The year was 1986. Hulkamania was running wild in the WWF, and Vince McMahon’s bold vision of national expansion was transforming the wrestling landscape. Meanwhile, the American Wrestling Association (AWA), once a proud and influential force in the industry, found itself struggling to keep pace. In a desperate bid to reclaim its former glory and compete with the WWF’s growing popularity, the AWA rolled the dice on a grand spectacle: WrestleRock Rumble.
Held on April 20, 1986, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, WrestleRock Rumble was envisioned as a supercard extravaganza that would draw a massive crowd and inject new life into the AWA.The event boasted a star-studded lineup, featuring AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel defending his title against Curt Hennig in a steel cage match, as well as appearances by Sgt. Slaughter, The Road Warriors, “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal, and a young Scott Hall (then known as “Magnum” Scott Hall).
But the AWA’s attempt to generate buzz for WrestleRock Rumble took a decidedly unconventional turn. In an effort to capture the MTV generation, the promotion produced a music video featuring its wrestlers rapping and singing a song aptly titled “WrestleRock Rumble.” The video, now infamous in wrestling lore, showcased wrestlers like Bockwinkel, Slaughter, and The Road Warriors awkwardly delivering rhymes and attempting choreographed dance moves. While intended to be a catchy promotional tool, the video was widely ridiculed for its cheesy production, questionable rapping skills, and overall awkwardness.
Despite the star power and the ambitious effort to fill the Metrodome, WrestleRock Rumble proved to be a financial disappointment. While the event drew a respectable crowd of 23,000 fans, it fell short of expectations and failed to generate the revenue needed to revitalize the struggling promotion. The combination of high expenses associated with staging the event at a large venue, coupled with the underwhelming ticket sales, put the AWA in a precarious financial position.
The Seeds of Decline:
WrestleRock Rumble, while not the sole cause of the AWA’s demise, marked a turning point in the company’s fortunes. Several factors contributed to the AWA’s decline, including:
- The Rise of the WWF: Vince McMahon’s aggressive national expansion, savvy marketing strategies, and acquisition of top talent significantly impacted the AWA’s viewership and talent pool. The WWF’s rise to national prominence coincided with the AWA’s decline in popularity and influence.
- Talent Exodus: Many of the AWA’s top stars, lured by the promise of greater exposure and financial rewards, departed for the WWF. Hulk Hogan, Rick Martel, The Road Warriors, and “Mean” Gene Okerlund were just a few of the major names who left the AWA, leaving a void that was difficult to fill.
- Internal Struggles: Disagreements between AWA owner Verne Gagne and other promoters, as well as questionable booking decisions that failed to connect with audiences, further weakened the company’s position. Gagne’s reluctance to embrace the changing trends in professional wrestling contributed to the AWA’s inability to compete with the WWF’s more entertainment-oriented product.
The Final Bell:
In the years following WrestleRock Rumble, the AWA continued to struggle, its once-powerful presence in the wrestling world fading with each passing year. Despite attempts to rebrand and revitalize the promotion, the AWA could not overcome the challenges it faced. The company eventually ceased operations in 1991, bringing an end to a legacy that had spanned decades.
WrestleRock Rumble remains a curious and somewhat tragic footnote in wrestling history. It serves as a reminder of the AWA’s final attempt to reclaim its past glory, a valiant but ultimately flawed effort that signaled the beginning of the end for a once-proud promotion. The event, and its infamous music video, stand as symbols of a company struggling to adapt to a changing industry, a company that ultimately couldn’t keep up with the times.
While the AWA may be gone, its legacy lives on through the many legendary wrestlers who honed their craft within its ranks. From Verne Gagne and Nick Bockwinkel to Hulk Hogan and The Road Warriors, the AWA played a crucial role in shaping the history of professional wrestling. And though WrestleRock Rumble may be remembered more for its unintentional comedy than its in-ring action, it serves as a poignant reminder of the AWA’s final stand, a desperate gamble that ultimately failed to save a wrestling empire from its inevitable decline.
