100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments

It's widely accepted that WWE exaggerated 'Mania III's attendance figures, but let's get one thing straight: Selling the number of tickets they did for a stadium show was still impressive. Fans had bought into the WWF brand, and they wanted to be there for the box office showdown between Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant. Footage of Vince McMahon introducing the show looks almost surreal - this was ahead of its time.

McMahon later claimed he felt the spirit of his deceased father standing in-ring with him as he welcomed everyone to his biggest project yet. Vince then cued up Aretha Franklin to sing 'America The Beautiful' and exited the ring. Internally, he must've been bursting with pride after walking out to see so many people looking back at him. This was a timeless moment for the McMahon family, one that proved Vince was right to expand the business and risk it all with the first WrestleMania.

Going bigger than 'Mania III would prove to be a challenge, but that was a hurdle for another day.

McMahon's intro became so iconic that WWE used it in countless video packages for subsequent events. Don't expect to see this getting recycled now Triple H is in charge, especially considering the grim allegations levied against his father in law. Vince's memory will continue to fade depending on what happens in the courtroom, and there's an immovable stain on his reputation.

WrestleMania III's opening was stunning stuff though. The sheer bulk of that din from thousands and thousands in attendance told the full story: The WWF's 'sports entertainment' direction was working.