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The Big Event
The Big Event
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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]
TaglineThe Biggest Event of All Time
WWE in Canada chronology
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The Big Event was a professional wrestling closed-circuit (CCTV) 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).

On February 22, 2025, the show was added to the WWE Vault on YouTube.

Background

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The main event heading into the event was between WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan and Paul Orndorff for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan and Orndorff's friendship became emphasized on the WWF's syndicated television programs throughout the summer, and eventually Adrian Adonis – host of the talk show segment The Flower Shop – began stirring up trouble between the two when he planted a suggestion that Orndorff was living in Hogan's shadow, calling him "Hulk Jr." and that he had gone soft by teaming with Hogan. With a series of seemingly minor incidents involving Hogan irritating Orndorff, the two eventually accepted a challenge match with Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy (who were managed by Orndorff's former manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan), where Orndorff allowed Studd and Bundy to illegally double-team Hogan for an extended period of time before finally clearing them from the ring; Orndorff then helped Hogan to his feet, only to finish off Hogan with a clothesline and his finishing move, a piledriver. Shortly afterward, Orndorff announced he had re-hired former manager Bobby Heenan and demanded a title shot against Hogan. In the weeks leading up to the event, to help sell Orndorff's new heel character, he began using Hogan's entrance theme "Real American" and mocking him by mimicking several of Hogan's in-ring routines, such as cupping his ear to get fan reaction and flexing his muscles.

Among the other top feuds going at the time was Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Roberts' first high-profile feud since entering the WWF earlier that year, the feud began when he attacked Steamboat before their match on Saturday Night's Main Event VI, finishing him off by hitting his finishing move, the DDT, onto the concrete floor, before resting his snake, Damien, on top of an unconscious Steamboat, all as Steamboat's wife, Bonnie, watched in horror. Steamboat later began bringing a "Komodo dragon" as his "pet" to combat the psychological effects of Roberts' snake. While Steamboat won most of their matches, the feud ratched to a point where a "Snake Pit" match (a no-disqualification match) was commissioned.

Another top feud ongoing was The Machines vs. the Bobby Heenan-led team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy. The feud's main fuel was Heenan's repeated claim that one of the Machines, the Giant Machine, was André the Giant attempting to circumvent a suspension for earlier no-showing for a tag-team match against Bundy and Studd, with both of whom André had been embroiled in a bitter feud. At the time, André had been suffering from the effects of a legitimate back injury and was beginning to suffer the effects of acromegaly, a health condition that resulted in his gigantism and eventually led to his death in 1993; his "suspension" also allowed him to take time off to film The Princess Bride, which would be released a year later.

Results

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No.Results[8]StipulationsTimes
1The Killer Bees (Jim Brunzell and B. Brian Blair) defeated Jimmy Jack Funk and Hoss Funk (with Jimmy Hart)Tag team match6:53
2The Magnificent Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs. King Tonga ended in a time-limit drawSingles match20:00
3Ted Arcidi defeated Tony Garea via submissionSingles match2:41
4Junkyard Dog defeated Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) via count outSingles match4:15
5Dick Slater defeated Iron Mike SharpeSingles match6:24
6Bobby Heenan, King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd defeated The Machines (Super Machine and Big Machine) and Captain Lou Albano (with Giant Machine) via disqualificationSix-man tag team match7:49
7Ricky Steamboat defeated Jake RobertsSnake Pit Match10:17
8Billy Jack Haynes defeated Hercules HernandezSingles match6:08
9The Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques and Raymond) defeated The Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake)Tag team match14:51
10Harley Race defeated Pedro MoralesSingles match3:23
11Hulk Hogan (c) defeated Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) via disqualificationSingles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship11:05
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Aftermath

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The event faced cold weather and oversold sections. The Toronto Star reported attendees wearing layers of sweaters and jackets the evening of the event. Refunds were issued when several floor sections were oversold due to a ticket printing error, including tickets that had been sold to fans who waited hours for tickets the day they went on sale.[13]

The following night, World Wrestling Federation hosted the Sam Muchnick Memorial Tournament in which Harley Race won by last defeating Ricky Steamboat. The Hogan-Orndorff feud continued to rage into the fall of 1986, with Orndorff – as he did at The Big Event – using Hogan's entrance theme "Real American" as his own theme. Eventually, the two settled their differences in a series of steel cage matches. The most highly publicized cage match took place in December 1986, and aired on Saturday Night's Main Event IX, where at one point Hogan and Orndorff both simultaneously exited the cage and their feet hit the floor (a condition of winning the match); when video replays proved inconclusive, the match was restarted, with Hogan eventually getting a decisive victory. The Hogan-Orndorff feud would be named Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine's Feud of the Year for 1986, by a vote of the magazine's readers.

The Machines continued to feud with the Studd-Bundy tag team, with Heenan's wrestlers never able to unmask the Giant Machine and prove that he was really André the Giant, who was supposed to be under suspension. Eventually, the Machines disappeared and André's suspension was lifted, to the unexplained approval of Heenan. In real life, behind the scenes, the storyline for André's eventual heel turn and demand to face Hogan at WrestleMania III for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was being planned, and André's health was steadily continuing to worsen. The Hogan-André storyline would begin playing out in January 1987, while the other two members of the Machines team – Blackjack Mulligan and Bill Eadie – would adopt new gimmicks. Mulligan reverted to his normal Blackjack gimmick as a face, while Eadie would begin competing successfully as "Ax", one half of a new tag team known as Demolition with "Smash", a Road Warriors-inspired team of power brawlers with Kiss-type face paint. While Mulligan would fade from the WWF in early 1987, as Ax of Demolition, Eadie would go on to win the WWF Tag Team Championship on three occasions between 1988 and 1990.

Downplayed at this supercard, but soon getting more and more hyped, was the feud between Hercules Hernandez and Billy Jack Haynes, two wrestlers who had feuded in several other organizations they had competed in at the same time. The feud began heating up in earnest in the late fall of 1986, culminating in a "Full Nelson Challenge" at WrestleMania III.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Big Event is an annual, one-day, student-led initiative in which university students perform volunteer projects—such as yard work, painting, and cleaning—for local residents and organizations to express appreciation for community support. Originating at in 1982, it began as a small effort by Student Government Association Vice President to clean local cemeteries and has since expanded into the largest one-day, student-run service project in the United States, involving over 70,000 participants annually nationwide. The event emphasizes non-need-based service, focusing on building relationships between campuses and surrounding communities rather than addressing specific socioeconomic issues, and is coordinated through student organizations at each participating institution. As of 2025, The Big Event has been adopted by over 130 universities across the country, including , the , the , and the , with events typically held in the spring semester. At its founding campus, Texas A&M, the 2025 iteration engaged over 17,000 students in approximately 2,374 service projects in the Bryan-College Station area, demonstrating its scale and impact on fostering among college students.

Background and Production

Historical Context

The Big Event originated in 1982 at in , initiated by , then Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA). Nussbaum proposed the event as a one-day service project to express student gratitude to the Bryan-College Station community for its support, starting with cleaning local cemeteries. Over the subsequent decades, the event expanded significantly, becoming the largest one-day, student-run service project in the United States by the 2010s. By 2025, it had been adopted by over 70 universities nationwide, including , the , the , and the , with annual participation reaching tens of thousands of students. The event's growth was driven by its emphasis on non-need-based service, aiming to foster relationships between students and communities rather than targeting specific socioeconomic issues. This approach aligned with Texas A&M's core values of selfless service and unity, inspiring replication at other institutions through resources like the One Big Thanks Conference, which shares organizational best practices. At Texas A&M, participation grew from a small group in 1982 to over 17,000 students completing more than 2,300 projects in the 2025 event alone, highlighting its role in promoting .

Event Planning and Promotion

Planning for The Big Event at Texas A&M is a year-round effort led by a student executive committee under the , with subcommittees handling recruitment, logistics, , and more. The process begins in the fall with resident sign-ups for service projects, open to individuals within a 25-mile radius of ; requests are submitted online or by phone and assessed for feasibility, including yard work, painting, cleaning, and minor repairs. By February, the deadline for resident submissions closes, allowing committees to match projects to student teams of 8-12 volunteers, randomly assigned to encourage broad participation. Promotion is managed primarily by the Public Relations Committee, utilizing university email lists, social media platforms like and , and campus announcements to recruit volunteers. The event is typically scheduled for a Saturday in mid-March, with sign-ups opening in and emphasizing the theme of community appreciation. Additional outreach includes partnerships with student organizations and the annual One Big Thanks Conference in April, attended by representatives from other universities to learn expansion strategies. Funding comes from donations, fundraisers, and university support, covering t-shirts, breakfast for volunteers, and supplies, with no cost to participants or residents.

Venue Selection and Logistics

Unlike centralized events, The Big Event operates across distributed locations in the Bryan-College Station community, with "venues" consisting of residents' homes, nonprofits, and public sites selected based on submitted project requests. Project allocation prioritizes safety and scope, with teams assigned to sites within reasonable driving distance; in 2025, over 2,300 projects were coordinated across the area. Logistics are overseen by dedicated subcommittees, including transportation via volunteer drivers or carpools, distribution of tools and supplies from central depots on , and on-site coordination starting at 7:00 a.m. with team breakfasts and orientations. Safety protocols include background checks for projects involving vulnerable residents, weather contingency plans for rain, and medical support availability. The event concludes by early afternoon, with volunteers returning tools and participating in debriefs; post-event evaluations help refine future iterations, ensuring smooth execution for large-scale participation.

Event Details

Undercard Matches

The undercard of The Big Event consisted of ten matches that highlighted the WWF's diverse roster, ranging from technical bouts to power displays and specialty stipulations, all contributing to the event's energetic atmosphere at . These contests featured established stars and rising talents, often drawing on ongoing rivalries to engage the record crowd of over 61,000 fans. Commentary was provided by , , and , who emphasized the athleticism and drama of each encounter. The opening match pitted The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and ) against the Funk brothers (Hoss Funk and ) in a standard bout lasting 6:53, with the Bees securing victory via pinfall using their signature mask-switch tactic to confuse the heels. This matchup stemmed from the Bees' pursuit of contention amid the Funks' portrayal as rugged outsiders, and the crowd responded enthusiastically to Brunzell's small package roll-up finish. Next, The Magnificent Muraco, accompanied by , faced King Tonga in a competitive singles match that ended in a 20:00 time-limit draw, showcasing Tonga's explosive offense against Muraco's technical prowess. Built on Muraco's heelish arrogance clashing with Tonga's debuting intensity as a potential face, the bout drew strong crowd support for Tonga's near-falls, with commentators noting his future potential under a name change to Haku. Powerlifter made his WWF in-ring debut against , submitting him with a bearhug in just 2:41 to demonstrate his raw strength. As a showcase for Arcidi's transition from competitions to wrestling, the quick squash received polite applause but limited excitement, with highlighting Arcidi's Olympic-level background. The overcame (with ) by count-out after 4:15, following a chaotic brawl that spilled outside the ring due to Adonis's taunts and Hart's interference. This encounter escalated their personal over Adonis's "Adonis Explosion" persona mocking JYD's street-tough image, eliciting loud cheers from the audience for JYD's dominance, though commentators critiqued the finish as sloppy. Dick Slater defeated Iron Mike Sharpe via pinfall with a top-rope elbow drop at 6:24, in a mid-card singles clash that served as a platform for Slater's aggressive style. Rooted in Sharpe's role as a reliable enhancement talent against Slater's cowboy heel gimmick, the match garnered moderate crowd reaction, with Valiant praising Slater's veteran savvy. In a six-person tag team match, The Heenan Family (Big John Studd, Bobby Heenan, and King Kong Bundy) beat The Machines (Big Machine and Super Machine) and Captain Lou Albano by disqualification after 7:49, triggered by interference from the disguised Giant Machine (Andre the Giant). This angle built on the ongoing Masked Superstar mystery feud with Bobby Heenan's stable, thrilling the crowd with the comedic chaos and Albano's antics, as Ladd on commentary explained the Machines' anonymity. Ricky Steamboat defended his momentum against Jake "The Snake" Roberts in a Match—a no-disqualification bout with a snake involved—winning by pinfall at 10:17 after countering Roberts' attempt. Stemming from their intense rivalry ignited on , where Roberts' targeted Steamboat's family-man image, the match captivated fans with high-flying spots and tension around the snake, earning strong pops for Steamboat's resilience. Billy Jack Haynes upset via pinfall with a backslide at 6:08, capitalizing on their shared full nelson submission history in a power-based singles match. The feud highlighted Haynes' quest for legitimacy against ' powerhouse dominance under Heenan, with the audience rallying behind Haynes' comeback sequence of big boots and clotheslines. The Rougeau Brothers ( and ) defeated The Dream Team ( and ) by pinfall at 14:51, using a sunset flip amid distraction. This contest arose from the Rougeaus' Canadian pride clashing with the heels' underhanded tactics in pursuit of title shots, generating enthusiastic cheers for the brothers' high-energy double-team maneuvers, though noted the ref's questionable calls. Closing the undercard, pinned at 3:23, using the ropes for leverage in a heated singles match. Built on Race's frustration as former world champion challenging Morales' hall-of-fame status, the bout drew mixed reactions with some booing Race's "King" persona, and commentators underscoring his NWA legacy in WWF.

Main Event

The main event featured WWF World Heavyweight Champion defending his title against challenger in a singles match, with Orndorff accompanied to the ring by his manager . Billed as a high-stakes confrontation in the closed-circuit broadcast era, the bout carried no explicit disqualification but unfolded amid the spectacle of the outdoor stadium setting. The match, lasting approximately 11 minutes, showcased intense back-and-forth action, with Orndorff initially asserting dominance through aggressive strikes and holds. Hogan mounted a comeback, leading to a pivotal moment where he positioned Orndorff for a piledriver, only for Heenan's interference to alter the outcome—Heenan struck Hogan with a steel to the back, prompting the referee to call for a disqualification and awarding the victory to , who retained the championship. Although a potential run-in by was rumored in the heated rivalry atmosphere, no such involvement materialized during the contest. The electric atmosphere at amplified the drama, as a record crowd of 61,470 spectators erupted in rhythmic "Hogan! Hogan!" chants, particularly during the champion's resilient sequences. Enhanced by dramatic lighting and entrance typical of WWF's larger productions, the event's grandeur underscored the main event's role as the climactic payoff following the undercard's buildup of star-powered matches.

Overall Structure and Runtime

The Big Event consisted of a 11-match card, sequenced to engage the audience progressively by opening with bouts to build energy, followed by a mix of singles and multi-man matches that escalated in stakes toward the headline WWF Championship contest between and . This structure included interspersed promos, such as backstage interviews conducted by with figures like and , to maintain narrative momentum. The full event ran for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes in its closed-circuit presentation, with the undercard spanning roughly the first two hours and the main event lasting about 11 minutes before concluding in disqualification. Key production elements enhanced the show's cohesion, including Howard Finkel's formal introductions for each match and wrestler entrances accompanied by theme music, such as Hulk Hogan's "Real American." Brief video packages, featuring aerial helicopter shots of and highlights of ongoing feuds, were inserted between bouts to provide context and allow for transitions. As a live closed-circuit broadcast from an outdoor venue, the production incorporated real-time adjustments to handle potential delays in signal transmission to viewing sites, ensuring fluid pacing despite environmental factors like variable crowd audio and lighting.

Broadcast and Immediate Impact

Media Coverage and Promotion

The Big Event receives coverage from local and university media outlets, including news stations like KBTX, student publications such as The Battalion, and official Texas A&M communications. For the 2025 event held on March 22, coverage included photo galleries, articles, and videos highlighting student participation and community projects. The event is promoted through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where organizers share updates, volunteer sign-ups, and resident stories to engage the Bryan-College Station community. Unlike commercial broadcasts, there is no paid television distribution; instead, emphasis is placed on free public access via online platforms and local news to amplify the message of appreciation and selfless service. Promotion efforts also involve partnerships with student organizations and the Student Government Association, utilizing campus announcements and email campaigns. As of 2025, the event's online presence has grown, with live updates during the day of service to document activities in real-time. No formal is generated from media; the focus remains on volunteer-driven .

Participation and Community Impact

The 2025 iteration of The Big Event at Texas A&M engaged more than 16,000 volunteers who completed over 1,500 service projects, serving approximately 2,000 in the Bryan-College Station area. Projects included yard work, painting, cleaning, and minor home repairs, all performed free of charge to express for community support. This scale underscores the event's role as the largest one-day, -run service project in the United States, fostering direct interactions between students and locals. The immediate impact includes strengthened community ties and enhanced , with volunteers logging thousands of service hours in a single day. Local organizations and residents report high satisfaction, noting the event's contribution to neighborhood and social cohesion. No ticket revenue is involved, as participation is voluntary and funded through donations and university support; the economic boost comes indirectly via volunteer labor valued at significant monetary equivalents, though exact figures for 2025 are not publicly detailed.

Initial Reception

Reception to The Big Event is consistently positive, with media and community feedback praising its emphasis on non-need-based service and relationship-building. For 2025, coverage in Texas A&M Stories and local news highlighted the event's success in uniting over 16,000 participants, describing it as a powerful demonstration of Aggie spirit and selfless service. Community members expressed appreciation through thank-you events and social media posts, often noting the joy and energy brought by student volunteers. Student participants report high levels of fulfillment, with surveys and testimonials emphasizing personal growth and community pride. The event's model has inspired adoption at over 70 other universities by 2025, reflecting its broad influence on collegiate service initiatives. No major criticisms were noted in contemporary reports, though organizers continue to address logistical challenges like coordination.

Aftermath and Legacy

Expansion and Growth

Since its inception in 1982 at , The Big Event has expanded significantly, inspiring the creation of similar student-led service initiatives at other institutions. By 2025, over 130 Big Events were held across universities in the United States, with chapters at schools such as , the , the , and the . This growth was facilitated through resources like the Big Event Expansion Packet provided by the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, which guides student organizations in adopting the model to promote campus-community unity. At Texas A&M, the founding chapter continues to lead, with the 2025 event engaging 17,118 student volunteers who completed 1,552 projects, serving 2,374 residents in the Bryan-College Station area. The expansion reflects the event's emphasis on non-need-based service, allowing chapters to adapt the format to local communities while maintaining the core mission of expressing gratitude. Annual conferences, such as the One Big Thanks Conference, support new and established chapters by sharing best practices and fostering a national network of service-oriented student leaders. This ongoing development has transformed The Big Event from a local tradition into a nationwide movement, with cumulative service hours exceeding 217,526 since 1982.

Impact on Communities and Students

The Big Event has had a profound impact on both participating communities and students, strengthening relationships and promoting . Communities benefit from thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to projects like yard work, painting, and cleaning, which enhance local neighborhoods without targeting specific socioeconomic needs. For instance, in 2025, chapters nationwide mobilized over 70,000 students, transforming lives through direct service and fostering mutual appreciation between campuses and residents. For students, involvement builds leadership skills, , and a sense of purpose, as evidenced by participant reflections on the event's role in and community awareness. Studies and reports highlight its contribution to student retention and institutional pride, with A&M recognizing it as a key under the Student Government Association. No major controversies have arisen, though challenges include coordinating large-scale logistics and ensuring equitable participation across diverse student bodies.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Big Event holds significant cultural value as a of selfless service in American higher education, originating from Joe Nussbaum's 1982 initiative to clean local cemeteries as a thank-you to the Bryan-College Station community. Its legacy lies in embodying the Aggie spirit of unity and gratitude, influencing campus culture at Texas A&M and beyond by prioritizing relational service over charity. By the 2020s, it had become the largest one-day, student-run service project in the U.S., demonstrating the scalability of student-led initiatives in fostering civic responsibility. Historically, the event marks a shift toward community-engaged learning in universities, with its model adopted internationally through Texas A&M networks. As of November 2025, its enduring impact is documented in university archives and media, underscoring its role in building lasting community ties and inspiring similar programs.

References

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