WrestleMania 1: Celebrities in the Ring

Retro Rewind: The Ultimate 1980s Experience with Ben Martinez

Step into a time machine and travel back to the vibrant decade of the 1980s with Retro Rewind: The Ultimate 1980s Experience. Join us as we explore the iconic 80s music, unravel the colorful threads of 1980s fashion, and relive the magic of classic 80s movies and TV shows. Get the inside scoop on your favorite 1980s celebrities and discover the cultural phenomena that shaped a generation. Whether you lived through the decade or are a newcomer to its charms, this podcast is your go-to guide for all things 1980s.

Hey there, my dear comrades in nostalgia! Grab your legwarmers, tease that hair, and join me on an absurdly amusing journey back to a dazzling celebration of muscle and madness: WrestleMania 1! Yes, folks, we're beaming back to March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the first-ever WrestleMania kicked off an 80s pop culture phenomenon, thanks to some unexpected celebrity cameos. Trust me, you'll want to hear about this freak show.

Picture it: The 1980s, an era where MTV ruled the airwaves, "Miami Vice" made everyone think they could be stylish crime fighters, and "E.T." had us calling everyone "phone home." But hold on, the wrestling world wasn't just about the wrestling back then. Oh no, the ring had more celebrities than a red carpet in 80s movies!

Let's begin with Mr. T. Yes, you heard right. Mr. T, the mohawked menace from "The A-Team", who pities the fool, was an integral part of the original WrestleMania card. He teamed up with Hulk Hogan and they were like the action-packed dynamic duo that G.I. Joe wished it could have been. Mr. T was possibly the only person who could wear more chains than the Hulkster himself in what was a bizarre culmination of two screen giants suddenly engaged in real-life theatrics. I always thought he could body slam someone as well as he smashed fools on TV, but I digress.

• Cyndi Lauper: Talk about icons of 80s music! Lauper, with her wild hair and rebellious attitude, trotted into WrestleMania to manage Wendi Richter. It was like bringing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" to the squared circle. Her mere presence screamed that the event was a blend of sports and rock concert. If anyone knew how to pair a smackdown with a hit single, it was Cyndi.
• Liberace: Who wouldn't love a sprinkle of sparkle with their body slams? The man dripped with glitz and glam like 1980s fashion itself personified. He tickled the ivories with the Rockettes during the opening, adding just the right amount of pomp and spectacle. Liberace added class, or maybe he just confused everyone—either way, it was showbiz magic.
• Muhammad Ali: The man didn't float like a butterfly on that day, but he sure stung like a bee as the special guest referee. Think about it, "The Greatest" himself, in the midst of suplexes and sleeper holds. Only in the 80s, my friend, could such a spectacle come to life.

The event unfolded like a rollicking time capsule encapsulating the most fabulous bits of 1980s TV shows and larger-than-life personas. With bright lights, crazy costumes, and enough hairspray to shield the Ozone, WrestleMania 1 carved its way into history with a glam-squad of misfits. Imagine sitting among the screaming fans, neon everything around you, listening to the announcer shout over the roar of the crowd—in the eyes of a kid, it was as exciting as an action-packed flick straight from the 80s.

Now, if these tales have tickled your nostalgia bone, imagine a whole adventure of one kid trying to make sense of this wacky world, past the wrestling rings. Take a joyride into “A Mostly Magnificent Memoir.” A fun and heart-warming story of a kid from a small town growing up in the 1980s, it’s sure to swell your heart and elicit some hearty chuckles.

Before I sign off, remember to embrace the madness and glory that was WrestleMania 1—where the athletes grinned through headlocks and the celebrities brought glamour to the grunts. It was a splendid mess and an unforgettable flicker of 1980s pop culture. Until next time, keep your VHS tapes unspooled and those neon lights bright! Catch you in the next rabbit hole of retro ridiculousness.

Experience A Mostly Magnificent Memoir Today Join James Murphy on his hilarious and heartwarming journey and discover the true value of life's misadventures. Order your copy today! link Buy Now