WrestleMania History
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM! Wrestling
WrestleMania. It is the most distinguished event in pro wrestling. Simply
put, it is the show of shows. The brainchild of Vince McMahon Jr., the first
WrestleMania, broadcast in 1985, expanded the pay-per-view market (along with closed circuit TV) and added a
whole new dimension to the industry as a whole. So influential was
McMahon's venture that the business of pro-wrestling now is almost entirely
built around pay-per-view broadcasts.
If you're like us at SLAM! Wrestling, every year you like to refresh your
memory and once again experience those WrestleMania moments that are an
essential part of why you remain a devout wrestling fan. You dust off those
tapes, DVDs or that Best Of WrestleMania tape you dubbed on your own and
distributed to the other members of the office staff, slam them into the
player and transport yourself back in time. To help guide you along your
journey and celebrate the history of WrestleMania, SLAM! Wrestling will be
publishing a WrestleMania review each and every day (Monday to Friday) leading up to the big
show. We invite you to come along for the ride and share in your favourite
moments too. The events are rated as Poor, Average, Good and Excellent.
WrestleMania 9: Togas for everyone!
History Of WrestleMania
Date: April 4, 1993.
Place: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bret Hart gives Hogan his okay to take on Yokozuna.
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This edition is remembered for two things and two things only. Jim Ross
joining the WWF and Hogan's unexpected title win. Otherwise, you can flush
WrestleMania 9 right down the crapper. The WWF goes for an ancient Greece
motif making everyone (including poor old J.R.) dress-up in cheesy togas
and sandals. What's worse is that Giant Gonzalez is decked out in a body
suit complete with spray-painted muscles. What an embarrassing sight.
With just two out of the eight scheduled matches (Steiner Brothers versus
Head Shrinkers and Shawn Michaels battling Tatanka) being watchable, the
WWF lack of talent at the time is plainly apparent. The shocker of the
evening comes as Hart loses the WWF World Heavyweight Championship to
Yokozuna. Getting Hart's blessing, Hogan challenges Yokozuna on the spot
and makes short work of him.
Favourite Moments: The thong-wearing ladies who accompanied Lex Luger to
the ring. The tag team and Intercontinental title matches.
Least Favourite Moments: The rest of the broadcast.
Rating: Poor.
WrestleMania 9 Results
Match | Winner(s) |
| 1. Shawn Michaels vs
Tatanka (Intercont. Title) |
Tatanka (CO). |
| 2. The Headshrinkers vs The Steiner
Brothers |
The Steiner Brothers. |
| 3. Doink The Clown
vs Crush |
Doink The Clown. |
| 4. Razor Ramon vs Bob
Backland |
Razor Ramon. |
| 5. Money Inc. vs The Mega Maniacs (Brutus "The Barber"
Beefcake / Hulk Hogan) (Tag Team Titles) |
The Mega Maniacs (Money Inc. DQ'd.). |
| 6. "The Narcissist" Lex Luger vs
Mr. Perfect |
"The Narcissist" Lex Luger. |
| 7. Giant
Gonzalez vs Undertaker |
The Undertaker (DQ). |
| 8. Bret
"Hitman" Hart vs Yokozuna (World Title) |
Yokozuna. |
| 9. Yokozuna vs Hulk Hogan (World Title) |
Hulk Hogan. |
Toronto Sun WrestleMania 9 Stories
