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WrestleMania 35 will take place on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The event will see tens of thousands of WWE fans descend on New York City for the annual mega event. While modern-day wrestling fans will be focused on the extravaganza, many old-school fans will recall the WrestleMania that took place 30 years ago just down the road from MetLife Stadium at Trump Plaza. Fans can use the latest online sports betting apps to wager on their favourite sports whenever there is a big game.
Thirty year ago, WrestleMania V took place in Atlantic City. The event may have only been witnessed live in the arena by a fraction of modern-day WrestleMania attendances, but its mark has been far longer lasting than this Sunday’s show will ever be on the business.
The Mega Powers Explode
WrestleMania V was headlined by two of the biggest names in wrestling history: Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage. The two had been on a collision course ever since February of that year when Hogan and Savage split during a tag team match against the Twin Tower.
At the heart of the matter was Savage’s valet, and real-life wife, Miss Elizabeth. In truth, the two wrestlers had shown dissension in the ranks dating back to November’s Survivors Series.
The match itself wasn’t up to the standards Hogan and Savage had produced prior when the latter had initially come into the WWE in 1985. In fact, rumour has it that Savage was up for the main event spot against Hogan at WrestleMania II, but Vince McMahon went with King Kong Bundy instead.
In the end, Hogan won the match against Savage in typical fashion with a big boot and leg drop. The loss pushed Savage into a new direction as Sensation Sherri joined up with him. Savage would become the “Macho King” later in 1989 as he continually evolved his gimmick.
The Ultimate Rise to the Top
The undercard featured one of the WWE’s most explosive and popular wrestlers. The Ultimate Warrior had come into the company in late 1987 and his combination of muscles, face paint, and charisma had won over many young fans.
The Warrior defended his Intercontinental Championship against “Ravishing” Rick Rude, who was accompanied by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. The duo put on a good match with Rude pulling off the victory thanks to outside interference from Heenan. The Warrior would win back the belt at SummerSlam 1989 as the WWE machine prepared him for a WrestleMania VI torch passing with Hogan.
The Venue
Modern WrestleManias take place in large outdoor venues. But WrestleMania V was 30 years ago and the yearly event wasn’t at its current height. The show took place at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. Yes, that Trump Plaza owned by United States President Donald Trump. The venue had hosted the previous year’s WrestleMania as well.
Back then, WrestleMania didn’t draw fans from around the globe, and many of the fans at the 1989 edition weren’t wrestling fans. Many in attendance had received comped tickets for staying or gambling at the Trump Casino. Only 18,946 people witnessed WrestleMania V in person. How many people were at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans? Over 78,000 people.