List of WrestleMania 2 Historical Firsts and Records

First WrestleMania Broadcast on National Pay-Per-View

April 7, 1986

WrestleMania 2 was the first WrestleMania to be broadcast nationally on pay-per-view across the entire United States. The original WrestleMania in 1985 was available on PPV in select markets only. WrestleMania 2's national PPV distribution established the template for every WrestleMania that followed and marked the formal beginning of professional wrestling's pay-per-view era. This single business decision had more long-term financial impact on the WWF than almost any other in the company's history.

Only WrestleMania Held at Three Simultaneous Venues

New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles — April 7, 1986

No WrestleMania before or since has been held at three simultaneous venues in three different cities. WrestleMania 2's three-city format was a logistical gamble driven by Vince McMahon's desire to maximize geographic reach in an era when a single large venue wasn't yet financially viable. The concept was never repeated — WrestleMania III in 1987 moved to the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan and drew a claimed attendance of 93,173, demonstrating that a single massive venue was ultimately more commercially effective.

First and Only WrestleMania on a Monday

Until COVID-19-affected WrestleMania 36 in 2020

WrestleMania 2 held the unique distinction of being the only WrestleMania held on a Monday for 34 years — until WrestleMania 36 was held without fans across two Wednesdays in the WWE Performance Center in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WrestleMania 2's Monday scheduling was unique, intentional, and has never been replicated under normal circumstances.

First Steel Cage Match in WrestleMania History

Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy

The main event of WrestleMania 2 — Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship — was the first Steel Cage Match in WrestleMania history. It remained the only WrestleMania Steel Cage Match for many years and established a tradition of signature stipulation matches appearing at WrestleMania. The cage structure served its intended purpose perfectly, preventing Bobby Heenan from directly interfering in the championship match's outcome.

First WrestleMania to Feature an Inter-Sport Contest

WWF vs. NFL Battle Royal

WrestleMania 2's 20-Man Battle Royal featuring both WWF wrestlers and active NFL players was the first time professional wrestling and another major professional sport shared a WrestleMania ring. The concept of blending sports worlds at WrestleMania — which has continued through celebrity appearances, boxing matches, and various crossovers in every subsequent decade — arguably began with this unique Chicago showcase.

First WrestleMania with Three Separate Commentary Teams

New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles

WrestleMania 2's three-venue format required three entirely separate commentary teams to call the action simultaneously in different cities. This has never been repeated at any subsequent WrestleMania. The nine commentators employed across the three venues included some of the WWF's most distinctive broadcast personalities — Vince McMahon, Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Ventura, and Mean Gene Okerlund — alongside celebrity commentators Susan Saint James, Cathy Lee Crosby, and Elvira.