WWE WrestleMania 1 Rebooked:

Luke Grishman
4 min readJul 23, 2023

WrestleMania I, the historic event that laid the foundation for the future of WWE, took place in 1985 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The name “WrestleMania” was coined by ring announcer Howard Finkel, inspired by the Beatles’ “BeatleMania” craze.

In this rebooked version, let’s maintain the importance of the event while addressing some aspects that could have been improved for a more engaging experience.

wrestlemania 1 dvd cover

WrestleMania March 31, 1985 Madison Square Garden in New York, New York

The show opens with a grand spectacle, showcasing the legends and celebrities attending the event. Billy Martin, Liberace, and Muhammad Ali are introduced, along with the Rockettes, adding star power and excitement to the occasion.

Match 1: Tito Santana vs. “Playboy” Buddy Rose

The opening bout features Tito Santana against the “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Santana’s athleticism and popularity make him a crowd favorite. Rose, however, lacks intrigue, so let’s develop his character with a unique backstory, emphasizing his cunning and sneaky tactics. Santana overcomes the odds, hitting a high-flying maneuver for the victory in a well-paced 8-minute match, showcasing both wrestlers’ abilities.

Winner: Tito Santana

Match 2: King Kong Bundy vs. S.D. Jones

The squash match between King Kong Bundy and S.D. Jones remains largely the same, showcasing Bundy’s dominance and power. However, let’s extend the match to 60 seconds, emphasizing Bundy’s devastating impact and ensuring the focus remains on his imposing presence.

Winner: King Kong Bundy

Match 3: Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne

Ricky Steamboat faces Matt Borne, in a fast-paced, technical contest. Both wrestlers have ample in-ring skills, so we’ll allow them to demonstrate their abilities. Steamboat secures the victory in a competitive 10-minute bout, making Borne look strong throughout the match.

Winner: Ricky Steamboat

Match 4: David Sammartino vs. Brutus Beefcake

David Sammartino, the son of the legendary Bruno Sammartino, takes on the cocky heel, Brutus Beefcake, managed by “Luscious” Johnny Valiant. Sammartino displays his wrestling heritage, while Beefcake’s arrogance intensifies the crowd’s disdain. The match is a hard-fought, back-and-forth battle, ending in a double count-out after both wrestlers brawl outside the ring. Bruno Sammartino intervenes to stop the chaos, showing his fatherly concern for David.

Result: Double count-out

Match 5: Intercontinental Title: Greg Valentine © vs. Junkyard Dog

Greg Valentine defends his Intercontinental Championship against the Junkyard Dog. This match sees JYD bringing his charismatic energy against Valentine’s technical prowess. The match goes for around 12 minutes, with both wrestlers showcasing their signature moves. Valentine attempts to cheat with Jimmy Hart’s interference, but Tito Santana exposes the ruse, leading to JYD winning via disqualification. Although Valentine retains the title, JYD gains sympathy from the crowd.

Winner: Junkyard Dog via disqualification (Greg Valentine retains Intercontinental Championship)

Match 6: Tag Team Titles: Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham © vs. The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff

The Tag Team Championship bout features Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham defending against the formidable duo of The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. The heels employ their sneaky tactics, targeting Rotundo’s leg. Rotundo and Windham’s teamwork and high-flying maneuvers keep the crowd engaged. The finish comes when Windham pins Volkoff following a top-rope crossbody. The U.S. Express retains their titles.

Winners: Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham (U.S. Express)

Match 7: Women’s Championship: Wendi Richter vs. Leilani Kai

Wendi Richter faces Leilani Kai for the Women’s Championship, with Cyndi Lauper and Fabulous Moolah in their respective corners. The match focuses on in-ring action, with both women delivering crisp moves and high spots. Wendi Richter secures the win with a well-executed roll-up, capturing the Women’s Championship to a massive ovation from the crowd.

Winner: Wendi Richter (New Women’s Champion)

Match 8: $15,000 Bodyslam Challenge: Big John Studd vs. Andre The Giant

The highly anticipated bodyslam challenge between Big John Studd and Andre The Giant lasts just over 2 minutes. Andre overpowers Studd, slamming him to the mat to claim the prize money. The crowd goes wild as Andre celebrates, setting the stage for future feuds.

Winner: Andre The Giant

Match 9: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff

The main event features the star-studded tag team match with Hulk Hogan teaming up with Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. The contest is well-structured, with a mix of wrestling and brawling action. Hogan and Mr. T showcase their strengths, and Piper’s villainous tactics add tension to the match. The finish sees Hogan hitting a leg drop on Orndorff after a series of high-impact moves, securing the victory for the babyface team. Piper, furious at the loss, attacks Mr. T after the match, leading to Hogan and Snuka running him off.

Winners: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T

Post-match, Hogan, Mr. T, and Snuka celebrate their triumph, as the crowd roars with excitement.

Overall, this rebooked WrestleMania 1 maintains its historical significance while presenting a more cohesive and entertaining show. The matches are better paced, allowing each wrestler to shine in their respective roles. The involvement of celebrities is minimized to keep the focus on the in-ring action, making it a memorable event for wrestling fans worldwide.

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