WrestleMania, the show of the immortals. The nickname itself comes from THE most famous wrestler of all time, Hulk Hogan, the Immortal Hulk Hogan to you. This year will be the 30th anniversary of WrestleMania, its a big one to say the least. WWE, the company that invented WrestleMania and put wrestling on the map today, has pulled out all the stops and spared no expenses this year. Hulk Hogan, excuse me the Immortal Hulk Hogan will be hosting the event, some of the most classic and infamous wrestlers of all times both men and women will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and who knows the list of surprise superstars we will see come out of the woodworks.
WrestleMania started 30 years ago on March 31st, 1985 with WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden in New York. Back then the WWE was known as the WWF (later changed to WWE because of lawsuit by World Wildlife Foundation). The main event of this very first history making WrestleMania was Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff, but that’s not the most famous. See, the “Immortal” nickname didn’t just come out of the blue, it was etched forever in time. WrestleMania 3, March 29th, 1987, the Pontiac Silverdome. Home of the largest indoor attendance record at 93,173 until 2010, it was building up to be one history making night. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant as the main event. Andre the Giant was just as the name described, a Giant. Nobody could beat him, I mean nobody. Until tonight, when Hulk Hogan picked up Andre the Giant and body slammed him to the mat, hit him with the big leg drop and pinned him 1,2,3, thus becoming the new WWF world heavyweight champion. And that’s when Hulk Hogan became forever transformed into the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan and WrestleMania from there on out was known as the show of the Immortals.
WrestleMania for me and wrestling itself is very important in my life. It brought me hope, gave me escape, and kept me believing. Wrestling is bigger than ever today but it still gets the same stereotypical insults. What people don’t realize is that it’s no different than a TV show or a movie, “script” wise. But where it does differ is modesty. Wrestlers spend at least 300 days on the road, are paid only a fraction of what other athletes make, and have to keep a strict workout regiment. Yet, they still make time to grant wishes and sign autographs. John Cena is the number one wish granter ever for the Make A Wish foundation, and the most requested wish. WWE brings in millions of dollars for their Be A Star foundation that brings awareness to bullying in schools. Every year during Christmas the WWE goes overseas to perform for the troops in their annual “Tribute to the Troops.” They just promote goodness in the world in my opinion. When I was a kid I ate my vitamins because Hulk Hogan told me to. Nowadays kids learn to never give up form John Cena.
There is so much more I could say as an avid wrestling fan for 22 plus years but it would take pages. I will say this, wrestling has inspired me to do what I do today, make TV and short films. The very entrance of Bret “The Hitman” Hart back in the early days was absolutely astounding to me, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. That very entrance was what I now know today as a dolly zoom.
WrestleMania 30, its gonna be big. I will be watching it, will you.