12 Nostalgic WrestleMania Moments

WrestleMania I

The inaugural WrestleMania emanated live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY.

Vince McMahon looked to expand his entity the World Wrestling Federation into a national entertainment superpower.

Wrestling would transform mainstream popular culture with its version of the Super Bowl. McMahon termed this sports entertainment as appealing to casual & non-fans alike.

Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper

Their top star Hulk Hogan teamed with Mr. T. & this all-star duo, let’s say trio as Jimmy Snuka aligned with them & they stood across the ring from equally impressive superstars, “ Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “ Mr. Wonderful “ Paul Orndorff flanked by ‘Cowboy’ Bob Orton.

Legendary wrestler Pat Patterson served as the in-ring referee.

Noted celebrity Liberace kept time for the historic bout. Billy Martin who at the time had managed the New York Yankees was the guest ring announcer.

Iconic boxer Muhammad Ali was the special guest referee outside of the ring.

Hogan & T won via a pinfall after Orton inadvertently hit Orndorff.

WrestleMania II

Mr. T w/ Joe Frazier opposed Roddy Piper w/ Lou Duva & Cowboy Bob Orton. Piper and T didn’t like each other. Roddy worked stiffer during the match. He also came from a boxing background. Piper is such a great heel who cheated by body-slamming Mr. T. 

Hulk Hogan against Bundy with Bobby Heenan inside the blue steel cage.

King Kong Bundy legitimized himself as one terrific worker considering his massive size. He worked well against Hogan!

The British Bulldogs with Lou Albano & Ozzy Osborne -defeated The Dream Team( Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake with Johnny Valiant to become the WWF Tag-Team Champions!

WrestleMania III

Intercontinental Title Match: Savage versus Steamboat stole the show for me. How can anybody possibly follow that? It took Andre & Hogan squaring off concerning both individuals representing two of wrestling’s biggest stars. Macho Man & Ricky “ The Dragon” Steamboat tore the house down & honestly, this was the best match on WrestleMania 3, but there was something special about Hulk colliding with Andre. Sure, this wasn’t to be a masterpiece like Savage opposing Steamboat. However, Hogan slammed Andre and retained the championship making for another historic wrestling moment & overall matches remain favorites. Yes, Macho & Dragon was better, but I still equally enjoyed Hogan opposing the Giant.

WrestleMania V

Hulk Hogan defeated Macho Man & Miss Elizabeth was put into the neural corner audiences still fondly remember, “The Mega Powers” storyline told one great story. Hogan retained the WWF belt.

Mr. Perfect versus The Blue Blazer Owen Hart. What a classic bout between two of the all-time greats here. Impeccable throughout.

The Brain Busters take on Strike Force 

Interesting watching Arn & Tully in the WWF during this time, especially at WrestleMania and not Starrcade. These two can wrestle with anybody & anywhere. 

I like the pairing of Tito Santana & Rick Martel. How the 80s’ was that music video by Robbie Dupree titled “Girls in Cars. “ I loved it, man!

Great contest.

The Hart Foundation feuded against Valentine & Honky Tonk Man always provided solid results.

Rick Rude facing The Ultimate Warrior is some of Warrior’s best & better all-around matches for the Intercontinental Title.

WrestleMania VI

Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire alongside Miss Elizabeth rival Randy Savage alongside Queen Sherri. Both stars had instant chemistry inside the ring. It was fun to observe. The main event featured another one of Warrior’s better matches versus Hogan. Warrior captures both the IC & World Championships.

WrestleMania VII

The Undertaker makes his Mania debut by squashing “ Superfly” Jimmy Snuka.

Hogan got his revenge on that traitor Sgt. Slaughter. The Hulkster won the gold.

Savage wrestling Warrior in the retirement match was surprisingly good because of Macho Man.

WrestleMania VIII

Bret Hart defeats Roddy Piper for the IC Title. The match told a fantastic story. You had two legends featured here. 

Randy Savage beat Ric Flair with Mr. Perfect for the Championship. The story leading up to and the in-ring result was unreal. 2 magnificent workers between Savage & Flair.

Hogan stood up to Sid & it proved visually engaging. You know the match delivered by accomplishing what it needed to do. I admit Hogan & Sid were favorites growing up as a kid.

WrestleMania IX

WWF Championship Match Yokozuna versus Bret Hart. Anytime Bret stepped into a ring. One experienced technical excellence. Yokozuna ranks up there as being one of the best working big men.

WrestleMania X

My favorites are Owen vs. Bret from a purest, technical, & fundamental add clinical to that was tough to beat. 

Then Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels and retained the Intercontinental Championship in that ladder match was pretty phenomenal also.

Seeing Bret Hart wrestle Yokozuna instantly won me over. Bret won the belt & Piper was the guest referee.

WrestleMania XI

Razor opposing Jeff Jarrett. He challenged Double J for his IC belt. Jeff & Razor had great matches.

WrestleMania XII

Roddy Piper beats up Goldust regarding the Hollywood Backlot Brawl, creating some entertaining pay-per-view. They even did the OJ scene where Goldust was escaping the arena.

Stone Cold Steve Austin versus Savio Vega is so highly underrated. My advice is to go back, watch & appreciate this gem of a match. 

I can still remember Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart competing in the 60-minute Iron Man Match & reviews were mixed. From my perspective, I held this match in high regard. It’s a phenomenal WWF Title Match.

WrestleMania 13

Owen Hart & The British Bulldog exemplified an incredible duo. They faced two legendary opponents in (Mankind )& Vader. I enjoyed their matches very much.

One of the best matches of all Manias is Bret Hart versus Stone Cold Steve Austin, with Ken Shamrock as the referee.

Bret & Austin possessed instant chemistry whenever they faced each other. Hart, we all know how impressive his resume was. I became a fan during his Stunning Steve days in WCW. I would tend to forget how accomplished a wrestler/worker he was until watching he wrestles Bret. This match gets 110 stars & more.

That’s my top classic moments.

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