1. WWE Championship Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (The Main Event)
The WrestleMania III main event between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant drew 93,173 fans to suburban Detroit's Pontiac Silverdome and, some 27 years later, ranks as the biggest main event ever promoted by Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment. One year after the box office blockbuster, McMahon capitalized on the demand for a championship rematch by booking a second bout between his two biggest draws for a network special simply called "The Main Event." With the eyes of the wrestling world on the Hulkster and the largest athlete in the sport, the future Hall of Famers delivered one of the most bizarre and controversial title bouts ever. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase paid off evil twin referee Earl Hebner, brother of Dave, to count Hogan's shoulders to the mat, despite the champion getting both up at two. From there, Andre sold his newly won title to DiBiase, who paraded around the ring with the gold around his waist. Hogan tried to make sense of everything that went down, as did fans, but was ultimately vindicated when WWE President Jack Tunney ruled Andre's sale of the title to the Million Dollar Man invalid. Unfortunately, he did not return the title to Hogan. Instead, he booked a tournament to declare a new champion for WrestleMania IV. Hogan and Andre would meet for a third time at that event but the quality of the match was a far cry from either of their previous two high-profile bouts, indicating that the rivalry had lost some of its prestige.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
