zkonedog Though no one can say that the first Wrestlemania wasn't a landmark event in professional wrestling history, this event (for a number of reasons) just doesn't pass muster compared to other events that would come later.First of all, the presentation is not befitting of an epic event. The announcing team of Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura is rock-solid, but the transitions between matches and camera work leaves much to be desired. Instead of the truly magnificent feel of later shows, "Wrestlemania I" is a bit dark and sparse.In terms of the matches themselves, they really don't start to get going until the last half hour or so. Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd in a Slam Match is kind of fun, as is the women's match featuring Cyndi Lauper. The finale (Rowdy Piper and Paul Orndorf vs. Hulk Hogan and Mr. T) is full of energy, if not a bit anti-climactic.Overall, it is clear from viewing this in hindsight that the WWF was still searching for the "magic touch" to truly make Wrestlemania a must-see event.

willge The grand daddy of them all, Wrestlemania live from Madison Square Garden on March 31, 1985. Let me tell you that the WWF circa 1985 was a lot different than what people would see even a few years later. Wrestling was a regional promotion back in 1985 with the WWF having dominated the northeastern United States. But, McMahon had bought the WWF from his fater a few years earlier and had an idea to take wrestling to new heights along with his champion, Hulk Hogan.I almost saw this card fitting. At the beginning you saw a lot of what I thought was old school wrestling. You had the wrestlers simply appear in the ring with very technical matches. But towards the end you started to see the sports entertainment factor.The card itself isn't the greatest by today's standards. Tito Santana is always nice to watch and I suppose it was nice to see him at a time where he wasn't a jobber. David Sammartino didn't last long to warrant any significance and The Junkyard Dog showed that he could've possibly been one of the most popular guys in the company aside from Hogan himself.This card was also unique in the fact that one of the focal points was the Ladies Championship up for grabs between Lelani Kai and Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper). Today a ladies match wouldn't warrant much attention, but Lauper was a key factor in turning the WWF into the promotion it is today.Finally, the main event between Hogan/Mr. T vs. Piper/Orndorff. Piper is a monster heel here something that would turn 180 in a few years. The match itself wasn't great hilighted by the refereeing of Muhammed Ali, but it still had a feeling of excitement to it.Wrestlemania started it all.

BigSmoke64 This was the first ever Wrestlemania event and set the tone and the bar for the rest. It was a quiet good event and it impressed me. OK let me take you back in time....March 31st 1985 Madison Square Garden. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura on commentary and let's go.......... Match One: Tito Santana vs. The Executioner: OK the first match of the first Wrestlemania Santana/Excutioner. I was always impressed by Tito I have saw many of his matches on tape and he is a really great wrestler who I rate very highly. However in this match he was fighting, ermmm what's his name? Ermmm nobody a jobber pretty much, Tito carried this match. Winner: Tito Santana Rating: 5/10: Match Two: David Sammartino vs. Brutus Beefcake: Hmmmm, mmmm no didn't like it. It wasn't a bad match just not my cup of tea. The match is probably most notable for the appearance of Bruno Sammartino. Winner: Double dq: 3/10: Match Three: Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne: oh yes!!!! this is more like it the future dragon vs. the future ermmmm Doink. Borne was capable of more then Doink as this match shows. The Dragon's matches are always outstanding and he performs his best. So this was a good solid match: Winner: Ricky Steamboat: Rating: 8.5/10: Match Four: King Kong Bundy vs. S.D. Jones: 7 seconds how can I rate a match 7 seconds long???!!!!Winner: King Kong Bundy: Rating: Noyt Rating it 7 seconds long blink and you miss it. Match Five: Andre The Giant vs. Big John Studd: A battle of two legendary giants in a body slam match I believe. Very entertaining in the 80's it was rare to see anyone over the size of 6ft 6 so to see these two were like Colossal back then. This was an amazing body slam match which I would ranks as being one the greatest matches of the night. Winner: Andre The Giant (hurrah): Rating: 9/10: Match Six: Junkyard Dog vs. Greg Valentine: Intercontental Champion The Hammer taking on JYD a personal favourite of mine (rip). The Dog was one of the best competitors in the 80's and even though I wasn't even born then I still look at the video's and think whoa what a fighter. Very impressive match but am going to give it a 7 due to the crappy ending. Winner: Draw: Rating: 7/10: Match Seven: Un-Americanz vs. The US Express: Don't be fooled. The Un-Americanz are not the crappy 2002/3 stable they where Nicholai Volkoff and Iron Sheik, a great tag team. They fought Barry Windham and ermmmmm what was his name now errr Mike Rotundo !!!!(got it) I knew it would come to me. Good solid Tag Match. Winners: Un-Americanz: Ratings: 8/10: Match Eight: Wendi Richter vs. Leliani Kai: Whats the big deal? Everyone says this match was so good but the only thing good about it was Cindi Lauper on ringside and her dodgy bearded manager ermm Wolfman or something. Anyways rubbish match: Winner: Wendi Richter: Rating: 2/10: Main Event: Tag Match: Mr. T and Hulk Hogan vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff: OK I do think this match should have been a title match instead of a Tag Match. But who am I to judge. This was the very first Wrestlemania Main Event and was a clever idea. Get a popular TV Star and a popular wrestler and what do you get? Your first Wrestlemania. Extremely good match and Mr. T is a pretty good wrestler you know. I was impressed as always by Roddy Piper a true ring great and Mr. Wonderful what can I say? One of the greatest in ring competitors of the 80's and you think Chris Master's has a body to brag about? You should see this guy. So there you have it 3 of the best superstars of the 80's and 1 TV Star. A great main event which set the tone for the rest. Winners: Mr. T and Hulk Hogan: Rating: 8.5/10 And there you have it folks we have just reviewed the very first Wrestlemania, an event which started a legacy of great events to come. Rent out this if you can if not for quality (and there is a lot of quality) then for historic value.

JWLJN Say what you want about the simplistic lighting, lack of todays glitzier production values, and the couple of jobber matches, but you cannot die that this was the one that started it all, and that it is indeed PURE '80s. You also cannot die the electricity felt when watching parts. Sure it drags during the first two or three matches, but if you can honestly tell me you don't feel the excitement with the pops for JYD, Andre, Albano & The US Express, Wendi Richter and Cyndi Lauper, and of course Hogan & Mr. T, then I can tell you that you are honestly not a true wrestling fan. Is it cheesy? Yes. But wasn't that the way of the '80s? And don't even tell me "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" doesn't get stuck in your head after watching this...:-) Well worth the view.