Highlights from the main event at the first Wrestlemania (1985) between Hulk Hogan and Mr. T Vs. 'Mr Wonderful' Paul Orndorff and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper (with 'Cowboy' Bob Orton)
In reality, there was absolutely no love lost between 'Rowdy' Roddy and Mr. T.
These days, when celebrities choose to become involved with a wrestling show, they are often greeted with open arms by both the management and the wrestling talent. This is because all parties know that the celebrity will bring in extra attention and income for the whole promotion.
In the 1980s, however,
kayfabe was alive and well, and the wrestlers didn't take kindly to outsiders coming into their arena. This was especially true with Mr. T and Roddy Piper.
During the first Wrestlemania, Piper and Bob Orton (Randy's father) were set to take on Hulk Hogan and Mr. T in a tag match. However, Piper and Orton had reservations about involving a non-wrestler in the match. Those concerns were exacerbated when Mr. T didn't put much effort into preparing for the match. Orton and Piper ended up guzzling Mr. T by putting him in real wrestling holds and not allowing him any offense at all.
Mr. T was so upset by this experience that the WWE gave him a fixed shoot boxing match against Piper at Wrestlemania 2 so T could 'hit Piper for real.' The match is considered an embarrassment and rarely referenced today.