WrestleMania has been a staple of WWE for nearly 40 years, in the process creating many iconic and incredible moments. Despite the sheer number of huge wrestling moments to take place at the biggest event of the wrestling calendar, it has thrown up a number of hypothetical scenarios which could likely have altered wrestling history as we know it. These are the grandest ‘What Ifs’ in WrestleMania history.
What if Andre The Giant could not compete? – WrestleMania 3
Through several shoot interviews and documentaries, the long and pain-filled life of the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ has been well documented. Constantly in pain throughout his last years, his compressed spine – combined with huge size – took its toll on Andre meaning that he was severely limited in-ring.
At WrestleMania 3, Hulk Hogan made history – taking on Andre in the main event in front of 93,000 (more likely about 80,000) fans. Dubbed ‘The Irresistible Force vs the Immovable Object’, it promised to deliver with the ‘Hulkster’ dragging Andre to a David vs Goliath bout, handing him his first pinfall loss (it wasn’t) by becoming the first person to pin Andre (he wasn’t).
Hyped as if the biggest match to ever take place, Andre was not healthy at the time with serious back issues plaguing him. Despite months of build and the famous Piper’s Pit shirt rip, it was not out of the question that The Giant might not be able to compete.
As a backup, a former ally and long-time rival Paul Orndorff was waiting in the wings in case of substitution. Andre was brought to the ring via a small cart in case the long walk was too much, before Andre wrestled in the epic clash, luckily taking few bumps. However, Andre’s greatest painkiller was a well-placed brace hidden in his black singlet as well as his pre-match drink, consuming 14 bottles of wine.
It is likely fans would have hated the replacement of Andre with Orndorff, although it likely would have been better in terms of wrestling acumen. Had Hogan never slammed Andre or pinned him in that historic bout, Hogan’s popularity may never have flourished the way it did. This could have been one of the biggest moments in WWE history missed – perhaps leading the company in a different direction as a result.