zkonedog After the success of the original event, "Wrestlemania 2" ups the ante a bit with better production values and a larger sense of this being a truly not-to-be-missed event. Yet, it still relies far too much on the "gimmick" of celebrities and doesn't just let the plot lines play out.The highlights of this event include:-Ray Charles kicking off the proceedings with a stirring melody of patriotic standards. Really gives the show a sense of gravitas right off the bat.-Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. George "The Animal" Steele. Two great wrestling personalities playing off of each other.-A Battle Royale featuring NFL players and (spoiler) won by the always entertaining Andre The Giant.-The boxing match between Mr. T. and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper works well with the hype...but then kind of fizzles in the actual match.-Same thing for the Hogan vs. Bundy finale...pretty good build-up but the match itself was nothing to write home about.-The fact that a guy named "Uncle Elmer" could be on this card (!).All in all, I give "Wrestlemania 2" a 2.5 ranking. The show looks better than the first, and (though not great by any means) many of the matches are an improvement as well. However, it is very clear that the correct formula for holding a big pro wrestling event is still being worked out. Instead of just letting the story lines play out and the personalities shine, the card instead still relies too much on celebrity involvement and gimmicks.As my title indicates, this is an event that is taking the first baby steps towards greatness in this production.

BobbyUK Here are the matches...Nassau Colloseum Paul Orndorff v Don Muraco: A relatively fast-paced match (which features a tasteless slanted eye gesture made by Orndorff against Mr Fuji) that ends with an unsatisfying double count-out. A shame because this could have been the sleeper of the night. I am sure I could hear the fans shout 'bullsh*t' after the match... 3/10 George 'The Animal' Steele v 'Machoman' Randy Savage for the Intercontinental title: This was an oddity and mainly a match of entertainment and hijinks than wrestling in itself. On a rare occasion, 'Machoman' messes up a flying body-cross and Steele actually kicks out of the flying elbow. It ended with 'Machoman' getting the cheap pin with feet on the ropes manoeuvre. 4/10 George Wells v Jake 'The Snake' Roberts: Jake gets dominated by 'jobber to the stars' Wells until he lands the DDT. Jake drops the snake over Wells (rather unconvincingly) but Wells sells the idea well by frothing at the mouth. 2/10 How many times does Susan Saint James say 'C'maaaan George' during the night? Lol.Mr T v 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper boxing match: This boxing match didn't go anywhere near the distance. Both combatants knocked each other out during rounds 2 and 3 and Piper got disqualified in round 4 for executing a body-slam. A waste of time really and the only real factor of this match was it started a face turn for Piper as the crowd realised he was more interesting than Mr T. 3/10 Rosemont Horizon Velvet McEntyre v Fabulous Moolah for the women's title: A blink and you'll miss it squash match which devalues the women's title. Moolah pinned McEntyre after a failed body-press within 2 minutes. I've read recently that McEntyre's match was cut short because she had a wardrobe malfunction. You can see McEntyre doing her best to protect her modesty during and after the match. 1/10Corporal Kirschner v Nikolai Volkoff - flag match: A mercifully short two minute spectacle giving enough time for Kirschner to catch Blassie's cane in the air meant for Volkoff and whack him with it to gain the pin. Kirschner still manages to bust his head open in the process. I can only guess this was the WWF's way of dealing with 'The Cold War'. 2/10 WWF/NFL battle royal: A decent 20 man event but not much time was devoted to it. If you notice hard enough you will find Bruno Sammartino barely does anything in the ring but wander around and 'Hillbilly' Jim tries too hard to get himself eliminated while John Studd falls for a rookie mistake. Andre the Giant won the match defeating both members of the Hart Foundation (sporting blue tights). 6/10 British Bulldogs v Dream Team for the WWF tag titles: This is definitely match of the night. Well fought though the majority of it sees Greg Valentine getting a beating. Ozzie Osbourne joins The Bulldogs (probably WWF still attempting the Rock 'n' Wrestling connection) and Gene Okerlund refers to Osbourne coming from Manchester when he actually comes from Birmingham. Anyhow, that aside, a good match which finishes when a dazed Hammer clashes with the Dynamite Kid and gets pinned. 6/10 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Ricky Steamboat v Hercules Hernandez: A match notable for Hercules's ring costume at the start, portraying a Greek soldier and looking like the late 'Bruiser' Brody. Steamboat carries Hercules to a reasonable match (Hercules actually attempts the top-rope at one point) but the conclusion was never left in any doubt when Steamboat flying body-presses for the pin. 5/10 Uncle Elmer v Adrian Adonis: Adonis comes to the ring in a dress and wearing gaudy make-up. Before Wrestlemania 2 Adonis 'came out' as a homosexual (even though he was a happily married man in real life) so I can only presume the WWF equated homosexuality with transvestitism. I laughed at Elmer falling over after delivering a blow to Adonis and Adonis entertained with his bumping before he got the quick pin over Elmer after a flying head-butt. A favourite of mine but not a good match by any means. 3/10 JYD and Tito Santana v Terry and Dory 'Hoss' Funk Jnr: It's nice to see Terry Funk looking more healthier than he does these days. A pretty good match with Terry doing some nice bumping (he gets slammed on to a table at one point). The action was marred by a cheap foreign object ending as Terry pinned JYD after hitting him with Jimmy Hart's megaphone. 6/10 Hulk Hogan v King Kong Bundy steel cage match for the WWF world title: One of those rare cage matches that featured during the 80s where blue steel replaced the usual meshed cage. The match was predictable in it's outcome but a pretty tough outing for the two. At one stage Bundy removes the bandage from Hogan's injured ribs and proceeds to choke him with it and Bundy leaves the match with blood on his face. Hogan goes over the top of the cage to win the match. 6/10A lot of people really dislike this Wrestlemania and often rate it as their worst but it does have a few decent matches. I guess most of the criticism levelled at Wrestlemania II was the PPV structure set in 3 arenas and how much the show has dated because of it's comparatively limited production values and minor celebrity overload. Advert moguls Wendy's 'Where's the beef?' Clara Peller yells into the air while Burger King's Herb dances like a pillock when they get introduced. The pecularities in certain matches (George 'The Animal' Steele vs 'Machoman' Randy Savage and Uncle Elmer vs 'Adorable' Adonis) are interesting too showing the idiosyncrasies and attitudes in wrestling haven't really changed much over the years.

RepoManRules A very lackluster show. I remember being like "What a show!" Back when I first saw it. Well 17 years later and I really dont like any of the card at all. Well thats what happens when you turn from Mark to Smark.The Funks vs. JYD and Tito match was suprinsgly good, while Match of the night honours go to Bulldogs vs. Valentine/Beefcake.Not recommended.BTW, if you want to chat about the good old days of wrestling just drop me an e-mail!

Big Movie Fan WrestleMania I was a superb card and any card that was going to follow it would have to be good. WrestleMania II was good.It's quite sad watching cards from the 1980's. In my opinion they really were the best times for wrestling. The early 90's were fantastic as well. Wrestling is okay to watch nowadays but some of the current stars just don't seem as charismatic as the stars of yesteryear.(POSSIBLE SPOILERS)WrestleMania II took place in 3 cities each with their own main event. Andre the Giant won a Battle Royal! Roddy Piper fought Mr T in a boxing match and earned himself a DQ! And the most charismatic wrestler in history Hulk Hogan once again proved that good triumphs over evil when he beat the monstrous King Kong Bundy in a steel cage match!Just like the previous WrestleMania we were treated to the usual bevy of celebrities who helped make WrestleMania II a spectacular event.