Credit WWE Match Review: The match itself was chaotic yet captivating. Mr. T, despite his limited wrestling experience, held his own as Hogan anchored the match with his signature energy. The crowd erupted when Hogan and Mr. T took control, countering the aggressive tactics of Piper and Orndorff. The turning point came when Bob Orton, […]
Credit WWE
Match Review: The match itself was chaotic yet captivating. Mr. T, despite his limited wrestling experience, held his own as Hogan anchored the match with his signature energy. The crowd erupted when Hogan and Mr. T took control, countering the aggressive tactics of Piper and Orndorff. The turning point came when Bob Orton, acting as Piper and Orndorff’s backup, attempted to interfere but accidentally struck Orndorff with his cast. Hogan took advantage, pinning Orndorff to win the match for his team. The electric atmosphere, fueled by the blend of wrestling stars and mainstream celebrities, cemented WrestleMania as a major entertainment event.
The success of this match and the inaugural WrestleMania marked a pivotal turning point in wrestling history, ushering in the sports entertainment boom that followed. WrestleMania I’s main event proved that blending wrestling with pop culture could captivate mainstream audiences, laying the foundation for WrestleMania to become an annual global phenomenon.
Aftermath: This match had significant ramifications for all involved.
The wrestling staff of Back Sports Page have carefully selected what they believe to be the top 41 matches in WrestleMania history. Presented in chronological order, this series will detail the backstory, match review, and aftermath of each match, along with how the outcomes shaped the careers of those involved.
Backstory: The inaugural WrestleMania, held on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden, was a gamble for Vince McMahon and the WWF (now WWE). To draw mainstream attention, McMahon blended the worlds of professional wrestling and pop culture. Hulk Hogan, the company’s top star, was paired with Mr. T, a massive celebrity at the time known for his role in The A-Team. They were set to face the formidable duo of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, two of the WWF’s most hated villains. The feud was highly personal, fueled by Piper’s attacks on Mr. T, which escalated tensions and ensured this main event would be must-see television. To add to the spectacle, special celebrity guests filled key roles: Pat Patterson served as the in-ring referee, Muhammad Ali acted as the outside enforcer, Billy Martin was the guest ring announcer, and Liberace entertained the crowd with a special appearance.
- Hulk Hogan‘s victory propelled him further as WWF’s top babyface, solidifying his role as the face of professional wrestling throughout the ’80s. The win boosted his image as an unbeatable hero, cementing his place as the company’s biggest draw. Following this match, Hogan successfully defended his WWF Championship for over a year, establishing his legendary run as “The Immortal.”
- Mr. T‘s involvement earned him credibility with wrestling fans, and while he returned for WrestleMania II, his wrestling career remained short-lived. The victory reinforced his star power as a pop culture icon.
- Roddy Piper emerged from the loss as an even more despised heel, which only added to his legendary career. He continued to feud with Hogan and Mr. T, culminating in a memorable boxing match with Mr. T at WrestleMania II.
- Paul Orndorff‘s loss had immediate effects; feeling betrayed by Piper and Orton’s mistake, Orndorff turned babyface shortly after. He went on to align with Hogan before ultimately turning on him in a memorable betrayal that sparked one of the WWF’s hottest feuds of the mid-1980s. Orndorff’s eventual heel turn and feud with Hogan was one of the most successful drawing programs of that era.
WrestleMania I – Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper
