#1 Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant
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As spoken about in the previous match, Wrestlemania 3 was Hogan’s moment to fully install his position as the company’s main draw.
Whether you think Stone Cold’s victory over Michaels at 14 was more important, or whether you agree with me that this match should feature as number 1, probably comes down to things like age, taste and historical knowledge. Ultimately it probably doesn’t matter, as both points are perfectly valid.
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But one thing’s for sure, we wouldn’t have had Austin and Michaels without first having Hogan and Andre.
In the mid 80’s, Wrestlemania and Hulkamania were the greatest tag team the Wrestling world had ever seen, and at Mania 1 and 2 Hogan had already demonstrated this.
But it was his match up here with Andre the Giant, who before Hogan was quite possibly the biggest attraction going, that sparked a truly golden era for the company. 70’s and 80’s Wrestling fans were obsessed with Andre the Giant, a huge monster of a man from the French Alps.
His sheer dominance and might had led him to a 15-year undefeated streak. Just imagine such a thing happening in today’s wrestling scene! If anyone was ever to come and end his perfect record, it would have taken somebody quite special.
The story leading up to this match was truly incredible. Hogan had been fighting off the Heenan family for a good few years, seeing off the likes of Mr. Wonderful and King Kong Bundy. Just when Bobby Heenan seemed out of ideas, he pulls off a stroke of mastery by re-signing Andre the Giant to the WWF.
The Giant had been kayfabe suspended, but Heenan managed to orchestrate his return, get into Andre’s head and convince him to go after this long time friend and ally Hulk Hogan.
For children in attendance, seeing Andre turn on his friend, ripping the shirt and crucifix of his chest, was too much to handle. Hogan’s 3-year reign as champion seemed to be coming to an end. One way or another, something had to give.
This will always be my favourite Wrestlemania main event because despite being its third installment, Mania 3 turned the event into a celebratory funfair of celebrity and attraction as well as the serious Professional Wrestling event we know and love today.
It is not possible to overstate the importance of the ‘bodyslam heard around the world’ when Hulk Hogan finally overcame his biggest obstacle to date and turned a generation of children into Wrestling fans for life.
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