15 Days That Changed Wrestling Forever (14)

14. Wrestlemania 1, March 31, 1985

Many people might have been satisfied with the increased revenue and fame Hulkamania had brought. But Vince pushed further. Rather than play it safe with the fortune he was enjoying, he instead betted all his chips on an event he called Wrestlemania.
His advisors thought he had gone mad. The WWF would enter uncharted waters by promoting a mega event featuring wrestlers and celebrities. Vince’s bold strategy was to broadcast it on closed circuit television, essentially meaning the crowd attendance wouldn’t be limited to seats in the arena. Vince smelled money. Jim Crockett had done something similar with Starrcade in 1983, but this was different, big production, big names and big money. Huge names like Muhammad Ali and Mr T were getting paid to come in. The old guard couldn’t believe it, but Vince knew better, what worked in the past wouldn’t work in the future — Vince was innovating a new vision, creating the future.
The financial risk paid off. Wrestlemania became the standard for wrestling events. Vince McMahon had created a new industry, selling events on a pay per view business model. The WWF took off massively, future events like Wrestlemania 3 filling entire stadiums. Success only emboldened Vince and his business grew and grew. His touring circus, pay per view business and merchandise aimed at kids all combined to make the WWF a money making machine. It was perfect, but a storm was gathering down south.