10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (16 Oct)

2. Paul Orndorff Was A 'Stand In' For Andre At 'Mania III

At WrestleMania III in 1987, Hulk Hogan faced his biggest challenge yet. The massive Andre The Giant had turned heel on his former friend, and was gunning for the WWF Heavyweight Title worn by Hulk. The bout was never going to be a technical masterpiece, but it's become one of the most historic matches in wrestling history. Incredibly, it almost never happened. There were worries at the time that Andre wouldn't be able to wrestle. The mountainous man's career was starting to wind up, and he had noticeably slowed over the past couple of years. As a precaution, Vince McMahon needed someone who was known as one of Hogan's biggest enemies, just incase they needed to be slotted into the main event picture at the last second. That man was 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff. Previously, Orndorff had faced Hulk Hogan on numerous occasions, and he was known to the audience as someone who could bring out the best in the red and yellow babyface star. At 'Mania III, Orndorff was apparently in-waiting, just on the off chance Andre was unable to work the match. History could have been very different.