Andy Warhol revolutionized the art world in much the same way the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) turned wrestling into a massive public spectacle. Much like wrestling, Warhol took fine art out of the exclusive galleries and into the everyday lives of people, making it accessible to all. He wrapped it in layers of celebrity allure and, as critics might suggest, gave it a sense of commercialism.
Reflecting on Warhol’s affinity for wrestling, it seems entirely logical that he became a regular at Madison Square Garden wrestling extravaganzas throughout the 70s and 80s. Notably, he was on-screen during The War to Settle the Score, a memorable WWF event broadcast on MTV in 1985, featuring an iconic showdown between Hulk Hogan and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. This event wasn’t just a wrestling match but a glitzy, star-studded affair that included personalities like Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T, and naturally, Andy Warhol himself.
If you remember the scripts of 1980s professional wrestling, you’d know Mean Gene Okerlund was the voice behind those ringside and backstage interviews that allowed wrestlers to boldly strut and boast. When Andy Warhol was approached by Okerlund for his opinion on the Hogan/Piper clash, Warhol appeared utterly overwhelmed, uttering, “I’m speechless” and “I just don’t know what to say.” His brief foray into the vibrant world of wrestling was fleeting but unforgettable.
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