Wrestlemania: The Early Years Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bob Barker, Guest Color Commentator

The main event of the initial "Wrestlemania" saw several celebrities serving in special guest roles. The incomparable Liberace was the guest timekeeper and in addition to dancing with the famed "Rocketts" rung a crystal bell. The one and only Billy Martin, famous player and manager of The New York Yankees, did the duties as special guest ring announcer. Finally, boxing great Muhammad Ali, still in fantastic condition, served as a special guest referee for controlling action outside the ring. Originally, Ali was to be the special guest referee for the match but WWF Officials did not want to take a chance with the unpredictable Ali and the volatile "Rowdy" Roddy Piper so veteran Pat Patterson was given the duty.

Answer: Susan St. James

For the first segment of the event, famed actress Susan St. James did color commentating alongside WWF head Vincent K. McMahon. At the time Susan along with Jane Curtain were starring in a successful television sitcom called "Kate and Allie" which focused on two divorced friends who move in together with their children. Prior to that St. James had starred with the late Rock Hudson in the famous 1970s series "McMillan and Wife".

Answer: He hit Volkoff with Fred Blassie's Cane

The match between these two bitter rivals was billed as a "Flag Match" so whoever won the contest, the flag of their nation would be hung above the ring. The match was very short but Volkoff did manage to open a cut on his opponent's forehead thus taking an advantage.

As both men slugged it out manager Fred Blassie attempted to throw his cane to the burly Russian, however, The Corporal intercepted it and smashed his foe on the noggin with it. Kirchner got the victory and The Flag of The U.S.A. was proudly displayed. I have yet to see a "Flag Match" where the man representing America lost.

Answer: Tito Santana

During the time which "Wrestlemania III" took place, "The Natural" Butch Reed was embroiled in a bitter rivalry with the popular Tito Santana. On many occasions the interference of manager Slick had cost the fiery Santana a match against Reed. At the end of the match against Koko, which Reed won, Slick began to assault the fallen Ware with his cane. Immediately Santana dashed down the isle and proceeded to rip the suit and shirt of Slick to pieces. Later in the night Slick accompanied The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff for their match looking like he had been mugged.

Answer: The Tournament for The WWF Heavyweight Title

On February 5, 1988 WWF Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan wrestled his arch nemesis Andre the Giant in a rematch from the previous year's "Wrestlemania". With the aid of a bribed referee The Giant was able to defeat Hogan for the belt which he then gave to Ted Dibiase as a result of a prematch deal.

The following week WWF President Jack Tunney declared the title was vacant and ordered a 14 man elimination tournament to determine a new champion. On March 27, 1988 the late Randy Savage stole the show by besting Butch Reed, Greg Valentine, One Man Gang and Dibiase to win the belt. Truly "Macho Man's" finest hour!

Answer: Mr. Fuji and Bobby Heenan

The match for The WWF Tag Team Titles at "Wrestlemania V" pitted the champions Demolition against their former manager, Mr. Fuji and The Powers of Pain in a "Handicap Match". Despite being a feared grappler in his day the fifty something Fuji was in over his head and was the goat that lost the match for his team. Later in the evening Bobby Heenan lost in just 33 seconds to his former protege The Red Rooster aka Terry Taylor.

This was without a doubt the high point of The Rooster's dismal WWF tenure.

Answer: The Ultimate Challenge

On April 1, 1990 Hulk Hogan faced The Ultimate Warrior in the main event of Wrestlemania VI in a match that was billed as "The Ultimate Challenge". The Warrior emerged victorious that night in a match that was to represent the passing of the torch. Unfortunately Hogan was not ready to step aside and the following year was back on top again.

This was just as well as The Warrior turned out to be unreliable in the long run, to say the least!

Answer: Koji Kitao and Genichiro Tenryu

In the only "Wrestlemania" ever to feature wrestlers from the land of the rising sun, Demolition lost against Koji Kitao and Genichiro Tenryu. By now Demolition were heels again, reconciled with Mr. Fuji and had been embarrassed in a feud against The Legion of Doom. So yeah, I think their day was over clearly.

Answer: Jim Niedhart

Since "Wrestlemania" only comes around once a year, stars are really dying to get on the card in any which way. A popular way to get some good hands that are not in top slots on the show but are popular is to have a battle royal or a multiple man tag team match.

At "Wrestlemania VIII" The Nasty Boys, The Repo Man and The Mountie took on Sgt Slaughter, Big Boss Man, Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Virgil. In addition the late Ray Combs who hosted "Family Feud" from 1988 - 1994 was the guest ring announcer for the match which the faces won.

Answer: Randy Savage

The winds of change were blowing through The WWF during this time and this period marked the phasing out of most of the 1980s stars. Both Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Mean Gene Okerlund who had been involved in the first nine events would be gone by the end of year.

They would both wind up in WCW where they would remain until the promotion folded in 2001. The duo of Heenan and Okerlund would reunite at "Wrestlemania 17" to do color commentating for the 'Gimmick Battle Royal". WWF Legend Tito Santana defeated the eccentric Papa Shango going out a winner.

Answer: Bret "Hitman" Hart

On March 20, 1994 at "Wrestlemania X" Roddy Piper returned to The WWF and refereed the main event match which saw Bret Hart defeat his nemesis Yokozuna for The WWF Heavyweight Title. The following year on April 2, 1995 Piper also served as a referee, this time Bret Hart faced Bob Backlund in a "Submission Match" at "Wrestlemania XI".

In a weird irony Piper had lost The WWF Intercontinental Title to Hart at "Wrestlemania VIII" in April 1992. That match was one of the finest in the history of the event and saw the two embrace afterwards.

Answer: One Hour Iron Man Match

With a very thin talent roster the powers that be were forced to make up time for a three hour pay per view. So to work around the weakness of the talent pool they focused on their strengths, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Two of the greatest wrestlers to ever come down the pike, "Hitman" and HBK had a natural dislike for one another as Hart was the all business pro and Michaels was arrogant and cocky.

The two faced off in a thrilling "Iron Man Match" where the one who scores the most falls in one hour wins the contest.

This match went the time limit with no falls so then President Gorilla Monsoon ordered sudden death. Shortly into that sudden death Michaels hit "Sweet Chin Music" and won his first WWF Heavyweight Title.

Answer: The Undertaker

In early 1996 Vader was brought in as the prized centerpiece of "Camp Cornette" and very shortly thereafter the massive Yokozuna was ousted. In an attempt to gain revenge on his former associates Yokozuna enlisted the aid of Jake Roberts and the massive Ahmed Johnson for a six man tag team match at "Wrestlemania XII". Unfortunately Yokozuna's time of dominance was over and he and his teammates lost the match.

Answer: The Ultimate Warrior

In 1991 The Undertaker made his "Wrestlemania" debut and defeated the legendary Jimmy Snuka. The following year he defeated his former friend Jake Roberts and the year after that scored a win over the buffoonish Giant Gonzales. In 1994 "The Grim Reaper" was nursing an injury and did not wrestle but returned in 1995 to defeat 1980s icon King Kong Bundy.

In 1996 he defeated Diesel aka Kevin Nash and in 1997 defeated Sycho Sid to win The WWF Heavyweight Title. Not a bad track record and it would get even better as time went on.

Answer: No, he passed out and the referee stopped the match

Knowing the hatred that existed between these two men The WWF had former UFC competitor Ken Shamrock referee the match, his attire was interesting to say the least. Late in match Hart had bloodied Austin and trapped him in his trademark submission hold, "The Sharp Shooter".

This would spell doom for another man but even with blood streaming down his face Austin refused to concede the match. Eventually the pain was so intense he passed out and Shamrock stopped the match. Many claim this was the evening the fans fell in love with "Stone Cold" as he began forming a huge fan base after that event.