411 Ranks The WrestleManias: #22 – WrestleMania 5

“Apparently, things went so well for WMIV that they decided to go again. In fact, according to Basil DeVito, Jr., in “WrestleMania: The Official Insider’s Story,” writes, “It had always been an unspoken rule that WrestleMania would move to a different site each year. In 1989, though, that plan was temporarily shelved. The Trump organization had done such a great job with WrestleMania IV that it was hard to imagine a better host for the event. They wanted us back, and we were willing to consider a return engagement.”

This was the second Mania I saw “live,” meaning “on pay-per-view or at a closed circuit theater.” This time, I actually took a date to the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, WV. How did the date end? Well, it’s over 20 years later, and she’s still here. To me, that’s a successful date.

Rockin’ Robin (WWF Women’s champion) sings “America the Beautiful” to open the show – What, was Gene Mean busy? Did Koko B. Ware insist on singing “Piledriver” during rehearsals? Seriously, her voice was okay for a locker room contest, but to open the biggest show of the year? Especially when Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight have done the honors already? Not a good start to the show.”

– Former 411 writer Ron Gamble

* Hercules defeated King Haku @ 6:26 via pin
* Akeem and The Big Bossman defeated the Rockers @ 8:03 via pin
* Ted Dibiase (w/Virgil) vs. Brutus Beefcake went to a double count out
* The Bushwhackers defeated The Rougeau Brothers @ 5:11 via pin
* Mr. Perfect defeated the Blue Blazer @ 5:59 via pin
* Demolition defeated The Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji @ 8:45 via pin
* Dino Bravo defeated Ronnie Garvin @ 3:58 via pin
* The Brain Busters defeated Strike Force @ 9:16 via pin
* Jake Roberts defeated Andre The Giant @ 9:38 via DQ
* The Hart Foundation defeated Greg Valentine and The Honky Tonk Man @ 7:40 via pin
* Rick Rude defeated The Ultimate Warrior to become the NEW Intercontinental Champion @ 9:45 via pin
* Bad News Brown vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan went to a double DQ @ 3:40
* The Red Rooster defeated Bobby Heenan @ 0:32 via pin
* Hulk Hogan defeated the Macho Man © to become the NEW WWF Champion @ 17:54 via pin

Scott Rutherford
The Best Thing on the Show And Why: Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan, *****. I have gone on record giving this match the full monty, not because it was a technical masterpiece or an innovative spotfest, but because “The Mega Powers Explode!” was the culmination of an epic storyline between two massive stars and in that sense, it was perfectly executed. Second only to Hogan/Andre in terms of sheer magnitude, Hogan/Savage was arguably the biggest WrestleMania match of all time and easily the best main event up to that point. While most of the credit often goes to the Macho Man, the Hulkster came to work as he busted out some chain-wrestling and did a great job selling Savage’s attacks on his arm, his throat, and the cut on his forehead. Of course, it ended predictably with Hogan no-selling the flying elbowdrop and going into his usual routine, but it was the textbook definition of a WrestleMania main event and set a standard for years to come.

The Worst Thing on the Show And Why: Andre the Giant vs. Jake Roberts, ½*. Since I don’t believe in negative stars, that’s as low as I’m willing to go. There were a few stinkers on the card, but this one sticks out the most because of its high profile and I’ll be shocked if anybody else selects a different match. Although Jake did the best he could, Andre could barely move and he looked like he was in pain with each step, and the lame angle with Big John Studd wasn’t something people wanted to see in 1989. Not surprisingly, all of these factors resulted in one of the worst WrestleMania matches in history.

Show MVP And Why: Rick Rude, for dragging a **** match out of the Ultimate Warrior and being the first guy to pin him in the WWF. The Ravishing One bumped his ass off and sold the hell out of his back as he did everything in his power to make the Warrior look like a competent wrestler. The finish was another huge shocker, because even with the outside interference from Bobby Heenan, I don’t think anybody expected Rude to go over. Speaking of Heenan, he deserves the title of co-MVP for his under appreciated work throughout the afternoon, as he appeared at ringside in four matches and almost got killed by the Warrior, then went out and put the Red Rooster over like a true professional.

Your Thoughts on The Show: I may be biased because this show occurred right when I had become a huge wrestling fan, but WrestleMania V had the best overall card of the first five ‘Manias hands-down. Aside from crap like Piper’s Pit, Run DMC, Andre/Jake, and Hacksaw Duggan vs. Bad News Brown, the lineup was mostly pretty solid with hidden gems such as Rockers vs. Twin Towers, Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer, and Hart Foundation vs. Greg Valentine & Honky Tonk Man bolstering the high-profile match-ups. Hell, even the Rougeaus/Bushwhackers bout provided a good comedy match and didn’t wear out their welcome. The only drawback to the show was the subdued crowd in Trump Plaza, many of whom weren’t wrestling fans and only reacted to the big names. While it did not place highly in the countdown, WrestleMania V is easily one of my Top Five–possibly Top Three–WrestleManias of all time.

Tony Acero
The Best Thing on the Show And Why: HULK HOGAN VS. “MACHO MAN” RANDY SAVAGE: [***1/2] The rest of the card was shit, but this match was one of the best built matches of all time, and that’s not an exaggeration. Yeah, you can do something like book Cena and Rock one year ahead of time, but THIS is storytelling, and THIS is something that gets fans riled up, completely. Looking back on the show, no one will remember any of the matches except this one. Credit has to go to both men, especially Hogan, because it showed that Hogan was more than an untouchable main eventer. Of course, the superman return was inevitable, but considering Savage was the heel, it wasn’t exactly the worst decision. All in all, the match was strong and really felt important (because it was). The emotions were high and the fans were just crazy. A moment that is a rarity nowadays.

The Worst Thing on the Show And Why: RED ROOSTER VS. BOBBY HEENAN: [No Rating] Do I really need to explain why this is the worst match? Heenan fighting a Rooster. I know it was all for fun, and Heenan was so hated at the time that seeing him fight anyone would have been a highlight, but it – like the event – didn’t age well.

Show MVP And Why: Bobby Heenan From coming out to damned near half of the card, to having his own match on the card, the man was just everywhere. He had more to do during some matches than others, but he was a prominent figure throughout the show and – as per usual – added the importance to the match and the proved that the role of a manager can be utilized perfectly.

Your Thoughts on The Show: The card for this match felt about 20 hours long, and with 14 matches on the card, there’s really no way around that, I suppose. With only one match (aside from the main event) breaking the two star range, the PPV could easily be considered a throwaway event, with the exception of one match. That one match is really the only reason why anyone would be excited to see this, anyway, so I suppose it did it’s job. That one match? Why, the ever exciting and well put together Mega Powers Exploding! Hogan and Savage had this match built for months, something damned near unseen nowadays, and I would have to say that in all honesty, the match didn’t disappoint. I was about 2 and a half when this aired live, and didn’t catch it again until I was 13 and got one hell of a coup in a VHS collection of Mania’s up until that point. I recall this card being boring till the main event. All of these years later and I feel the same way, this was a one match PPV.

Alex Crowder
The Best Thing on the Show And Why: WWF World Championship: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage(c). First thing is first I agree with Jesse Ventura that the challenger should always come out first in a Championship match. Matches like this one prove how good Hogan can be in the ring when he applies effort. I may not be a Hogan fan, but too many people think he sucked in the ring because his laziness in America. Hogan also did not have the best opponents to make up for his laziness, but Randy Savage seemed to bring the best out of him. This match is great and has a perfect story to compliment it. match is two of the best of an era going at it for the top prize. This match is 80’s WWF at its best. I think if Savage won this match instead of Hogan it would be looked at even more fondly. The Elizabeth story adds to the match too. Jesse Ventura is the voice of Hogan haters everywhere in this one insulting him the entire match calling him Puka-a-mania. This match is not perfect by any means, but the highlight of WrestleMania V for me.

The Worst Thing on the Show And Why: For me, it is The Bushwhackers and Rougeau Brothers. I did not care for that match.

Show MVP And Why: Randy Savage. Hulk Hogan certainly deserves credit, but Savage controlled the match. Savage’s interactions and character made this match worthwhile.

Your Thoughts on The Show: I rated this WrestleMania middle of the pack. I actually think this WrestleMania is decent. I’m not sure I like the choice of venue. This crowd sucks. Like any 80’s WrestleMania, there are far too many matches on the card and the WrestleMania itself is too long. The opening match between Hercules and King Haku was a decent power match. I wouldn’t call it incredible or anything, but it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I enjoyed it. The next match with The Rockers and Twin Towers is fun if nothing else. Ted DiBiase and Brutus Beefcake put on a fine match. I don’t think it is bad, but it did not move me at all. Beefcake to me is like a Curtis Axel. He’s not actively bad, just a little dull. The Bushwhackers and Fabulous Rougeaus was the worst match for me. I found it very forgettable overall, but I guess it accomplished its goal as a forgettable comedy match. Mr. Perfect and The Blue Blazer is a good sprint match. I think some people overrate it a little, but for a short match it is very entertaining. Mr. Perfect and Owen Hart/Blue Blazer would be a dream match years later; at least, they take advantage of the short time they have. When I watch this match, I wish another middling match or two was cut from the card, and the time was given to this match instead. This match is what everyone would expect and it is a good match. Next, is the handicap match between Demolition against The Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji for the Tag Team Championship. I’ll admit I have a soft spot for both The Powers of Pain and The Faces of Fear. Maybe, I’m a huge Barbarian fan, not really. I just found both those teams to be solid, and Demolition is what I think of when I think of tag team wrestling. Mr. Fuji did not suck which surprised me. The stipulation in this one fit perfectly. Mr. Fuji gets his comeuppance, and that is what WrestleMania is all about. They even played on Mr. Fuji’s salt throwing and it backfired this time. I enjoyed that one. Dino Bravo and Ronnie Garvin were alright, but really short. Ronnie Garvin is pretty good, but this was too short to mean anything. The Brainbusters and Strike Force actually disappointed me a little. I probably expected too much from The Brainbusters. I tend to hold them to a high standard, and I think with more time they would have met it. The Piper’s Pit segment wasn’t too bad and mildy entertaining. Jake Roberts and Andre the Giant was lackluster and hard to watch knowing Andre’s problems. The following Hart Foundation match with Honky Tonk Man and Grey Valentine was good. I would not call it anything earth shattering, but good nonetheless. The card starts to feel longer as you keep watching. Rick Rude always seems to do well with the Ultimate Warrior and this is no different. This was a really good match in my opinion. Bad News Brown and Jim Duggan seem pointless since it ends without a victor. Red Rooster and Bobby Heenan were effective and short. The Main Event was fantastic; I only wish they cut an hour from this event.

What will #21 be? Come on back tomorrow to find out…

The List So Far…
30. WrestleMania 9
29. WrestleMania 2
28. WrestleMania 11
27. WrestleMania 4
26. WrestleMania 15
25. WrestleMania 27
24. WrestleMania 29
23. WrestleMania 25
22. WrestleMania 5

REMINDER, each 411 writer had the opportunity to rank the WrestleMania events (based on overall quality, historical significance and personal preference), those rankings went into creating the final list.