The Big Event

The Big Event
The cover of the Coliseum Video release featuring Hulk Hogan
PromotionWorld Wrestling Federation
DateAugust 28, 1986[1]
CityToronto, Ontario[1]
VenueExhibition Stadium[1]
Attendance61,470 [2]
Tagline(s)The Biggest Event of All Time

The Big Event was a professional wrestling special event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on August 28, 1986, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[3] The event was advertised locally in the July 15 Toronto Star as "Hulkamania" and was promoted as the headlining event of the 1986 Canadian National Exhibition.[4] According to the WWF's Official Magazine, the event drew a total audience of just under 70,000 fans and matched sell-out crowds at Exhibition Stadium previously only drawn by The Who and Bruce Springsteen.[5] Although attendance estimates vary from a paid attendance of 61,470[6] all the way up to a total attendance of 74,000,[7] sources agree The Big Event set a professional wrestling outdoor attendance record at the time.[8] According to Jim Hunt of the Toronto Sun, The Big Event grossed a reported one million Canadian dollars.[9] Tickets ranged from $20 ringside to $8 further away, with profits from ticket sales alone estimated between $75,000 and $100,000 [10]

A VHS tape of the event was released later by Coliseum Home Video,[11] with commentary by Gorilla Monsoon, Johnny Valiant, and Ernie Ladd.[12] This 115 Minute tape featured edits to a number of the matches. In 2014, WWE Network made the same version of the event available on demand in the pay-per-view (PPV) section (although the event was not originally broadcast via pay-per-view).

  1. ^ a b c Canoe – Slam! Wrestling – the Big Event 21 years later[usurped]
  2. ^ "Nine pro ballparks with a WWE pedigree".
  3. ^ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  4. ^ AC (April 1, 2019). "The Big Event 1986". Maple Leaf Wrestling. Maple Leaf Wrestling. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "Toronto Shakes It Up!". WWF Magazine. December 1986. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "WWF Stadium / Dome Shows". prowrestlinghistory. August 28, 1986. Retrieved August 6, 2007. WF028 drawing 64,100 ($800,000)
  7. ^ Brian Shields (2006). Main event – WWE in the raging 80s (4th ed.). Pocket Books. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-4165-3257-6. The Big Event emanates from Toronto's Exhibition Stadium. Over 74,000 fans set an outdoor attendance record
  8. ^ Cawthon, Graham (August 28, 1986). "WWF Show results: 1986". thehistoryofww.com. Retrieved August 6, 2007. The Big Event - Toronto, Ontario - CNE Stadium - August 28, 1986 (64,000; 61,470 paid; sell out)
  9. ^ Hunt, Jim (August 29, 1986). "Rassle Dazzle". Toronto Sun. Toronto. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  10. ^ AC (April 1, 2019). "The Big Event 1986". Maple Leaf Wrestling. Maple Leaf Wrestling. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  11. ^ prowrestlinghistory.com (August 28, 1986). "Coliseum Video listing". Retrieved August 6, 2007. WF028 The Big Event
  12. ^ Cawthon, Graham (August 28, 1986). "WWF Show results: 1986". thehistoryofww.com. Retrieved August 6, 2007. Included Gorilla Monsoon, Johnny Valiant, & Ernie Ladd on commentary