mattperiolat
King Koopa
Thank you, Brodie... for everything.
Posts: 11,403
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Post by mattperiolat on Mar 27, 2020 20:54:12 GMT -5
My first Mania? WrestleMania V. Had caught ads for it on USA WWF programming and asked my mom if I could watch. She OKed it, I got home late from my Dad’s, but I remember probably from Jake/Andre to the ME. Good memories.
My first (and thus far only) live Mania was Mania 7 at the Sports Arena. I often think about how much history I saw that night - the final Mania appearance for Andre, a pretty solid IC match between Boss Man and Perfect, a surprisingly good match between Hogan and Slaughter, solid opener between Rockers and Haku and the Barbarian. But two precious jewels above others - the start of The Streak. Hearing a true pop for The Undertaker as he came down is still a triggering moment for my own fandom for the Dead Man. And of course the match - Savage versus the Warrior. That was WrestleMania for me - the match, the moments, the memories. Damn, I was lucky.
And then there are the three that got away - chances to be there live but I turned down. Mania 8 in Indy, Mania 9 in Vegas and Mania 20 in NYC. Indy I turned down because I didn’t want to fly to Chicago and spend time with my aunt just to go to Mania. I regret it now mostly for the Taker/Jake match, Piper/Bret and Flair/Savage. Mania 9 I just waited too long to pull the trigger and had no shot at tickets. Probably for best as the card was... not as good as hoped.
20 is the mixed feelings one. Aunt and I were in NYC in September 2003 outside the shuttered World which was still advertising Mania 20 in March. She asked if I wanted to try and go. I said no because a. at that point, tickets would be insane if not impossible to get. b. I was actually not watching at the time, so my interest wasn’t that high. But now, looking back... for Cena’s coming out, for Taker’s return, for the cluster that was Lesnar/Goldberg, for Eddie/Angle... and the idea that I might snag a small piece of confetti as two men would celebrate achievement... and what I would think looking at that confetti now... like I say, mixed feelings.
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Post by paulbearer on Mar 28, 2020 2:08:40 GMT -5
I used to record WWF at some relatives (Eurosport) , i think the first one i saw live (or should i say , the next day or so) was WM5 or 6 Around '05 or so i used to watch Taker om Smackdown , then in '09 i went to WM. Then 26 , 27 & 28 Even so im still a bit bitter i missed seeing people like Rude , Perfect , Savage , Bulldog , UW , Hogan live (or that i didnt go to Axess and meet PB and others that have since passed) WM26 hadde already started when i found my seat , remember Show walking to the ring (took tram to 25 - fast from the hostel , bus to 26 , train to 27 - fast & bus again to 28....bus took like 2 hrs or something , certainly wasnt speedy)
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Post by theironyuppie on Mar 28, 2020 3:25:44 GMT -5
The first one I saw on VHS as a kid was WrestleMania VII, my main memory of which was being upset at the Nasty Boys cheating by using a motorcycle helmet to beat the Hart Foundation.
I’ve never been to one live, so I’ll add that the DVD for WM 2000 when it came out felt like a genuine leap forward in how wrestling was presented in home media. A whole disc of bonus features on the history of Mania? Alternate commentary tracks? Loved it.
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thehottag
Don Corleone
We're here for one reason only: fame, fortune, & the World Wrestling Federation Tag Team Champions!
Posts: 1,668
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Post by thehottag on Mar 28, 2020 5:16:26 GMT -5
I remember recording WM2000 off of C4 (UK) and the tape running out just before the end of the main event. Haha, I came to post the same thing! I leant my friend a tape to record it for me, & VHS tapes used to last 3 hours (unless you put it on longplay). Well my friend didn't, so the second Foley clotheslined Hunter in the main event, the tape cut. I had to go to the school computers the next day to check the results! Loved the triangle ladder match, though, still my favourite match ever.
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Post by RI Richmark on Mar 28, 2020 11:55:04 GMT -5
The first WrestleMania I watched live was WrestleMania V but I didn't actually "watch" it.
You see, at the time my brother and I were big fans but my dad had the typical view of someone who didn't like it and while he didn't stop us from watching he wasn't paying for the PPV's. Which in those pre-internet days meant that we would have to wait until the next day when we found out from classmates.
So on that day I was just flipping through the channels when I suddenly came heard Jessie Ventura's voice. Then Gorilla Monsoon's. And they were describing a Brutus Beefcake v Ted DiBiase match.
I had stumbled on to the PPV channel. I couldn't see a thing. The sceen was all snowy. But the sound was coming through crystal clear. I ran to get my brother and for the next 3 hours we were parked in front of that static like the kid from Poltergeist. We even refused when my dad wanted to go to McDonald's.
I was especially excited to hear my favorite wrestler, Jake The Snake, win his match. My brother was devistated to hear his favorite, The Ultimate Warrior, lose his title.
Shortly after that were getting to the age where we started earning money for chores and other things so my dad would order the PPV's as long as we paid him back. Since then I've watched every WrestleMania live with the exception of WrestleMania XI because I thought the card was crap.
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Post by paulbearer on Mar 28, 2020 14:38:06 GMT -5
I remember recording WM2000 off of C4 (UK) and the tape running out just before the end of the main event. Haha, I came to post the same thing! I leant my friend a tape to record it for me, & VHS tapes used to last 3 hours (unless you put it on longplay). Well my friend didn't, so the second Foley clotheslined Hunter in the main event, the tape cut. I had to go to the school computers the next day to check the results! Loved the triangle ladder match, though, still my favourite match ever. There were 4 and 5 hr tapes , 5 hr was crappy , esp BASF tapes (i used to joke the reason they were bad quality was cuz germans were bitter for losing ww2 , heh) TDK was good quality however
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4real
Wade Wilson
Posts: 27,652
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Post by 4real on Mar 28, 2020 15:25:54 GMT -5
I remember recording WM2000 off of C4 (UK) and the tape running out just before the end of the main event. Haha, I came to post the same thing! I leant my friend a tape to record it for me, & VHS tapes used to last 3 hours (unless you put it on longplay). Well my friend didn't, so the second Foley clotheslined Hunter in the main event, the tape cut. I had to go to the school computers the next day to check the results! Loved the triangle ladder match, though, still my favourite match ever. I had a 3 hour tape for WMania X7 so I just cut out the first hour and the tape started with Angle walking to the ring insulting the Texas crowd before the Benoit match.
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WR91
Bubba Ho-Tep
FAN 14685
Posts: 535
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Post by WR91 on Mar 28, 2020 15:30:39 GMT -5
The first WrestleMania I remember watching was 2000 (or 16 depending on who ask haha). We somehow ordered WrestleMania: All Day Long but NOT the actual WrestleMania show which I guess was only 20 dollars more. Anyway, Since then I've gone back and watched all the prior Mania's and I do have my favorites (8, 18, 5, 21, and 22) all for different reasons. The first Mania I couldn't wait to see was X8 because I was and still am the biggest Rock mark. So seeing Hogan vs Rock was something special.
And unfortunately I've never been to a WrestleMania (or a actual wrestling show period) but I have been a fan for over 20 years. So there's that lol.
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Post by Jaws the Shark on Mar 28, 2020 15:36:29 GMT -5
The first one I saw was WrestleMania 2000/XVI, which I saw when I borrowed a VHS recorded from Sky Sports from a friend a day or two after it aired. I've never watched it back since, in hindsight it wasn't a great show at all, especially considering the era in which it took place. I do remember Hardcore Holly smashing a jar over Crash Holly's head in the hardcore battle royal, and the triangle ladder match, but apart from that I don't remember much at all.
Before that I remember renting a VHS tape called The Best Of WrestleMania, which was kind of a highlights tape of WrestleManias I to XIV when I was first starting to get interested in wrestling. It didn't have any full matches on it, but there was just enough to keep me coming back to it. I'd love to see it again, it's been over twenty years.
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Wardlow on Wardlow 54
Wade Wilson
Don't get Wardlow'd by your Wardlow if you can't Wardlow them back
Posts: 29,432
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Post by Wardlow on Wardlow 54 on Mar 28, 2020 18:24:50 GMT -5
First Mania I saw anything from was XI, specifically the Tag Title and I Quit matches. I've said it before, 1995 holds a special place in my heart, because that was the year I became a fan. I don't care that it was a "bad" year, it's a sentimental favorite.
First I watched in full was XII, first I saw live was XIV. And until I got the network, it was the only one I watched when it aired. So 33 was actually my first live Mania in nearly 20 years lol funny how all my milestones are lousy shows.
Last year was undoubtedly feel-good-Mania, with so many beloved faces getting title wins. And this year, despite everything going on in the world, should be fun. I know popular opinion is it should have been cancelled or postponed, but hell, if there's a WrestleMania this year, I'm watching it. And I'll be in the damn live thread both days to watch this Trainwreck with all of you!
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Post by clodhopper on Mar 28, 2020 18:24:56 GMT -5
Same as others in this thread, VIII was my first and remains very special to me. My favourite memories though are of 28 onwards - living on my own at that point and pulling an all-nighter (UK time) with some good food, drink and Wrestlemania. Even the years it wasn't a great show, these were the ones that I managed to make an 'event' out of, even if it was just me on my todd in front of the TV.
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Post by Porky's Butthole on Mar 28, 2020 21:05:54 GMT -5
First Mania I saw live (on ppv) was 3. Haven't missed one yet. This year may stop that.
However, my first, and only one in person was 27. It holds a soft spot in my heart. And my favorite memory comes from it. I'll be paraphrasing in this story because it was...*checks watch* 9 years go, but I think it's cute.
During the Undertaker/HHH match, there was a few children in the row in front of me, cheering for HHH (the bastards). A man, whom I believe was their father, was cheering for Undertaker. *I* was cheering for Undertaker. The kids heard me and turned around and started giving me shit about it.
Kid(s) :"TRIPLE H IS BETTER!!! HE'S GONNA WIN!" Me:"No, he's not!" Dad:*pointing to me* "Listen to the man." Kid 2:"HUNTER IS GONNA KICK HIS BUTT!" Dad:"You KNOW 'Taker has never lost at Wrestlemania!" Kid 3:"HE'S GONNA LOSE TODAY! HHH IS GONNA KILL HIM!" Me:"You can't kill what's already dead!" Dad: *claps his hands, points at me* "YOU CAYN'T KILL WHAT'S ALREADY DEAD, SON!" *high fives me* Kid 2:"SHUT UP!"
It was awesome
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Post by papagiorgio on Mar 29, 2020 9:07:50 GMT -5
I remember having to wait until Coliseum Video released Wrestlemania to find out the results in the early days. Then, trying to get it at the video store before somebody rented it since they never had more than a few copies. I remember trying to watch a blurry Wrestlemania 2 on tv since we didn't have Showtime at the time when I think they replayed it. I remember the sheer awesomeness of the crowd, Andre-Hogan, and Savage-Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3.
The first Wrestlemania I bought on PPV was Wrestlemania 8. I was very excited to see the Ultimate Warrior return even though I was never a big fan of his. I'd tape the PPVs on VHS and must have rewatched that moment dozens of times. PPV prices weren't too bad at first. I think I may have paid around $30 for Wrestlemania 8, but by the time I bought my last Wrestlemania is was about $60. Wrestlemania is around my birthday, so sometimes it was a birthday present from my parents.
I was really excited when there were rumors a few years back that Wrestlemania might be coming to Minneapolis which is only 3 hours away from me. Attending a Wrestlemania was a bucket list item for me at one time, but it has fallen out. Wrestlers looking like ants, potentially bad angles or obstruction, the comfort of own home, and other factors dropped it out. I still might attempt it if it was close to me, but Minneapolis is probably the only place that has a large enough indoor stadium since I doubt they'd try the Midwest ever outdoors for a Mania.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2020 10:22:04 GMT -5
The only Mania I've attended live was 29. On paper the show looked like dog shit. On a later Network rewatch, the show was confirmed to be dog shit. But being there live was magical. Hell, that entire day was magical. Going to Axxess for the first time and seeing all the crazy-ass memorabilia and getting to meet Team Rocket (Big E was very subdued but Dolph and AJ were both super-cool, AJ especially) was worth waking up at 6:30 in the morning. Then the show itself...I got to see The Rock's final match (not counting the Rowan squash years later), Taker's last good Mania match, the Shield's first Mania appearance, the apex of the brief Fandango push, and got to scream myself hoarse.
By the time 35 came through to Jersey, WWE's magic was long-gone for me. But the memory of being there for 29 almost made me bite the bullet and get tickets anyway.
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Post by Fade is a CodyCryBaby on Mar 29, 2020 10:35:08 GMT -5
First one I watched live was WMXV but I remember 2000 more vividly. They did the “WrestleMania” all-day thing and was the first time I got thrown a “wrestling” party to coincide with my birthday. All my friends, food, video games and WrestleMania.
The best and favorite memory of this was WMX7. Literally half of us were for The Rock and the other half was for Austin. Made the already-epic match that much better.
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Lt. Palumbo
Hank Scorpio
On again off again watcher of a wrestling TV show
Posts: 6,067
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Post by Lt. Palumbo on Mar 29, 2020 11:35:42 GMT -5
First Mania I saw was 8 on VHS. I love that show First one I watched live (as in on TV as I’ve never been to a Wrestlemania) would have been 21 I believe. The ones before I usually just taped. Benoit winning the belt at XX was probably my favourite Wrestlemania memory until...well you know I’ve lived with a few friends for the last 4 years so watched the last 3 live til 5 in the morning. Last year broke me though I don’t think I can do it again unless this years is short enough on the 2 nights. My biggest regret would not be seeing 30 live and not getting to experience Taker’s streak being broken or Bryan winning the main event. Didn’t have Sky sports at the time as was broke so just ended up looking up the results online. X7 is the best for me but XIX is up there and XXIV is pretty damn good as well. Best Mania match? Tough one but I would go for Rock v Austin at X7 8 is a really good one and a personal favourite as I had that ans 3 on tape as a kid. Also last year broke me and I was in the same time zone.
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Lt. Palumbo
Hank Scorpio
On again off again watcher of a wrestling TV show
Posts: 6,067
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Post by Lt. Palumbo on Mar 29, 2020 11:40:27 GMT -5
Started watching in '92, WM 8 was the first one I watched (VHS rental) First one watching live was 2000. However, the first thing I usually think of when someone says WrestleMania is the the "My Way" hype video for Austin v. Rock at WM X-7. Yes! The My Way video is awesome. People (justifiably) shit on Limp Bizkit nowadays, but I'll always get chills when I hear that song.
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Lt. Palumbo
Hank Scorpio
On again off again watcher of a wrestling TV show
Posts: 6,067
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Post by Lt. Palumbo on Mar 29, 2020 11:52:59 GMT -5
I'm still disappointed in the fact that the first and only WrestleMania I ever attended in person is WrestleMania 32. Meh, I wouldn't be too disappointed man. A Wrestlemania is a Wrestlemania, it's like pizza, even if it's shit it's still pretty good. Also you got Jericho/Styles.
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Lt. Palumbo
Hank Scorpio
On again off again watcher of a wrestling TV show
Posts: 6,067
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Post by Lt. Palumbo on Mar 29, 2020 12:06:27 GMT -5
I had stumbled on to the PPV channel. I couldn't see a thing. The sceen was all snowy. But the sound was coming through crystal clear. I ran to get my brother and for the next 3 hours we were parked in front of that static like the kid from Poltergeist. We even refused when my dad wanted to go to McDonald's. Oh man. You totally just reminded me of something from my childhood I'm completely forgotten. Not sure if I did it for Wrestlemania but definitely for other PPV's. I'd listen to the show on the scrambled Sky Sports channel. Then I'd flick to this other channel, I think it was only in Ireland, it was called the Cablelink channel. It had maybe 20/30 mini screens on it showing various different channels and one of them was Sky Sports. So I'd flick back and forth between squinting at a tiny screen with no sound and listening to commentary with a scrambled image. I listened to Giant Gonzales' debut that way!
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Post by The Thread Barbi on Mar 29, 2020 15:27:34 GMT -5
It was my first Mania. I was allowed to bring it home from the VHS rental shop!
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