a big test coming this afternoon. Steamboat says it's a big test and a big day for everybody involved in this particular day. He says this is the biggest wrestling extravaganza coming across this nation. Steamboat tells Borne that he's telling everyone he lacks the meaness but that's why he came to this area to develop that and in a few moments, he'll start with Borne in that squared circle. Short but solid promos from both.

Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne- Steamboat wasn't the Dragon yet. Like Bundy and Hart, Steamboat had just come in at this point, debuting on the March 2, 1985 WWF Georgia Championship Wrestling show. Borne is perhaps best known as the original Doink the Clown and prior to that was a successful journeyman competing in Pacific Northwest Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions/WCW, and Mid-South Wrestling.

Tie up to start. Borne runs the ropes and stops himself as Steamboat teases a chop only to charge into a chop and punch. Snapmare and a chinlock. Side headlock and Borne flips Steamboat over but Steamboat lands on his feet and gets another headlock. Borne flips Steamboat over again but Steamboat once again lands on his feet, hits an atomic drop, and back to the headlock. Borne hits an inverted atomic drop and a running knee. Borne whips Steamboat into the corner but Steamboat gets his legs on Borne's shoulders and kicks the head. Steamboat hits a second rope chop, an average chop, and back to the headlock. Borne rebounds with a belly-to-belly suplex. Another suplex gets 2. Forearm/chop battle which Steamboat wins. Steamboat hits a belly-to-back suplex and a swinging neckbreaker for 2. Steamboat drops a chop and a knee for 2. Borne rakes the eyes and whips Steamboat to the ropes. Borne misses the clothesline, Steamboat comes off the ropes, Borne ducks his head, Steamboat leapfrogs, both come off the ropes and Steamboat knocks Borne down with a jumping punch. Steamboat climbs the top turnbuckle and gets the high cross body to win at 4:37.

Thoughts: **1/2 Another decent match. Steamboat may have done the side headlock a bit much giving how short the match was but it picked up as it went on and they had some good moves. Again, the match felt a bit short and I would've liked to have seen a bit more. I'm guessing, like the opener, it's short to mostly showcase one talent, in this case Steamboat.

Hayes previews Beefcake/Sammartino

Okerlund interviews David and Bruno Sammartino and asks David if he's ready. David says he's absolutely ready and has been waiting a long time for this. He says he's been training hard and his dad has been behind him. David says Beefcake has been cocky since putting Hillbilly Jim out of commission but what goes around comes around and he'll be in for a big surprise. Bruno says to Valiant that he better not stick his nose in this match or he'll run into this (his fist). Okerlund then brings in Brutus Beefcake and Johnny Valiant. Valiant asks if Bruno was talking about his fist or his watch before asking if Bruno thinks he's a pickpocket. He says he'll stick his schnozz wherever he wants and then tells Beefcake to tell what he's going to do but Beefcake blows a raspberry. Valiant says that's enough, he won't let Beefcake do any talking because he'll do the talking for him. He says he's the mouthpiece and then rambles while Okerlund cuts him off. Bland interview from David and I'm “eh” on Valiant as he at times comes off like a Bobby Heenan lite or Bobby Heenan wannabe.

Brutus Beefcake (w/"Luscious" Johnny Valiant) vs. David Sammartino (w/Bruno Sammartino)- Beefcake is announced from "Parts Unknown" which is odd as he doesn't strike me as a "Parts Unknown" kind of guy. David is Bruno's son and this is pretty much his peak in the business as he's probably one of the more famous examples of a kid failing to follow in the footsteps of their parents/relatives. Johnny Valiant is largely best known for his work in the 1970s as part of the famous “Valiant Brothers” tag team with fictional brothers “Handsome" Jimmy and later “Gentleman” Jerry. The Johnny/Jimmy version had one of the longest tag title reigns in WWE history. Bruno gets a huge pop which isn't the least surprising.

Tie up to start with Beefcake shoving David in the corner. Beefcake showboats to boos. They tease a tie up but Beefcake avoids and struts. David shoves Beefcake in the corner and catches him charging out with a drop toehold. They tie up with David getting a waistlock but Beefcake does a go-behind and gets a waistlock takedown but David escapes and Beefcakes rolls out of the ring with Valiant complaining about greasing. David gets a hammerlock then takes Beefcake down and grabs a Front facelock but Beefcake reaches the ropes. David works the arm as Beefcake tries to rake the eyes and attempts a bodyslam but David holds on taking Beefcake down. David drops the knee on Beefcake's arm. Beefcake gets a side headlock and a side takedown. David escapes and whips Beefcake to the ropes with Beefcake getting a shoulder block. Beefcake comes off the ropes, jumps over David, comes off the ropes, and David tries for a hip toss but Beefcake reverses into his own hip toss. Beefcake tries to grab David but gets kicked off. David gets a drop toehold, grapevines the legs, and pulls back on the ankle. David continues to work on the leg until Beefcake escapes by kicking David off but David gets a single leg takedown and twists the ankle.

David gets a spinning toehold but Beefcake kicks him off. David gets another single leg takedown and a leglock. Beefcake eventually rakes the eyes with his metal long sleeve glove and comes back with forearms. Beefcake whips David to the ropes and catches him with a back body drop. Beefcake drops some nice forearms and works on David in the corner. Beefcake whips David to another corner and David collapses out of it. Beefcake taunts to boos and works over David in the corner. Fans chant “David” as David comes back with a reverse irish whip into the corner and catches Beefcake coming out a back body drop to a pop. The two trade punches with David winning the exchange. David whips Beefcake to the ropes and catches him with a kick, and a knee. David gets a suplex for 2. Beefcake gets a headbutt to the stomach and throws David out to ringside where Valiant bodyslams David on the floor, Bruno then comes after Valiant to a big pop and throws Valiant in the ring. The Sammartino's eventually kick ass in the ring and send the heels out with the referee declaring it a double disqualification at 12:43.

Thoughts: *1/2 Decent match with solid action as David had some nice holds and Beefcake had good offense but a bit slow and you can argue it went longer than it needed to. I think the time was strange as this was the second longest match on the card which is odd giving this show has three title matches while guys like Santana, Rose, Steamboat, and Borne couldn't get five minutes. David wasn't bad by any means but his offense felt outdated and a bit slow. It feels like he would've done better twenty years earlier. The finish is weird and doesn't age well. I'm guessing they saw something in both guys and wanted to protect them and I believe this did lead to tag matches but it's weird in retrospect since Beefcake would win the Tag Team Championships a few months later and became a staple for the WWF for the next decade while David fizzled out. Sadly as mentioned, this proved to be David's peak in the business as he failed to catch on and he would be fired/quit on and off for the next few years. From there, he stumbled through another 10 years in the business failing to catch on in the WWF, WCW, AWA, and All Japan before retiring from full-time competition in the late 90s. Sadly, the whole experience resulted in David having a bad falling out with Bruno. Even sadder is I don't think they made peace before Bruno's passing in 2018.

Hayes previews the IC Title match

Okerlund interviews Greg Valentine and Jimmy Hart with Hart telling Valentine this is the biggest day of their lives and they're ready. Valentine says we're gonna find out why he's the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, why he is the master of the figure four leglock and why they call him “The Hammer” because he hits them and hits them hard. He says he's ready to fight and in the greatest shape of his life. Valentine says he dropped 16 pounds, is down to 248, is lean, mean, and full of fighting fury. Okerlund then brings in the Junkyard Dog who says in a few moments, he's got the great opportunity to get his hands on that Intercontinental Championship belt. He says he needs a bone to chew on and he can get his hands on many bones with that belt. Ok promos from both.

WWF Intercontinental Championship: Greg Valentine (c) (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The Junkyard Dog- JYD still had "Another One Bites The Dust" as his theme. Valentine won the Intercontinental Title on September 24, 1984 from Tito Santana. 

They circle to start with JYD teasing offense that sends Valentine to the corner. JYD gets a wristlock. JYD gets a punch and a headbutt. Valentine whips JYD off the ropes but JYD catches Valentine's foot during a kicking attempt and gets another punch. By this point, I should point out Monsoon is getting annoying on commentary as he says "Holy Mackerel" every five to ten minutes. Get a thesaurus, Gorilla. Valentine heads to the corner to stall. They tie up with Valentine coming back with a knee to the stomach and an elbow to the back of the head. Valentine comes off the ropes and attempts to drop a forearm but misses and JYD does his dumb four legged headbutts which don't look painful. Valentine consults with Hart. Knucklelock and Valentine kicks the stomach and applies a wristlock. Valentine hits a forearm and comes off the ropes with a forearm to the back of the head to knock JYD down. Valentine works on the leg by dropping an elbow onto it and then hyper extending it. 

Valentine knees the leg and attempts a half crab but can't get it so he DDTs the leg. Valentine works over JYD as the fans rally behind JYD. Valentine drops a headbutt to the stomach and attempts the figure four but JYD kicks him off to a pop. Then they fight in the corner with Valentine getting the upper hand. JYD comes back by fighting out with punches and two headbutts as Valentine timbers. Jimmy Hart jumps on the apron with JYD grabbing him. Valentine charges but accidentally hits Hart who takes a sick bump hitting the back of his head on the concrete to a big pop. JYD works Valentine in the corner but Valentine rakes JYD's eyes and pins him with his feet on the ropes to retain to boos. Tito Santana (who was feuding with Valentine) comes out and tells the ref what happened. The ref restarts the match but Valentine walks off and gets counted out at 7:05. Afterwards, JYD and Santana celebrate while Valentine is pissed and yells at them on the steps.

Thoughts: *1/2 Another ok match with the highlight being Valentine's stuff especially the work on the leg. JYD was limited which is what you expect mostly doing punches and headbutts but he did limp a little after the leg work so I give him that. The ending was weird to have Valentine cheat only to restart it and Valentine immediately gets counted out. It is justified to continue the Valentine/Santana feud but to restart just to immediately do a count out without doing anything in between was bizarre.

Hayes previews the Tag Team Title match

In a pre-recorded interview, Okerlund interviews The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Freddie Blassie with Sheik saying this is the best time of his life in shape situation, same with Volkoff, and tells Okerlund to ask Blassie. Blassie says he predicts he's got the next World Tag Team Champions right here. Okerlund calls Volkoff a “commie” before calling him “comrade” with Volkoff saying he comes, he sees, and he'll conquer. Okerlund then brings in The US Express and Captain Lou Albano with Albano saying they're prepared, ready to go, and hoping for a victory. He says they're going to do their best for the people and themselves and says they'll try real hard. Rotundo says all the talk is over and they're going in the ring to get it done. Windham says they're on their way to the ring right now. Short but to the point promos.

WWF Tag Team Championship: The US Express (c) (w/"Captain" Lou Albano) vs. The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (w/"Classy" Freddie Blassie)- The US Express is Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo (aka I.R.S.). They have "Born In The USA" for their theme which is weird since I think they were too young to have been in Vietnam. Who knows. Maybe Windham and Rotundo got in a little hometown jam, got rifles put in their hands, and were sent off to a foreign land to go and kill the yellow man. Anyway, The Express won the Tag Team Championship on January 21, 1985 from Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch. Volkoff sings the Soviet National Anthem to some real heat as he gets a lot of boos and fans throwing garbage in the ring. Sheik does his usual “Russia: number one, Iran: number one, USA: Sheik spits” routine. Ventura mentions that there are dead World Series and dead Super Bowls but not a dead Wrestlemania. Just wait another 25 years, Jess.

Sheik and Rotundo start with Sheik getting a side headlock but gets whipped to the ropes and Sheik comes off the ropes with a shoulderblock. Sheik comes off the ropes, jumps over Rotundo, comes off the ropes, Rotundo leapfrogs, Sheik comes off the ropes, and Rotundo catches him with a hip toss and a dropkick to a pop. Rotundo hits a bodyslam, Sheik walks into a Windham punch, and Rotundo gets a side headlock takedown. Sheik rolls Rotundo up for 2 and a tag to Windham. Windham comes in with a diving elbow off the top and hits a leg drop on Sheik's stomach. Windham gets a side headlock but Sheik heads to his corner and Volkoff grabs Windham. Heel miscommunication as Sheik comes off the ropes but accidentally dropkicks Volkoff to a big pop. Crowd is definitely into this match. Tag to Volkoff and Rotundo. Rotundo whips Volkoff to the ropes and gets an elbow then an elbow drop for 1. Rotundo gets two arm wringers and tags Windham who comes off the top rope with a diving elbow to Volkoff's arm and works an arm wringer. Tag to Rotundo who gets a diving elbow off the top on Volkoff's arm. Rotundo gets an armbar but Volkoff comes back by muscling Rotundo to the ropes while grabbing the hair, elbows the chest, and drives Rotundo into the Sheik's boot.

Tag to Sheik, who whips Rotundo to the ropes, catches him with a nice back body drop and comes off the ropes with an elbow drop for 2. Gutwrench suplex for 2. Rotundo blocks a suplex and get his own to a pop. Tag to Volkoff who gets a hot shot. Rotundo gets a hammerlock but Volkoff gets up, muscles Rotundo to the ropes, and hits the stomach. Fans chant "USA" as Volkoff whips Rotundo to the ropes but drops his head too early and Rotundo comes off the ropes with a sunset flip for 1. Volkoff whips Rotundo to the ropes and catches him with a knee to the gut. Volkoff drives Rotundo into Sheik's boot and tags Sheik. We get a shot of Blassie and Albano having a confrontation (The Grand Wizard's ashes must be turning over with his old pals no longer getting along) as Sheik hooks the Abdominal Stretch but Rotundo hip toss out and misses an elbow. Tag to Volkoff and hot tag to Windham. Windham works over Volkoff, whips him to the ropes, and hits a dropkick. Windham signals and then hits the Bulldog to a pop but Sheik breaks the pin at 2. Rotundo dropkicks Sheik out of the ring. The ref tries to get Rotundo out of the ring which gives Sheik the chance to knock Windham out with Blassie's cane and Volkoff pins for the win and the titles at 6:55.

Thoughts: **1/2 Nice match with good crowd heat and good action. The opening moments with the US Express was pretty solid but the highlights, I thought, were the heel beatdown and the Windham house of fire which led to the finish. The finish is good since it leads to future rematches and good heat for the end. The crowd was also really into it which is another good thing. The US Express would regain the titles 2 1/2 months later on the July 13, 1985 Championship Wrestling (taped June 17th).

Okerlund interviews Freddie Blassie and the new champions. Okerlund says it was controversial but Blassie asks what he means as he pinned him. Okerlund asks where Blassie's cane but in typical heel fashion, Blassie denies ever bringing a cane to the ring. Sheik says they proved their countries are the best. Decent for what it was

Hayes previews the Body Slam match

In a pre-recorded interview, Okerlund interviews Big John Studd and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan who have $15,000 in a WWF gym bag and pretend it's heavy to carry. Studd says they used $15,000 as bait and they got what they wanted as he will prove he is the true giant. He says we'll see him in the ring and the last match of Andre The Giant because he retires when he can't do it. As Studd talks, Gene tries to touch the money but Heenan slaps his hand away and tells him to keep his hands to himself. Heenan says for $15,000 and a haircut, they're eliminating Andre The Giant from professional wrestling. Okerlund tries to grab the money but Studd slaps his hand away. Heenan says only two people before correcting himself and saying three will see the money: him, Studd, and the people at the bank. Short but good promos from both Studd and Heenan.

Merchandise plug as you can get the life size poster of Wrestlemania for $8. A Wrestlemania program is available for $5. BUT WAIT, you ain't seen nothing yet as you can get the Wrestlemania T-Shirt for $14.75 and Hat for $12.75! It can also come from the mail as you can send your check or money order to WWF Merchandise Dept. Remember it takes 4-6 weeks for delivery. What a deal.

We go to intermission which is mostly edited

$15,000 Bodyslam Match: Andre the Giant vs. John Studd (w/Bobby "The Brain" Heenan)- The stipulation in this match is that the match ends when one wrestler bodyslams the other. If Andre wins, he gets $15,000. If Studd wins or the match goes the distance, Andre retires. For those who aren't familiar with professional wrestling, retirement matches are a crock of shit. They're the biggest scam and are the best way to cheat the fans out of their hard earned money since wrestlers don't know the meaning of the word "retire". Andre comes into this match a slim, trim, buff, cut, ripped, chiseled, and JACKED 476 pounds. This has to be one of the last times Andre weighed under 500 pounds. Storyline goes back to 1983 when Studd returned to the WWF and proclaimed nobody could slam him but Andre was eventually able to bodyslam him (all the while Studd kept bullshitting himself into believing Andre didn't). As revenge Studd, Heenan, and Ken Patera went on to cut Andre's hair following a match on the December 1, 1984 Championship Wrestling.

Fans chant “weasel” at Heenan before the match starts. Studd jumps Andre and works him over in the corner with punches and forearms. Andre fights out with chops and a headbutt which sends Studd to the floor to stall. Back in, Andre chokes Studd in the corner to a big pop as Heenan loses it at ringside. Andre punches and gets several rams with a his ass in the corner. Studd comes back with a knee to the stomach and tries for the bodyslam but doesn't get it. Andre nails Studd with a knee and applies the bearhug. Crowd chants "Slam". Studd tries to break with an eye rake with his forearm but Andre holds on. Studd breaks it but Andre works over Studd and hooks a standing chinlock before transitioning into a side headlock. Andre releases and hits some forearms before hitting a headbutt and works the arm. Studd gets whipped into the ropes goes for a kick but gets caught. Andre kicks the leg and they go back to the corner. Chops in the corner and more leg kicks. Andre goes the slam and bodyslams Studd to win at 5:53. Afterwards, Andre gets the money and throws a few dollars into the crowd before Heenan grabs the bag and runs off.

Thoughts: DUD Lousy match as it was mostly a one sided match with crappy offense especially from Andre. To make matters worse, Andre was beginning to deteriorate by this point and it showed while Studd was never that good. The only good thing was the crowd was into it.

Okerlund interviews Andre and says Andre did it but asks where's the money? Andre says he doesn't know but he doesn't care as he showed John Studd, the weasel, and the fans he could give Studd that slam. Okerlund says many thought this could be the retirement of Andre The Giant but Andre says no way. Ok promo.

Hayes previews the Women's Title match and gets kisses from Moolah and Kai

In pre-recorded comments, Okerlund interviews Wendi Richter and Cyndi Lauper telling them a big one coming for them. Lauper says that's right and calls out Moolah and Kai better watch out because these are powerful words, Richter is a powerful woman, and she's a powerful manager because she was taught by “Captain” Lou Albano how to manage. Richter says she didn't lose that belt to one person, she lost it because Moolah interfered and she's deadset on getting it back where it belongs. Okerlund then interviews Leilani Kai and Fabulous Moolah and asks about Moolah's sunglasses with Moolah saying her jeweler made them for a special occasion for tonight because he's so proud of her and her champion. Kai says she's good and ready to go, she doesn't care what she has to do or how to beat Richter as she'll come back from the dressing room with her hand in victory. Ok promos.

WWF Women's Championship: Leilani Kai (c) (w/Fabulous Moolah) vs. Wendi Richter (w/Cyndi Lauper)- The storyline here is that Richter defeated Moolah for the Women's Title back on July 23, 1984 at the Brawl To End It All special on MTV and thus ended Moolah's bullshit "28 year reign" as Women's Champion (Moolah actually lost the title 4 times between 1956 and 1984 with her longest lasting 10 years). So Moolah led Kai to the title one month before Wrestlemania at the MTV special The War To Settle The Score. Lauper is in Richter's corner to counter Moolah's interference. Richter has Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" for her theme song. Interesting thing here as the Women's weight were announced. You don't hear that anymore.

Tie up in the ropes to start with both sending each other to the ropes by pulling the hair. Richter punches Kai which knocks her down to a pop. Richter gets a takedown but Kai escapes. Kai gets an armdrag takedown but Richter counters with a hammerlock. Kai gets up but Richter gets a hammerlock takedown. Another takedown and Kai reverses with two snapmares with the second being a hair pull for 2. Kai gets an arm wringer and takes Richter down with her hair. Richter gets up but Kai takes her down with another hair pull. They get up and do some weak punches. Kai rams Richter in the corner very weakly. Another snapmare and Kai pulls Richter's hair. Kai then does some choking. Richter gets a body scissors but Kai escapes by pulling her up by the hair. Richter fucks something up and gets 2. Richter fucks up a small package for 2. Kai gets another snapmare using Richter's hair and pulls the hair. 

Richter gets whipped into the corner but catches Kai charging in by getting her feet up to a pop and pins for 2. Richter and Kai fight into the corner where Moolah grabs Richters hair with Lauper coming after Moolah. Kai whips Richter to the ropes and catches her with a boot. Richter comes back with punches. Richter whips Kai to the ropes, slams her from a firemens carry position, and splashes for 2. Kai gets whipped into the corner but gets the knees up on Richter. Stomps for 2. Backbreaker gets 2. Bodyslam and Kai heads to the top. Kai hits a diving high cross body but they fuck up the reversal and Richter just rolls on Kai for the pin and title at 6:12. Richter and Lauper celebrate afterwards.

Thoughts: DUD That was horrible as the offense looked weak and they botched several spots. At times, it looked like amateur hour and I was tempted to give it negative stars but I won't. The finish also looked a bit sloppy. This match was supposed to make Richter the face of the Women's Division but she would be gone by November after a falling out with the WWF. She wouldn't be seen again in the WWF until she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.

Okerlund interviews Richter and Lauper saying to Richter the belt is back in her camp. Richter says they caught her in the biggest moment of her life as it took the two of them to get it back after it took two to take it back. Lauper says she brought her towel because Moolah was bigger but she wasn't going to let Moolah interfere again. Eh promo from both.

Fink announces Billy Martin as the guest ring announcer. Martin announces Liberace with the Rockettes and in a famous moment dances with the Rockettes. Muhammad Ali is announced as the referee but is really a ringside ref. Martin was a famous baseball personality, first as a player and then as a manager, mostly known for his tenures with the New York Yankees where he had a successful track record at first before becoming somewhat a punchline due to all the times he either quit or was hired and fired by George Steinbrenner in the same year. In fact, I believe 1985 saw his fourth tenure with the Yankees and sure enough, he was fired by the end of the year. I don't believe I need to explain who Liberace and Ali are. They're pretty well known.

Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (w/"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka) vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff (w/"Cowboy" Bob Orton)- Hogan's theme is still "Eye of the Tiger" at this point which is ironic given it was the song for "Rocky III" which featured both Hogan and T. More irony is that both Snuka and guest referee: Pat Patterson were both inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1996 while Hogan, Piper, Orndorff, and Orton were all inducted in 2005. Of course, "Cowboy" Bob Orton is Randy Orton's father. Piper, Orndorff, and Orton come out with a Scottish band. The story is a long and intertwining one. Piper and Orndorff had history as Piper briefly served as Orndorff's manager when both arrived in the WWF in late 1983/early 1984 while Orton is Piper's bodyguard. Both Piper and Orndorff had been contenders for Hogan's WWF Championship throughout 1984 and early 1985 but were never able to win it. Things escalated at the MTV Special The War To Settle The Score on February 18^th with Hogan retaining the WWF Championship against Piper by disqualification with Hogan getting attacked by Piper and Orndorff until Mr. T (who sat at ringside) came to Hogan and Cyndi Lauper's aid after Piper and Orndorff tried to knock her off the apron. After some confrontations with Piper and T on Piper's Pit that were on set of T's show The A-Team, Hogan would eventually challenge Piper to a tag match with Hogan picking T while Piper picked Orndorff. As for Snuka, he's here as he has issues with Piper going back to an episode of Piper's Pit during the spring/summer of 1984 where Piper famously nailed Snuka with a coconut.

Hogan and Orndorff start but not for long as Orndorff tags Piper. The crowd is hot as T wants in and Hogan tags T to a pop. Fans chant “T” as Piper and T have a staredown and bitchslapping commences. Piper gets a kick and a waistlock takedown but T eventually escapes. Tie up with T shoving Piper. T gets a Firemen's carry and slams Piper. Piper sends T into his corner where he's double teamed until Hogan comes to his aid. Brawling takes place with Snuka, Orton, and Ali coming in the ring. Ali punches Piper and chases Orton off the apron. The crowd is digging it. Piper, Orndorff, and Orton walk out with Hogan stopping Patterson from counting them out. Piper and Orndorff eventually return and the brawl resumes. Hogan and T ram Piper and Orndorff into each other via noggin knocker. Hogan whips Piper in the corner and follows with a charging clothesline. Hogan gives Piper and Orndorff a double noggin knocker. Hogan with an atomic drop and he rams Piper's head on the canvas.

Hogan and Piper exchange eye rakes and tag to T. Hogan and T double team whip Piper to the ropes and catch him with a double team clothesline to a pop. T bodyslams Piper and hip tosses Orndorff after he gets in the ring. Hogan punches Orndorff as T bodyslams Piper again and headbutts Orndorff. T rams Piper into Hogan's knee and tags Hogan. Hogan whips Piper to the ropes and catches him with a big boot and Piper goes over and out of the ring. Orndorff sneaks in the ring and clotheslines Hogan out. Piper grabs a chair and hits Hogan with it. Orndorff goes out and throws Hogan back in while Ali tries to maintain order on the outside. Back in the ring, Hogan gets worked on in the Piper/Orndorff corner. Heel beatdown as T argues with Patterson and tries to come in but is held back. Piper and Orndorff hit a double team atomic drop. Orndorff drops a knee as Piper argues with Ali. Orndorff with some stomps and a suplex. 

Tag to Piper, who gets some punches and a knee lift for 2. Tag to Orndorff who gets a diving elbow for 2. Backbreaker and Orndorff misses a knee drop from the top. Hot tag to T who works over Orndorff but gets double teamed after Piper comes in and attacks from behind. Orndorff and T scramble with Orndorff on top of T. Tag to Piper, who gets a front facelock. T escapes and tags Hogan. Double noggin knocker on Piper and Orndorff. Hogan gets a side headlock and some punches but Orndorff hits a belly-to-back suplex. Orton now, for some reason, comes in the ring but Snuka cuts him off with a jumping headbutt. Patterson tries to get Snuka out of the ring as Orndorff applies a full nelson on Hogan while T fights with Piper after preventing Piper from hitting Hogan. Orton jumps off the top turnbuckle trying to hit Hogan but Hogan moves and Orton accidentally knocks Orndorff out with his cast. Snuka goes after Orton as Hogan covers and gets the win at 13:13. Afterwards, Piper and Orton leave Orndorff in the ring. Hogan and T check on Orndorff but when he recovers he walks off. Hogan, T, Snuka, Liberace, Martin, and Ali celebrate in the ring.

Thoughts: *** Fun match with T doing well while Hogan, Piper, and Orndorff did a great job not only playing their roles but also making up for T's limitations. The crowd was into it which is very good and the spot where there's chaos and Ali comes in is a good way to use Ali. The finish was good as it sowed the seeds for Orndorff's babyface turn and obviously, nothing was settled. This match won the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 1985 Match of the Year which I don't agree with since I think Magnum TA vs. Tully Blanchard at Starrcade 85 was the MOTY. Nevertheless, this was still good. Orndorff eventually left Piper and became a babyface by becoming Hogan's friend.

Okerlund interviews Hogan, T, and Snuka with Okerlund saying it's pandemonium and a fitting end to Wrestlemania. He asks T what it was like and what was going through his mind? T says it was rough as they trained hard but was glad to be out there as he didn't take anyone lightly and says wrestling isn't for wimps as you got to be ready. Hogan says while training with him, he noticed what was inside him and everyone knows what it's all about as he doesn't pick slackers for partners and then says he, Mr. T, and Snuka reign supreme at Wrestlemania. Snuka says it was a pleasure to be out there and they came out with the victory which was important. Hogan says he, T, and Snuka will be around for a long time. A solid promo from Hogan while T and Snuka were alright.

Monsoon and Ventura wrap things up as we go to ending credits with "Axel F" from Beverly Hills Cop as the ending theme.

Final Thoughts and Verdict

Wrestlemania I is a weird one to recommend as it's obviously recommended for historical purposes but that's largely it. Now, this wasn't a bad event by any means but it was fine at best. Outside of the bodyslam match and women's title match, there wasn't any bad matches, the main event was good, and there were some fun and solid stuff like Santana/Executioner, Steamboat/Borne, and the tag title match, there wasn't that match that hit it out of the park as nothing made the four star range. Compare it to the first Starrcade which had Piper/Valentine which was awesome, Briscos/Steamboat/Youngblood was good, and people loved Race/Flair more than I did. It also didn't have the beginning or culmination of big stuff outside of Orndorff turning babyface after this. The title changes are also alright as Sheik and Volkoff are cool but their reign didn't matter too much in the long run and while Richter's was supposed to be, it didn't due to her falling out with the WWF later in the year. Again, I say see it because it's historical and while there's some solid stuff, there's nothing you have to go out of your way to see.

Recommended.

Wrestlemania I Facts:
Wrestlemania I was the first Wrestlemania held in Madison Square Garden. The Garden would also host Wrestlemania X in 1994 and Wrestlemania XX in 2004.

Contrary to popular belief, Wrestlemania I was technically not the first PPV the WWF held. 

Wrestlemania I was actually only held on Closed Circuit Television in most of the United States with only a few markets getting it on Pay-Per-View. The first PPV the WWF held nationally was the Wrestling Classic on November 7, 1985.

Wrestlemania I is the only Wrestlemania to not feature a WWF Championship match.

Wrestlemania I is the only Wrestlemania to feature a bodyslam challenge.

Wrestlemania I is the last Wrestlemania to not feature Bret Hart until Wrestlemania XIV in 1998.

Lelani Kai was the defending Women's Champion at Wrestlemania I. She would challenge for the title nine years later at Wrestlemania X.

Matt Bourne returned to Wrestlemania eight years later as Doink the Clown at Wrestlemania IX.

Future ECW legends Tommy Dreamer and Little Guido/Nunzio were both in attendance.

Wrestlemania I is the last Wrestlemania to not feature “Macho Man” Randy Savage until Wrestlemania XI in 1995

Wrestlemania I marked the last time the WWF Women's Championship changed hands at a 

Wrestlemania until Chyna defeated Ivory for it at Wrestlemania X-7 in 2001

First of two straight Wrestlemanias in which Mr. T and Roddy Piper faced off

First Wrestlemania where Pat Patterson was the special guest referee for the main event. He would later referee the main event of Wrestlemania XI in 1995 between Lawrence Taylor and Bam Bam Bigelow