35 Years Of WWE WrestleMania Mistakes

33. WrestleMania III - Paul Orndorff Wasn't Booked

WWE.com

Just months prior to WrestleMania III, Paul Orndorff and Hulk Hogan were involved in one of the largest-drawing feuds in wrestling history, culminating in a 76,000 sell-out in Toronto. Yet when the big show rolled around, whilst Hogan was placed opposite André the Giant, 'Mr. Wonderful' was nowhere to be seen.

The reasons remain a mystery. A weightlifting accident had caused Orndorff to seriously injure his arm, but - as was common in the eighties - he toughed it out on the house show circuit and was unlikely to let the damaged limb keep him away from the biggest paycheque of the year.

Other reports suggest Orndorff was being kept in reserve in the event an increasingly ailing André couldn't compete in the main event. Once it became clear the Giant was good to go though, there seems no logical reason for the omission of 'Mr. Wonderful'.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.