The Mania of Wrestlemania: The Greatest Spectical in Sports Entertainment

Football has the Superbowl.

Soccer has the World Cup.

Tennis has the Grand Slam, and Hockey has the Stanley Cup.

I'm sure you'll agree that these sports have given us many exhilarating moments, performances that have shocked the world and memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.

But there's one spectacle that stands above them all. One event that, since its inception in 1985, has changed the world of sports entertainment forever. Often called "The Showcase of the Immortals", it has shocked us, stunned us, made us laugh, made us cry, and all of these elements combined bring us the spectacle that is Wrestlemania.

In the 1980's, the world of professional wrestling was at it's peak, with stars like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat', 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and many more were gracing the squared circle with their near impossible strength, high flying moves and great entertainment. Whilst most wrestling companies were bringing in crowds of 5,000 night in-night out, something - or someone - was about to change it forever.

Vincent Kennedy McMahon had bought the World Wrestling Federation (now Entertainment) from his father in 1982, and had an idea, create a Pay Per View that would rival 'Starrcade', a PPV event from Jim Crockett Promotions which began airing in 1983. His vision, Wrestlemania.

On March 31st 1985, Wrestlemania was broadcast in Madison Square Garden, New York. Just over 19,000 fans attended which, by modern standards, is poor. Nevertheless, Wrestlemania was born.

But the following year, Wrestlemania 2 was hosted by three cities (New York, Illinois and California). At this event, the hotly anticipated main event match was Hulk Hogan vs King Kong Bundy in a Steel Cage match.

Wrestlemania 3 was when the world truly began to take notice. With the main event scheduled between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant for the WWE championship, most were expecting a big crowd. However, most underestimated this sheer size of it as 93,173 filled the Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan, making it a world record for the biggest crowd in an indoor event. Most people were stunned further, when during the main event match, Hulk Hogan picked up Andre (who stood 7'4" and weighed 500lbs) and body slammed him with relative ease.

Of course, I could go on and on about all the Wrestlemania's that have taken place, but instead, here is a list I have compiled which truly captures what Wrestlemania is all about, the moments that are forever etched into the memories of any who have watched.

Please note: These moments are from when I began watching Wrestlemania (from Wrestlemania 17).

• The Undertaker's Streak. He has faced the best this business has to offer. He has fought Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Triple H, Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, Randy Orton and Kane (Twice) and has defeated them all.
• Shawn Michaels. He is often referred to as Mr Wrestlemania. He has outperformed his opponents, reinvented himself time and time again, and has always given everything in his body. His match against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25 was, and still is, considered the best match of all time.
• Eddie Guerrero vs Kurt Angle Wrestlemania 20. Although the match itself was very good, most will remember it for it's celebration at the end as Chris Benoit, who has won the World Heavyweight Championship earlier in the night, celebrated with his long time friend Eddie Guerrero.
• The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin Wrestlemania 17. The one that everyone had been waiting for, a true show stopper. The two greatest superstars of their generation facing off for the WWE Championship. This marked the end of the Attitude Era in WWE.
• Edge and Christian vs The Hardy Boyz vs The Dudleys in a TLC match at Wrestlemania 17. Possibly the most hardcore match of its kind ever, with these athletes putting their careers and lives on the line. Known for Jeff Hardy's Swanton Bomb from 16ft off the top of a ladder onto Rhyno and Spike Dudley. Also, for Edge using the Spear on Jeff Hardy as the latter hung from the middle of the ring, Edge speared him in midair.

Whilst there are more infamous moments I have not mentioned, and more to come with Wrestlemania 27 looming, that was merely a taster of the what Wrestlemania is all about.