10 Times The McMahon Family Dodged Disaster

Now delivered with an undeniable twinkle in his eye as he finally reaches an age that allows him perspective to reflect, Vince McMahon delights in telling the tale of WrestleMania's all-or-nothing ramifications.

Having successfully promoted Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Mr T and others on high profile Madison Square Garden supercards in conjunction with MTV and the 'Rock N Wrestling' movement in 1984 and early 1985, the decision to extend the idea beyond an increasing but still-secure New York and North Eastern market and into the broader public spectrum wasn't daft in theory, but could have been disastrous in execution.

To paraphrase wrestling parlance, it was a monumental swerve turn for a promotor to attempt something so vast with the product, just three years after McMahon had purchased the company from his own father in 1982. Effectively mortgaging his livelihood on its success, Vince shrewdly peppered his sideshow act with mainstream pop culture, earning the attention of around a million people through closed-circuit distribution.

It was the largest event to take advantage of the medium at that time, and was successful enough that Vince could suddenly justify further ventures into the embryonic pay-per-view market with future WWE-branded events with Hulk Hogan as his monumental superstar.

However, a routine promotional appearance from 'The Hulkster' almost scuppered both men's incredible ascents...