10 Fascinating WWE WrestleMania 1 Facts

4. Ricky Steamboat Only Debuted Four Weeks Before The Show

Hulk Hogan Mr T
WWE.com

In early 1985, Steamboat parted ways with his long-time home territory of Jim Crockett Promotions, reportedly after differences with creative head Dusty Rhodes. "The Dragon" would quickly resurface in New York, the sort of popular and multi-faceted performer that was crucial for the "McMahonifest Destiny" that WWE was carving out.

It's not too common for wrestlers to make it to the WrestleMania main show without a firmly-rooted presence on company programming, but Steamboat was certainly an exception. For his WWE debut, he took part in a set of Atlanta tapings dated March 2, 1985, defeating veteran Tony Russo.

From there, Steamboat joined McMahon's touring circus, and made it to WrestleMania, where he was given a quick win over journeyman Matt Borne.

Contributor
Contributor

Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.