The 1985 Rock And Wrestling Connection

Another feature of 1985 was the merger of rock music and professional wrestling which became known as the Rock and Wrestling Connection. While the seeds were planted the previous year with Cyndi Lauper training Wendi Richter to become Women’s World Champion, the connection really got going in this year.

If my memory serves me right, it all started in the early months of 1985 when notorious bad guy wrestler, Rowdy Roddy Piper, attacked Lauper and her manager Dave Wolfe on his segment on Saturday morning wrestling called Piper’s Pit. Then, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan came to Cyndi and Dave’s rescue and this resulted in a match between Piper and Hogan at a later date.

Hulk Hogan v. Roddy Piper

I remember during the build up to the match, various rock stars appearing on MTV to declare their support for Hogan and that he kicks Piper’s ass. The two who stick out most for me were Dee Snider and Charlie Daniels. MTV really hyped the match. Well, the match happened but it did not come to a conclusion. Piper’s friends, Paul ‘Mr Wonderful’ Orndorff and Cowboy Bob Orton interfered on Piper’s behalf and attacked Hulk Hogan. Then from out of nowhere, Mr T (A- Team) ran into the ring and saved Hogan. This match set the stage for a big showdown which would be known as the first Wrestlemania.

Poster for the first Wrestlemania

Wrestlemania was the WWF’s attempt to match other federations in having a super star card. On this day, Hulk Hogan and Mr T with wrestler Superfly Jimmy Snuka in their corner would be against Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff with Cowboy Bob Orton in theirs. To save me having to go into the details, I thought I’d let you see highlights from Wrestlemania’s main event.

Of course, there were other great matches on that day. The only bad guy victory was when Nikolai Volkov and the Iron Sheik won the tag team titles from the US Express, (Mike Rotondo and Barry Windham) when Volkov and Sheik’s manager Luscious Johnny Valiant hit Windham over the head with his cane. However, of all the matches on the day, my favourite is still the women’s title match between Wendi Richter and Lelani Kai. So, here it is for your viewing pleasure.

Later on in 1985, some girl asked me if I liked Cyndi Lauper. My response was, “I like wrestling, is that close enough? The girl couldn’t respond. The fact was that I really did like wrestling, still do and merging it with music even temporarily was another great happening in 1985.

Next post: Farm Aid

To download Rock and Roll Children, go to: https://fkidshelves.ml/print/free-download-rock-and-roll-children-by-michael-d-lefevre-pdf.html