WrestleMania IV Review

-3/27/1988 from Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ

-Hosted by Gorilla Monsoon & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

-Gladys Knight sings “America The Beautiful”

20 Man Battle Royal: Partcipants-Bret “Hitman” Hart, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Paul Roma, Jim Powers, Sika, “Dangerous” Danny Davis, B. Brian Blair, “Jumpin” Jim Brunzell, Bad News Brown, Sam Houston, Jacques Rougeau, Raymond Rougeau, Ken Patera, “Outlaw” Ron Bass, The Junkyard Dog, Nikolai Volkoff, Boris Zhukov, Hillbilly Jim, “King” Harley Race, George “The Animal” Steele

Too much action to recap, but in a funny moment Steele starts the battle royal outside the ring. Danny Davis dumps Sam Houston early, and Sika also goes out thanks to a host of guys. No one goes out for a while, but finally Steele grabs Neidhart by the goatee and pulls him over the top from the floor. Brian Blair goes out off screen, and Jacques comes in to eliminate Jim Brunzell and sends brother Raymond with him. Ron Bass gets tossed by JYD, and gets attacked by Steele. The announcers tell Steele to leave, as he never appeared in the ring. Zhukov dumps hillbilly Jim, and Roma tosses Danny Davis. Huge pop for that. Jimmy Powers gets tossed off screen, as we start to get down to a manageable number. Patera tosses Volkoff and Zhukov, but Patera gets thrown out at well. Harley Race tosses out Jacques Rougeau, and gets knocked out himself by JYD. Bad News Brown throws out Paul Roma leaving just Bret Hart, Brown, and JYD. After Bret inadvertently clotheslines Bad News, JYD takes control with a series of four legged headbutts. Eventually the numbers game is too much for JYD and the heels take control. Bret comes off the second rope with an elbow to JYD, and finally they are able to eliminate him. The heels celebrate as if they’re going to split the purse, but Brown hits a ghetto blaster to Bret out of nowhere. Whip to the corner sends Bret sternum first, and finally tosses him to win the thing at 9:46. Bret comes in from behind and jumps Bad News Brown setting up his face turn. Pretty run of the mill by battle royal standards.

Winner: Bad News Brown (Last Eliminates Bret Hart **)

-The Fink explains the rules for the tournament, and introduces Robin Leach to read a special proclamation declaring the tournament underway.

WWF Championship Tournament-Opening Round: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (w. Andre The Giant & Virgil)

Nothing much going on early, Duggan finally ducks a Dibiase punch and delivers an atomic drop sending Dibiase to the floor. Back inside and Dibiase gets a rake to the eyes and a series of chops. Duggan ducks a back elbow off the ropes and delivers a clothesline. Ten punch combo in the corner staggers Dibiaise, and that is followed by a whip to the corner. Duggan charges but runs into the boot. Dibiase rams Duggan into the buckle, and then whips him corner to corner himself, this time hitting a clothesline coming out. Off the second rope Dibiase hits an elbow then delivers a fist drop for two. Another rake to the eyes stops a short Duggan comback attempt. Dibiase whips Duggan into the ropes, but he hits a sunset flip getting two to the shock of Jesse. Knee to the breadbasket is followed by a fistdrop. Duggan counters a suplex attempt with one of his own. Dibiase is up first though and goes to the second rope, but this time Duggan catches him coming off. Whip to the corner is met with a clothesline from Duggan. Scoop slam sets up Duggan to deliver the three-point stance, but Andre hooks the leg. Duggan goes after Andre, allowing Dibiase to deliver a knee to the back and the fistdrop to pick up the win at 5:03. Pretty good for the time it got, by two guys who are pretty familiar with each other from the Mid-South/UWF days.

Winner: “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (Pinfall-Fistdrop **1/4)

-Mean Gene talks to Brutus Beefcake about his upcoming Intercontinental Championship match.

WWF Championship Tournament-Opening Round: Dino Bravo (w. Frenchy Martin) vs. “The Rock” Don Muraco (w. “Superstar” Billy Graham)

Bravo takes control early in the corner with a series of shoulderblocks and forearms. Whip to the corner attempt is reversed and Muraco fires Bravo into the buckle. Muraco goes to the second rope for what looks to be almost a Vader bomb but he botches it horribly and gets two anyway. Bravo runs into a backdrop and an armdrag, but Bravo stops short of the second armdrag attempt. Pair of elbows from Bravo set up a gutwrench suplex. Into the buckle goes Muraco, and a whip follows that to the buckle. Bravo sends him to the otherside, but Muraco moves out of the way of a high knee attempt. Muraco works the leg a bit and comes off the ropes with a forearm. Muraco locks in spinning toe hold, but gets kicked off by Bravo. Single leg takedown allows him to go back to it, but Bravo kicks off again this time tying Muraco’s head in the ropes. Bravo pulls him free and gives him a piledriver for a two count. Second piledriver attempt by Bravo is blocked, and Muraco hits backdrop. Both guys hit the ropes and clothesline each other putting them both down. Flying forearm from Muraco connects, and is followed by a bodyslam. Muraco goes for a second flying forearm, but Bravo pulls the referee in front of him taking him out. Bravo hits a side suplex, and goes for the cover, but the referee calls for the DQ instead at 4:56. This match wasn’t good at all, and had a horrible cop out finish. Both guys were so roided up at this point they couldn’t move.

Winner: “The Rock” Don Muraco (Disqualification-Assault on Ref DUD)

-Bob Uecker talks to Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man and the Colonel.

WWF Championship Tournament-Opening Round: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (w. “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart) vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

Steamboat brings his young son Richie to the ring. The youngster actually just made his wrestling debut in 2008. Time sure flies. Steamboat grabs a headlock and gets sent into the ropes, eventually hitting a pair of armdrags. Armbar from Steamboat becomes an arm wringer. Martial arts chops get a two count for Steamboat, and a pair of shoulderblocks get two more near falls. Valentine tries to dump Steamboat over the top, but he skins the cat and comes in with a dropkick. He goes for a rollup, but botches it as Valentine was too far away so he just covers for two. Back to the arm wringer goes Steamboat, and Valentine comes out with a knee. Valentine delivers a series of elbows and a chop. Valentine chokes a bit with the boots by the ropes, and then brings Steamboat to the middle delivering an open hand thrust off the ropes for two. Steamboat comes back with a flip out and sends Valentine into the buckle. Steamboat goes back to the armbar, and Valentine counters out with an inverted atomic drop. Clothesline sets up Steamboat for another series of elbows. Valentine goes to the floor and delivers a knife edge chop to the throat while Steamboat is on the apron. Steamboat fires back inside with a trio of chops getting two. Valentine counters a slam attempt, coming down on Steamboat for a two count. Gutbuster from Valentine is followed by a headbutt to the midsection. Valentine goes for the figure four, but gets kicked into the buckle. They trade some vicious chops in the center, and Valentine gives us a Flair flop. Steamboat covers for two, and Valentine comes right back with a thumb to the eye. Shoulderbreaker connects for a two count. Valentine goes up top and delivers a knife-edge, which sets up a figure four attempt. Steamboat stops it with a knife-edge and drives Valentine’s head to the mat. Valentine hits the ropes and gets hit with a flying back elbow from Steamboat. To the top rope goes Steamboat with a single-handed knife-edge getting two. Valentine gets rammed into the buckle ten times, and that sends Steamboat back to the top rope. Crossbody by Steamboat is rolled through by Valentine who picks up the victory with a handful of tights at 9:10. Really good match here, as Valentine really is a lot like Flair so his style meshed well with Steamboat. Afterward Steamboat waves goodbye, as he was off to the NWA after this one.

Winner: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (Pinfall-Crossbody Rollthrough ***1/4)

-Mean Gene talks to The British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware.

WWF Championship Tournament-Opening Round: “The Natural” Butch Reed (w. Slick) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (w. Miss Elizabeth)

Reed rams Savage into the corner, and delivers a knee and snap mare. Fistdrop connects by Reed, and then he rams Savage into the buckle. A second attempt is countered by Savage sending Reed to the buckle. Savage goes for a suplex, but Reed reverses into one of his own. Elbow drop gets a two count for Reed. Reed clotheslines Savage on the top rope and back inside hits a back elbow off the ropes. Reed goes to the second rope and delivers a fist. Savage stops a backdrop attempt off the ropes with a kick, and dodges a charge attempt from Reed. Savage hits the ropes, but again gets clotheslined. Reed goes to the top rope, but wastes time jawing with Liz. Savage slams him off the top, and then comes off the top with the flying elbow to pick up the win at 4:09. Completely dominanted by Reed, as its clear they’re trying to conserve Savage’s energy knowing his going four times.

Winner: Randy “Macho Man” Savage (Pinfall-Flying Elbow ½*)

-Bob Uecker gets a word with Heenan and The Islanders. I’m sensing a trend.

WWF Championship Tournament-Opening Round: The One Man Gang (w. Slick) vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (w. Oliver Humperdink)

Gang attacks early pounding on Bigelow in the corner. Elbow by Gang is followed by a whp to the corner. Gang follows in with a clothesline. A second charge attempt is missed, and Bigelow comes back with a shoulderblock and big splash for two. Crossbody by Bigelow connects for two. Bam Bam delivers a headbutt and a clothesline. More headbutts from Bigelow are followed by a diving version. Bigelow hits the ropes, but Slick pulls the top rope sending Bigelow to the floor. Gang fights him while he’s on the apron, and the ref keeps counting Bigelow eventually counting him out at 2:59. This was a really stupid finish as Gang was keeping Bigelow from re-entering, which should have broken the count.

Winner: The One Man Gang (Count Out ¼*)

-Mean Gene gets a promo from Hulk Hogan. He promises to slam Andre into ground, causing a fault line to open sending Atlantic City into the ocean, but its okay because Hogan will save everyone. This was insane even by Hogan standards.

WWF Championship Tournament-Opening Round: “Ravishing” Rick Rude (w. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts

This was about a month before the storyline began involving Jake’s wife Cheryl, but this ended up being their only pay per view meeting out of it. Rude fires Jake into the corner, and poses a bit. Second lock up sees Rude get face planted by Jake. Rude comes back with a pair of slams. A third slam attempt is countered and now Jake hits two of his own. Rude gets stuck in the corner with Damien and runs out right into an arm wringer from Jake. Rude tries to punch out of the wristlock, but Jake won’t let go as they go to the mat with it. Rude is able to come up and back into the corner, and shoulderblock out of the hold. He places Jake on the second rope, but the ref pulls him out of the corner so Jake comes off with a knee lift. Jake goes for the DDT, but Rude is able to get free and slide to the floor. Back inside and Jake goes back to the arm wringer. Rude pushes off and a criss cross commences with Jake dropping down and delivering a slam. Jake goes for a running knee lift, but Rude moves out of the way and Jake hits the mat. Rude hits a clothesline off the ropes and follows with a elbow drop for two. Rude locks in a reverse chinlock at the six-minute mark. Remember that. Jake tries to counter out, but a handful of hair sends them back to the canvas. Heenan distracts the referee allowing Rude to choke Jake before going back to the chinlock. Jake armdrags out of the chinlock, but Rude goes to the second rope and delivers a knife-edge. Clothesline connects for two, so Rude goes back to the chinlock. Jake comes to his feet and elbows off, but comes off the ropes and gets face planted by Rude. Rude comes off the top with a fist drop picking up a two count. Rude goes back to the chinlock then as it the crowd starts to get a bit restless. Jake tries a side suplex, but Rude holds on to the chinlock. He goes for the cover and gets two. Rude goes back to the chinlock, as the crowd starts a pretty audible boring chant. Jake finally gets a chinbuster to break the hold just shy of the thirteen-minute mark. Seven minutes of chinlocks. Jake comes back with a backdrop, and delivers a short clothesline. Jake goes for the DDT, but Rude drives him into the corner. Jake gets whipped into the corner, but Rude’s charge meets Jake’s boot. Gutbuster gets a two count for Jake, and Rude comes back with a back suplex for two of his own. Rude ducks a clothesline, and they both clothesline each other. Rude scoops the legs in the corner, and gets his feet on the ropes, but the bell rings for the 15-minute time limit. Bell actually rung at the 15:13 mark. This was just brutally boring as it was pretty clear they were working towards the draw early on.

Winner: Draw (Time Limit *)

-Mean Gene and Vanna White take a look at the updated brackets heading into the quarterfinals.

Hercules (w. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. The Ultimate Warrior

Herc gets a shoulderblock to no effect, and they both hit the ropes delivering shoulderblocks with neither guy moving. Warrior delivers some chops in the corner, and sends Hercules for the ride. Herc ducks a clothesline from Warrior and delivers three of his own finally dropping in on the third. Both guys go for a whip, but Warrior wins and delivers a clothesline. Warrior clotheslines Hercules on the top rope, but after a chop gets dumped over the top to the floor. Warrior pulls Hercules out with him and they trade blows outside. Warrior rams Herc into the steps before the action heads back inside. Back elbow from Hercules sends Warrior into the ropes, but he comes right back with a forearm. Warrior mounts the second rope and delivers ten punches to Hercules. Herc comes right back with an inverted atomic drop out of the corner. Warrior sends Hercules into the buckle, but misses a charge. Hercules locks in his full nelson, but Warrior pushes off the top rope with his legs and they do the double pin spot as Warrior gets the shoulder up at two giving him the win at 4:38. Warrior was never very good, but he was really awful at this point, and Hercules wasn’t very good either.

Winner: The Ultimate Warrior (Pinfall-Belly-to-Belly counter DUD)

-Recap of the Andre/Hogan feud.

WWF Championship Tournament-Quarterfinals: Andre The Giant (w. Virgil & “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase) vs. Hulk Hogan

Andre attacks at the bell before Hogan can even get his gear off delivering a headbutt and throwing Hogan into the buckle. Chop and a headbutt send Hogan into the ropes, but Hogan comes off with a trio of forearms. Dibiase comes up to the apron, but gets a double noggin knocker for him and Andre for his trouble. Series of chops from Hogan ties up Andre in the ropes allowing Hogan to finally tear his shirt off. Hogan hits the ropes with a punch and knocks Andre to the mat. Trio of elbow drops connects for Hogan, but Andre grabs a choke. Andre gets a seated splash on Hogan, and goes back to the choke. Andre goes to the nerve pinch causing Hogan to fade. Hogan comes up and breaks the hold coming back with a series of kicks and punches. Clothesline sends Andre to the buckle, and Hogan calls for the slam. Virgil distracts the referee, allowing Dibiase to attack with a chair. Hogan sends Dibiase out, and both guys trade chair shots drawing the double disqualification at 5:22. Hogan floors Andre with the chair after the bell and chases out Dibiase and Virgil. Dibiase throws Virgil to Hogan, and he gets a suplex on the floor for his trouble. Hogan goes back into the ring and slams Andre for good measure. Hogan poses for the fans, as Jesse points out the stupidity of that since Hogan was eliminated. As for the match, the less said the better.

Winner: Draw (Double Disqualification-Foreign Objects DUD)

-Mean Gene talks to Savage and Liz to get their thoughts on the tournament.

WWF Championship Tournament-Quarterfinals: “The Rock” Don Muraco (w. “Superstar” Billy Graham) vs. “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase

Muraco slams Dibiase inside at the bell, and delivers a clothesline. Powerslam off the ropes gets two for Muraco. Dibiase hits the ropes and gets a back elbow from Muraco. Knife-edge off the second rope gets another two count for The Rock. To the buckle goes Dibiase, and a snap mare, and neck snap follow that. Dropkick connects from Muraco getting two. Dibiase bails to the floor, and slides right back in after getting threatened by Graham. Irish whip into the corner again, but Muraco tries to slam Dibiase out and gets slingshotted into the post instead. Dibiase chokes out Muraco in the corner, and rams Muraco into the buckle. Clothesline connects for Dibiase and that gets two. Knee lift to the mid section is followed by a fistdrop by Dibiase getting a two count. Dibiase goes back to the choke hold, and follows up with a pair of chops. Dibiase sends Muraco into the ropes and drops his head for a backdrop but gets a kick instead. Dibiase goes right back to the eyes, and goes to the second rope for an elbow, but Muraco moves out of the way. A clothesline follows Irish whip into the corner from Muraco. Shoulerblock puts Dibiase down, but Muraco comes off the ropes again and gets hit with a stun gun from Dibiase to finish things at 5:35. Dibiase goes to the finals by virtue of the double DQ in the Hogan/Andre match. Nothing special, but not terrible either.

Winner: “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (Pinfall-Stun Gun *3/4)

-Bob Uecker meets up with Demolition and Mr. Fuji.

-One Man Gang draws a bye

WWF Championship Tournament-Quarterfinals: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (w. “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (w. Miss Elizabeth)

Valentine quickly takes control with a series of forearms in the corner, but Savage is right back with an elbow. Snap mare takes Valentine over for a two count. Savage runs into a forearm, and Valentine comes off the top rope with a knife-edge. Elbow drop gets a two count for Valentine, and that is followed up with a shoulderbreaker for two more. Elbow by Valentine connects and then Savage gets fired out to the floor. Valentine goes outside and delivers a series of chops. He fires Savage into the railing, and heads back inside. Valentine delivers an elbow and comes off the apron with a knife-edge. He continues working on the throat of Savage with a series of elbows while Savage sits on the apron. Valentine goes for the figure four, but Savage is able to get to the bottom rope. Valentine drops a few knees on Savage, and then delivers a suplex for two. Backbreaker gets another two count for Savage. Savage hits a back elbow as he makes a comeback, and a bodyslam sends him to the top rope. Double axe handle connects for two. Jimmy Hart provides a distraction and gets chased back to the floor. Valentine comes back and goes for a suplex, but Savage counters into one of his own. Savage goes to the top rope again, but gets caught on the way down with a fist from Valentine. Valentine pulls Savage to the middle and goes for the figure four, but Savage counters into a small package to pick up the win at 6:06. As good of a six minute match as you’ll ever see.

Winner: Randy “Macho Man” Savage (Pinfall-Small Package ***)

-Mean Gene and Vanna break down the semi-final brackets.

WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Honky Tonk Man © (w. “Colonel” Jimmy Hart & Peggy Sue) vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake

Honky takes control with a knee to the gut, but Brutus catches a boot and delivers an atomic drop. Beefcake comes back and messes up Honky’s hair, before a punch sends him to the floor. Honky back inside goes to the eyes, but Beefcake comes right back firing Honky into the buckle ten times. Beefcake delivers a high knee, and Honky bails to the floor again. Beefcake brings him back in this time with a snap mare over the top. Beefcake misses an elbow drop, and Honky goes on offense with a series of stomps. A fist drop follows snap mare from Honky. Jimmy chokes Beefcake as Honky distracts the referee, and Honky then looks to go for Shake, Rattle, and Roll, but instead delivers a kick. Honky sets it up again, but Beefcake counters by grabbing the ropes. Beefcake fires back with a series of fists and a backdrop. Sleeper gets locked in by Beefcake in the center and Honky starts to fade. Jimmy Hart comes to the apron, and knocks out the referee with the megaphone. Beefcake puts Honky out, and threatens to cut the hair, but Jimmy grabs the haircutting tools. Jimmy tries to run away, but Beefcake catches up to him and gives him a haircut on the ringsteps. Peggy Sue comes in dumps a bucket of water on Honky Tonk waking him up. Beefcake comes in, but the new refs stop him as they have thrown the match out at 8:58. Classic Honky Tonk Man Title defense as he retains by getting himself DQ’d.

Winner: Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake (Disqualification-Outside Interference/Honky retains title **)

-Bob Uecker gets a word with Andre The Giant, and in a famous moment Andre playfully chokes Uecker.

The Islanders & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. The British Bulldogs & Koko B. Ware

Heenan wears a attack dog handlers outfit to avoid getting attacked by Matilda. Dyanmite starts with Tama and delivers a pair of backdrops. Tama offers a handshake, but gets a double thrust to the throat and a slingshot all the way to the floor instead. Davey tags in and hits a bodyslam. Elbow drop misses, and Haku tags in. Davey hits a crossbody for two, and then a bodyslam gets another two count. Crucifix for Davey gets another two count on Haku. Snap mare sets up a reverse chinlock for Davey which is quickly countered by Haku into an arm wringer. Tama tags back in, and quickly gets pressed slammed by Davey. Tama is able to come back and get a tag to Haku who delivers a back elbow. Davey flips out of a backbreaker and tags in Koko. Dropkick puts Haku down and that is followed by a tag to Dynamite. Clothesline is followed by a whip to the corner for Haku. Dynamite charges and runs into the foot. Heenan tags in and stomps away at Dynamite, but tags out quickly as Dynamite fires back. Tama comes in and delivers a backdrop, and follows with a slam. To the second rope he goes for a Vader Bomb, but hits the knees of Dynamite. Koko tags in and backdrops Tama. Headbutt is delivered to Haku who comes in, but Haku comes back with a clothesline. Tama tags back in and goes to the top rope with a double axe handle before tagging Heenan back in. Heenan stomps away, but Koko and fires away. Heenan goes to the eyes, but then gets whipped sternum first into the corner. Dropkick sends Heenan shoulder first into the corner. The Islanders come in which also brings in the Bulldogs as things break down. The ref puts the Bulldogs out, which allows The Islanders to slam Koko and then splash Bobby on top getting the pin at 7:30. This was pretty much the same match as the six man last year, but it was still fun while it was going on.

Winners: The Islanders & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan (Pinfall-Triple Team Splash **)

-Jesse gets his acknowledgement from the crowd.

-Ted Dibiase draws a bye into the finals

WWF Championship Tournament-Semifinals: The One Man Gang (w. Slick) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (w. Miss Elizabeth)

Gang gets Savage caught in the corner, but moves out and delivers an elbow. Savage grabs Gang’s beard and clotheslines him over the top rope. Gang comes back and squashes Savage in the corner, and then pounds him down. Gang takes control in the corner with an elbow, and again smashes Savage in the corner. Bodyslam gets two for Gang as Savage gets his foot on the ropes. Elbow drop from the Gang gets a two count. Bodyslam sets up the 747 splash but Savage misses. Savage moves out of a corner splash, and Savage axe handles him to the floor. Off the top comes Savage with the double axe handle to the floor. Back inside and Savage goes for a slam, but is unable to hold him and Gang collapses on top. Slick goes after Liz on the floor and Liz goes to the apron. The official is tied up with Liz so Gang tries to attack with Slick’s cane, but the ref turns around and sees the cane being used by Gang drawing the DQ at 4:13. Nothing match, but it gets Savage to the finals. Savage delivers a double axe handle after the match for good measure squashing Slick underneath the Gang.

Winners: Randy “Macho Man” Savage (Disqualification-Foreign Object ¼*)

-Mean Gene and Vanna preview the Savage-Dibiase match and Vanna leaves for ringside. Uecker comes in, but just misses meeting Vanna.

WWF Tag Team Championship: Demolition (w. Mr. Fuji) vs. Strike Force ©

Smash starts with Martel and starts pounding him down immediately with a series of double axe handles. Martel ducks a clothesline, but gets caught in a crossbody attempt. Santana comes in and dropkicks Martel putting him down on top of Smash. Ax comes in and all four men brawl. Crossbody from Martel connects again to Smash and Ax gets thrown out of the ring. Double clothesline to Smash connects for a two count. Martel grabs an arm wringer and tags in Santana who comes off the top with an elbow. Smash knees out and tags Ax who walks right into an armdrag. Tag to Martel who grabs on armbar on Ax, but a headbutt breaks that. Smash tags in and walks into a hiptoss, and tags out to Santana. Santana hits the ropes, but runs into a bearhug. Ax delivers a clothesline from the apron and tags in. Santana gets fired into Smash’s boot and Smash then tags in. He works over Santana a bit in the corner, before again tagging out to Ax who gets two on the powerslam. Santana gets fired into Smash’s boot again as Smash tags in and chokes Santana in the corner. Chop to Santana sets up a suplex, which gets two for Smash. Bodyslam sets up an elbow drop which misses by Smash. Tag to Ax who goes for a backdrop, but gets an elbow from Santana with his head down. Smash stops the tag, and Ax goes back on offense. Santana comes off the ropes with his flying forearm though which puts both men down. Smash makes the tag, but Martel tags in as well. Backdrop connects to Smash, and then Martel delivers dropkicks to both guys. Ax gets sent to the floor, and Smash gets put in the Boston Crab. Santana comes in to chase off Ax delivering a flying forearm, which sends him to the floor. Fuji gets on the apron and Santana goes after him, but during the melee Fuji drops his cane in the ring. As the ref was tied up with Santana and Fuji Ax is able to come in with the cane and smashes Martel with it. Smash gets the cover from there picking up the win and the titles at 8:02. This was a good match that started Demolition’s three-year dominance over the tag team division.

Winners: NEW WWF Tag Team Champions-Demolition (Smash pins Martel-Cane Shot **1/2)

WWF Championship Tournament-Finals: “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (w. Andre The Giant) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (w. Miss Elizabeth)

Robin Leach of the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” serves as guest presenter of the Championship Belt. Bob Uecker again serves as guest ring announcer, and Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White handles the timekeeping duties. Savage hits an elbow, but Andre hooks the leg and Savage goes down. Savage hits the ropes and delivers a shoulderblock, but off the ropes again and Andre hooks the foot again. Dibiase grabs an arm wringer and sends Savage into the buckle. Dibiase gives a series of chops in the corner, and drops an elbow. Off the ropes comes Savage and Dibiase delivers a clothesline for two. Shoulderblock is followed by a sunset flip attempt by Dibiase, but its blocked by Savage. Clothesline connects by Savage for two. Dibiase gets a knee lift and a chop to regain control. Savage comes off the ropes and runs into a back elbow. Dibiase hits an elbow and rams Savage into the buckle. Savage ducks a back elbow and hits the ropes with an elbow of his own. Savage clotheslines Dibiase on the top rope, and then a high knee sends Dibiase to the floor. Savage goes to the top, but Andre stands in front of Dibiase keeping him from delivering the axe handle. Savage calls Liz up to the apron and sends her back to the dressing room, and Dibiase attacks from behind. Dibiase delivers a series of fistdrops and gets a two count. Dibiase grabs a reverse chinlock, and Liz comes back with Hulk Hogan in tow. Hogan takes a seat in Savage’s corner, while Dibiase continues to pound away on Savage. Andre tries to grab the foot of Savage, drawing Hogan over to put a stop to it. Dibiase delivers a clothesline and an elbow to get a two count. Suplex connects by Dibiase for another two count. Gutwrench suplex gets another two count for Dibiase, and a bodyslam sends Dibiase to the top rope. Savage is up and slams Dibiase off the top. Savage goes for the flying elbow, but Dibiase is able to move out of the way. Dibiase locks in the Million Dollar Dream, and Andre grabs the ropes to keep Savage from breaking the hold. The ref gets tied up with Andre, which allows Hogan to slip in and whack Dibiase with a chair. Savage goes to the top and hits the flying elbow drop which finishes things off at 9:18 giving Savage his first World Title. Afterwards the Mega Powers celebrate. Match was okay, but there is only so much you can do when these guys have already went three and two times respectively

Winner: NEW WWF Champion-Randy “Macho Man” Savage (Pinfall-Flying Elbow **1/2)

The 411: This show could have been so much better had they trimmed the tournament down to eight guys from fourteen. Instead we got a bunch of short matches, none of which ended up being memorable. The show had its moments, and isn’t all terrible. Just way too long. Savage-Dibiase provides a great moment, but the rest of the show is a pass.
Final Score:  3.5   [ Bad ]