Body Slam
The British Bulldog at Wrestlemania 7
On Sunday, April 1st, the WWE presented its annual fight card – Wrestlemania 28. Wait, what…how is it even possible that 27 years have gone by since Wrestlemania 1 debuted at Madison Square Garden in 1985? As Hulk Hogan would probably say, “time flies brother!”
I was the biggest pro wrestling fiend back in the day – the toys, the cartoon, the horribly awesome Cyndi Lauper music videos, video games, Halloween costumes, the playground mock matches, and the yearly pay-per-view parties at friends’ houses.
Then there were the chance spottings of Big John Studd at the local grocery store (he even took a few Jazzercise classes from my friend’s mom); for he lived, died, and is buried not far from where I grew up.
So I was excited when my friend forwarded me this link last week from Sports Illustrated. SI takes a look at pro wrestling in the 1980s, including some never-before-seen pics from award-winning photographer Walter Iooss Jr.
Whether you’re a fan of the WWF, WWE, or whatever, Pro Wrestling is legend.
More photos after the jump.
Big John Studd, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Tito Santana
Bret the “Hitman” Hart
Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart
Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant duke it out in one of their epic battles from Wrestlemania 3
Hulk Hogan
Jake “The Snake” Roberts whipping out the python at Wrestlemania 5
Jesse “The Body” Ventura
The late-great “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Elizabeth at Wrestlemania 4
“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
Paul Orndorff, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
“Ravishing” Rick Rude
“Ravishing” Rick Rude and a Referee get into it as the crowd looks on with amusement
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
Sports Illustrated Hulk Hogan Cover
William “Refrigerator” Perry and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
The Fabulous Freebirds looking, well, fabulous
The Iron Sheik
