From the Bowery: WrestleMania V

History Lesson:
-WrestleMania IV ended with Randy Savage being crowned the Undisputed WWF Champion after winning a 14-man tournament. Former champ Hulk Hogan helped him get the win in the finals, and the 2 became the best of friends. Once they shook hands to end WrestleMania IV it seemed inevitable that Savage was going to turn on Hogan and give us a huge money feud. It was a slow build, but it had to be. Savage was over as the champion, but he never could escape Hogan’s shadow. Also Savage’s character was one of a paranoid nut case who thought everyone was lusting after his woman, Miss Elizabeth (though can’t same I blame them). Well, Hogan seemed to get a little too close to Liz during the run of the Mega Powers and it finally erupted on an episode of the Main Event. In a tag match against the Twin Towers (BossMan and Akeem) Liz got knocked off the apron, and Hogan left his partner (who was getting abused by 2 men weighing around 400 lbs a piece) to carry Liz to the back. After seemingly an eternity where Savage was getting owned, Hogan made his way back to the ring and back on the apron for a tag from Savage. Problem was that Savage was a little displeased with being left to fend on his own. Sensing Hogan wanted to be a glory hog (which he is, but that’s Hogan) Savage gave him a tag….with a open hand across the face. Savage then left Hogan alone and Hogan did what Hogan always does…he beat both men by himself and won the match (making Savage look extremely weak in the process).

-After the match the real drama unfolded as a soap opera finally hit WWF television. In the first aid room, Savage berated a recovering Liz when Hogan walked in to see what Savage’s deal was. Savage gave an all time great rant where he accused Hogan of coming after his woman and after his title. Hogan displaying the acting skills later seen in Mr. Nanny, and Suburban Commando pleaded with Liz to talk sense into Savage. Not wanting to put up with Hogan, Savage decked him with WWF Title while Liz screamed. Pretty awesome stuff for the time, and we now have our WrestleMania V Main Event. The fact that WM V was being held in the Trump Plaza just as WM IV was, only added to the symmetry of the story. Savage returned a year later to the scene of his greatest triumph to defend his title against the man who had a major part in helping him win the gold.

WWF WrestleMania V
April 2, 1989
Trump Plaza (Atlantic City, NJ)
Announce Team: Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse “The Body” Ventura

-“America the Beautiful” was butchered by WWF Women’s Champion “Rockin” Robin. Seriously, I am so glad this was a one shot deal and they stuck with actual professionals in the years to come. I know it had to be a nerve-racking experience for her, but DAMN. Thankfully, Jesse redeems the whole thing by taking a few shots at her “singing.”

King Haku (w/ Bobby Heenan) vs. Hercules

-Heenan, getting awesome heat, asks everyone to get on his or her feet and bowl to Haku. Obviously nobody does, but I guess it was worth a shot. Haku jumps Hercules from behind and brings the chops and punches. Hercules gets a hip toss to turn the tide and follows with a body slam. Haku gets dumped over the top with a clothesline and a suplex brings him back inside the ring. Hercules continues the slaughter with a few elbow drops. Heenan does his job and distracts Heenan on the outside. Haku stalks Hercules and drops him with a clothesline on the floor. Back inside the ring and Haku takes over with a nice back backer, and holds on to give him another, but that only gets a 2 count. A staple of the 80s sees Haku bring the bearhug (this doesn’t have the same drama as Hogan/Andre did 2 years earlier). The crowd comes to life as Hercules breaks, but Haku stays ahead with a few punches. Hercules ducks a clothesline and hits a cross body for a 2 count. Haku tries his own off the middle rope and misses. A punch by Hercules drops the King and that is followed with a knee lift. A few clotheslines and a sweet powerslam get another 2 count. Hercules goes up top and dives into an ugly crescent kick (sweet chin music). That spot turned out a lot better when it was Shawn Michaels doing the kicking and Shelton Benjamin doing the leaping. Haku misses off the middle rope, and Hercules gets a back suplex for the 3 count and the win. Replays show that Hercules pulled his shoulder up, while Haku never did.

Hercules via back suplex for pin @ 6:57
(Not the best of openers as generally you want something fast paced to get the crowd going. This was more of a power match, but both men shocked me with some aerial action. As a power match this was decent, and it was kept relatively short) *3/4

-The Rockers give a generic interview backstage with Gene Okerlund. Who knew that 19 years later, that would be the man to retire Ric Flair.

The Rockers vs The Twin Towers (w/ Slick)

-I am reviewing this on the WWE WrestleMania Box-set, which sadly means, no “Jive Soul Bro.” Instead we get some generic music dubbed in. The bell rings rather quickly as all four men are still in the ring. Shawn and Marty bail to make the fat men chase them around the ring (good strategy there) and back inside the chase goes. Bossman starts the match with Shawn and quickly Shawn gets overpowered. Bossman catches him and sets him on the top rope just so he can slap Shawn in the face. Awesome! Michaels comes off top with a drop kick to the back of the Bossman’s head, as he is distracted with Marty. Michaels sucker punches Akeem while he stands on the apron. This brings Akeem in the ring, while Michaels does the moonwalk. The Rockers take turns with arm wringers on Akeem and then go cheap shot Bossman on the apron. Shawn uses his quickness to avoid a splash, and tags Marty in. He continues the eternal arm wringer on Akeem. Gorilla mentions a leg might be better to take out instead of an arm just as I was thinking the same thing. Marty gets cute and gets squashed between the Towers. Now, the pace slows, as Akeem and the Bossman methodically destroy Marty. An avalanche by Bossman in the corner is followed by Akeem squashing Bossman onto Marty. Shawn finally gets the hot tag and the Rockers bounce Akeem all over the ring from one corner to another. Shawn then gets killed with a super stiff clothesline. Shawn sells it like death, as he should. Bossman misses a splash off the top rope, and a cover only gets 2 for Shawn. Rockers hit an ugly double dropkick from the top rope that gets a 2 count. There timing was way off on that one. The Bossman catches a leaping Shawn off the top rope in a primitive version of a power bomb. Lots of oohs and aahs from the crowd on that one. Akeem tags in and hits Air Africa (generic fat man splash) for the pin.

The Twin Towers via Akeem’s Air Africa for the pin on Michaels @ 8:02
(Fun little tag match, which kept a good pace, and had a good little man vs. big man dynamic. A dynamic Shawn would only get better at in his career. The Rockers did the flashy double team moves, and the Towers hit hard. All in all, a perfectly acceptable tag match) **1/4

“The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (w/ Virgil) vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake

-This is not a Million Dollar Championship match much to Gorilla’s chagrin. Gorilla wants to know whom Dibiase beat for the title. Jesse mentions that he had to beat someone for all that money. I love pre-Ozark Jesse. Dibiase talks smack to Brutus to start and Beefcake replies with a right hand. Brutus starts quick with a body slam, and hiptoss before Dibiase is all like I’m too rich for this and bails. The pace grinds to a halt as Dibiase stalls before getting back into the ring. Dibiase gets some weak shots in that are no sold and Beefcake delivers 3 consecutive body slams (Geez, don’t kill the poor guy). Dibiase takes a nice bump as he is clotheslined over the top rope and to the floor. Again, Dibiase realizing he went from Main Event to mid card in 1 year decides to think about that for a while as he stalls on the floor. Back inside and punches are exchanged which doesn’t go well for Ted. Virgil ears his keep and gets the advantage for his employer. Dibiase hits a back elbow and drops a first as he finally takes control. A clothesline leads to Dibiase heading to the middle rope. I was expecting a fist drop, but he pulls out a play from Savage’s playbook and hits a double axehandle for a 2 count. Gorilla reminds the fans of Jesse’s outlook on life: “Win if you can. Lose if you must, but always cheat.” That should really be put on bumper stickers and t-shirts. Dibiase gets caught in a small package for 2. A suplex by the Barber and then both men go out following a double clothesline spot. The crowd is pretty dead and we don’t get the heat I think they were hoping for with that spot. Dibiase hits a suplex of his own and sinks in the Million Dollar Dream. Beefcake takes the cheap way out and gets the ropes to break the hold. This leads to the Barber getting the sleeper locked in, and he breaks when Virgil tries to get involved. Both men brawl on the floor and we get the double count-out. That finish sure sucked. Not because the match was good, but because I don’t like finishes like that on any PPV, let alone WrestleMania. Whom does that elevate? Post match sees Brutus abuse Virgil and Dibiase before they bail when Beefcake gets the hedge clippers.

Dibiase vs. Beefcake: Double Count-out @ 10:02
(This wasn’t very good and all that made it enjoyable was Ventura and Monsoon’s commentary. Dibiase seemed to phone it in, and Beefcake wasn’t that far behind.)
*3/4

The Fabulous Rougeaus (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The Bushwhackers

-Hearing All American Boys is the only bright spot of this match outside of Jesse’s commentary (a reoccurring theme). Bushwhackers steal Hart’s jacket and prepare to shred it, but Rougeaus attack from behind. This leads to Hart being sandwiched between the Rougeaus, and they opt to bail to the floor. The Bushwhackers hit the battering ram early, so the heels bail to the floor once again. Somehow, either by a clip, or just the stupidity of this match, Butch is laying on the canvas (I thought he actually laid down to play possum) and he is put in a Boston Crap. The heels control and we get generic offense that is below what the Rougeaus could do if they were in there with someone, you know, good. An abdominal stretch (well, it continues the back/ab work from the Boston Crap, I guess) is applied, but it’s all for naught as the Bushwhackers quickly hit another battering ram, and use the double stomach buster to get the pin.

Bushwhackers over Rougeaus via pin w/ Double Stomach Breaker @ 5:12
(This wall all kinds of bad, and even 5:12 seemed like 5:00 to long. I hope there were clips involved because things were really disjointed. Nothing made sense, and what results is possibly the worst Mania Match so far in the series I’ve reviewed.) DUD

Mr. Perfect vs. The Blue Blazer

-Finally, something to work with on this show as we get the WM debuts of Perfect and Owen (Blazer). Perfect gets a quick hiptoss, and decides to slap Blazer in the face to wake him up. Apparently Blazer got the message as he slaps Perfect back, and decides to do it once again. Some chops from Perfect, and he goes for another hiptoss, but Blazer flips out of that (drawing appreciation from the crowd). Two body slams, and a drop kick follow as Perfect bails to the floor. Blazer doesn’t let him stall like all the other heels have done, as he delivers a baseball slide. The action returns to the ring, and Blazer goes to work on the arm with an arm-wringer and arm bar. Perfect pushes him back into the corner and brings the noise with some nice chops. Blazer counters again with some more flipping and hits his own hiptoss. A slam and drop kick are followed by a backbreaker that leads to a 1 count. Blazer uses the slam once again and heads to the top rope, but the splash hits nothing but knees. Perfect goes to work on the back and uses a modified camel clutch to continue the punishment to the lower back, Blazer catches him in a power slam, and throws some European uppercuts (perhaps the Blazer character is from England?). A nice overhead belly-to-belly suplex from the Blazer, and he tries a crucifix pin, but only gets 2. Perfect says hell with this and drops Blazer with a clothesline that looked more like a fist to the side of the head, but still effective either way. The Fisherman’s Suplex (correctly called The Perfect Plex by Ventura) gets the win.

Mr. Perfect over The Blazer via pin w/ Perfect Plex @ 5:49
(This was way too short, but was a breath of fresh air on this card at this point. Blazer pulled out his unique offense, and Perfect went over strong. I wish they had given them more time, but for just under 6 minutes it was an entertaining bout.) **3/4

-We get a recap of Mr. Fuji winning a 5K Race on the boardwalk while still wearing his tuxedo. That’s a man right there. Of course Monsoon ruins things by mentioning Fuji was pushed in a cart for most of the 5K, but that’s beside the point.

-RUN DMC perform the WrestleMania rap as the crowd isn’t sure how to react at this point. This would have gone over better just a few years later, but at the time the corporate/business crowd didn’t know what to do when Rev Run was screaming at time to say “Ho-Ho.” Considering this was Atlantic City, most were probably looking for the hooker that was stashed in their over-priced hotel room.

-More filler as we get the video package history for the Double Turn at Survivor Series. Fuji turns on Demolition, and the Powers of Pain pick up the scraps and now have Fuji as their manager.

WWF Tag Team Title: Handicap Match: Demolition © vs. The Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji

-This is a handicap match, and was actually something unique at this time. Of course now you get about 2 a week between RAW, ECW, SD, and Impact, but 19 years ago, it was kind of cool seeing the Tag Titles being defended in such a way. I eagerly wait for “Here comes the Ax, and here comes the Smasher,” but no such luck as we get dubbed in generic rock sample #758. Dusty Rhodes would love this match as we get tons and tons of clubbering. We get 1 on 1 clubbering, 2 on 1 clubbering, and the rare 2 on 2 clubbering. Sadly, we don’t get any 2 on 3, or 3 on 2 clubbering in this match. The crowd is pretty dead for most of this match, and only really come to life when Fuji is in the ring. After the standard no selling of punches and clotheslines from Demolition, the heels finally get control, and we get Fuji in the ring for the first time. Fuji brings the chops and then drops a headbutt to the abdomen of Ax, which causes the men in the audience to groan because it was close to the groin. Fuji doesn’t get down like that though. Fuji goes up top and misses a splash, and finally Ax gets the hot tag to Smash. He runs through the POP with slams and clotheslines, before all 5 men start brawling in the ring. Fuji busts out the ceremonial salt, but we know how that usually ends, and irony rears it’s head as Warlord takes the powder to the eyes and face. This leaves Fuji all alone with Demolition, and you can probably guess how good that goes. Send flowers and well wishes to Mr. Fuji c/o of Mrs. Fuji as the Demolition Decapitation gets the 3 count.

Demolition retain Tag Titles via pin on Mr. Fuji w/ Demolition Decapitation @ 7:54
(A nothing match that only served the purpose of seeing Demolition continue their rise as bad ass baby faces by kicking the crap out of their former manager. It worked as Demolition continued their dominant Tag run.) *1/4

-Tony Schiavone, in one of his rare WWF appearances, tries to interview WWF Champion Randy Savage. That doesn’t go very well, as Savage is a little wound for the Title match later. Schiavone would be back in Turner Land not within a year. Just hearing his voice in the WWF just seems wrong to me.

Dino Bravo (w/ Frenchie Martin) vs. Rugged Ronnie Garvin

-Garvin doesn’t even get a proper entrance to the ring, as he is already standing there waiting for Bravo. Wow, Cold Delaney would be laughing at Garvin. For some reason, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka is announced to the crowd, takes a bow, and then leaves. Well, that was…something. Garvin, ever the idiot, looks for someone in the crowd to throw his towel to, and gets jumped from behind by Bravo. Immediately, Bravo starts working on the back with elbows, and goes to a bearhug. I fear a long rest hold spot, but I am relieved when it is broken quickly. Bravo tries to pin Garvin with a foot on the chest, and that gets a 2 count. Really, a two count? This early in the match, with a single foot on his chest? Boy, Garvin was really treated like a jobber here. The jobber, I mean Garvin, gets some offense with a right hand and some chops. Another right hand (I hear he has hands of stone) leads to a cradle for 2. Bravo gets caught with a sleeper, but finds the ropes to break the hold. Garvin goes for a piledriver, but Bravo backdrops out of that, which Garvin turns into a sunset flip for 2. A reverse atomic drop from Bravo sets up his side suplex, and that is enough for the pin. Post match, Garvin attacks and gives Frenchie the Garvin Stomp in a rather poor showing of sportsmanship. I think Martin could have taken Garvin from what I saw in this match.

Bravo over Garvin via pin w/ side suplex @ 3:50
(Just another in a parade of bad, short matches, that have no point other than letting everyone know these guys still exist.) 3/4*

The Brain Busters (w/ Heenan) vs. Strike Force

-It was just one year ago, in this same arena, at WM IV that Strike Force lost the gold to Demolition. They reunited, after Martel returned from injury, and decided to give it the old college try one more time against Arn and Tully. We’ll see how that works out for them. Tully and Martel start and the Busters quickly start the cheating. Martel gets caught in the heel corner and punches his way out. All 4 men in the ring, and Strike Force cleans house with a double drop kick. Arn and Martel return to the ring where Martel rams AA face first into the canvas for a 2 count. Arn catches Martel in a body scissors, which is reversed into a Boston Crab. Tully makes Ventura’s day by reaching over the top rope and thumbing Martel in the eye to save his partner. Blind tag to Tito and he slaps on the Figure Four. For shits and giggles, Martel also comes in and applies his own Figure Four. Back to 1 on 1 action and we get a bridge sequence that turns into a Tito backslide, but the count is broken by Arn. A small package gets 2 for Tito, and then the mistake happens. Martel blind tags Tito and tries to come into the ring, but he is caught by Santana’s Flying Jalapeno (Tully ducked out of the way). Martel sells it like death, and tries to clear the cobwebs as Tito is stranded with the Busters. A drop kick by Tully puts the heels back in control. A tag is made to AA and the beat down begins. Santana shows signs of life with a sunset flip, but Tully is close by and gets the blind tag. The Busters are basically the most well oiled machine you will ever see. Tito won’t die and hits a middle rope cross body, but only gets 2. AA comes back in and punches are exchanged. In a wink-wink spot AA goes up top like a certain blonde haired NWA wrestler gets caught, and is slammed. I love that spot and think it is awesome that Arn would work that in this match. Both men are down and start crawling to their respective corners. Tully is all for getting back in the ring. Martel just walks away from Santana to big boos from the crowd. Finally, Martel walks off and heads to the back. Welcome to Screwed Ville: Population: Tito Santana; Seeing that Tito is alone, the Busters turn things up a notch and beat the refried beans out of Santana. Great moment as Arn has Tito in the face corner and screams, “Where’s your partner?” It’s funny because it’s true! Picture perfect spine buster follows and after a few hope spots, the Busters finish with the Spike Piledriver.

The Brain Busters over Strike Force via pin w/ Spike Piledriver @ 9:16
(I must say that I quite enjoyed the nice little story here. After not teaming for a while, Strike Force was a step off and that led to the miscommunication spot. Martel bails, and the Busters realize what is happening. It was great that they finished rather quickly too. They are a great team and should finish a man by himself rather quickly. Just a lot of fun overall.) ***1/2

-Backstage Martel gives a bad interview where he stumbles over his words. Thankfully, he would get better and turn into a pretty effective heel. He just had to develop and flaunt his arrogance (see what I did there).

Piper’s Pit
-Piper is introduced, but instead we get Brother Love (Bruce Pritchard) doing his dead on Piper impression. Pritchard is pretty entertaining as he bounces back and forth between his Brother Lover character and his Piper imitation. The crowd is not very amused though. Morton Downey Jr. is the next to join this circus (as he gets a decent pop). See, he also hosted his own talk show, and this is like the Geneva Convention of loud mouth talk show hosts. Some sparring ensues between Downey and Brother Love. Finally, Piper joins the party, and the crowd comes to life. He verbal abuses Brother Love (while Downey tosses cigarettes at him) and then sets his sites on Downey Jr. Some good one-liners between the two, and Downey makes the mistake of blowing cigarette smoke in Piper’s face. That boy ain’t bright! Piper finishes by setting of a fire extinguisher on Downey. Entertaining segment, but it just ran way too long on a show that ran way too long.

-More time is killed as we see the trailer for the upcoming Hulk Hogan movie “No Holds Barred.” I think that could sweep the Oscars in 1990. In all seriousness, as a kid, I was pumped for that movie and even remember going to the theater to see it. For a mindless action flick, it wasn’t that bad, and it unleashed Zeus onto the world.

-Things continue to drag as Sean Mooney interviews Donald Trump at ringside. 18 years later and would be center ring shaving the head of Vince McMahon.

-Next we go to Gorilla and Jesse in the booth as they discuss “No Holds Barred.” This gives Jesse a great opportunity to shoot on Hogan. And I quote: “How dare him step into Hollywood Gorilla Monsoon. Let me tell you something Hulk Hogan. Hollywood is my domain, but I can see why you are doing it. You’re doing it, Hogan, because you are going to lose to the Macho Man. And when you lose to him, you are going to have no job Hulk Hogan. So you’re going to have to come out to Hollywood and try to invade my territory. It’s aint big enough for the both of us Hogan. But if you want to come out, I’ll give Hogan a job in Hollywood. He can drive my limo.”

Awesome, and again, I say that I wish these two could have feuded leading to a PPV blow-off. Monsoon trying to keep a straight face after the Ventura rant is pretty hilarious as well.

-Still no match as they clear the ring of the Piper pit set-up. So we get The Rise and Fall of the Mega Powers video package. It hits all the high points (WM IV, SummerSlam 88, and Survivor Series 88), and then we get the good stuff (SNME Savage heel turn and the drama in the 1st aid room). I should note that Liz took a great bump when Savage was tossed onto her. Then came the slap heard round the world, and Savage’s awesome 1st aid room rant.

-I hope they told the live crowd this was intermission time, as now we get Okerlund interviewing Hogan. It’s your standard Hogan interview. Which means it goes on and on, but somehow it ends up being entertaining and even though you are not sure what he really said, you feel better for hearing it. Then again, that just might be the Hogan mark in me talking.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Andre The Giant (w/ Heenan)
-Special Ref: Big John Studd

-Interesting that Studd’s theme music is the theme that would eventually go to Hacksaw Jim Duggan (it just doesn’t have Duggan screaming “Ho”). Studd and Andre give each other the evil eye, and then the trash talking between the 2 starts. Roberts comes out to a decent pop even though the crowd has had nothing to cheer about for around 15 minutes. The story is that Andre is fearful of Damien (which lead to him having a “heart attack). Andre ripped the buckle pad, and jumps Snake before the bell. Andre throws Jake into the exposed steel and hooks in a standing chinlock. Jake elbows out and goes for the snake, but Andre squashes that idea. Back to the chinlock, and Jake throws more ineffective punches. Butt squash in the corner as Jake continues to get dominated. A straight choke by Andre as the pace continues to move at a snail’s pace. While it may be a slow pace, Andre’s offense looks very effective just due to his size, as the crowd fears for Jake’s safety every time Andre lands a blow. Andre does his traditional spot where he gets tied in the ropes and Jake starts choking. Studd, being impartial, pulls Jake off the choke. Andre finally gets loose (w/ Heenan’s help) and goes back to the choke. Fighting words from Jesse to Gorilla: “You’re getting worse than McMahon.” Another rest hold from Andre as parts of the crowd try to rally Jake, while the other half fall to sleep. Jake hits a few short knees and he rams Andre into the exposed turnbuckle. One chop from Andre and Jake goes flying out of the ring. Jake tries to get back in the ring, but he is cut off by an Andre headbutt each time. Studd and Andre trade words, while the Jake gets Damian. Andre and Studd come to blows, and Dibiase comes from behind and steals Damien. Jake chases after him, and Andre starts pounding on Studd. Roberts gets his snake back and returns to the ring, where he tosses Damian in the ring. Andre bails and we have a DQ win for Jake.

Roberts over Andre via DQ @ 9:36
(This was not very good at all. Way too many stories involved in this one, and it only made things worse. Andre was beyond being any good at this point due to his health. When the only psychology is a snake in a bag, we got problems. The crowd was more into seeing Studd vs. Andre and Roberts vs. Dibiase. I would have settled for that as a tag match instead of what we got here.) DUD

-Backstage, Schiavone interviews Sensational Sherri. She makes her intentions known towards to Rockin Robin and her woman’s title. She also plants the seeds for eventual alliance with Savage as she insults Elizabeth.

Rhythm & Blues (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The Hart Foundation

-It’s the former Tag Champions against two former IC Champions. HTM and Bret start with a lock-up. HTM gains control and punches, but Bret plays rope a dope before hitting an atomic drop. Valentine rushes in and catches an inverted atomic drop. Bret slingshots the Anvil into the ring and he drops Valentine with a shoulder block. Bret returns and drops the back breaker, but misses the 2nd rope elbow. Apparently, Valentine knows the 5 Moves of Doom. The heels control in the corner with good old-fashioned ref distracting, and cheating, which is always nice to see from the heels. Jesse gets in a dig about Pat Patterson. Bret continues to get dominated by the heels, as the crowd seems completely out of it at this point. HTM hits Shake, Rattle, and Roll, but doesn’t go for the cover. Valentine goes for the Figure 4, but Bret counters. No tag though as Valentine cuts him off. Bret hits a crossbody on HTM, and then flies out of the ring. Back inside and Valentine returns with elbows for Bret. Finally, the hot tag is made and Anvil throws drops kicks to anyone that moves. A nice stiff clothesline drops Valentine, but HTM breaks the pin attempt. HTM plays heel in peril as the Hart Foundation turn him into a grease spot on the canvas. The Anvil chases Jimmy Hart and steals his megaphone. It is passed to Bret and he nails HTM for the pin. Nice pop from the crowd as the faces use nefarious ways to win for a change.

The Hart Foundation over Rhythm & Blues via pin after megaphone shot @ 7:37
(Standard tag match, which featured too little Valentine vs. Bret. The crowd was burned out, and outside of HTM trying like crazy, the others seemed unmotivated. While not horrible, it wasn’t quite the level of the other tag matches featuring the Rockers and Brain Busters) **

-Review of the Royal Rumble pose down between the Warrior and Rick Rude. Shockingly, it ends in Warrior getting attacked by Rude and a steel workout bar. The crowd response to this pose down was a lot better that the HHH/Steiner one many years later.

Intercontinental Title: The Ultimate Warrior © vs. Rick Rude (w/ Heenan)

-Jesse and Gorilla do a great job of hyping the importance of the IC Title. It really was an important title, and sadly, that is lost on today’s younger wrestling audience. Rude breaks out the painted IC Title pants. Rude jumps the bell and tries a knee to the midsection, but Warrior is still wearing the title. Nice spot. Warrior throws Rude all around the ring to show off his power. Back and forth from corner to corner Rude is bounced like a pinball. In an actually smart move, the Warrior continues the back work with a bearhug. Sure it’s a rest hold very early in the match, but Warrior worked the back and is staying with it. A poke to the eyes and the bearhug is broken. Rude goes up top and hits a dropkick, but Warrior powers out of the pin attempt. Warrior continues the back work with 2 body slams, and right back to the bearhug. Warrior hits a huge backdrop, and goes for the splash, but Rude brings up the knees. Rude follows that up with some shots to the midsection and nails a swank piledriver. However, the back is still hurting and he can’t follow up with a quick pin. In another awesome spot, Rude can’t even swivel his hips because of the back pain. Rude’s selling has been awesome as even after he hits a move he sells the back. Side Russian leg sweep for Rude, and it only gets 2, but no power kick out this time from the Warrior. Rude puts a knee in Warrior’s back and pulls back on the arms, but Warrior rallies with a shoulder block. Twice the Warrior rams Rude face first into the canvas, and hits a back breaker. Nice stiff clothesline drops Rude. Warrior whips Rude into the corner, but misses a blind charge. Rude goes for the Rude Awakening, but Warrior powers out before the move can be executed. Rude, seeing his finisher isn’t working, bails to the outside. The Warrior throws him back in and hits a clothesline that sends Rude over the top rope to the floor. In what we become a very famous ending, Warrior goes for a suplex from the apron back in the ring, but Heenan grabs the leg so that Rude falls on top for the pin. Heenan hangs onto the Warrior’s leg so he can’t kick out, and we have a New Intercontinental Champion. This marked the 1st time that Heenan managed a wrestler in the WWE that won gold. Huge upset at the time, and instantly made Rude a threat. It would take a makeover, and WCW (of all people) to make Rude a World Champion. Post match sees Warrior take out his frustration on The Brain. Warrior screws up the press slam, and appears to legit hurt Heenan. Poor Bobby!

Winner and New Intercontinental Champion: Rick Rude @ 9:43 via pin over The Ultimate Warrior
(This was a darn fine power match that featured some great psychology from both men. I was digging the back work from the Warrior, and the constant selling from Rude. Even the few rest holds had a purpose and were kept relatively short. This all adds up to the Warriors best match at this point, and a loss that only helped him.) ***1/4

Bad News Brown vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan

-Bad News jumps the bell, and throws some heavy blows. It you like punches this is the match for you. Hacksaw answers back with some blows and sends Bad News to the floor with a clothesline. Duggan drops the head early for a backdrop and Bad News catches him with some more punches. Bad News makes the mistake of hitting Duggan’s head (even Jesse questions that thought process), and that leads to Duggan rallying. More punches are thrown; as even Jesse and Gorilla mention not one wrestling hold or move has been used at this point. Duggan ducks out of the way of the Ghetto Blaster (enzuiguri), and hits the three-point stance clothesline. Bad News grabs a chair and Duggan gets his 2 x 4. Dueling weapons end in a draw, so both men, like idiots, drop their weapons and trade blows. Duggan finally uses the 2 x 4 to send Bad News packing. In a disgusting spot the final image is Duggan standing tall with snot hanging out his nose.

Double DQ @ 3:48
(Not much to say here, as it was a bunch of punching and not much else. Had the Ghetto Blaster hit, I would have awarded a star, but it didn’t. The attempt puts this above a DUD though.) 1/2*

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan (w/ The Brooklyn Brawler) vs. The Red Rooster

-The story is that Heenan tried to mold Rooster into a star, but Rooster didn’t listen. So, Booby gets the Brawler to take out the Rooster. Now a face, Rooster looks to get his revenge on Heenan. The Red Rooster may be a really stupid gimmick, but it is probably what Terry Taylor is most remembered as. It definitely wasn’t his Million Dollar Man rip-off in WCW. Heenan is still selling the beating from the Warrior (or is really hurt from the beating from Warrior), and is toast from the opening bell. Heenan cowers in the corner, but Rooster attacks any way. Blind charge by Heenan hits nothing but post, and Rooster quickly covers for the victory. Brawler gets a cheap shot after the bell, and the heels leave together.

The Red Rooster over Booby Heenan via pin @ 0:31
(Well, it was quick. I seriously wonder if Heenan was injured from that botched press slam from The Warrior. The match was what it was. I’m sure the fans wanted Heenan to take a bigger beating, but it served it’s purpose) ¼*

-Gene interviews Miss Elizabeth (who looks gorgeous), and she says she will continue to support both men.

WWF Title: “Macho Man” Randy Savage © vs. Hulk Hogan

-The Champion, Savage, comes to the ring first, much to the outrage of Ventura. I also feel that the Champion should always come out last. It was nice to see at WM this years, that Orton and Edge both came out last in their respective title matches. Some noticeable cheers for Savage as he enters the ring. Liz is the next out, and she comes to the ring with Savage’s music. This feud was so money that I am still in awe of it years later. This was the “love” triangle, so to speak, to end all “love” triangles. “Real American” blares through out Trump Plaza and Hogan enters to a nice pop from the crowd. It’s nice to see they are still awake through this marathon of a show. Again, I love the rants from Ventura on the subject of Hulk Hogan. Savage poses for the crowd with the title and gets soundly booed by the Hogan fans in the crowd. The bell sounds and the shit is on as they say (do they still say that?). Savage bails and steals some Hogan merchandise from some fans. It’s funny that he throws one at Donald Trump and he hands it to the young kid sitting next to him. Damn, all that money and he can’t afford a foam Hulk Hogan finger. Hogan over powers Savage to start, and the crowd chants for Hogan. Jesse: “Who the hell was Elizabeth before she got with Macho?” Some more stalling from Savage as he lures Hogan into chasing him. Macho puts Liz in front of him much to the approval of Jesse, who gets another great line. “A punch in the nose may not be so bad from here.” Hogan actually uses some chain wrestling to put Savage into a chin lock. Savage counters by showing his power and dropping Hogan with a back suplex. Hogan fires back with some right hands and goes back to the wrestling with an arm wringer. A thumb to the eye turns the tide for Savage and he quickly heads up top to hit a double axehandle. Savage grabs an armbar and puts a knee on Hogan’s chin to make it look even better. Once the ref gets out of position, Savage uses his skills to pull the hair of Hogan to get him back to the mat. The crowd chants for Hogan again, and it gets him back to his feet. Hogan no sells the hair pull this time, and pulls Savage by tights and fires him to the floor. Back inside the ring, and Hogan bounces Savage from buckle to buckle. Running clothesline drop Savage and he does his famous spot where he drops 2 elbows and rakes the eyes with his boot. The cheating of Hogan outrages Jesse. Savage catches Hogan with a boot to the face, and it opens a cut above the eye of Hogan. Jesse does of good job of mentioning that the cut above the eye is worse than below it. A reverse chinlock from Savage gives the fans a chance to chant for Hogan once more. Gorilla: “You’re not going to stop a championship match with a cut over the eye.” Oh, sick burn: NWA. Savage continues the onslaught and peppers the eye with some right hands. Hogan crawls on his hands and knees as Savage celebrates to a mix of boos and cheers (mainly boos from the Hogan pose). The stalling gives Hogan a chance to come back, and he brings the right hands. He running clothesline in the corner (a spot I always loved) follows, and Hogan slams Savage over the top rope to the floor. Sick bump there by Savage, and even the crowd gasped on that one. Liz goes to help, and Savage takes a swing at her. Hogan looks to cheat some more by ramming Savage head first into the steel post. Liz steps in front and Hogan can’t put her in danger. Macho doesn’t have any problem with that, and he slips off Hogan’s shoulder and posts him into the steel. Savage pushes Liz by her chin up the aisle, and Hebnar tosses her from ringside. Savage heads up top once again, and drops the axe to the floor, sending Hogan into the guardrail. Hogan is having trouble breathing, and Savage clotheslines him over the top rope (in another spot I love). A nasty elbow to the exposed throat of Hogan follows, as Savage looks for the kill. The throat work continues when Savage chokes Hogan down with the tape from his wrist. Ventura appreciates the cheating to win nature from Savage. Hogan starts to Hulk up, but the choke is too strong, and he goes out. Savage heads up top and hits The Greatest Flying Elbow ever (sorry, HBK), but Hogan pulls a George Steele and kicks out at 2. Hulk-up time, and everyone knows what is coming next as they pop like crazy. Big boot and leg drop led to Hogan’s 2nd reign as WWF Champion. Jesse is less than thrilled and makes his annual threat to be the one to take Hogan out. Seriously, I always had me hopes up for that match as a kid, and was always disappointed that I never got to see it. Hogan poses to send the crowd home happy, and end the show.

Winner and New WWF Champion Hulk Hogan via pin w/ leg drop over Randy Savage @ 17:55
(This is one of my favorite feuds, angles, and matches of all time. I am a huge mark for both this guys, and I still think this match stands up well today. I know a lot of people are mad Hogan won in the way he did, but this is WrestleMania. Hogan had to go over. A DQ where Savage keeps the gold would not have been that satisfying, unless they had some major surprise to send the crowd home happy (see WrestleMania VIII). If this match had taken place in the late 90s of the WWF it would have been a ***** brawl all over the place with lots of blood and intensity. Still, in my opinion this a damn fine match, and one that I can watch countless times.) ****1/2

Top 5 WrestleMania Matches (at this point)

1) IC Title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat *****
2) WWF Title: Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan ****1/2
3) Strike Force vs. The Brain Busters ***1/2
4) WWF Tag Titles: The British Bulldogs vs. The Dream Team ***1/2
5) WWF Title: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant ***1/2

The 411: This is a very memorable show because of the IC and WWF Title matches. The Strike Force split, and the Piper's Pit segment only add to the WrestleMania moments at this show. Outside of that though, these is a lot of crap to sit through. The Hogan/Savage match is available on the 2nd Hogan DVD set and the WWF Title DVD set. The other must see matches (Busters/SF, Blazer/Mr P, and the IC Title) are harder to find, so you may want to see this show. Just be prepared to sit through a lot of pointless matches. The bright spot is that you can be entertained by Gorilla and Jesse.

Final Score:  6.5   [ Average ]