The Grimpact Zone: From Then to Now

[Grimoire Lenin]

The Grimpact Zone
From Then to Now
​

Hello everyone, welcome to the Grimpact Zone, a more casual rebooking of WWE history one PPV at a time. In here we'll change the landscape of wrestling by making tweaking some things, adding new champions from the historical records, and perhaps making wrestling a little better. We begin in 1985, and I hope to eventually make my way towards the current day slowly. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I'll enjoy putting it together.

Spoiler: Archive

Year​	PPVs/PLEs​
1985​	WrestleMania [March 31] King of the Ring [July 8] (Coming Soon) The Wrestling Classic [November 7] (Coming Soon)

WWF Champions:

WWF World Heavyweight Champion - Hulk Hogan [Since 1/23/1984]

WWF Intercontinental Champion - Tito Santana [Since 3/31/1985]

WWF Tag Team Champion - The Hart Foundation [Since 3/31/1985]

WWF Women's Champion - Wendi Richter [Since 3/31/1985]

WWF Women's Tag Team Champions - Princess Victoria & Velvet McIntyre [Since 5/13/1983]

WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion - Dynamite Kid [Since 3/31/1985]

Title Histories:

WWF Championship:

Spoiler: Reigns

Buddy Rogers - 4/11/1963 - 5/17/1963 [36 Days]
Bruno Sammartino - 5/17/1963 - 1/18/1971 [2,803 Days]
Ivan Koloff - 1/18/1971 - 2/8/1971 [21 Days]
Pedro Morales - 2/8/1971 - 12/1/1973 [1,027 Days]
Stan Stasiak - 12/1/1973 - 12/10/1973 [9 Days]
Bruno Sammartino (2x) - 12/10/1973 - 4/30/1977 [1,237 Days]
Superstar Billy Graham - 4/30/1977 - 2/20/1978 [296 Days]
Bob Backlund - 2/20/1978 - 12/26/1983 [2,135 Days]
The Iron Sheik - 12/26/1983 - 1/23/1984 [28 Days]
Hulk Hogan - 1/23/1984 - Current

Spoiler: 500+ Club

Bruno Sammartino - 5/17/1963 - 1/18/1971 [2,803 Days]
Pedro Morales - 2/8/1971 - 12/1/1973 [1,027 Days]
Bruno Sammartino (2x) - 12/10/1973 - 4/30/1977 [1,237 Days]
Bob Backlund - 2/20/1978 - 12/26/1983 [2,135 Days]

WWF Intercontinental Championship:

Spoiler: Reigns

Pat Patterson - 9/1/1979 - 4/21/1980 [233 Days]
Ken Patera - 4/21/1980 - 12/8/1980 [231 Days]
Pedro Morales - 12/8/1980 - 6/20/1981 [231 Days]
Don Muraco - 6/20/1981 - 11/23/1981 [156 Days]
Pedro Morales (2x) - 11/23/1981 - 1/22/1983 [425 Days]
Don Muraco (2x) - 1/22/1983 - 2/11/1984 [385 Days]
Tito Santana - 2/11/1984 - 9/24/1984 [226 Days]
Greg Valentine - 9/24/1984 - 3/31/1985 [188 Days]
Tito Santana (2x) - 3/31/1985 - Current

Spoiler: 300+ Club

Pedro Morales - 11/23/1981 - 1/22/1983 [425 Days]
Don Muraco - 1/22/1983 - 2/11/1984 [385 Days]

WWF Tag Team Championship:

Spoiler: Reigns

Luke Graham & Tarzan Tyler - 6/3/1971 - 12/6/1971 [186 Days]
Karl Gotch & Rene Goulet - 12/6/1971 - 2/1/1972 [57 Days]
Curtis Iukea & Mikel Scicluna - 2/1//1972 - 5/22/1972 [111 Days]
Chief Jay Strongbow & Sonny King - 5/22/1972 - 6/27/1972 [36 Days]
Mr. Fuji & Professor Tanaka - 6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days]
Haystacks Calhoun & Tony Garea - 5/30/1973 - 9/11/1973 [104 Days]
Mr. Fuji (2x) & Professor Tanaka (2x) - 9/11/1973 - 11/14/1973 [64 Days]
Dean Ho & Tony Garea (2x) - 11/14/1973 - 5/8/1974 [175 Days]
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny) - 5/8/1974 - 5/13/1975 [370 Days]
Dominic DeNucci & Victor Rivera/Pat Barrett - 5/13/1975 - 8/26/1975 [67/38 Days]
The Blackjacks (Lanza & Mulligan) - 8/26/1975 - 11/26/1975 [84 Days]
Louis Cerdan & Tony Parisi - 11/26/1975 - 5/11/1976 [175 Days]
The Executioners (#1 & #2) - 5/11/1976 - 10/26/1976 [168 Days]
Vacant - 10/26/1976 - 12/7/1976
Billy White Wolf & Chief Jay Strongbow (2x) - 12/7/1976 - 8/1/1977 [237 Days]
Vacant - 8/1/1977 - 9/27/1977
Mr. Fuji (3x) & Professor Tanaka (3x) - 9/27/1977 - 3/14/1978 [168 Days]
Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci (2x) - 3/14/1978 - 6/26/1978 [104 Days]
The Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric & Pierre) - 6/26/1978 - 11/21/1978 [148 Days]
Larry Zbyszko & Tony Garea (3x) - 11/21/1978 - 3/6/1979 [105 Days]
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny) (2x) - 3/6/1979 - 10/22/1979 [230 Days]
Ivan Putski & Tito Santana - 10/22/1979 - 4/12/1980 [173 Days]
The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) - 4/12/1980 - 8/9/1980 [119 Days]
Bob Backlund & Pedro Morales - 8/9/1980 - 8/10/1980 [1 Day]
Vacant - 8/10/1980 - 9/9/1980
The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) (2x) - 9/9/1980 - 11/8/1980 [60 Days]
Rick Martel & Tony Garea (4x) - 11/8/1980 - 3/17/1981 [129 Days]
The Moondogs (Rex & King/Spot) - 3/17/1981 - 7/21/1981 [45/81 Days]
Rick Martel (2x) & Tony Garea (5x) - 7/21/1981 - 10/13/1981 [84 Days]
Mr. Fuji (4x) & Mr. Saito - 10/13/1981 - 6/28/1982 [258 Days]
Chief Jay Strongbow (3x) & Jules - 6/28/1982 - 7/13/1982 [15 Days]
Mr. Fuji (5x) & Mr. Saito (2x) - 7/13/1982 - 10/26/1982 [105 Days]
Chief Jay Strongbow (4x) & Jules (2x) - 10/26/1982 - 3/8/1983 [133 Days]
The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) (3x) - 3/8/1983 - 11/15/1983 [252 Days]
Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas) - 11/15/1983 - 4/17/1984 [154 Days]
The North-South Connection (Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch) - 4/17/1984 - 1/21/1985 [279 Days]
The U.S. Express (Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo) - 1/21/1985 - 3/31/1985 [69 Days]
The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) - 3/31/1985 - Current

Spoiler: 250+ Club

Mr. Fuji & Professor Tanaka - 6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days]
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny) - 5/8/1974 - 5/13/1975 [370 Days]
Mr. Fuji (2x) & Mr. Saito - 10/13/1981 - 6/28/1982 [258 Days]
The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) - 3/8/1983 - 11/15/1983 [252 Days]
The North-South Connection (Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch) - 4/17/1984 - 1/21/1985 [279 Days]

Spoiler: 3+ Club

Mr. Fuji (5x) [932 Cumulative Days]

6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
9/11/1973 - 11/14/1973 [64 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
9/27/1977 - 3/14/1978 [168 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
10/13/1981 - 6/28/1982 [258 Days] (w/ Mr. Saito)
7/13/1982 - 10/26/1982 [105 Days] (w/ Mr. Saito)

Tony Garea (5x) [597 Cumulative Days]

5/30/1973 - 9/11/1973 [104 Days] (w/Haystacks Calhoun)
11/14/1973 - 5/8/1974 [175 Days] (w/ Dean Ho)
11/21/1978 - 3/6/1979 [105 Days] (w/ Larry Zbyszko)
11/8/1980 - 3/17/1981 [129 Days] (w/ Rick Martel)
7/21/1981 - 10/13/1981 [84 Days] (w/ Rick Martel)

Chief Jay Strongbow (4x) [421 Cumulative Days]

5/22/1972 - 6/27/1972 [36 Days] (w/ Sonny King)
12/7/1976 - 8/1/1977 [237 Days] (w/ Billy White Wolf)
6/28/1982 - 7/13/1982 [15 Days] (w/ Jules)
10/26/1982 - 3/8/1983 [133 Days] (w/ Jules)

The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) (3x) [431 Cumulative Days]

4/12/1980 - 8/9/1980 [119 Days]
9/9/1980 - 11/8/1980 [60 Days]
3/8/1983 - 11/15/1983 [252 Days]

Professor Tanaka (3x) [569 Cumulative Days]

6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days] (w/ Mr. Fuji)
9/11/1973 - 11/14/1973 [64 Days] (w/ Mr. Fuji)
9/27/1977 - 3/14/1978 [168 Days] (w/ Mr. Fuji)

Spoiler: 5+ Club

Mr. Fuji (5x) [932 Cumulative Days]

6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
9/11/1973 - 11/14/1973 [64 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
9/27/1977 - 3/14/1978 [168 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
10/13/1981 - 6/28/1982 [258 Days] (w/ Mr. Saito)
7/13/1982 - 10/26/1982 [105 Days] (w/ Mr. Saito)

Tony Garea (5x) [597 Cumulative Days]

5/30/1973 - 9/11/1973 [104 Days] (w/Haystacks Calhoun)
11/14/1973 - 5/8/1974 [175 Days] (w/ Dean Ho)
11/21/1978 - 3/6/1979 [105 Days] (w/ Larry Zbyszko)
11/8/1980 - 3/17/1981 [129 Days] (w/ Rick Martel)
7/21/1981 - 10/13/1981 [84 Days] (w/ Rick Martel)

Spoiler: Cumulative 500+ Club

Mr. Fuji (5x) [932 Cumulative Days]

6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
9/11/1973 - 11/14/1973 [64 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
9/27/1977 - 3/14/1978 [168 Days] (w/ Professor Tanaka)
10/13/1981 - 6/28/1982 [258 Days] (w/ Mr. Saito)
7/13/1982 - 10/26/1982 [105 Days] (w/ Mr. Saito)

Tony Garea (5x) [597 Cumulative Days]

5/30/1973 - 9/11/1973 [104 Days] (w/Haystacks Calhoun)
11/14/1973 - 5/8/1974 [175 Days] (w/ Dean Ho)
11/21/1978 - 3/6/1979 [105 Days] (w/ Larry Zbyszko)
11/8/1980 - 3/17/1981 [129 Days] (w/ Rick Martel)
7/21/1981 - 10/13/1981 [84 Days] (w/ Rick Martel)

Professor Tanaka (3x) [569 Cumulative Days]

6/27/1972 - 5/30/1973 [337 Days] (w/ Mr. Fuji)
9/11/1973 - 11/14/1973 [64 Days] (w/ Mr. Fuji)
9/27/1977 - 3/14/1978 [168 Days] (w/ Mr. Fuji)

WWF Women's Championship:

Spoiler: Reigns

The Fabulous Moolah - 9/18/1956 - 7/23/1984 [10,170 Days]
Wendi Richter - 7/23/84 - 2/18/1985 [210 Days]
Leilani Kai - 2/18/1985 - 3/31/1985 [41 Days]
Wendi Richter (2x) - 3/31/1985 - Current

Spoiler: 200+ Club

The Fabulous Moolah - 9/18/1956 - 7/23/1984 [10,170 Days]
Wendi Richter - 7/23/84 - 2/18/1985 [210 Days]

WWF Women's Tag Team Championship:

Spoiler: Reigns

Princess Victoria & Velvet McIntyre - May 13, 1983 - Current

WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship:

Spoiler: Reigns

Paul DeGalles - September 1965 - October 15, 1965
Johnny De Fazio - October 15, 1965 - Unknown
Jackie Nicholas - Unknown
Johnny De Fazio (2x) - Unknown
Jackie Nicholas (2x) - Unknown
Johnny De Fazio (3x) - Unknown
Jackie Nicholas (3x) - Unknown
Johnny De Fazio (4x) - Unknown
Vacant - 1972 - January 20, 1978
Carlos Jose Estrada - January 20, 1978 - January 23, 1978 [3 Days]
Tatsumi Fujinami - January 23, 1978 - October 2, 1978 [617 Days]
Ryuma Go - October 2, 1978 - October 4, 1978 [2 Days]
Tatsumi Fujinami (2x) - October 4, 1978 - December 1, 1981 [789 Days]
Vacant - December 1, 1981 - January 10, 1982
Tiger Mask - January 10, 1982 - April 30, 1982 [110 Days]
Vacant - April 30, 1982 - May 6, 1982
Black Tiger - May 6, 1982 - May 26, 1982 [20 Days]
Tiger Mask (2x) - May 26, 1982 - April 3, 1983 [312 Days]
Vacant - April 3, 1983 - June 13, 1983
Tiger Mask (3x) - June 13, 1983 - August 12, 1983 [60 Days]
Vacant - August 12, 1983 - February 7, 1984
Dynamite Kid - February 7, 1984 - December 28, 1984 [325 Days]
The Cobra - December 28, 1984 - 3/31/1985 [93 Days]
Dynamite Kid - 3/31/1985 - Current

Spoiler: 3+ Club

Johnny De Fazio (4x) [Unknown Cumulative Days]

Jackie Nicholas (3x) [Unknown Cumulative Days]

Tiger Mask (3x) [382 Cumulative Days]

January 10, 1982 - April 30, 1982 [110 Days]
May 26, 1982 - April 3, 1983 [312 Days]
June 13, 1983 - August 12, 1983 [60 Days]

Spoiler: 300+ Club

Tatsumi Fujinami - January 23, 1978 - October 2, 1978 [617 Days]
Tatsumi Fujinami (2x) - October 4, 1978 - December 1, 1981 [789 Days]
Tiger Mask (2x) - May 26, 1982 - April 3, 1983 [312 Days]
Dynamite Kid - February 7, 1984 - December 28, 1984 [325 Days]

 

[Grimoire Lenin]

WrestleMania I
March 31, 1985
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York​

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Buddy Rose Our first match of the night sees Ricky Steamboat’s debut in the WWF, opening things up for this historic occasion. Buddy Rose has been something of a midcard big shot heel, running around and defeating lower talents like Brian Blair, SD Jones, and Ivan Putski. Steamboat has arrived from the NWA after a fairly successful tag-team and midcard career. This match is meant to showcase Steamboat’s talent to the audience while also giving him a first-time rival to feud with in the meantime. Steamboat runs all over Rose and gets the pin in a short match. Winner: Ricky Steamboat​

Loser Leaves WWF “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka vs. Don Muraco w/ Mr. Fuji Our next match of the evening is the first special attraction match. For nearly two years, Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka have hated each other’s guts. They’ve fought many times in Madison Square Garden (most famously in a Steel Cage Match). This has been the culmination of this feud, and one of these men will leave the World Wrestling Federation. In the weeks building up to the event, Don Muraco has done several interviews where he proclaims that this match means more to him than any championship; he cannot stand the sight of Snuka, and at the end of the night, Muraco promises that either Snuka goes, or he goes. It’s a pretty standard 1980s brawling match, with an emphasis on both men beating the stuffing out of one another. Snuka has the upper hand in the early match until Mr. Fuji gets involved and distracts the ref so Muraco can claw at Snuka’s eyes. We get a few minutes of solid offense from Muraco until Snuka starts a big comeback! He knocks Muraco down on his ass with a huge headbutt, and goes for a diving splash! Snuka is on the top rope but Mr. Fuji climbs to the apron and starts arguing with the ref again! In the fracas, Fuji tosses something to Muraco, who smashes it over Snuka’s head as he’s diving! It’s a roll of silver dollars! Snuka goes down, and Muraco sweeps all the loose change out of the ring and pins Snuka! The ref counts the pin, and being none-the-wiser, hands the victory to Don Muraco! Jimmy Snuka is forced to leave the WWF… Muraco and Fuji celebrate together as they head backstage while Snuka is laid out and being checked up on by the referee. Winner: Don Muraco​

WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship Dynamite Kid vs. The Cobra © We arrive at our first title match of the evening and it’s the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship. Oh, you’ve never heard of it? Well it’s a rarely defended title that comes from the WWF and NJPW partnership. The Cobra won the title in December by defeating Dynamite Kid for it; this is the long-anticipated rematch while The Cobra defended the title in both Mexico and Japan. This match is a fast-paced, technical affair with many transitional moves, technical workarounds, and even a little high flying here and there. The purpose of the match is to showcase the newly minted Light Heavyweight Division, which will include wrestlers from all over the world. Ultimately Dynamite Kid comes back and wins the title from The Cobra, marking the first title change of the night! Winner and NEW WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion: Dynamite Kid​

The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff w/ Freddie Blassie vs. The Soul Patrol The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff are a relatively new team on the scene, as Iron Sheik’s failure to recapture the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan left him to seek other pursuits. The Soul Patrol themselves have been looking to regain the WWF World Tag Team Championships since they lost it last April. Sheik & Volkoff despise America and Americans, which the Soul Patrol have taken exception to. So we get a back-and-forth match, though Sheik and Volkoff take it to Tony Atlas first, slowly picking him apart until he can mount a comeback and get a tag to Rocky Johnson, who goes hog wild! He runs Sheik out of the ring, he plows through Nikolai Volkoff, and he looks like he’s gonna single-handedly win the match, but not before Freddie Blassie gets involved, tripping up Johnson as he’s running the ropes. This causes Rocky Johnson to stumble just enough before Nikolai Volkoff slams Johnson down hard to the mat! The ref, who saw Blassie trip up Johnson, goes to argue and warn Blassie; during this, Volkoff and Iron Sheik drag Johnson over to one of the ropes and throttles him against it! Tony Atlas rushes into the ring to save his partner, but is stopped by the ref because he didn’t tag in, extending the suffering for Rocky Johnson! After this, Volkoff tags in The Iron Sheik, who is ready to put on the Camel Clutch and make Johnson humble; Johnson struggles though, he’s still got some fight in him! He lifts up Sheik and back drops him down. Both men get back to their feet, and Rocky Johnson, in an act of desperation, hits a flying crossbody on Sheik! He goes for the pin, but only gets 2! It’s a desperate crawl to Tony Atlas, while Sheik tries to get to Volkoff. HOT TAG TO TONY ATLAS! Sheik just tagged in Volkoff, who is not ready for Atlas! THEY’RE BRAWLING BUT TONY ATLAS IS TOO STRONG! Atlas hits a trio of scoop-slams on Volkoff, and he sets himself up to get ready for the Power-slam. We see Freddie Blassie get on the apron like the snake he is, and he starts arguing with the referee! He’s without his cane though! Here comes the Iron Sheik behind Tony Atlas! ATLAS JUST GOT SMASHED OVER THE HEAD WITH THE CANE! Atlas collapses into a pile, with Nikolai Volkoff on top of him! Rocky Johnson and Iron Sheik start going at it in the middle of the ring, as the ref turns around and sees Volkoff pinning Atlas! He counts the pin, and Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik have defeated The Soul Patrol! Winners: The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff​

WWF Intercontinental Championship Tito Santana w/ The Junkyard Dog vs. Greg Valentine © w/ Jimmy Hart Our next match of the evening is a hotly contested Intercontinental Championship match between Greg “The Hammer” Valentine vs. Tito Santana. Santana had held the IC title for 226 days before being defeated by Greg Valentine in September. Thanks to Jimmy Hart’s constant meddling, Tito opted to get himself an ally to deal with Hart, and The Junkyard Dog arrived, fresh from Mid-South Wrestling. In the promos leading up to WrestleMania, Greg Valentine swears, “I’ve had a lot of experience squashing little bugs like Tito Santana, and at WrestleMania I’m going to do what I gotta do to hold onto my Intercontinental Championship. I’m a dangerous man, Tito, you do not want to mess with me! I’ve broken legs before, you best hope I don’t decide to take yours off.” Tito on the other hand has made it known he is going to win the Intercontinental Championship again tonight, because Junkyard Dog is going to make sure there’s no interference from that “Cobarde con cara de perro [Coward with a dog’s face]”, Jimmy Hart. Junkyard Dog assures “I’ll be like a watch-dog on a long leash. If I see that no-good rotten Jimmy Hart stickin’ his nose where it don’t belong, I’ll be chompin’ at the bit to get a big bite out of him!” When we get to the match, it starts off with Tito Santana coming in like a house of fire and forcing Greg Valentine to leave the ring to confer with his manager. Valentine gets back into the ring several times, but he is stymied by Santana’s explosive offense, and forced into retreat, much to the chagrin of not only Tito, but this sold-out audience. Finally they start clashing, and Santana’s feisty nature is taking it to Valentine’s more methodical wrestling. Of course this doesn’t stop Greg Valentine from getting in several maneuvers and even focusing on Santana’s leg. Valentine at one point locks in the Figure Four Leg Lock, but Santana is too close to the ropes and Valentine is forced to break it up. This begins Tito’s comeback though, as he fights out of another Figure Four attempt and manages to struggle to his feet against Valentine’s offense! They’ve begun throwing punches back and forth, but Tito is winning the battle! Greg Valentine is thrown into the ropes, and as he’s coming back– FLYING FOREARM! Valentine is down and out, and Tito goes for the pin! 1… 2… Jimmy Hart, using his quick thinking, puts Valentine’s leg on the bottom rope! The ref didn’t see Jimmy do this, but certainly sees Valentine’s leg! Tito Santana is frustrated at having the win taken from him by interference from Jimmy Hart… HERE COMES JUNKYARD DOG! JYD chases after Jimmy Hart, forcing him to flee around the ring and all the way to the back, leaving Valentine to fend for himself! Valentine slowly gets to his feet, when he’s MET WITH ANOTHER FLYING FOREARM! Valentine crumples to the mat, and Tito Santana goes in for the pin! 1… 2… 3! Tito Santana has regained the Intercontinental Championship for the second time! Tito celebrates in the ring as Junkyard Dog returns and joins alongside him. Greg Valentine is forced to take the long trek backstage by himself, without his manager. Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Tito Santana​

Special Showcase Match King Kong Bundy w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Bruno Sammartino w/ David Sammartino This next match has been some time coming; it all began months ago when King Kong Bundy debuted under the auspices of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Bundy has run through a veritable menagerie of wrestlers, sometimes 2 (even 3) at a time. It all culminated when Bundy wrestled against David Sammartino in January. David, the son of the greatest WWF World Champion of all time, Bruno Sammartino, was beaten to a bloody pulp by Bundy, and even after the match, was victimized further with several Avalanches onto him. This caused Bruno to come out to the ring and fend off Bundy to save his son. Bundy and Heenan warned Bruno to stay out of their business, with Bundy saying, “You know what happens to people who think they can take me? I don’t just break their bodies– I break their spirits. Bruno, you’ve been gone from the ring for a long time, and you’re an old man. If you think you have what it takes, I’m going to relish making the ‘Living Legend’ nothing but a dead man walking.” Both men stare each other down to begin the match, not willing to be the first to initiate contact and make a mistake. That is until Bruno Sammartino turns his back to Bundy… Bundy goes in for an Avalanche while Bruno is distracted, but Bruno steps out of the way and Bundy has hit the corner with a big splash! Sammartino takes the fight to Bundy, who is still stunned from hurting himself. Sammartino goes to scoop slam Bundy, but Bundy hits the Double Ax Handle on Sammartino, knocking him right down to the mat! Bundy picks up Sammartino and hits a huge scoop slam himself! Bundy may have hurt himself in the early going, but this monster of a man is tough as nails and has the match firmly in control! The next few minutes sees Bundy victimize Sammartino in the early going of the match, with Bobby Heenan cheering on on the outside, and David Sammartino rooting for his dad. Finally, Bundy decides it’s time to end it with a big splash… BRUNO GETS OUT OF THE WAY! Bundy splashes down onto nobody, and Bruno fights to his feet! The comeback begins! Bruno begins beating the tar out of Bundy here, with Heenan showing quite a bit of concern here. Bruno finally decides to try and pick up Bundy for a slam… HE GOT HIM! Down goes Bundy, and Bruno is hyped up! Bruno continues to attack and beat down Bundy as best he can, who is reeling from the barrage from the Living Legend. Yet Bundy refuses to go down for the count, continually kicking out at 2. Finally, Bruno Sammartino has had enough and wants to put away Bundy for good, but Bobby Heenan has other plans! Heenan gets up onto the apron, but David Sammartino pulls him down and punches him! Heenan goes down, and starts scurrying away! David chases after Heenan, and both guys end up rolling into the ring, where Heenan is grabbed by Bruno! Heenan pleads and begs with Bruno Sammartino, who drags him over to a corner and tosses him out of the ring! LOOK OUT! Just as Bruno turns around to deal with Bundy, Bundy had recovered enough to hit an Avalanche onto Bruno! Down goes Bruno Sammartino, who is writhing in pain! As the referee is trying to wrangle David Sammartino out of the ring, Bundy hits not one, but TWO BIG SPLASHES ON BRUNO! Bruno isn’t moving as Bundy demands the ref count the pin… 1… 2… 3! King Kong Bundy has upset the entire audience and just defeated the Living Legend! Heenan and Bundy celebrate together as David Sammartino checks up on his father. Winner: King Kong Bundy​

WWF World Tag Team Championships The Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart vs. The U.S. Express © w/ “Captain” Lou Albano Our next match is for the WWF World Tag Team Championships. The Hart Foundation was founded in January, and have rocketed their way up the ladder of the tag division! (Now you might be thinking, why has the Hart Foundation been founded this early? Because I make the rules, and I decide who comes and goes in the Grimpact Zone) With Jimmy Hart in tow, the team of Bret Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart became a tough duo to deal with, and had become #1 Contenders for the WWF World Tag Team Championships by the time of WrestleMania. Meanwhile, the U.S. Express, consisting of Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham, had defeated the North-South Connection for the titles at the same time of the formation of the Hart Foundation. These two young teams now are showcased and look poised to put on an excellent match here at WrestleMania. It’s a largely back and forth battle, with Jim Neidhart playing the strongman of the match and beating down on Mike Rotundo in the middle. Bret and Jim continually tag each other in as they beat down on Rotundo and keep him from being able to tag in Windham. Once more when Jim Neidhart tags in Bret Hart, Bret goes to the middle rope while Jim holds Rotundo in place! Bret goes for a diving double ax handle, but Rotundo gets out of the way! Bret hits Neidhart instead, who goes down and rolls out of the ring! Rotundo begins his big comeback, Bret tries to keep him down but Mike Rotundo will not be denied! Rotundo whips Bret into the ropes, and hits a big back body drop! Rotundo collapses to the ground, and both Bret and Mike are on opposite sides of where their partners are! Mike and Bret slowly try to crawl over to their partners… Rotundo gets to Windham faster than Bret can get to Neidhart! WINDHAM COMES OUT FAST AND SWINGING! Neidhart is getting a beat down from Barry Windham! He picks up Neidhart and slams him down, while Bret comes in to help his partner! Windham starts beating down on Bret as well! Bret can only poke Windham in the eye and attempt to whip Barry into the ropes! Windham counters and Bret tries to make the best of a situation by attempting to clothesline Windham… who ducks out of the way while Neidhart is back on his feet AND EATS BRET’S CLOTHESLINE INSTEAD! DOWN GOES NEIDHART AGAIN! Bret is thrown out of the ring by Windham, who instantly goes for a pin on Jim Neidhart… 1… 2… KICK OUT! You’re not gonna beat The Hart Foundation that easily, it seems. So Windham goes to tag in Mike Rotundo, and both men pick up Neidhart and slam him down with a double suplex! It looks like it’s all over for The Hart Foundation, but that’s when Jimmy Hart decides to get involved! He gets up on the apron and begins arguing with the referee about the unfairness of this 2-on-1 attack from the U.S. Express. During all of this, the referee doesn’t see Bret Hart climb back into the ring with a chair and smash Windham with a chair! Windham goes down hard, and Rotundo and Bret begin fighting again! During the commotion, Lou Albano grabs Jimmy Hart and begins swinging wildly on him! It’s pandemonium all over, but with Windham down, Rotundo falls victim to the Hart Foundation’s beatdown as the referee tries to maintain order on the outside! Neidhart picks up Rotundo, and Bret hits the Hart Attack! The referee turns around just in time to see Jim Neidhart pinning Mike Rotundo, and he goes for the pin! 1… 2… 3!!! The Hart Foundation just stole the WWF World Tag Team Championships from the U.S. Express! This crowd can’t believe it! Boos reign down from the rafter, as Jimmy Hart escapes from the clutches of Albano and rushes into the ring to celebrate with his championship team. Windham and Albano drag out Rotundo and watch in disgust at what just happened. Winner and NEW World Tag Team Champions: The Hart Foundation​

$15,000 Body Slam Challenge Big John Studd w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Andre the Giant So we have our first of the historical matchups that actually happened here at WrestleMania, and frankly, I do not intend to change any aspects of how this match happened. It’s a special attraction match between two big guys, and of course Andre needs to win. I wouldn’t change anything about this match. Winner: Andre The Giant​

WWF Women’s Championship Wendi Richter w/ Cyndi Lauper vs. Leilani Kai w/ The Fabulous Moolah Once again, I’d keep the details of the match the same. Wendi Richter beats Leilani Kai and celebrates with Cyndi Lauper. It’s a real highlight of the show and I’d let it run its course. Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Wendi Richter​

Special Attraction Main Event Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff w/ Bob Orton vs. Hulk Hogan & Mr. T w/ Muhammad Ali Finally we arrive at the main event, and for the third time in a row, I’d keep the results largely the same. Instead of Jimmy Snuka being involved in the match though, we have Muhammad Ali in the corner of Mr. T and Hulk Hogan. Bob Orton of course fucks up and hits Paul Orndorff to give Hogan & T the win. The after-match though would be slightly different. Orndorff awakens to see both his partners have abandoned him and he’s in the ring with Hogan, T, and Ali. Frustration shows on his face as he can’t believe he’d been abandoned, but he at least recognizes when he was beaten. When the referee explains to him what happened, he shows flashes of anger at the betrayal of Orton & Piper, and he leaves the ring, letting the winners celebrate by themselves. Winners: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T​

​

Next Time:

King of the Ring 1985

 

[Leon TrotSky]

Ooh an early King of the Ring huh?

Interesting to see the Junior Heavyweight Title coming into play at a Mania. Hopefully you start recognising smaller wrestlers earlier than real WWF did