WrestleMania 2: The Grandest Stage of Them All
In 1986, the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) produced the second annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event known as WrestleMania 2. This grand spectacle took place on April 7th and was broadcasted live from three different locations across the United States. These venues included the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois, and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. It is worth mentioning that WrestleMania 2 marked the first time in history that the event was held across multiple locations, and it featured a star-studded lineup of some of the most prominent figures in the professional wrestling industry.
The Main Event
The main event of WrestleMania 2 was a Steel Cage Match between Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan had defeated Bundy at the previous year’s WrestleMania, but Bundy had injured Hogan’s ribs during the match. Bundy and his manager, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, had been taunting Hogan about the injury for months leading up to the rematch.
The match was brutal and intense, with Bundy using his massive size and strength to try to overpower Hogan. But Hogan fought back with his signature moves, including the Big Boot and the Leg Drop. The match ended when Hogan climbed out of the cage and landed on the floor, retaining his title and avenging his loss to Bundy.
Other Matches
WrestleMania 2 featured several other memorable matches, including a Boxing Match between Mr. T and Roddy Piper. Mr. T, a Hollywood actor and friend of Hogan’s, had been brought into the WWF as part of a storyline that involved him teaming with Hogan to take on Piper and Paul Orndorff. The Boxing Match was a one-on-one confrontation between Mr. T and Piper, with Hogan and Orndorff serving as the cornermen.
The match was not technically a wrestling match, but a boxing match with special rules. Piper dominated the early rounds, using his superior boxing skills to pummel Mr. T. But Mr. T fought back with heart and determination, and the match ended in a draw. After the match, Piper attacked Mr. T, leading to a brawl that involved Hogan and Orndorff.
Another memorable match at WrestleMania 2 was the Flag Match between Nikolai Volkoff and Corporal Kirchner. Volkoff, a Soviet sympathizer, had been singing the Soviet National Anthem at WWF events to antagonize American fans. Kirchner, a former U.S. Marine, was determined to teach Volkoff a lesson. The Flag Match was a patriotic showdown, with each wrestler trying to grab their own country’s flag from a pole in the middle of the ring.
The match was hard-fought and intense, with both wrestlers taking a beating. But in the end, Kirchner emerged victorious, grabbing the American flag and waving it proudly. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Kirchner became an instant fan favorite.
Conclusion
WrestleMania 2 was a landmark event in the history of professional wrestling. It was the first WrestleMania to be held in multiple locations, featuring some of the industry’s biggest stars. The Steel Cage Match between Hogan and Bundy was a classic, and the Boxing Match between Mr. T and Piper was a unique and memorable spectacle. The Flag Match between Volkoff and Kirchner was a patriotic showdown that resonated with fans across the country.
WrestleMania 2 set the stage for the future of professional wrestling, and it remains a beloved event for fans around the world. It showcased the athleticism, drama, and spectacle that make wrestling such a beloved form of entertainment. And it cemented the legacy of Hulk Hogan
