10 Times WWE Sacrificed WrestleMania For The Greater Good

1. Trumping Themselves (WrestleMania IV & V)

Trump Plaza
Wikipedia

A disputed 93,173 fans were crammed into the Pontiac Silverdome to witness Hulk Hogan slam Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. Nothing else would have done for this huge, game-changing moment, which still resonates as one of the most pivotal in WWE history, though the following year's 'Mania was given a major downgrade in venue.

WrestleMania IV was held at the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall in New Jersey. Dubbed Trump Plaza, it was capable of holding an audience of just over 19,000, and immediately made 'Mania IV look second-rate compared to that which came before. 'The Grandest Stage of Them All' didn't live up to its moniker in this smaller, more compact building with its garbage acoustics, and a library-like atmosphere took hold, with next to nothing getting the reception it deserved.

So why return to Trump Plaza for WrestleMania V the following year, then? Trump money, baby. The future POTUS' sponsorship of WWE was so valuable to them that they willing sacrificed WrestleMania's big show-feel for the second consecutive year, despite the long-awaited headliner pitting Hulk Hogan against Randy Savage.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.