9 Times WWE Promoted 'Freak-show' Matches

8. Roddy Piper Vs. Mr. T

Mayweather Big Show
WWE.com

Vince McMahon's great innovation to increase WrestleMania's profitablity even further after the runaway success of the first event in 1985 was to host the second gala of greased-up gladiators across three separate venues. A trio of locations gave a trio of cities the chance to see McMahon's squared-circle circus - and tripled his gate receipts in the process.

Pity the poor folk of attending the Nassau Coliseum leg of the jamboree though, whose main event, whilst featuring Roddy Piper, saw him lamentably compete opposite television star Mr. T in a boxing match.

Curiously, the switch in discipline actually favoured the wrestler - Piper had been a relatively accomplished pugilist in his youth. Mr. T simply could not work a wrestling match, yet WWE weren't prepared to miss out on capitalising from the A-Team star's real-life animosity for 'Hot Rod', so sticking the gloves on him was the only option.

So how was it? You guessed it: pitiful.

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.