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	\|name = The Wrestling Classic		\|name = The Wrestling Classic
	\|image = Wrestlingclassic.jpg		\|image = Wrestlingclassic.jpg
	\|promotion = ]		\|promotion = ]
	\|date = November 7, 1985<ref name="pwh"/>		\|date = November 7, 1985<ref name="pwh"/>
	\|venue = ]<ref name="pwh"/>		\|venue = ]<ref name="pwh"/>
	\|city = ]~~, United States~~<ref name="pwh"/>		\|city = ]<ref name="pwh"/>
	\|attendance = 14,000<ref name="pwh"/>		\|attendance = 14,000<ref name="pwh"/>
	\|lastevent = ]		\|lastevent = ]
	\|nextevent = ]		\|nextevent = ]
	}}		}}
	'''The Wrestling Classic''' was a ] ] (PPV) event produced by the ] (WWF, now WWE). It took place on November 7, 1985, at the ] in ] in the United States. It was the promotion's second ever pay-per-view (after ]).		'''The Wrestling Classic''' was a ] ] (PPV) event produced by the ] (WWF, now WWE). It took place on November 7, 1985, at the ] in ] in the United States. It was the promotion's second ever pay-per-view (after ]).

	In the ], ] ] defeated ] by disqualification to retain the title. The ] featured a 16-man ], where ] defeated ] in the finals of the tournament. The event also included a fan competition for a ].		In the ], ] ] defeated ] by disqualification to retain the title. The ] featured a 16-man ], where ] defeated ] in the finals of the tournament. The event also included a fan competition for a ].

	== Production ==		== Production ==
	=== Background ===		=== Background ===
	Following the success of their first ] (PPV) ], the ] (WWF, now WWE) scheduled a series of five special pay-per-view airings to be titled "WrestleVision".<ref name="Electronic Media Sept 1985">{{cite magazine \|date=1985-09-16 \|title="Professional wrestling getting an additional boost" \|url= https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-09-16_4_38/page/n1/mode/2up?q=wrestlevision \|language=English \|magazine= Electronic Media \|page=2 \|publisher= Crain Communications \|access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>		Following the success of their first ] (PPV) ], the ] (WWF, now WWE) scheduled a series of five special pay-per-view airings to be titled "WrestleVision".<ref name="Electronic Media Sept 1985">{{cite magazine \|date=1985-09-16 \|title="Professional wrestling getting an additional boost" \|url= https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-09-16_4_38/page/n1/mode/2up?q=wrestlevision \|language=English \|magazine= Electronic Media \|page=2 \|publisher= Crain Communications \|access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>

	In a September 1985 interview with Electronic Media, ] stated the first WrestleVision event would feature "the most prestigious wrestling tournament ever devised," and would feature ] and ]. The subsequent four events were announced for January, March, May, and August 1986.<ref name="Electronic Media September 1985 Vince Interview">{{cite magazine \|author=Tedesco, Richard \|date=1985-09-16 \|title="PPV wrestling package planned" \|url= https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-09-16_4_38/page/n1/mode/2up?q=wrestlevision \|language=English \|magazine= Electronic Media \|page=4 \|publisher= Crain Communications \|access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>		In a September 1985 interview with ], ] stated the first WrestleVision event would feature "the most prestigious wrestling tournament ever devised," and would feature ] and ]. The subsequent four events were announced for January, March, May, and August 1986.<ref name="Electronic Media September 1985 Vince Interview">{{cite magazine \|author=Tedesco, Richard \|date=1985-09-16 \|title="PPV wrestling package planned" \|url= https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-09-16_4_38/page/n1/mode/2up?q=wrestlevision \|language=English \|magazine= Electronic Media \|page=4 \|publisher= Crain Communications \|access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>

	The first WrestleVision event, The Wrestling Classic, was held on November 7, 1985, at the ] in ], ]. It was the WWF's second-ever PPV produced following WrestleMania. However, unlike WrestleMania, The Wrestling Classic was a one-off event and the remaining four WrestleVision branded events did not take place as announced by McMahon.		The first WrestleVision event, The Wrestling Classic, was held on November 7, 1985, at the ] in ], ]. It was the WWF's second-ever PPV produced following WrestleMania. However, unlike WrestleMania, The Wrestling Classic was a one-off event and the remaining four WrestleVision branded events did not take place as announced by McMahon.

	Electronic Media stated in March 1986 that "WrestleVision, which followed (]) in November, was something of a dud" and quoted McMahon as saying "all of our guns weren't loaded for WrestleVision as they were for WrestleMania" in reference to the remaining four events' cancelations. <ref name="Electronic Media March 1986 Vince Interview">{{cite magazine \|author=Tedesco, Richard \|date=1986-03-10 \|title="Football players join wrestling event" \|url= https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1986-03-10_5_10/page/n7/mode/2up?q=wrestlevision \|language=English \|magazine= Electronic Media \|page=5 \|publisher= Crain Communications \|access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="pwh"/>		Electronic Media stated in March 1986 that "WrestleVision, which followed in November, was something of a dud" and quoted McMahon as saying "all of our guns weren't loaded for WrestleVision as they were for WrestleMania" in reference to the remaining four events' cancelations. <ref name="Electronic Media March 1986 Vince Interview">{{cite magazine \|author=Tedesco, Richard \|date=1986-03-10 \|title="Football players join wrestling event" \|url= https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1986-03-10_5_10/page/n7/mode/2up?q=wrestlevision \|language=English \|magazine= Electronic Media \|page=5 \|publisher= Crain Communications \|access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="pwh"/>

	=== Storylines ===		=== Storylines ===
	The promotion of the event began on the October 5, 1985 episode of ], with ] announcing that there would be a 16-wrestler tournament and that a fan would win a ]. On the same episode, Hayes announced a group of 16 wrestlers. Of the wrestlers announced, 15 of the original appeared in the tournament as initially announced with only ] replacing ]. ~~Andre~~ ~~the~~ ~~Giant~~ nor ~~Hulk~~ ~~Hogan~~ appeared in the tournament as McMahon had announced to the press in September in his interview with Electronic Media.		The promotion of the event began on the October 5, 1985 episode of ], with ] announcing that there would be a 16-wrestler tournament and that a fan would win a ]. On the same episode, Hayes announced a group of 16 wrestlers. Of the wrestlers announced, 15 of the original appeared in the tournament as initially announced with only ] replacing ]. Neither ] nor ] appeared in the tournament as McMahon had announced to the press in September in his interview with Electronic Media.

	The main ] heading into Wrestling Classic was between ] and ], with the two battling over the ]. In 1985, Piper became the top ] of the ] after he spoke out against the burgeoning ] ~~connection~~, which led to a confrontation with Hogan.<ref>{{cite web\|first=John\|last=Milner\|date=2005-03-22\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/piper.html\|title=Rowdy Roddy Piper\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=]\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> In February, they faced each other at ] special '']'' for Hogan's WWF World Heavyweight title, in which Hogan retained his title by ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/misctv.html#war\|title=The War to Settle the Score results\|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments\|access-date=2008-05-23}}</ref> Their feud led to the ]. In the main event of the ], Hogan and celebrity ] defeated Piper and ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm1/results/\|title=WrestleMania I official results\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> Hogan feuded with Piper and ] for the rest of the year and often got disqualification victories over them,<ref name=WWF6389Book>{{cite book \| first=Graham \| last=Cawthon \| title=the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 1: WWF 1963 - 1989 \| publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform \| year= 2013 \| isbn=978-1492825975}}</ref> leading to a WWF World Heavyweight title match between Hogan and Piper at the Wrestling Classic. Despite being for the Championship, this bout was not announced on WWF television until the October 26, 1985 edition of Championship Wrestling, less than two weeks prior to the event and the tournament took precedent in the promotion of the card.		The main ] heading into Wrestling Classic was between Hulk Hogan and ], with the two battling over the ]. In 1985, Piper became the top ] of the ] after he spoke out against the burgeoning ], which led to a confrontation with Hogan.<ref>{{cite web\|first=John\|last=Milner\|date=2005-03-22\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/piper.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713182435/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/piper.html\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=July 13, 2012\|title=Rowdy Roddy Piper\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=]\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> In February, they faced each other at ] special '']'' for Hogan's WWF World Heavyweight title, in which Hogan retained his title by ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/misctv.html#war\|title=The War to Settle the Score results\|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments\|access-date=2008-05-23}}</ref> Their feud led to the ]. In the main event of the ], Hogan and celebrity ] defeated Piper and ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm1/results/\|title=WrestleMania I official results\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> Hogan feuded with Piper and ] for the rest of the year and often got disqualification victories over them,<ref name=WWF6389Book>{{cite book \| first=Graham \| last=Cawthon \| title=the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 1: WWF 1963 - 1989 \| publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform \| year= 2013 \| isbn=978-1492825975}}</ref> leading to a WWF World Heavyweight title match between Hogan and Piper at the Wrestling Classic. Despite being for the Championship, this bout was not announced on WWF television until the October 26, 1985 edition of Championship Wrestling, less than two weeks prior to the event and the tournament took precedent in the promotion of the card.

	== Event ==		== Event ==
Line 36:		Line 36:
	!Name:		!Name:
	\|-		\|-
	\|rowspan=3\|Presenters		\|rowspan=3\|Presenters
	\|]		\|]
	\|-		\|-
Line 43:		Line 43:
	\|Susan Waitkus		\|Susan Waitkus
	\|-		\|-
	\|rowspan=2\|~~Commentator~~		\|rowspan=3\|]
	\|]		\|Gorilla Monsoon
	\|-		\|-
	\|]		\|]
			\|-
			\|] (tournament finals)
	\|-		\|-
	\|rowspan=1\|Interviewer		\|rowspan=1\|Interviewer
	\|]		\|Gene Okerlund
	\|-		\|-
	\|rowspan=1\|Ring announcer		\|rowspan=1\|Ring announcer
	\|]		\|]
	\|-		\|-
	\|WWF President		\|WWF President (figurehead)
	\|]		\|]
	\|}		\|}

	The card consisted of fifteen matches and included a 16-man tournament dubbed "The Wrestling Classic".		The card consisted of fifteen matches and included a 16-man tournament dubbed "The Wrestling Classic".

	In the first round of the tournament, ] (with manager ]) defeated ] with a ].		In the first round of the tournament, ] (with ] ]) defeated ] with a ].

	] then faced ] (without manager ]); Dynamite Kid attacked Volkoff, who had just finished his customary singing of the ], with a ] from the top turnbuckle and then quickly scored the ] in a match that lasted about six seconds (the official time given was nine seconds, equaling the record ] had set at ]).		] then faced ] (without manager ]); Dynamite Kid attacked Volkoff, who had just finished his customary singing of the ], with a ] from the top turnbuckle and then quickly scored the ] in a match that lasted about six seconds (the official time given was nine seconds, equaling the record ] had set at ]).

	] (with ]) then defeated "Polish Power" ], though Savage had both his feet on the middle rope for leverage.		] (with ]) then defeated "Polish Power" ], though Savage had both his feet on the middle rope for leverage.

	] faced ] in a rare match pitting two fan favourites against each other. The match moved back and forth until Smith landed in the ropes trying attack Steamboat, but Steamboat sidestepped and Smith injured his ] and was unable to continue, so Steamboat was awarded the match by forfeit.		] faced ] in a rare match pitting two ] against each other. The match moved back and forth until Smith landed in the ropes trying attack Steamboat, but Steamboat sidestepped and Smith injured his ] and was unable to continue, so Steamboat was awarded the match by forfeit.

	] then faced ] (like Volkoff, the Sheik appeared without Freddie Blassie). The match began with Sheik ]ing JYD with his jacket. He applied a ] on JYD before releasing the hold. JYD quickly hit a ] on Sheik and ] him to win the match.		] then faced ] (like Volkoff, the Sheik appeared without Freddie Blassie). The match began with Sheik ]ing JYD with his jacket. He applied a ] on JYD before releasing the hold. JYD quickly hit a ] on Sheik and pinned him to win the match.

	] and ]'s (with Jimmy Hart) match was next. It appeared that neither of them wanted to wrestle, so at Funk's suggestion they both left the ring. As Spot started to leave, Funk attacked him from behind and tried to re-enter the ring for a countout win, but Spot prevented him from entering the ring and himself won the match by ] after Funk backdropped him into the ring before the ten count.		] and ]'s (with Jimmy Hart) match was next. It appeared that neither of them wanted to wrestle, so at Funk's suggestion they both left the ring. As Spot started to leave, Funk attacked him from behind and tried to re-enter the ring for a countout win, but Spot prevented him from entering the ring and Spot himself won the match by ] after Funk backdropped him into the ring before the ten count.

	] ] then faced ] (with ]). Muraco appeared to have pinned Santana but as his feet were on the ropes, the match continued and Santana rolled up the surprised Muraco with a quick ], scoring the pinfall. Santana suffered a groin injury that would hamper him later in the tournament.		] ] then faced ] (with ]). Muraco appeared to have pinned Santana but as his feet were on the ropes, the match continued and Santana rolled up the surprised Muraco with a quick ], scoring the pinfall. Santana suffered a groin injury that would hamper him later in the tournament.

	The final match of the first round pitted ] against ]. Orton was ] after he hit Orndorff with his cast.<ref name="pwh"/>		The final match of the first round pitted ] against ]. Orton was ] after he hit Orndorff with his cast.<ref name="pwh"/>

	The quarterfinals began with ] facing Dynamite Kid. During the match, Adonis accidentally collided with his ] Jimmy Hart. Dynamite took advantage and pinned Adonis to win the match.		The quarterfinals began with Adrian Adonis facing Dynamite Kid. During the match, Adonis accidentally collided with his manager Jimmy Hart. Dynamite Kid took advantage and pinned Adonis to win the match.

		⚫	Ricky Steamboat then faced off against Randy Savage. The ] was distracted by Miss Elizabeth as Savage took advantage and pulled out ] from his tights and hit Steamboat before pinning him to win the match.
⚫	] challenged ] for the ] at The Wrestling Classic.]]
⚫	] then faced off against ~~Macho Man~~ Randy Savage. The ] was distracted by Miss Elizabeth as Savage took advantage and pulled out ] from his tights and hit Steamboat before pinning him to win the match.

	Junkyard Dog then defeated Moondog Spot after a head butt. Strangely, there was no referee for this match and JYD counted the 3 himself. Commentators ] and ] then announced that a judge was at ringside and that JYD's count was legal.		The Junkyard Dog then defeated Moondog Spot after a head butt. Strangely, there was no referee for this match and JYD counted the 3 himself. Commentators ] and ] then announced that a judge was at ringside and that JYD's count was legal.

	Tito Santana and Paul Orndorff fought to a double count-out, eliminating both wrestlers from the tournament in the process and allowing Junkyard Dog to advance to the finals. This led to Bobby Heenan's $50,000 storyline bounty on Paul Orndorff not being collected.		Tito Santana and Paul Orndorff fought to a double count-out, eliminating both wrestlers from the tournament in the process and allowing The Junkyard Dog to advance to the finals. This led to Bobby Heenan's $50,000 storyline bounty on Paul Orndorff not being collected.

		⚫	] challenged ] for the ] at The Wrestling Classic.]]
	In the main event, which was a non-tournament match, ] defended his ] against ]. Hogan applied a ] on Piper. Piper responded with a ]. The referee was knocked out and Piper hit Hogan with a ] before Hogan applied a sleeper hold of his own on Piper. Bob Orton came out and hit Hogan with his cast. The referee saw this and disqualified Piper in the process. Piper and Orton continued to assault Hogan until Paul Orndorff came out and cleared the ring.<ref name="pwh"/>		In the main event, which was a non-tournament match, ] defended his ] against ]. Hogan applied a ] on Piper. Piper responded with a ]. The referee was knocked out and Piper hit Hogan with a ] before Hogan applied a sleeper hold of his own on Piper. Bob Orton came out and hit Hogan with his cast. The referee saw this and disqualified Piper in the process. Piper and Orton continued to assault Hogan until Paul Orndorff came out and cleared the ring.<ref name="pwh"/>

	The semi-final match between Randy Savage and Dynamite Kid was next. Dynamite Kid ]ed Savage off the top rope but Savage countered it into an ] for the victory.		The semi-final match between Randy Savage and Dynamite Kid was next. Dynamite Kid ]ed Savage off the top rope but Savage countered it into an ] for the victory.

	As part of the show, a fan competition was held. One of over 250,000 fans won a ]. This segment was cut from the ] release for time. However, it was restored when the show aired on ], WWE's archival ] service, as well as on the ].		As part of the show, a fan competition was held. One of over 250,000 fans won a ]. This segment was cut from the ] release for time. However, it was restored when the show aired on ], WWE's archival ] service, as well as on the ].

	In the finals of the tournament Junkyard Dog wrestled Randy Savage. ~~JYD~~ hit a ] on Savage off the top rope who landed on the arena floor. Savage was unable to get into the ring and was counted out. As a result, ~~JYD~~ won the match and the tournament.<ref name="pwh"/>		In the finals of the tournament The Junkyard Dog wrestled Randy Savage. Shortly after the match began, ] joined the commentary team. Junkyard Dog hit a ] on Savage off the top rope who landed on the arena floor. Savage was unable to get into the ring and was counted out. As a result, The Junkyard Dog won the match and the tournament.<ref name="pwh"/>

	== Aftermath ==		== Aftermath ==
	Many wrestlers received ]es by this tournament. ], the winner of this tournament got a push as he became the man to win the first-ever major tournament in WWF history. ] went on to win both the ] from ] on February 8, 1986 and the ] in a similar tournament at ] in 1988.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322404\|title=Randy Savage's first Intercontinental Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454124\|title=Randy Savage's first WWE Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> ] also won the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, by defeating Savage at ] in 1987.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322408\|title=Ricky Steamboat's first Intercontinental Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> ] and ] who together were ~~the~~ ] would go on to win the ] at ] in 1986.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212131\|title=British Bulldogs' first World Tag Team Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref>		Many wrestlers received ]es by this tournament. ], the winner of this tournament got a push as he became the man to win the first-ever major tournament in WWF history. ] went on to win both the ] from ] on February 8, 1986 and the ] in a similar tournament at ] in 1988.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322404\|title=Randy Savage's first Intercontinental Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454124\|title=Randy Savage's first WWE Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> ] also won the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, by defeating Savage at ] in 1987.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322408\|title=Ricky Steamboat's first Intercontinental Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref> ] and ] who together were ] would go on to win the ] at ] in 1986.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212131\|title=British Bulldogs' first World Tag Team Championship reign\|publisher=WWE\|access-date=2008-05-25}}</ref>

	== Results ==		== Results ==
Line 100:		Line 102:
	\|results = <ref name="pwh"/>		\|results = <ref name="pwh"/>
	\|times = <ref name="pwh"/>		\|times = <ref name="pwh"/>
	\|match1 = ] defeated ] ~~by pinfall~~		\|match1 = ] (with ]) defeated ]
	\|stip1 = First round tournament match		\|stip1 = ]
	\|time1 = 3:20		\|time1 = 3:20
	\|match2 = ] defeated ] ~~by pinfall~~		\|match2 = ] defeated ]
	\|stip2 = First round tournament match		\|stip2 = ]
	\|time2 = 0:09		\|time2 = 0:09
	\|match3 = ] defeated ] ~~by pinfall~~		\|match3 = ] (with ]) defeated ]
	\|stip3 = First round tournament match		\|stip3 = ]
	\|time3 = 2:45		\|time3 = 2:45
	\|match4 = ] defeated ] by forfeit		\|match4 = ] defeated ] by forfeit
	\|stip4 = First round tournament match		\|stip4 = ]
	\|time4 = 2:53		\|time4 = 2:53
	\|match5 = ] defeated ] ~~by pinfall~~		\|match5 = ] defeated ]
	\|stip5 = First round tournament match		\|stip5 = ]
	\|time5 = 3:25		\|time5 = 3:25
	\|match6 = ] defeated ] by ]		\|match6 = ] defeated ] (with Jimmy Hart) by ]
	\|stip6 = First round tournament match		\|stip6 = ]
	\|time6 = 0:27		\|time6 = 0:27
	\|match7 = ] defeated ] by ~~pinfall~~		\|match7 = ] defeated ] (with ])
	\|stip7 = First round tournament match		\|stip7 = ]
	\|time7 = 4:17		\|time7 = 4:17
	\|match8 = ] defeated ] by ]		\|match8 = ] defeated ] by ]
	\|stip8 = First round tournament match		\|stip8 = ]
	\|time8 = 6:28		\|time8 = 6:28
	\|match9 = ] defeated ] by ~~pinfall~~		\|match9 = Dynamite Kid defeated Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart)
	\|stip9 = Quarter final tournament match		\|stip9 = ]
	\|time9 = 6:00		\|time9 = 6:00
	\|match10 = ] defeated ~~] by pinfall~~		\|match10 = Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated Ricky Steamboat
	\|stip10 = Quarter final tournament match		\|stip10 = ]
	\|time10 = 4:00		\|time10 = 4:00
	\|match11 = ] defeated ~~] by pinfall~~		\|match11 = Junkyard Dog defeated Moondog Spot
	\|stip11 = Quarter final tournament match		\|stip11 = ]
	\|time11 = 0:45		\|time11 = 0:45
	\|match12 = ] vs ] ended in a double countout*		\|match12 = Tito Santana vs. Paul Orndorff ended in a double countout.
	\|stip12 = Quarter final tournament match		\|stip12 = ]
	\|time12 = 8:00		\|time12 = 8:00
	\|match13 = ] (c) defeated ] by disqualification		\|match13 = ] (c) defeated ] by disqualification
	\|stip13 = ] for the ]		\|stip13 = ] for the ]
	\|time13 = 7:00		\|time13 = 7:00
	\|match14 = ] defeated ~~] by pinfall~~		\|match14 = Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated Dynamite Kid
	\|stip14 = Semi-final tournament match		\|stip14 = ]
	\|time14 = 5:00		\|time14 = 5:00
	\|match15 = ] ~~defeated~~ ] by countout*		\|match15 = Junkyard Dog advances by walkover <br /> <small>No opponent as both possible opponents lost by double countout.</small>
	\|stip15 = Tournament ~~finals~~ match		\|stip15 = ]
	\|time15 = ~~9:00~~		\|time15 = W/O
			\|match16 = Junkyard Dog defeated Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) by countout
			\|stip16 = ]
			\|time16 = 9:00
	}}		}}
			<references group=Note/>
	*Following the double countout in the match between Paul Orndorff and Tito Santana, Junkyard Dog advanced to the finals with a ].

	===Tournament bracket===		===Tournament bracket===
	<onlyinclude><small>Pin~~-Pinfall;~~ ~~Sub-Submission;~~ CO~~-Countout;~~ ~~DCO-Double~~ countout; DQ~~-Disqualification;~~ ~~Ref-Referee's~~ ~~decision~~</small>		<onlyinclude><small>Pin – pinfall, Ref – referee's decision, CO – countout, DQ – disqualification, DCO – double countout.</small>
	{{16TeamBracket \| RD2=Quarterfinals		{{16TeamBracket \| RD2=Quarterfinals
	\| RD1-seed01= \| RD1-seed02= \| RD1-seed03= \| RD1-seed04= \| RD1-seed05= \| RD1-seed06= \| RD1-seed07= \| RD1-seed08= \| RD1-seed09= \| RD1-seed10= \| RD1-seed11= \| RD1-seed12= \| RD1-seed13= \| RD1-seed14= \| RD1-seed15= \| RD1-seed16= \| RD2-seed01= \| RD2-seed02= \| RD2-seed03= \| RD2-seed04= \| RD2-seed05= \| RD2-seed06= \| RD2-seed07= \| RD2-seed08= \| RD3-seed01= \| RD3-seed02= \| RD3-seed03= \| RD3-seed04= \| RD4-seed01= \| RD4-seed02=		\| RD1-seed01= \| RD1-seed02= \| RD1-seed03= \| RD1-seed04= \| RD1-seed05= \| RD1-seed06= \| RD1-seed07= \| RD1-seed08= \| RD1-seed09= \| RD1-seed10= \| RD1-seed11= \| RD1-seed12= \| RD1-seed13= \| RD1-seed14= \| RD1-seed15= \| RD1-seed16= \| RD2-seed01= \| RD2-seed02= \| RD2-seed03= \| RD2-seed04= \| RD2-seed05= \| RD2-seed06= \| RD2-seed07= \| RD2-seed08= \| RD3-seed01= \| RD3-seed02= \| RD3-seed03= \| RD3-seed04= \| RD4-seed01= \| RD4-seed02=
Line 164:		Line 169:
	\| RD1-score05=2:47		\| RD1-score05=2:47
	\| RD1-score06=Pin		\| RD1-score06=Pin
	\| RD1-team07=~~Davey~~ ~~Boy Smith~~		\| RD1-team07='''Ricky Steamboat'''
	\| RD1-team08=~~'''Ricky~~ ~~Steamboat'''~~		\| RD1-team08=Davey Boy Smith
	\| RD1-score07=~~2:53~~		\| RD1-score07=Ref
	\|RD1-score08=~~Ref~~		\|RD1-score08=2:53
	\| RD1-team09=~~The~~ Iron Sheik		\| RD1-team09=Iron Sheik
	\| RD1-team10='''Junkyard Dog'''		\| RD1-team10='''Junkyard Dog'''
	\| RD1-score09=Pin		\| RD1-score09=Pin
	\| RD1-score10=3:25		\| RD1-score10=3:25
	\| RD1-team11=~~Terry~~ ~~Funk~~		\| RD1-team11='''Moondog Spot'''
	\| RD1-team12=~~'''Moondog~~ ~~Spot'''~~		\| RD1-team12=Terry Funk
	\| RD1-score11=~~0:17~~		\| RD1-score11=CO
	\| RD1-score12=CO		\| RD1-score12=0:17
	\| RD1-team13=~~Don~~ ~~Muraco~~		\| RD1-team13='''Tito Santana'''
	\| RD1-team14=~~'''Tito~~ ~~Santana'''~~		\| RD1-team14=Magnificent Muraco
	\| RD1-score13=~~4:17~~		\| RD1-score13=Pin
	\|RD1-score14=~~Pin~~		\|RD1-score14=4:17
	\| RD1-team15=~~'''Paul~~ ~~Orndorff'''~~		\| RD1-team15=Bob Orton
	\| RD1-team16=~~Bob~~ ~~Orton~~		\| RD1-team16='''Paul Orndorff'''
	\| RD1-score15=~~6:28~~		\| RD1-score15=DQ
	\| RD1-score16=DQ		\| RD1-score16=6:28
	\| RD2-team01=Adrian Adonis		\| RD2-team01=Adrian Adonis
	\| RD2-team02='''Dynamite Kid'''		\| RD2-team02='''Dynamite Kid'''
Line 205:		Line 210:
	\|RD3-score02=Pin		\|RD3-score02=Pin
	\| RD3-team03='''Junkyard Dog'''		\| RD3-team03='''Junkyard Dog'''
	\| RD3-team04= ]		\| RD3-team04=]
	\| RD3-score03=		\| RD3-score03=
	\| RD3-score04=		\| RD3-score04=
Line 231:		Line 236:
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]

Revision as of 23:58, 27 December 2024

1985 World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view event

The Wrestling Classic

Promotion

World Wrestling Federation

Date

November 7, 1985

City

Rosemont, Illinois

Venue

Rosemont Horizon

Attendance

14,000

Pay-per-view chronology

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WrestleMania

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WrestleMania 2

The Wrestling Classic was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). It took place on November 7, 1985, at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois in the United States. It was the promotion's second ever pay-per-view (after WrestleMania).

In the main event, WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Rowdy Roddy Piper by disqualification to retain the title. The undercard featured a 16-man tournament, where The Junkyard Dog defeated Randy "Macho Man " Savage in the finals of the tournament. The event also included a fan competition for a Rolls-Royce.

Production

Background

Following the success of their first pay-per-view (PPV) WrestleMania, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) scheduled a series of five special pay-per-view airings to be titled "WrestleVision".

In a September 1985 interview with Electronic Media, Vince McMahon stated the first WrestleVision event would feature "the most prestigious wrestling tournament ever devised," and would feature Hulk Hogan and André the Giant. The subsequent four events were announced for January, March, May, and August 1986.

The first WrestleVision event, The Wrestling Classic, was held on November 7, 1985, at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois. It was the WWF's second-ever PPV produced following WrestleMania. However, unlike WrestleMania, The Wrestling Classic was a one-off event and the remaining four WrestleVision branded events did not take place as announced by McMahon.

Electronic Media stated in March 1986 that "WrestleVision, which followed in November, was something of a dud" and quoted McMahon as saying "all of our guns weren't loaded for WrestleVision as they were for WrestleMania" in reference to the remaining four events' cancelations.

Storylines

The promotion of the event began on the October 5, 1985 episode of WWF Championship Wrestling, with Lord Alfred Hayes announcing that there would be a 16-wrestler tournament and that a fan would win a Rolls-Royce. On the same episode, Hayes announced a group of 16 wrestlers. Of the wrestlers announced, 15 of the original appeared in the tournament as initially announced with only Moondog Spot replacing The Missing Link (wrestler). Neither Hulk Hogan nor André the Giant appeared in the tournament as McMahon had announced to the press in September in his interview with Electronic Media.

The main feud heading into Wrestling Classic was between Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper, with the two battling over the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. In 1985, Piper became the top heel of the promotion after he spoke out against the burgeoning Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection, which led to a confrontation with Hogan. In February, they faced each other at MTV special The War to Settle the Score for Hogan's WWF World Heavyweight title, in which Hogan retained his title by disqualification. Their feud led to the development of WrestleMania. In the main event of the first-ever WrestleMania, Hogan and celebrity Mr. T defeated Piper and Paul Orndorff. Hogan feuded with Piper and Cowboy Bob Orton for the rest of the year and often got disqualification victories over them, leading to a WWF World Heavyweight title match between Hogan and Piper at the Wrestling Classic. Despite being for the Championship, this bout was not announced on WWF television until the October 26, 1985 edition of Championship Wrestling, less than two weeks prior to the event and the tournament took precedent in the promotion of the card.

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role:	Name:
Presenters	Vince McMahon
	Lord Alfred Hayes
	Susan Waitkus
Commentators	Gorilla Monsoon
	Jesse Ventura
	Gene Okerlund (tournament finals)
Interviewer	Gene Okerlund
Ring announcer	Howard Finkel
WWF President (figurehead)	Jack Tunney

The card consisted of fifteen matches and included a 16-man tournament dubbed "The Wrestling Classic".

In the first round of the tournament, Adrian Adonis (with manager Jimmy Hart) defeated Corp. Kirchner with a DDT.

Dynamite Kid then faced Nikolai Volkoff (without manager Freddie Blassie); Dynamite Kid attacked Volkoff, who had just finished his customary singing of the Soviet national anthem, with a missile dropkick from the top turnbuckle and then quickly scored the pinfall in a match that lasted about six seconds (the official time given was nine seconds, equaling the record King Kong Bundy had set at WrestleMania).

Randy "Macho Man " Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) then defeated "Polish Power" Ivan Putski, though Savage had both his feet on the middle rope for leverage.

Ricky Steamboat faced Davey Boy Smith in a rare match pitting two fan favourites against each other. The match moved back and forth until Smith landed in the ropes trying attack Steamboat, but Steamboat sidestepped and Smith injured his groin and was unable to continue, so Steamboat was awarded the match by forfeit.

The Junkyard Dog then faced The Iron Sheik (like Volkoff, the Sheik appeared without Freddie Blassie). The match began with Sheik choking JYD with his jacket. He applied a camel clutch on JYD before releasing the hold. JYD quickly hit a headbutt on Sheik and pinned him to win the match.

Moondog Spot and Terry Funk's (with Jimmy Hart) match was next. It appeared that neither of them wanted to wrestle, so at Funk's suggestion they both left the ring. As Spot started to leave, Funk attacked him from behind and tried to re-enter the ring for a countout win, but Spot prevented him from entering the ring and Spot himself won the match by countout after Funk backdropped him into the ring before the ten count.

WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Tito Santana then faced Magnificent Muraco (with Mr. Fuji). Muraco appeared to have pinned Santana but as his feet were on the ropes, the match continued and Santana rolled up the surprised Muraco with a quick small package, scoring the pinfall. Santana suffered a groin injury that would hamper him later in the tournament.

The final match of the first round pitted Paul Orndorff against Cowboy Bob Orton. Orton was disqualified after he hit Orndorff with his cast.

The quarterfinals began with Adrian Adonis facing Dynamite Kid. During the match, Adonis accidentally collided with his manager Jimmy Hart. Dynamite Kid took advantage and pinned Adonis to win the match.

Ricky Steamboat then faced off against Randy Savage. The referee was distracted by Miss Elizabeth as Savage took advantage and pulled out brass knuckles from his tights and hit Steamboat before pinning him to win the match.

The Junkyard Dog then defeated Moondog Spot after a head butt. Strangely, there was no referee for this match and JYD counted the 3 himself. Commentators Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura then announced that a judge was at ringside and that JYD's count was legal.

Tito Santana and Paul Orndorff fought to a double count-out, eliminating both wrestlers from the tournament in the process and allowing The Junkyard Dog to advance to the finals. This led to Bobby Heenan's $50,000 storyline bounty on Paul Orndorff not being collected.

In the main event, which was a non-tournament match, Hulk Hogan defended his WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Rowdy Roddy Piper. Hogan applied a bearhug on Piper. Piper responded with a sleeper hold. The referee was knocked out and Piper hit Hogan with a steel chair before Hogan applied a sleeper hold of his own on Piper. Bob Orton came out and hit Hogan with his cast. The referee saw this and disqualified Piper in the process. Piper and Orton continued to assault Hogan until Paul Orndorff came out and cleared the ring.

The semi-final match between Randy Savage and Dynamite Kid was next. Dynamite Kid superplexed Savage off the top rope but Savage countered it into an inside cradle for the victory.

As part of the show, a fan competition was held. One of over 250,000 fans won a Rolls-Royce. This segment was cut from the Coliseum Home Video release for time. However, it was restored when the show aired on WWE Classics on Demand, WWE's archival video on demand service, as well as on the WWE Network.

In the finals of the tournament The Junkyard Dog wrestled Randy Savage. Shortly after the match began, Gene Okerlund joined the commentary team. Junkyard Dog hit a back body drop on Savage off the top rope who landed on the arena floor. Savage was unable to get into the ring and was counted out. As a result, The Junkyard Dog won the match and the tournament.

Aftermath

Many wrestlers received pushes by this tournament. The Junkyard Dog, the winner of this tournament got a push as he became the man to win the first-ever major tournament in WWF history. Randy "Macho Man" Savage went on to win both the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship from Tito Santana on February 8, 1986 and the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in a similar tournament at WrestleMania IV in 1988. Ricky Steamboat also won the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, by defeating Savage at WrestleMania III in 1987. Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith who together were The British Bulldogs would go on to win the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 2 in 1986.

Results

No.

Results

Stipulations

Times

Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Corporal Kirchner

First round tournament match