To really understand the meaning of WrestleMania, you have to rewind yourself to the early 1980's. Professional wrestling at that time was made of wrestling federations who mainly represented the area they were. For instance some popular territories were Kansas City, Texas, and Florida. The main territories were though the Southeast and Mid Atlantic which was backed by the NWA and Jim Crockett and the Northeast which was the territory of the WWE and Vince McMahon, Jr.
McMahon was one who came up with the concept of trying to take his sport nationally and internationally. McMahon and the WWE wanted to be the one and only federation. In the end that did happen but eventually led to a well known fued between the WWE and the NWA. One had the talent and the other had the entertainment and creative drive and direction. The NWA had its first wrestling super-card, 'Starcade', back in '83. When McMahon seen that being able to reach more audiences through outlets like pay per view and have an annual supercard can make you lots of money, that is when Wrestlemania was born. So I guess I would have to say my first memory of Wrestlemania is when they announced the first one in March of 1985.
The biggest moment in Wrestlemania history is a tie for me. It is a tie between the Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant main event at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit during WM 3 and then during the last Wrestlemania 24, when Shawn Michaels beat Ric Flair in his last match and the emotional exit he made as he left the ring. It went to show that the Nature Boy had a heart after all.
I am a big fan of the early Wrestlmania's so they are my biggest moments. Hulk slamming Andre. Who can forget during Mania 2 when William 'Refrigerator' Perry pulled Big John Studd out of the ring during the pro/am battle royal. The neatest concept was when they were able to pull simultaneous events. Hogan defeating King Kong Bundy in the cage at Mania 2 not long after having his rib broke by the big Bundy. Alot of people tend to say that the year that Ultimate Warrior defeated Hulk Hogan for the belt as one the most memorable moments of all time.
In 2009, Wrestlemania will celebrate its 25th edition. Each year at this time is when the WWE inducts new people into its Hall of Fame. Folks like the Undertaker and Rey Mysterio may once get there. The thing is that the ones that are already there are the ones who set the ball rolling for Wrestlemania's and most importantly, the WWE. There are so many stand out moments in the history of Wrestlemania. The standout moments for me is being able to see my favorite wrestlers perform.