10 Ways WWE In 2015 Is JUST Like WWF In 1985

3. Wrestlemania I = NXT Takeover: Brooklyn

In 1985, WWF had toyed with big events showcasing their rejuvenated roster and presentation on a massive scale. Co-branded MTV events The Brawl To End It All and The War to Settle the Score were successful in 1984, and were leading into an event that was booked to be huge, but just how enormous it would be, nobody could be quite sure. In 2014, WWE launched it's WWE Network, with one of the cornerstones being that the Network would be airing the developmental NXT brand's shows. The shows were so successful that the Network's first "PPV-style" event was a NXT "Takeover" event, which excelled. "Takeover" became a staple of the Network and so beloved that when NXT went on the road prior to WrestleMania 31, the NXT show sold out a 5,000 person venue. By NXT Takeover prior to SummerSlam, the brand put on it's most hyped event to date and sold out a 15,000 person arena. Is Takeover comparable to WrestleMania? Certainly. Both shows involve WWE putting on display it's next level roster innovations, follow after a series of well-regarded programs and succeeded far past anyone's expectations.