Hello and welcome to another edition
of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the
internet that delivers as poorly as Enzo & Big Cass in ROH! It’s
Wrestlemania IV, the tournament for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
After the controversy of the twin referee Saturday Night Main Event finish, Ted
Dibiase was stripped of his WWF Championship won for The Million Dollar Man by
Andre The Giant and a tournament was announced to crown a new champion. The
biggest and the best of the WWF competing for the WWF Championship but can the
grand-daddy of them all live up to last year’s Wrestlemania? Let’s find out!
20-Man Battle Royal
After a
rendition of America The Beautiful, we have Jesse Ventura and Gorilla Monsoon
introducing us to the action, this night will kick off with a twenty-an battle
royal. The likes of The Hart Foundation, Bad News Brown and The Rougeau
Brothers fill the ring, Ken Patera is also in sight. The Fink introduces
everyone, we have The Hart Foundation, The Young Stallions, Sika, Danny Davis,
The Killer Bees, Bad News Brown, Sam Houston, The Rougeau Brothers, Ken Patera,
Ron Bass, Junkyard Dog, Hillbilly Jim, King Harley Race The Bolsheviks and
George The Animal Steele.
Everyone
rushes one another, hard to keep track of this but I shall do my best as the
match kicks off, many superstars crowd Sika, Sika maybe the biggest man in the
match and the toughest to remove from the ring. The first man out is Sam
Houston followed by Sika, the tag teams stick together in the match as George
Steel stays out on the floor pulling and attacking people from the floor. A lot
of standing around and pairing off in corners, Neidhart pulls Steel out of the
match by his beard. The Killer Bees and one of the Rougeaus have been
eliminated. JYD dumps out Bass, Hillbilly Jim gets dumped out to the
disappointment of the crowd.
Davis gets
caught by Roma, Roma dumps out Davis which gets cheers from the fans, Jim
Powers has been dumped out in the meantime. The Bolsheviks are working well
together, being the only tag team still in the match, Race and JYD are trading
headbutts. Patera dumps out The Bolsheviks, Brown dumps out Patera. JYD smacks
Race out of the ring, Roma, Brown, Bret and JYD remain in the match. Brown
dumps out Roma, we are down to three. JYD begins headbutting Bret and Brown,
Brown and Bret team up against The Dog. Brown and Bret talk strategy, JYD
continues to take a pounding from Brown and Bret. JYD refuses to be dumped out
but the combined strength of Bret and Brown are too much. Brown enzuigiris Bret
right in the back of the head, stomps and rights from Brown. Bret meets the
turnbuckle hard off an Irish whip and we have a winner as Brown dumps out Bret.
An Ok
opening match, I was not expecting much but even then, things were slow and
plodding at times, there was no real rhyme or reason to what was going on, it
just continued to keep going slowing along, hoping for the match to come to an
end sooner rather than later. So, it was acceptable but it was not the hot
opening match that I would have wanted out of the gate.
Winner: Bad
News Brown Via Survival!
Ted Dibiase vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Fourteen men
have been selected, only one man can be your WWF Champion. The first match will
see Jim Duggan battle against Dibiase, Duggan has been less than stellar since
debuting mostly being disqualified or attacking whoever is in his way, Dibiase
has been the exact opposite being a breathe of fresh air as a character who has
all the money, the suits and ultimately, almost bought his way to the WWF
Championship. Duggan corners Dibiase, Dibiase backs off from Duggan. Lock-up
and clean break from Dibiase, another lock-up. Duggan blocks the right hand,
massive right from Duggan.
They trade
blows, atomic drop by Duggan. Dibiase bails to the floor, eye rake and chops by
Dibiase. Big right hands, Irish whip but Duggan ducks and nails a clothesline.
Right hands by Duggan, ten punches in the corner. Irish whip, boot block by
Dibiase, Dibiase smashes Duggan into the turnbuckle. Shots to the ribs, Irish
whip to the corner, clothesline from Dibiase. Stomp to the face, Dibiase talks
trash. Middle rope elbow by DIbiase and a Fist Drop for two. Duggan fires back
with rights, eye rake by Dibiase. Irish whip and Duggan counters with a sunset
flip for two, massive knee lift and fist drop from Dibiase. Duggan blocks the
suplex, nailing his own massive suplex. Dibiase climbs to the middle rope but
eats a shot to the ribs, rights and lefts by Duggan.
Irish whip
to the corner, clothesline from Duggan. Another Irish whip and scoop slam by
Duggan, Three-Point Stance attempt from Duggan but Andre grabs Duggan’s leg and
Andre waffles Duggan. Knee lift from Dibiase and a Fist Drop for the win, The
Million Dollar Man steals a win in the tournament.
Not a lot of
time but a lot of fun in the time given, Dibiase is a heat magnet with every
mannerism drawing anger from the crowd, Andre at ringside is a nice touch, a
great security measure for The Million Dollar Man. Despite the booking of
Duggan, Duggan is very popular with the audience and when Duggan starts
swinging, the crowd comes alive so I was very happy with the way this match
played out, Duggan taking a tonne of punishment to keep him strong and Dibiase
continues to cheat his way to victory.
Winner: Ted
Dibiase over Jim Duggan via Fist Drop!
Dino Bravo vs Don Muraco W/ Superstar Billy Graham
The Rock is
here in this tournament match, lock-up and clean break. Lock-up, Bravo pushes
off Muraco, shoulder thrusts and chops. Muraco reverses an Irish whip to the
corner, clotheslines and hiptosses. Bravo dodges an arm-drag and nails elbows,
gutwrench suplex. To the turnbuckle, Irish whip to the corner. Bravo misses a
corner knee, Muraco begins kicking the knees of Bravo. Leg-snap from Muraco,
make it three. Spinning toe hold, more neck snaps from Muraco. Bravo blocks the
toe hold, Muraco applies the hold again. Bravo pushes Muraco into the ropes,
big right hands from Bravo. Piledriver from Bravo, two for Bravo. Second
piledriver is blocked, both men nail clotheslines, both men are down.
Both men
slow to their feet, Muraco nails right hands. Irish whip and a flying forearm
from Muraco, scoop slam. Bravo pulls the referee in front, Muraco knocks out
the referee. Bravo nails his sidewalk slam behind the referee’s back, there is
no pin-fall but Muraco wins by DQ as the referee realized Bravo pulled him in
front of Muraco, justice is served.
Passable for
sure, nothing much to talk about inside of the ring, two big bastards hitting
one another for what seems like forever, nothing wrong about it and the finish
was fun, who does not love when the referee shows a bit of spine? But with this
many matches, I feel it is going to be hard to write meaningful reviews of
every match, this is not good!
Winner: Don
Muraco over Dino Bravo Via DQ!
Ricky The Dragon Steamboat vs Greg The Hammer Valentine
Good to see
Steamboat, lock-up with a clean break. Side headlock from Steamboat, big
hiptoss and arm-drag from Steamboat. Dragon works the arm, sidekick and throat
thrust from Steamboat for two. Irish whip by Valentine, Steamboat nails a
shoulder block, make it two. Right hand by Steamboat, Valentines sidesteps Dragon.
Steamboat skins the cat, dropkick for two. Arm-wrench from Steamboat, Valentine
makes his escape and chops down Steamboat. Knees across the throat, making use
of the referee’s five count. Steamboat is pulled away from the ropes, smacking
his head off the mat. Elbow for two, Steamboat flips out of the back suplex,
Valentine meets the turnbuckle hard.
Knee drop
and arm-wrench from Steamboat, inverted atomic drop and clothesline by
Valentine. Elbows to the nose from Valentine, chops to the throat from
Valentine. Jabs from Valentine, Steamboat chops Valentine who falls to the mat,
two for The Dragon. Valentine gets a two off a failed scoop slam by Steamboat,
gut-buster from Valentine. Headbutt to the groin, figure four is blocked as
Steamboat pushes Valentine into the turnbuckle.
Both men
chop one another, they are leaning against one another to stay on their feet,
massive chop from Steamboat. Valentine is down, two for Steamboat. Eye poke by
Valentine, shoulderbreaker from Valentine for two. Valentine is climbing high,
massive axe handle. Figure Four is blocked with a chop, Valentine hits the mat
hard. Valentine is rammed into the mat again and again, reverse flying elbow by
Steamboat. Steamboat is climbing high, diving chop from Steamboat for two.
Valentine is rammed off the turnbuckle again and again, Steamboat manhandles
the referee, out of character for The Dragon. Crossbody but Valentine rolls
through, holding the tights for the win.
That was a
good match, Steamboat is awesome we all know this and we see it in full display
here, selling like nobody else in the company at this time, Steamboat’s facials
and body language are perfect throughout, they sell you that desperation needed
for the match, Valentine is mean and nasty, just a massive pain in everyone’s
back side. Good match from this tournament, the first one I have seen and
hopefully, more to come.
Winner:
Greg Valentine over Ricky Steamboat Via Roll-Up!
The Natural Butch Reed W/ Slick vs Randy Macho Man Savage W/
Miss Elizabeth
The Natural
Butch Reed has his hands full with The Macho Man being a fully fledged fan
favourite at this point due to his battles with The Honky Tonk Man. Reed is
enjoying himself, cool as a cucumber as the match begins, Savage has no time
for mind games. Lock-up, Reed misses a right hand, far too slow for Savage.
Lock-up, Reed backs Savage into the corner, knees in the corner from Reed.
Snapmare and a fist drop, to the turnbuckle we go with Savage reversing Reed.
Kick to the ribs, Reed suplexes Savage with ease. Elbow drop for two, closed
fists to the head from Reed, Reed talks trash to Elizabeth. Savage drops to the
floor, being hung up in the ropes.
Reed stomps
away at Savage, Savage can barely make it to the ring. Elbow to the face from
Reed, more taunting from Reed. Reed climbs to the middle rope, middle rope fist
drop from Reed. Savage kicks Reed off an Irish whip, chops and rights. Reed
misses a corner elbow, Irish whip by Savage but Reed counters with a
clothesline, Reed talks trash to Elizabeth. Reed gets caught on the top rope,
Savage yanks down Reed, Elbow Drop from Savage and Savage advances in the
tournament.
Not as long
as the previous match but you have some nice stuff in here despite the length,
Reed being a total arrogant fool is great fun, trash-talking to Elizabeth and
losing because of it is just fun stuff, how could you hate it? Savage is
tremendous inside of the ring, love the way Savage moves inside of the ring.
Good stuff!
Winner:
Randy Savage over Butch Reed Via Elbow Drop!
One Man Gang vs Bam Bam Bigelow
Two big men
killing one another, should be fun. Gang smacks around Bigelow to begin the
match. Massive rights stagger Bigelow, Irish whip to the corner, Gang squishes
Bigelow in the corner. Gang misses a splash, shoulder block from Bigelow and a
splash for two. Crossbody by Bigelow for two, fist drop from Bigelow. Rights by
Bigelow, clothesline from Bigelow. Elbow by Bigelow, headbutt floors Gang.
Falling headbutt by Bigelow, Slick pulls down the ropes and Bigelow falls to
the floor. Gang grabs Bigelow on the apron, Bigelow does not make it back into
the ring. We have a count-out and Gang advances in the tournament. DUD!
Winner: One
Man Gang over Bam Bam Bigelow Via Count-Out!
Ravishing Rick Rude W/ Bobby Heenan vs Jake The Snake Roberts
Rude shrugs
off Roberts and poses, Roberts drags down Rude, Rude smacks his face into the
canvas. Right hand and scoop slam by Rude, multiple rights and a scoop slam.
Roberts answers with a slam of his own, make it two. Rude is caught in an
arm-wrench, Rude misses a punch as Roberts continues to punish Rude. Rude
punches down Roberts but Roberts continues to grasp the wrist of Rude, Rude is
in a lot of pain as Roberts continues to work the arm. Rude backs Roberts into
the corner, Rude nails shoulder thrusts and places Roberts on the top rope.
Rude shoves away the referee, diving knee from Roberts. Roberts signals for The
DDT, Rude wriggles free from the hold.
Rude returns
to the ring, they criss-cross, scoop slam from Roberts. Running knee lift
misses for Roberts, Rude sweeps up Roberts who hits the mat hard on his head.
Clothesline and pose from Rude, elbow to the head of Roberts for two. Sleeper
hold from Rude, Roberts is back on his feet but Rude uses a handful of hair to
hold onto control. Heenan distracts the referee as Rude chokes The Snake.
Roberts finally escapes but Rude nails a double axe handle from the middle
rope, Rude poses before nailing right hands and a flying clothesline for two.
Another sleeper wears down the snake, Roberts grabs the hair of Rude but Rude
shakes it off, The Ravishing One is in control.
Elbows from
Roberts, Rude flapjacks Roberts down to the mat. Rude is on the top rope,
diving fist drop from Rude for two. Another sleeper hold from The Ravishing
One, Roberts scores with the back suplex but Rude continues to hold onto the
submission, Roberts crawls to the ropes as Rude stomps the life out of the
snake. Another two for Rude, sleeper is latched on again. Boring chants are
beginning to ring out from the crowd, I can understand their views with this
reliance on the sleeper. Roberts escapes with a massive jawbreaker, Roberts
stings Rude with lefts and rights, back drop from Roberts. Short-arm
clothesline, it’s DDT time! Rude backs Roberts into the corner to avoid the ddt,
Irish whip to the corner. Roberts blocks with a boot, gutbuster for two.
Massive back suplex from Rude, two for The Ravishing One. The time limit
expires!
This could
have been something truly special but with the finish to protect both
wrestlers, we have a draw which means we do not get that quality match that
these two could deliver, we have a match with sleepers and a lot of downtime,
could have been so much more but nevertheless, I do like a long match as
opposed to a quick match that I cannot even truly talk about when it comes to
reviewing.
Time Limit
Draw!
Hercules Hernandez vs The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate
Warrior sprints down to the ring, a house of fire as these two big men are
going to collide inside of the squared circle. Hercules is already in the ring,
awaiting his opponent. Hercules attempts a shoulder block, Warrior does not
move. Both men attempt shoulder blocks, the two talk trash. Both men are
posing, lock-up with Hercules being backed into the corner. Cheap shot from
Hercules, chops from Warrior. Irish whip, Hercules ducks a clothesline and it
takes three clotheslines from Hercules to knock down Warrior. Short-arm
clothesline from Warrior, Warrior chops Hercules before Hercules dumps Warrior
to the floor. Warrior pulls out Hercules, they trade blows on the floor.
Warrior
ramps Hercules off the steel steps, Heenan is looking devious at ringside.
Hercules gains control in the ring, rights and lefts from Hercules. Elbows from
both men, right hands from Warrior. Ten punches in the corner from Warrior,
Hercules nails an inverted atomic drop. Warrior is rammed into the turnbuckle,
Irish whip to the corner. Warrior reverses but misses the corner splash,
Full-Nelson from Hercules. Warrior kicks off the turnbuckle as both men tumble
to the mat, Warrior raises his shoulder while Hercules is pinned to the mat.
Hercules attacks Warrior after the bell and uses his chain but Warrior shakes
it off, Hercules retreats in shame.
Well, that
was as bad as it gets, no way you can do worst on this night than Warrior and
Hercules, what they did in that ring sucked on so many levels. The way they
moved, the way they transitioned and the way they sold were absolutely awful.
Anything about this match was horrid, a waste of time!
Winner: The
Ultimate Warrior over Hercules Via Roll-Up!
Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant W/ Bobby Heenan
The biggest
match of all-time part 2, this is as big as it gets and it was the match that
everyone was talking about in this tournament. The tournament has begun because
of the controversy between these two men, Andre stole the championship from
Hogan due to crooked referees, these two have had a feud that has lasted over a
year. They recap the feud with Andre nailing the giant butterfly suplex that
screwed Hogan out of his championship.
It seems the
crowd has woken up, that is understandable I mean this is Hogan and Andre II,
the biggest match of all-time and here we go again. Hogan bolts to the ring,
Andre jumps Hogan. Headbutts and boots, Hogan has been shaken. Hogan meets the
turnbuckle, chops by Andre. Massive clobbering blow, more chops and a massive
headbutt. Hogan comes back with forearms, Andre is driven to the ropes. Hogan
grabs Dibiase, Andre and Dibiase bang heads. Chops by Hogan, Andre is tied up
in the ropes. Dibiase and Virgil are trying to free Andre, Hogan is coming for
Andre.
Right hands
by Hogan, Andre is staggering. Andre is down, elbows from Hogan. Andre grabs
Hogan for a sleeper, choke hold from Andre. Headbutt from Andre, massive choke
hold from Andre. Squeezing and squeezing with Hogan looking like it could all
be over, Hogan’s arm is checked and it does not drop, here comes The Hulkster.
Hogan is backed into the corner, Dibiase grabs a chair and nails Hogan in the
back. Hogan and Andre fight over the chair, Hogan cracks Andre with the chair,
Andre cracks Hogan with the chair. Both men have been disqualified for their
use of the chair.
The biggest
rematch of all-time does not live up to the hype but the crowd were into it all
the way, as they should. Hogan is the hero and everyone was expecting Hogan to
end the night with the WWF Championship in his hands and Hogan poses for long
enough, you would believe that Hogan was closing the show but we have a
tournament to do damn it! On a lighter note, Andre could still pull off a
performance at this time in his career, what a talent Andre The Giant was!
Both Men
Have Been Disqualified!
Don Muraco W/ Superstar Billy Graham vs Ted Dibiase W/ Virgil
Dibiase is
grabbed from the floor, Muraco rams Dibiase into the turnbuckle. Scoop slam,
elbow drops from Muraco. Massive powerslam for two, shots to the ribs. Elbow
from Muraco, diving fist drop for two. Dibiase eats a snapmare and neck-snap,
Dibiase begs off in the corner. Muraco drags Dibiase out of the corner,
standing dropkick from Muraco for two. Dibiase rolls to the floor, Muraco nails
right hands. Irish whip, Dibiase hits the corner hard. Dibiase pulls Muraco
into the corner using his legs, stomps from Dibiase. Irish whip and clothesline
from Dibiase for two, knee lift from Dibiase. Fist Drops from Dibiase for two,
Muraco counters a back drop with a boot. Scoop slam from Dibiase, diving elbow
misses for Dibiase, Dibiases stunguns Muraco after a flurry of offence from The
Rock and steals the win.
That was
decent, Muraco showed a lot of fire and intensity throughout pummelling Dibiase
around the ring while Dibiase is such a heat magnet but The Million Dollar
Man’s selling is tremendous, love the sell off the diving elbow, it was just
awesome.
Winner: Ted
Dibiase over Don Muraco Via Stungun!
Randy Macho Man Savage W/ Miss Elizabeth vs Greg Valentine W/
Jimmy Hart
Valentine is
hammered early on, rights and lefts followed by a snapmare with knee drop.
Forearm from Valentine, diving axe handle from Valentine. Elbow drop from
Valentine, massive wind-up elbow drop for two. Shoulder-breaker for two, Savage
is tossed to the floor. Apron axe handle from The Hammer, chops from Valentine.
Elbow across the throat from Valentine, Valentine chokes the life out of Savage.
Knees to the leg of Savage, Savage avoids the figure four.
Valentine
nails a great suplex, two for Valentine. Savage stills alive in the match,
backbreaker for two. Savage fights out of the corner, elbow to Valentine. Choke
from Savage, scoop slam from The Macho Man. Diving axe handle from Savage for
two, Jimmy Hart distracts Savage on the apron. Elbow by Valentine, Savage
reverses the suplex. Another diving axe handle but Valentine smashes Savage in
the ribs, both men are down. Savage misses double knees against the ropes,
Valentine’s Figure Four is reversed for a small package, Savage wins the match.
Another
short match, hard to leave a memory on your mind when they all end so quick, I
will give Valentine his due though, one of my favourite heels in the company
since I started these reviews, Valentine continues to rough up all of our beloved
babyfaces, Savage continues to storm through the competition.
Winner:
Randy Savage over Greg Valentine Via Small Package!
(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) The Honky Tonk Man ©
W/ Jimmy Hart & Peggy Sue vs Brutus The Barber Beefcake
Beefcake has
been a fully-fledged babyface since leaving behind Valentine and adopting his
most famous persona in The Barber, Beefcake has a chance to win championship gold
in this match, what an opportunity for Beefcake. Lock-up, Honky cheap shots
Beefcake. Irish whip, Beefcake ducks and catches the foot. Atomic drop, right
hand by Beefcake. Honky rolls to the floor, Honky backs away from Beefcake. Eye
rake by Honky, Beefcake sends Honky into the turnbuckle, multiple rams into the
turnbuckle from Beefcake. High knee from Beefcake, Honky rolls to the floor.
More
stalling from Honky, Beefcake pulls Honky onto the apron. Elbows by Beefcake,
snapmare into the ring. Honky misses a kick, Beefcake misses a big elbow
though. Honky seizes the opportunity, kicks to the back of the head. Elbows by
Honky, right hand to the face. Fist drop from Honky who dances for his fans,
headlock and big right hands. Honky signals for his finish, knee to the ribs.
Beefcake grabs the rope to avoid the neckbreaker, right hands by Beefcake. Back
body drop, Honky begs off. Sleeper by Beefcake, Jimmy Hart is on the apron,
Hart knocks out the referee with his Megaphone. Beefcake notices the referee is
down, Hart grabs the bag of Beefcake. Beefcake crawls under with Jimmy Hart,
Beefcake cuts the hair of Jimmy Hart on the steel steps. Peggy Sue wakes up
Honky, the referees pull away Beefcake. Beefcake wins by DQ!
Fun for what
is was, Beefcake is passable, a little more focus on the wrestling would have
been nice, I understand they are both tremendously huge characters but Beefcake
selling or showing interest in winning the championship would have been nice
but for what it was, I did enjoy the antics of The Honky Tonk Man and his
Entourage.
Winner:
Brutus Beefcake over Honky Tonk Man Via DQ!
The Islanders & Bobby The Brain Heenan vs The British
Bulldogs & Koko B Ware
A feud
centred around the mistreatment of a dog, a bulldog named Matilda. The
Islanders and Heenan scatter as the babyfaces enter the ring, Heenan is in full
attack dog protection gear, it is quite priceless. God forbid something happens
to that dog, I imagine this wont be a long match. Dynamite and Tama begin the
match, arm-drags and throat thrusts from Dynamite. Tama is catapulted to the
floor, in comes Davey Boy. Davey Boy misses an elbow drop, Haku enters the
ring. Crossbody from Davey Boy for two, scoop slam by Davey Boy for two.
Crucifix for
two, snapmare and reverse chinlock by Davey Boy. Arm-wringer by Haku, tag to
Tama. Arm-wringer is countered for a military press slam by Davey Boy. Eye rake
by Tama, tag to Haku. Forearms and elbow to the face, Davey Boy tags Koko.
Dropkick by Koko, cheap shot to Tama. Headlock and headscissors takeover by Koko,
tag to Dynamite. Clothesline by Dynamite, Dynamite eats a boot out of the
corner. Chops by Haku, tag to Heenan. Boots to the head of Dynamite, tag to
Tama. Back drop and scoop slam, Dynamite blocks a splash with his knees, tag to
Koko.
Back drop
and headbutts by Koko, Islanders collide in the ring. Haku boots Koko in the
face, clothesline from Haku. Face rake from Haku, tag to Tama. Diving headbutt
from Tama, tag to Heenan. Heenan chokes Koko, Koko rallies and a right hand to
Heenan. Eye rake by Heenan, Irish whip with Heenan hitting the corner. Dropkick
into the ringpost, The Islanders jump Koko. Here comes The Bulldogs, Heenan is
thrown onto Koko by The Islanders. Matilda bites Heenan, the end.
Ugh, far too
long and while Heenan is a shining beacon of light anytime he is in that ring,
there was simply not enough of Heenan in this match and the babyfaces do little
for me, they are all very good wrestlers but in terms of selling and character,
there is little appeal for me in that match. You kind of lose sympathy when you
see the way Davey Boy drags around poor Matilda on that leash, poor dog.
Winners:
Islanders & Heenan Over Bulldogs & Koko Via Splash!
Randy Macho Man Savage W/ Miss Elizabeth vs One Man Gang W/
Slick
One Man Gang
is well rested while Savage is bordering on exhaustion. Savage has to get by
this behemoth to qualify for the finals with Dibiase. Gang shoves Savage to the
corner, Savage ducks the punches. Savage pulls at the hair and eyes, Gang hits
the top rope hard before Gang shoves Savage into the corner. Clubbing blows
from Gang, Gang reigns down right hands on Savage in the corner. Splashes from
Gang and a foot choke from Gang, scoop slam from Gang for two. Elbow drop, two
for Gang. Scoop slam and splash misses for Gang, corner splash misses for Gang.
Rights and elbows from Savage, axe handle as Gang lands on the floor. Diving
axe handle to the floor from Savage, Gang prevents a scoop slam. Throat toss by
Gang, Slick advances on Elizabeth.
Gang gets
distracted by Slick’s actions, Gang misses an elbow. Savage is whacked with a
cane behind the referee’s back, Savage dodges all the cane attempts of Gang,
the referee disqualifies Gang and Savage will be heading to the finals of the
tournament. Savage axe handles Gang into Slick and they both fall to the mat.
I was
wondering how they would protect Gang from losing clean to Savage, would Gang
be surprised by Savage? Showing overconfidence and his cockiness being his weakness?
Nope, Gang tried to use a weapon he clearly did not need to win and One Man
Gang is eliminated from the tournament, what a dumbass right? Hate silly weak
heel booking, this could have been handled an awful lot better.
Winner:
Randy Savage Over One Man Gang Via DQ!
(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) Demolition W/ Mr. Fuji vs
Strikeforce ©
Two premier
tag teams colliding at the grand-daddy of them all, Smash and Martel begin the
match. Clubbing blows from Smash, Martel is on the defensive. Ducking a
clothesline, Smash catches Martel before Tito dropkicks Martel onto Smash.
Martel crossbodies onto Ax, the champions have control. Double gut punch and
clothesline, Martel tags Tito. Diving axe handle, arm-wringer from Tito. Smash
tags in Ax, arm-drag from Tito. Tag to Martel, arm-wringers before Ax grabs the
hair. Eye rake from Ax, tag to Smash who eats a hiptoss.
Arm-wringer
and tag to Tito, right hands and more arm work. Smash grabs the hair, Tito runs
into a bearhug and clothesline from Ax. Tag to Ax, Tito is rammed into the corner.
Powerslam for two, Tito fights back from his knees before a knee from Ax ends
that flurry of offence. Tag to Smash who chokes Tito, Smash nails a suplex for
two. Tag to Ax, Irish whip, Tito nails an elbow before a back body drop, Smash
drags Tito to their corner. Flying Forearm off an Irish whip by Santana, Tito
tags Martel who is on fire.
Martel
begins with right hands before dropkicks galore, forearms to the face. Polish
hammers, Boston Crab from Martel. Tito takes out Ax, Fuji has his cane on the
apron, Tito waffles Fuji but Ax has the cane, Martel is clobbered in the back
of the head, Smash covers for the pin. The referee wakes up, Smash covers
Martel and we have new champions.
That was
good, this show has been a damn slog to get through at times so maybe a decent
match appears like a great match in my eyes but after all I have saw, this was
good stuff. Tito sells his ass off, taking a whooping from Demolition, love the
way the cane is knocked into the ring. It is so natural, not super planned, not
super co-ordinated it was as simple as Tito clobbering Fuji and the cane flying
into the ring. Martel is an incredible babyface given the chance, take a look
at his work before the WWF, the man was incredible. Good match with a great
cheap finish, happy with the way this played out.
Winners:
Demolition over Strikeforce Via Cane Shot!
(WWF World Heavyweight Championship Match) Ted Dibiase W/
Andre The Giant & Virgil vs Randy Macho Man Savage W/ Miss Elizabeth
One more
match, to crown the champion. This will decide who is the best of the best,
they lock-up. Dibiase backs Savage into the corner, elbow from Savage. Andre
trips Savage, Andre involves himself from the beginning. Hogan chants ring
throughout the arena, lock-up. Hammerlock from Savage, side headlock. Shoulder
block by Savage, Andre trips Savage for the second time in the match. Savage is
very frustrated, the odds are against The Macho Man. Arm-wringer by Savage,
Dibiases reverses and sends Savage into the corner. Rights and chops from The
Million Dollar Man, elbow to the back of the neck. Clothesline from Dibiase for
two, sunset flip does not work for Dibiase. Clotheslines for a two, Andre talks
strategy with Dibiase.
Chops by Dibiase,
stomp across the throat. Elbow by Dibiase, Savage nails his own running elbow.
Clothesline Savage style, knee to the back as Dibiase goes to the floor. Savage
wants to fly but Andre blocks Savage’s path, Savage asks Elizabeth to go and
get someone, Elizabeth runs to the back. Dibiase tees off on Savage, Fist Drops
from Dibiase. Three in a row, two for Dibiase. Snapmare and reverse chinlock
from Dibiase, Elizabeth has brought Hogan to ringside. Hogan has a chair, Hogan
is in the corner of Savage. Dibiase brings Savage to the corner, rights and
lefts from Dibiase.
Hogan and
Andre brawl momentarily, Andre is down. Dibiase nails Savage with a clothesline
and elbow drop for two. Suplex by Dibiase, two for Dibiase. Gutwrench suplex by
Dibiase, scoop slam by Dibiase. Savage yanks Dibiase off the top rope, Savage
is going for the elbow, Dibiase moves out of the way of the elbow drop. Million
Dollar Dream, Andre is close to the referee. Hogan smashes Dibiase with a chair
in the back, the referee did not see it. Savage has an opening, Savage climbs high.
Flying Elbow Drop and Savage is your new WWF World Heavyweight Champion, The
Macho Man has done it.
There you
have the beginnings of one of my favourite character arcs in the history of
wrestling: The Rise Of The Macho Man. From arrogant heel to beloved champion, Savage
was about to embark on one of the best arcs for a character in wrestling, tasting
the highest of highs to the lowest of lows only to rise in the end, I cannot
express how important Randy Savage is for the next several Wrestlemanias and
how people should appreciate The Macho Man that much more when it comes to
viewing his own personal Wrestlemania journey from Wrestlemania IV to
Wrestlemania VIII. The match may not have been tremendous, I did not get the desperation
of Savage in the match, they sold the issue of Andre in a great way, Elizabeth
getting Hogan to even things out was a nice touch too but it is the culmination
of the face turn of Savage is what makes this an amazing moment, Savage had
climbed to the top of the mountain.
Winner:
Randy Macho Man Savage over Ted Dibiase Via Flying Elbow Drop!
That was
Wrestlemania IV, did it top the historic Wrestlemania III? No but did it ever
have a chance? Like Survivor Series 1998 The Deadly Game Tournament and that
pay per view from 2000 WCW where they vacated all the championships, this pay
per view is dominated by a tournament. Historically, these shows I have
mentioned are tough to get through because they are so many matches with little
meaningful action until dare I say the semi-finals or simply, the finals
itself. So, what you have here is a bunch of matches smashed onto the pay per
view with no real substance and one overdriving narrative, Dibiase is cheating
his way through while Savage is a heroic warrior overcoming the odds. That
story could have been told a little tighter but it is very passable and you get
an amazing pay-off to all the drama unfolding before your eyes. This
Wrestlemania survives on that moment alone, not a lot else will have impacted you
nor I, I will most likely be unable to tell you all the participants in the tournament
or the rest of the undercard come tomorrow. However, that’s alright because the
ending to this Wrestlemania left the pay per view on a positive note for me,
seek it out only for Savage’s peak in the WWF. Thanks for reading and
supporting and remember: There’s always another night!
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