(A lot of things have happened since I started this write-up in the world of wrestling. Hogan was somewhat wiped from the face of WWE history and Roddy Piper died. Just before that, Dusty Rhodes died. Other than a comment here and there I decided not to really get into all that and just instead try to look at this event in a vacuum. This write-up took long enough for me to write it as it was, and went long enough word length that I didn’t really feel like I needed to add more about things that people are getting info from in other ways. Either way, thanks for reading, and enjoy!)
While I did complete 5, I think 4 took a lot out of me, hence the major delay in between write-ups. Looking back on past write-ups I saw that I grew increasingly cynical as the ‘Mania’s went on, so maybe I’ll ease up on that a bit. But, probably not. I also see that I had some running jokes going on between the cards, which I may or may not remember. Depending on how you felt about those jokes in the first place, you may or may not miss those.
On to the show…
I started writing this up from the beginning when I had a sneaky suspicion I had at least started this one before. Sure enough, after searching the insides (some would say, bowels) of my computer, I found what I had started.
WrestleMania VI
“The Ultimate Challenge”
Sadly, this is the last time Ventura would join us on a WWE/F Pay-Per-View, joined here by Gorilla.
Thankfully we’ve moved on from the Boardwalk in Atlantic City (a thought a lot people have probably had in their lives) and gone to the Toronto SkyDome, where 67,678 fans awaited Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior.
My first thoughts of this show were that it was a one match card. However, that one match is one of the biggest matches in the history of wrestling. In the Ultimate Warrior special release DVD that came out a little after his passing, Sting (his former tag-team partner, who he entered wrestling with) even said he was a bit jealous of the scene when Warrior beats Hogan.
I browsed through the matches and I don’t see many opportunities for us to even sniff the 3 star mark until the main event. I recall the match being pretty good, and I think it will break 3 stars for me, but I’m not sure by how much. Unfortunately it looks like I have about three hours of blah to get through until I get to the goods. I hope I’m wrong on that though and that there is a hidden gem mixed in, here and there.
I’ve always liked the “biggest stars in the galaxy” opening, with the constellations, followed by Gorilla welcoming us to the Skydome while the crowd goes crazy in the background. These really were the “Golden Years” of wrestling.
Robert Goulet sings an acapella version of O Canada that is well regarded by the crowd. 5 Canadian Stars
Koko B. Ware w/Frankie vs. Rick “The Model” Martel
The card had a dark match – Paul Roma defeating The Brooklyn Brawler. Shame we missed that one.
Martel – a year after turning on his partner Tito Santana, leads things off, while heading to the ring in the ring (the mini ring is back!) while spraying his perfume/cologne, Arrogance.
Martel sneak attacked Koko while Koko was getting his boots checked by the ref. B. Ware quickly storms back, including a backdrop and some pretty good standing dropkicks. After knocking Martel out of the ring he assists him back in with one of the most contrived spots in wrestling – the one where the wrestler on the apron has the inability to let go of the top rope while the wrestler in the ring uses the top rope to sling shot the guy on the apron into it. However, this crowd loves it, and we’re off to a fast start, which is a welcoming sign based on the starts of most (all?) WrestleMania’s up to this point.
Martel regains control by throwing Frankie’s handler through the ropes into the crowd. The Canadian Crowd boos the Canadian born Martel (Billed from Cocoa Beach, FL as “The Model” while he showboats in the ring.
Martel works Koko over for a while and attempts his Boston Crab finisher, but Koko makes it to the ropes. Koko too apparently has the head of a Samoan, as Koko feels no pain from the blows to the padded turnbuckle. A pair of flying headbutts later gets a two count. Koko then goes for a flying crossbody off the middle rope – but he’s no Steamboat – so he misses, while accidently bumping off Martel and landing semi-awkwardly on the mat. Still the desired result was met. A Boston Crab later, and Martel is the winner. 1.75 Stars.
Funny moment I never noticed before. Gene Mean is backstage getting set to interview the tag champs The Colossal Connection (Andre and Haku), and introduces them as The Colostomy Connection. They tell us they are going to eliminate Demolition.
Sean Mooney interviews Demolition in the room with the blue lockers and pay phone. Demolition describes a demolition derby.
Tag Team Championship – (c) The Colossal Connection w/Bobby Heenan vs. Demolition
Tag Champs get both the already ring treatment and first introduced. It’s not looking good for Andre’s only reign as a champion (selling the title to Ted aside). To be fair, it wasn’t looking good for Andre to get through any match at this point in his career.
Haku and Andre sneak attack (still no Pearl Harbor mention) Demoltion to start things off. Haku starts in the ring, but Andre comes in attack Smash in the back with some chops. Not a joke, Andre did more in this match than I remembered, which was his stuck in the ropes spot he grew fond of late in his career. As I write this, Andre breaks up a pin attempt. So, despite his limitations, there were still finding ways to keep him involved.
Heenan slaps Ax and Ax gets up to think about going to chase him but is caught by a headbutt from Andre. I mean, viewing this now after I know how hurt Andre was makes me appreciate this a little more. They keep the action in their corner so Andre can do things like chokes and headbutts, but never actually have to get into the ring. He is leaning on the ropes nearly the whole match because he literally needs the support.
Haku continues to beat down Ax with an array of kicks and chops. Smash comes in a couple of times to attempt a save, much to the crowds delight. I was thinking Haku was honestly looking a little winded, and he clinches on a nerve rest hold at around the same time.
Andre chokes out Ax with the tag rope after Smash tried to make another save. Big shoulder breaker by Haku. Ax finally lands some offense when he lands a boot into the head of a charging Haku while in the corner. A clothesline later and he finally makes the hot tag, while Andre watches from the corner. Haku gets a punch, clothesline, and a big back bodydrop. A flying double ax-handle (smash handle?) results in a pin attempt, which causes Andre to try to break it up. Smash notices and meets Andre halfway with a fist. In a move you see coming a mile away, Andre holds Smash while Haku lines up for a kick. Smash (shockingly!) moves and – you guessed it – hits Andre into the ropes, where he gets tied up. Demolition slingshots Haku on the top rope and follows it up with their elbow drop off the knee finisher. 1-2-3-. For the 3rd and final time, Demolition wins the gold. The crowd was going absolutely nuts during the closing moments of this match.
After the match Heenan berates Andre and eventually slaps him. Andre grabs Heenan by the collar, lands a couple pimp slaps – and missing on one completely – before Heenan scurries out of the ring. Andre turns around where Haku is waiting to kick him, but Andre catches it. Massive slaps to Haku, who gets sent out of the ring. Haku and Brain try to get to the mini-ring to get away, but Andre kicks them out of that, including a headbutt to Haku. Call me a mark, but because of Andre getting his swansong (more or less) and ending on a face note, and his work in this match, I’m giving this 3 stars.
(Note – this is the exact moment I gave up the reviews for four months.
Pretty weird to leave it at this point, but I guess something better came along…like not watching Earthquake vs. Hercules)
Earthquake w/Jimmy Hart vs. Hercules
Earthquake looks like a larger version of my uncle Rocky – who was introduced at his wedding reception to The Rock’s music.
I’ll tell you in complete sincerity, while I’m not a big fan of this version of Earthquake, I legit liked the tag-team he was in with Tugboat, the Natural Disasters. I’m not sure how many wrestling fans can say that with a straight face.
Perhaps in a callback to Bundy vs. Special Delivery Jones, Earthquake goes for the avalanche (a name John “Earthquake” Tenta would have in WCW. WCW – always original.), however Herc steps out of the way and takes the early advantage with kicks and boots in the corner. Hart distracts Hercules long enough for Earthquake to step out of the ring for a breather.
The two then engage in the least popular test of strength of the night. When Hercules begins his comeback, Earthquake ends it with a boot to the midsection. Earthquake is bleeding pretty good from the mouth at this point, probably from the punches he took in the early going.
Hercules does the whole – can he knock the giant down – thing. He gets him to a knee, and then attempts to go for a back breaker, which is met by an elbow from Earthquake. An elbow drop and an Earthquake Splash later, this one is over. After the win, Earthquake lands “the after shock” – according to Ventura – for good measure. Little more than a squash. 1 star. A month later, Earthquake would be feuding excursively with Hogan up until losing to him at that year’s SummerSlam, the high point of his career.
A prerecorded interview with Miss Elizabeth and a woman's name I missed takes place between matches. The interviewer tells Liz that the WWF fans miss her at ringside, so it’s clear she was on some hiatus at this time. Liz tells us if she does return to ringside you will see a far more active Liz. If I recall, Liz is on this show later. Hell of a prefacing job by WWF and this woman interviewer I had never seen before, or since, though she could have been quite famous at the time - in a non-wresting capacity - and I just dozed off when they said her name.
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect w/The Genius
Even as a kid I thought there was no way that Mr. Perfect would lose his undefeated record to The Barber. Le Sigh. However I have learned/thought a few more things every time I run into this match. Number one is, Mr. Perfect had lost before, at house shows. In fact, I have read previously that the commentators don’t even mention the undefeated streak being broken, so I’ll be listening for that. Beefcake did say he looked forward to beating the streak in a pre-recorded (or maybe post-recorded?) interview. Holding the undefeated streak in wrestling is almost like holding on to a minor title before getting catapulted into title contention. It just seems once that stigma is no longer attached to a wrestler, he can get onto better things. That is, unless you’re Mr. Perfect’s son.
Perfect sells an overhand right by flinging himself over the top rope over the turnbuckle. A few moments later he flies over the top rope with an atomic drop. Macho Man’s brother attempts to settle Perfect down, which allows him to regroup, albeit momentarily. A reverse into a turnbuckle sees Perfect come out of the corner with a front flip. His selling in this match is pretty hilarious.
Genius steps onto the apron and he drops his metal scroll. Perfect whacks Beefpie with it. Perfect lands some boots and hits his neck snap. Somewhat surprisingly, The Hairstylist kicks out. Perfect remains in control with chops, kicks, and his big knee lift. Beefcake clings to Perfect’s ankle, Perfect responds by pushing his face, but on the way down Barbercake hangs on and delivers a sling shot into the steel post, knocking Perfect out, and giving Hulk Hogan’s best buddy the win. The announcers in fact make no mention of this being Perfect’s first loss. 2 stars, which may be generous. After the match The Genius Poffo gets a sleeper hold and his haircut, which was somehow an improvement from where it started.
Roddy Piper vs. Bad News Brown
This is billed as a grudge match that stemmed from when Bad News eliminated Piper from the Royal Rumble even though Bad News had already been thrown out by Piper. Three weeks later Bad News told Piper if he insists on wearing a skirt he should shave his legs.
What is most remembered about this match is that Piper was painted half-black for this one. I tried to read his reasoning for doing it to summarize it here but I’m just going to leave the story for those interested because I couldn’t make much sense of it (
http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/...7/roddy-piper/)
What is funny is that he had a solution made to take it off after the match but Andre “The Giant” poured it out and filled it with water, so Piper had to travel the next day like this. He says it took him a month to finally get it all off.
In the above interview, Piper suggests he was a little afraid to fight Bad News because of how good he was at Judo and how rough he was in the ring. I remember this match being all brawl, so I’m sure Piper took some shots. I’m just here to see if Brown delivers my all-time favorite wrestling move, The Ghetto Blaster.
Despite falling to this far down on the crowd, Piper still received a huge pop from the crowd.
There isn’t much to report here, so I’ll just sit here until this one is over or there is a Ghetto Blaster…
It’s over. To be fair, a lot more of this took place in the ring than I ever remembered. After about five minutes, both combatants ended up on the outside and were both counted out. They then brawled down the long hallway back into the dressing room for another couple of minutes. 1 star, which is more than I thought I would give it when it started.
Steve Allen is supposed to rehearse the Soviet National Anthem with The Bolsheviks but makes a bunch of funnies instead, which leads us to this match.
Hart Foundation vs. The Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov)
Unlike the last match, I do remember this one well. That’s mostly because it only lasts 19 seconds.
The Bolsheviks requested the crowd to stand as they sing their anthem. A couple lines in, The Foundation sneak up from behind. They throw Volkoff out of the ring and set Zhukov up for their finisher, The Hart Attack. 1-2-3. Would have liked to see a little bit more of one of the best tag-teams at the premier show of the year, but what are you going to do. .009 of a star for every second this one lasted.
In between bouts we get the infamous commercial stating that WrestleMania 7 will be held at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where they were hoping to reach 100,000 plus fans. In reality, due to poor ticket sales, it was held at the much smaller Los Angeles Memorial Arena, where the announced attendance was 16,158. WWF claimed at the time it was switched due to security concerns, as an Iraqi sympathizer, Sgt. Slaughter, was their champion. I’m surprised this commercial still makes the cut on WWE Network.
The Barbarian w/Bobby Heenan vs. Tito Santana
Just saw a story on Tito Santana in Sports Illustrated that he is now a school teacher in Texas. Barbarian was actually originally trained in Sumo Wrestling, and still makes independent wrestling appearances today. I mostly remember Barb from WCW when he challenged Ron Simmons for the WCW Title at Halloween Havoc in 1992.
Ventura proves that the 90’s are no different when coming to probably racists jokes/comments thrown at Tito. While calling him “Chico” and talking about Santana’s enchiladas, this match gets underway.
This one doesn’t last too long. Barbarian catches Tito in a power bomb position but the momentum makes Santana land on Barbarian for a 2 count. Ventura points out that Santana should have hooked the leg. A few beats later, Barbarian lands an impressive boot followed by an equally impressive shoulder breaker. He goes to the second turnbuckle for a tightrope elbow drop and somewhat surprisingly misses. Santana lands his flying elbow, but while going for the win, Brain puts Barbs foot on the rope.
Barbarian regained the advantage with probably the worst botch of the night so far. Tito was supposed to get clotheslined by the top rope, but pretty clearly misses everything. Ventura and Santana sell it anyway. Barbarian lands a pretty sweet flying clothesline off the top for the win. Better than I thought it was, and Barbarian has some awesome power moves. 2 stars.
Man, this still has a looooong way to go.
Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire vs. Macho Man and Sherri
This is one of the few matches I can remember fast-forwarding through all the time when I was a kid. For starters, I had no idea who Dusty Rhodes was at the time, but like most fans, I have grown to respect his work. As an adult, I think it’s sort of a shame that Macho Man doesn’t get a chance to shine at the biggest show in the year, much like the Hart Foundation.
Let’s pause for a sad note, every competitor in this match is dead. Thinking of that reminded me of a story I read once, which was quoted in Wiki that states with the death of Dusty, 13 (14, since I started this writing) of the 36 competitors on this card have died. The story compares that to the 1990 Super Bowl, in only one of the 44 starters have died. It really is a sad business.
I sort of wish this could have been Dusty vs. Macho, as I think they could have pulled something approaching a 3 star match, even at that stage of Dusty’s career. But, they also used this match as a vehicle to reintroduce us to Liz.
Ventura makes fun of the combined announced weight of Dusty and Sapphire, “565 I might buy, but no 465.” And “I know damn well Sapphire goes two and a half.”
Dusty introduces Miss Elizabeth to the ring, and the crowd goes bananas. I’m a Sensational Sherri guy myself, but I’ll allow it.
All Dusty all the time to start this one. Sapphire gets the tag and booty bumps Sherri all over the ring. “Well she certainly has the hips to do that,” Ventura pines.
She follows this was an attempt at an airplane spin that lasts about one rotation before she topples over onto Sherri in which she was lucky enough not to break the sensational's one neck.
We do eventually get a patented off-the-top-rope double ax-handle from Macho once his team takes control. The second time he goes for it, Sapphire stands in front of Dusty. Macho jumps off down to the floor and flings Sapphire out of the way. She’s taking a lot more bumps than I ever thought she would, although a few of those she brought on herself.
Dusty gets a scepter to the back of his head, and then Sherri landed a splash from the top, which Dusty gets out of two. Nevermind that the rules stated that it’s man vs. man and woman vs. woman. Later, with Sherri on Dusty’s back, Sapphire pulls her off in a legitimate very dangerous looking way. This gets a one count only, probably so Sherri can shake herself off. Sapphire throws Sherri outside of the ring, and Liz throws her back in, showing her more active role as a manager, as she prefaced in the interview earlier in the show.
While Sherri goes to confront Liz, Sherri gets pushed for her troubles into a table top, roll-up combo, giving Dusty and Sapphire the win. It’s probably a good thing it ended there before ol’ Saph had another chance of hurting someone. Ah, I don’t know…1 star for the ax-handle.
After the match, Sapphire, Dusty, and Liz dance in the ring like you would have expected people who can’t dance to dance in 1990.
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan gives his “You listen to me and you go to the top” promo, which shows up a lot in Heenan highlight videos.
Oh, the woman’s name I didn’t know is Rona Barrett. I learn this because Ventura and Gorilla interview her. Barrett tells us that an X-rated video of Ventura exists, and Gorilla really wants to see it for some reason. Luckily they kick it to Macho being interviewed by Sean Mooney. He is angry about losing. Continuing the interview theme, they whip it to Gene who is interviewing the new champions, Demolition, though it feels like it’s been four months since I saw them win that title This tag run leads us to Demolition vs. Foundation at Summerslam, which Bleacher Report named one of the best matches of SS history recently, for what that’s worth.
Hulk Hogan is now interviewed by Gene Mean. “Do you want to live forever?” “If your answer is yes, breathe your last breath into my body and we can save you, The Hulkamanics can save you!” On to Warrior for his thoughts. Warrior gives a similar interview – in his tone – but says Hulkamania can live through Warrior. I’ll be honest, both interviews were good and I can see how it would have certainly pumped the fans up back in the day. I know I said something about it being a one match card earlier, but what a match it was.
Orient Express w/Mr. Fuji vs. The Rockers
I believe I’ve read these two have had decent matches in their history, but I think this is the first time they met each other on TV. I think that because Gorilla said the Orient Express was the latest acquisition of Mr. Fuji.
This one is back and forth in the very early stages, with The Rockers taking the lead after a series of synchronized tag-team moves by Shawn and Marty. However, when they were back in the ring, Fuji pulled the top rope down, sending Jannetty onto the blue mats. For good measure, Fuji then laid in a cane shot across the small of his back.
I think I referenced this in an earlier review. One thing that is so much different in these tag matches that differ from today is that they go back-and-forth a lot more. Also, and this is one that has always bothered me about tag wrestling, is that when a wrestler is close to his partner he makes the tag a lot more often. I feel a lot of times today we have to think because a wrestler is hurt he wouldn’t have the ability to tag his partner despite being right next to them in some cases because of the result of where a move finished. It’s just a little nitpick I’ve had about tag wrestling, but so far in this one, I have no complaints.
Now, the above isn’t saying I’m against a good hot-tag, because that’s what Shawn will need after the last few minutes of sustained punishment he has taken. Jannetty does get the tag, and after clearing out the competition for a few, Shawn feels good enough to get back into it. As the Rockers go for The Rocker Drop, Fuji hooks his leg. Marty jumps down to confront him, but gets a handful of salt in his eyes for his trouble. Jannetty stumbled outside of the ring – including falling over the barricade into the first row of fans – causing him to be counted out. Would have been great for them to have more time, considering some of the other slop we’ve sat through, but this was a fun little 2.75 star match. I believe these guys have a higher rated match at the next Royal Rumble, iirc.
More Steve Allen, this time interviewing Rhythm & Blues, aka, Greg Valentine and Honky Tonk Man. Allen has some risqué comments, including one about the sexuality of Pee-Wee Herman. I actually had gained some respect for Greg over these reviews and sort of tough to see him in this gimmick, as it appears he doesn’t like it too much.
Dino Bravo w/Jimmy Hart and Earthquake vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
The Canadian crowd at first seems to think they should root for the good guy because that’s what you do, but there are plenty of boos when they see him holding the American flag and chanting USA. However his “hoooooooooooooo” chant, seems to get the crowd a bit more on his side over The Canadian Dino Bravo. In today’s day and age I’m pretty sure the Canadians would be rooting for the Canadian, but these were different times.
This is a pretty good bruiser of a match between two guys that don’t have the best of coordination. Hacksaw eventually goes for his clothesline, but starts fighting with Earthquake. Hart tries to get the 2X4 to Bravo, but Hacksaw cuts it off at the pass, hits Bravo in the back with it, and gets the win. Almost immediately afterwards, Earthquake drops Duggan and lands two huge elbow drops and three avalanches. I guess that’s what Duggan gets for cheating. 1.5 stars.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Ted DiBiase w/Virgil
As far as I can tell this is one of the few matches on the card that actually had some build-up. Jake stole the Million Dollar Belt from DiBiase, which caused some animosity between the two. Jake cuts one of his more well known promos on DiBiase backstage with Gene before heading out. Gene – “Longfellow couldn’t have said it better.”
Someone in the crowd holds up some loonies and toonies or whatever silly money Canadians have, while DiBiase is being introduced.
These guys always reminded me of each other. Similar bodies and I think pretty similar moveset. This match was one of the few on the undercard I thought had a chance of sniffing the 3 star mark. However, Jake was one half of the worst Mania match just two years earlier with Rick Rude, also a guy I would say had a lot of similarities to Jake.
Snake takes control early in this one, with the backdrop being that he’s trying desperately to land his DDT, with DiBiase just barely escaping a couple times early. Like the mentioned Rude match, this one went to a rest hold fairly early, but luckily it was only for a minute, and to be fair this one did have a bit of a fast start, unlike the rude match that was 15 min of rest holds in a match scheduled for 15 min.
After a missed knee lift by Snake – that sent him flying into the corner – DiBiase begins to execute his methodical offense. The crowd must not have been too enthralled with the action, as they partake in a wave. This was clearly the early days of “The Wave,” as the cameraman and Jesse spend an inordinate amount of time describing it, with Jesse telling us “This is what it’s all about.”
Ted hits a piledriver, but Jake gets a near 3 count when he reverses the nonchalant pin by DiBiase. DiBiase takes back control in a flash and clinches in the Million Dollar Dream. Snake falls to the ground apparently out of it, but gets his foot on the rope to break the hold. Jake turns the tide (wave reference) with a fist to the stomach as Ted flew by after a missed ax-handle attempt. Finally, the shortarm clothesline, which is one of my favorite moves, for what it’s worth. It seems like it should be DDT time, but DiBiase holds on to the refs leg while Virgil pulled Snake out of the ring. After giving Virgil a slam, Ted clinches the Dream, but they both run into the post. Virgil gets Ted into the ring before the ten count, giving him the count out victory. Jake lands a DDT on Ted while Virgil hightailed it out of there with the belt. Jake picks up money that Virgil had dropped on the way out and hands it to the Canadians who have no idea what to do with this type of currency. This wasn’t that bad. 2.5 stars.
Akeem w/Slick vs. Big Boss Man
I liked these two as a tag-team (yes, I was the one. Additionally, it's clear I liked every tag-team over the combined 500 pound mark, or 600.), but if I recall, this match doesn’t get glowing reviews.
I’m guessing the best thing about this match is getting to hear a minute of “Jive Soul Bro.”
Lol I forgot about this. DiBiase ambushes Big Bubba Man before the match started. Weeks earlier, Boss turned face when he refused money from DiBiase. I guess DiBiase didn’t take too kindly to that.
I forgot that Bossman did the fall off the middle rope that Dean Ambrose does, minus the clothesline though.
Bossman tries to atomic drop One Man Akeem but can’t hold him up and they sort of collapse in the corner. A few seconds later Boss Rodgers lands his sidewalk slam and this one is over. .5 of a star.
Sean Mooney reminds us again that 100,000 people won’t be attending WrestleMania 7, prior to Rhythm and Blues entering the ring to sing “Honka Honka Honka Hunky Love.” This is the only other segment – thus far - I’ve came close to fastfowarding since the Piper-Downey bit.
Jerry Lawler’s cousin talks to the crowd a bit, introducing the song. I honestly couldn’t remember they actually attempted to sing a song here, complete with backup singers. Jimmy Hart is also there, the only one with actual musical talent -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2apM0DAe1g
I feel bad for Greg Valentine. He was actually pretty good the first few WrestleMania’s, and here the one part he sang, his microphone didn’t appear to work. The Bushwackers eventually break this thing up, but after RnB was already done their musical number. You can tell the guitars that the Wackers broke after the performance weren’t gimmicked, as it took them a little work to break them. At least they didn’t’ use Jake Roberts head to break it.
Fink tells the crowd that the 67,678 fans are the most ever for an event held in the SkyDome.
Rick Rude w/Bobby Heenan vs.”Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
Steve Allen has joined us on commentary. Rude gives Snuka the ol’ Pearl Harbor Job (my words, not Gorilla’s), as Jimmy adjusted his kneepads with his back to rude. Snuka quickly turns things around and even gyrates his hips in between moves, mimicking Rude.
Rude turns things around with a suplex while Snuka was attempting a backdrop and afterwards lands a backdrop of his own. Snuka grabs the offensive, he teases his splash, but Rude is up in time. Snuka goes for a flying headbutt from the second rope, but whiffs, and Rude lands his “Rude Awakening,” for the W. This match had a couple spots where it looked like they repeated things because one of them (I think Jimmy) missed a couple cues, including one of the backdrops and the ending sequence. Heenan appeared he was supposed to get involved when he attempted to shake the ropes the second time Snuka was on the ropes, but it was hard to tell. 1 star.
Ultimate Warrior (IC Champ) vs. Hulk Hogan (WWF Champ) “Title for Title”
I’m quite cynical on here, but as a fan of WWF in the “Golden Age,” it doesn’t get any better than this. Prior to the match they show the lead up, including the Royal Rumble double clothesline, an accidental clothesline on Hogan during a melee featuring Perfect and Genius, and Hogan “Saving” Warrior from an Earthquake attack, help in which Warrior didn’t appear to need or want. However, 2 weeks later, Warrior saves Hogan from an Earthquake Splash – this one more clearly needed as Earthquake was attempting to land multiple splashes – but Hogan doesn’t appreciate this help. Warrior teases a clothesline, but runs out of the ring. The thought is they teased Warrior being a bad guy for this match, but they went against it, which seemed like a pretty good idea.
Warrior runs to the ring first, and gets a huge pop. Hogan’s pop is similar, but maybe, just maybe, a tiny bit smaller.
Staredowns start, while Earl Hebner gives them instructions and takes the titles. Hogan looks smug for the most part, while Warrior growls at him, with eyes wide open. They then take turns throwing each other into the turnbuckles, while the crowd reacts. Having just watched Hogan-Rock recently from a dozen years from this match, I realized it was the same exact start to both matches, both at the SkyDome.
Now the most famous test of strength in wrestling history, in which I alluded to two weeks ago when I started watching this PPV. Warrior takes the advantage first, but then the Hogan supporters give him the strength to even things out, eventually taking the lead. Warrior than battles back to even things out, before Hogan ends it with a takedown and an elbow drop, generating a 1 count.
Ah yes, the crisscross, a call back to their Royal Rumble moment. Hogan slams Warrior, who no sells, then another crisscross later slams Hogan and clotheslines him over the top rope to the outside. If this was early NWA that would be cause for a DQ and would have really made things anti-climatic here. Hogan favors a knee after his tumble to the blue mats. Hogan tells Earl that his knee is gone.
Warrior and Hogan exchange eyerakes and chokes, much to the joy of The Body. Hulk has a mini-hulk up. Lands some fists and a clothesline in the corner. Hogan has forgotten about his knee injury, and Gorilla says perhaps he temporarily dislocated his knee and it slipped back in again. I mean, it’s pretty bad he turned it off this quick. Gorilla asks Jesse if he agrees with his diagnosis and Jesse replies “Well, you’re the doctor.” Hogan would never again favor his knee in this match.
Hogan in total control now, using a clothesline and a shoulder breaker – a move I don’t recall seeing him use too often. After a minute or two of rest move, Hogan lands some knees to Warriors back and lands a back bodydrop, before clinching in a headlock.
Warrior breaks the headlock with three elbows to the gut, and then they have another callback to the Royal Rumble altercation with a double clothesline. They both get up about the same time but Warrior starts his version of the hulk up, and lands some punches and three running clotheslines. After slamming Hulk into both corners, Hogan crumbles at Warrior’s feet, almost asking for mercy. Giving none, Warrior lands a suplex. He then clinches in a bearhug.
For some reason I’ve always remembered Hogan ripping off Hebner’s shirt pocket while in the bearhug. I think in another match he rips his entire shirt, but I can’t remember which. Hogan escapes the bearhug after keeping his hand up after Hebner lifted it for the third time. In the exchange that followed, Hebner was bull rushed on accident, leaving him motionless to one side of the ring. Warrior uses this time to land two ax handles from the top rope, but missed on the following shoulder block. Hogan gets on top of Warrior, slapping his hand down three times to signify he should be the winner. When Hogan gets up to look to the crowd with a look of confusion, Warrior gets up quickly and lands a backbody drop which causes Hogan to go into his convulsions. For good measure, Warrior slaps his hand on the mat 3 times. Hebner comes to, and slowly gets to 2 before Hogan kicks out with a half second to spare. A roll up by Hogan gets a 2 count. Hulk then elbows Warrior to the floor. Warrior lands a headbutt and throws Hogan into the post, and they head back into the ring.
Warrior lands the gorilla press and splash. He takes a second to turn Hogan over. Two count, and Hogan hulks up! Hogan blocks a punch and lands three of his own followed by the big boot. Hogan goes for his leg drop – and he gets massive air for this move – but misses. Warrior rises and lands his splash, and gets the three count, with Hogan narrowly missing the escape. This was one of the few times in his entire career Hogan ever lost cleanly. I’ll give this 3.25 stars, though a solid half star of that may just be me remembering when I was 7 watching this for the first time.
From what I understand – many considered this to be a passing of the torch. Hogan was considering going to WCW while Warrior seemed like he would be the man for a long time. However, Hogan would stick around for a couple more years in the WWF while Warrior would be in and out of the WWE while engaged in a battle of “he said he said” with Vince McMahon. Still, the resulting moment of Hogan giving Warrior the title – his title for most of the last half decade – continues to be one of the bigger moments of the silliness called wrestling that we all enjoy.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen some of the other shows, and even this show took me a long time to view. I’ll say that this was easily one of the better ones I’ve seen, but I think I’m suffering from both recency biased and nostalgia at the same time because of the main event. With that, I wouldn’t put too much stock in my ranking list, but after reviewing it a bit before making up my mind I’m fairly happy putting 6 second behind 3. If I was assigning numbers to all of these I think I’d give 6 and 5 a tie as a whole, but for reasons already stated I don’t mind giving 6 the 2 ranking.
First to Worst
WM 3
WM 6
WM 5
WM 1
WM 2
WM 4
