Gimmick Some (Wrestlemania) Lovin': The Blue Bars of Doom

The Build

Happier times, long before a much more iconic "Hogan vs. A Big Guy" match.

Hogan and Bundy first tussled on television on the November 2, 1985, edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, when Hogan and Andre the Giant would defeat Andre's Wrestlemania I opponent Big John Studd and Bundy via disqualification in a tag team match.

On the March 1, 1986, edition of Main Event, Hogan looked poised to easily dispatch The Magnificent Muraco when Bundy interfered, instigating a two-on-one attack orchestrated by perpetual Hogan foe Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

Around the same time the Four Horsemen broke Dusty's leg in a steel cage, this was a "serious injury" angle for McMahon and company.

Bundy and Muraco laid on the assault, with Bundy repeatedly splashing Hogan and delivering his "Avalanche" finisher in the corner (think Stinger Splash, but done at a third of the speed). Storyline doctors would rule that Bundy had crushed the Hulkster's ribs, and declared that Hogan would not be medically cleared to defend his WWF Championship at the second annual Wrestlemania.

Bundy and Heenan amped up the verbal assault, however, taunting Hogan's medical condition and demanding Bundy receive a title shot until The Immortal decided to throw caution (and medical advice) to the wind and accept the challenge. Hogan, however, stipulated that the match must occur in a steel cage, to ensure that Heenan and Muraco would be unable to affect the outcome of the match.