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On April 7, 1986, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) unveiled WrestleMania II, an ambitious follow-up to the groundbreaking success of WrestleMania I. What made this event truly unique was its three-venue format, taking place simultaneously in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. This innovative approach reflected Vince McMahon's vision to elevate wrestling to an unprecedented scale and reach audiences across the country.

 

WrestleMania II (1)WrestleMania II (2)

 

Each venue hosted a portion of the event, featuring its own main matches and celebrity appearances. WrestleMania II was broadcast via closed-circuit television, bringing the electrifying atmosphere to millions of fans worldwide.

 

Venues and Match Card

 

Venue 1: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

• Match 1: Paul Orndorff vs. Don Muraco
• Match 2: Randy Savage vs. George Steele (Intercontinental Championship Match)
• Match 3: Jake Roberts vs. George Wells
• Match 4: Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper (Boxing Match)

 

Venue 2: Rosemont Horizon, Chicago, Illinois

• Match 5: Fabulous Moolah vs. Velvet McIntyre (Women’s Championship Match)
• Match 6: Nikolai Volkoff vs. Corporal Kirchner (Flag Match)
• Match 7: The Hart Foundation & Danny Davis vs. The British Bulldogs & Tito Santana (Tag Team Match)
• Match 8: The WWF-NFL Battle Royal featuring Andre the Giant, Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and NFL stars like William "The Refrigerator" Perry

 

Venue 3: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California

• Match 9: Ricky Steamboat vs. Hercules Hernandez
• Match 10: Adrian Adonis vs. Uncle Elmer
• Match 11: Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy (Steel Cage Match for the WWF Championship)

 

WrestleMania II was star-studded, featuring appearances from celebrities such as Ray Charles, who performed "America the Beautiful," and Joan Rivers, serving as the guest ring announcer. The WWF-NFL Battle Royal was a major highlight, blending the worlds of professional wrestling and football to create an unforgettable spectacle.

 

The main event, a steel cage match between Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy, was a showstopper that capped off the night in dramatic fashion. Hogan's victory reinforced his position as the face of the WWF and thrilled fans in Los Angeles.

 

WrestleMania II pushed the boundaries of what wrestling could achieve, showcasing the creativity and ambition of the WWF during its formative years. The three-venue format was a logistical marvel, although challenging to execute perfectly. It demonstrated the global reach and star power of wrestling as an entertainment medium.

 

This event solidified WrestleMania’s status as the premier wrestling showcase, paving the way for larger-than-life spectacles in the years to come.