Hello and welcome to another explosive
edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on
the internet that isn’t blocked by Jim Cornette! Wrestlemania V: The
Mega-Powers Explode! One of the greatest angles in WWF history, Randy Savage
and Hulk Hogan united to battle the likes of The Honky Tonk Man, The Hart
Foundation but mainly, The Mega-bucks and The Twin Towers. Hogan and Savage
were the two most popular stars in the WWF and the previous Wrestlemania, Hogan
had helped Savage capture the WWF Championship. However, through jealousy the
team had unravelled with Savage accusing Hogan of lusting after Elizabeth and
the coveted WWF Championship. The team fell apart as Hogan carried Elizabeth to
the backstage area during a tag match, Savage felt betrayed and snapped,
attacking Hogan severing their friendship forever. Now, the two collide for the
WWF Championship. Literal chills ladies and gentlemen as I type this, been
looking forward to this ever since they began teaming together. Let’s do this!
King Haku W/
Bobby Heenan vs Hercules
Not my idea of hot opening match,
Hercules had been feuding with Dibiase over the whole slave angle while Haku
had been feuding with Harley Race over being the king. Haku jumps Hercules to
start the match, chops from Haku. Irish whip but Hercules reverses, hip-toss
and scoop slam. Flapjack from Hercules, clothesline to the floor. Suplex from
the apron into the ring by Hercules, massive elbow drops from Hercules.
Hercules sets his eyes on Heenan, Heenan backs away. Clothesline on the floor
from Haku, Hercules is sent back first into the ring apron.
Back-breaker from Haku, make it two.
Two count for Haku, bearhug from Haku. Hercules begins to smack the back of
Haku, trying to escape. Knee and throat thrust from Haku, choke to the back of
the neck from Haku. Hercules ducks a clothesline and nails a flying crossbody
for two, elbow by Haku to take control. Irish whip reversal to the corner, Haku
misses a middle rope crossbody. Jabs from Hercules, right hand floors Haku.
Shot to the ribs and a knee lift, clotheslines from Hercules.
Hercules
lands a flying crossbody for two, Hercules jumps off the top rope into a
Thrust-kick. Haku admires his work for a few moments before climbing to the
middle rope, Haku wants that diving headbutt or splash but Hercules moves out
of the way at the last second and nails a back suplex for the win.
Quite the
odd choice of opening match, it does not scream exciting but it works my
friend, oh it does work. Hercules and Haku bring the pain, they beat one
another all around the ring and the energy of the crowd carry this match with a
satisfying finish as Hercules finally gains revenge on Heenan for selling his
contract to Dibiase. Good match with a good conclusion to a long running
storyline/angle.
Winner:
Hercules over King Haku via Back Suplex!
The
Rockers vs The Twin Towers W/ Slick
This should
be fun as we have two agile and small wrestlers taking on two behemoths in
Bossman and Akeem. The heels chase The Rockers, The Rockers end up elbowing The
Twin Towers who are on the aprons. The match begins officially with Bossman and
Michaels, lock-up with Bossman lifting Michaels to the corner. Bossman slaps
Michaels, Jannetty slaps Bossman from the apron. Bossman is distracted and we
have a massive missile dropkick, Bossman is pin-balled by Michaels and
Jannetty. Bossman takes a breather and tags Akeem, Michaels grabs a wrist-lock.
Jannetty does the same, axe handle to the arm. The Rockers rinse and repeat
their offence on Akeem, double chop to Bossman on the apron.
Akeem shoves
Michaels to a neutral corner, Irish whip but Akeem misses a corner splash. Tag
to Jannetty, more arm-work from Jannetty. Akeem rakes the eyes, tag to Bossman
and Jannetty does not see it. Bossman grabs a bear-hug and The Twin Towers
squash Jannetty. Headbutt from Bossman, leg across the back using the middle
rope. Tag to Akeem, splash against the ropes as Akeem dances. Tag to Bossman,
massive boot to Jannetty. Right hand to the face, tag to Akeem. Bossman
squishes Jannetty in the corner, Akeem follows in for another splash.
Akeem tags
Bossman, Jannetty attempts a comeback but Bossman clubs down Jannetty. Jannetty
is clubbed down by Bossman, tag to Akeem. Akeem splashes Bossman by accident as
Jannetty ducks a splash. Tag to Michaels, kicks and right hands from Michaels.
The Rockers whip Akeem to opposite corners, double middle rope shoulder block
for two. Irish whip by Michaels, Akeem reverses and lays out Michaels with a
lariat. Bossman is on the top rope, Michaels avoids the splash. Cover for two,
Michaels tries a hurricanrana. Bossman is hanging on, Jannetty trips Bossman.
Double Missile Dropkick from The Rockers for two as Akeem saves Bossman.
Jannetty is on the floor, Michaels tries a diving hurricanrana but Bossman
nails a powerbomb. Akeem tags in and Air Africa for the win, The Twin Towers
are victorious.
Tremendous
match, the crowd were so into The Rockers. The perfect little man team against
the giants, Michaels and Jannetty work this match to perfection. They work
together to topple the giants but the giants ground them and when they do,
Jannetty and Michaels sell their asses off. Personal highlights are Michaels
taking the lariat and the powerbomb, sweet Jesus BK was tremendous. Great
match, much preferred this to the opener.
Winners:
The Twin Towers over The Rockers via Air Africa!
The
Million Dollar Man W/ Ted Dibiase W/ Virgil vs The Brutus The Barber Beefcake
Dibiase cuts
a short promo before the match, reminding us all that Dibiase is a stud and
should be treated as such, I imagine Dibiase will be just as awesome when this
match starts. Beefcake comes out teasing that Dibiase will have his hair cut,
that would be quite the moment. Beefcake starts out hot with hip-tosses and
back drops, Dibiase powders after an ass-kicking from The Barber.
Lock-up and
knees from Dibiase, chops in the corner. Irish whip with Beefcake reversing,
scoop slams from Beefcake. Dibiase is clotheslined to the floor, Beefcake is
strutting and cutting, Virgil talks to Dibiase who is signalling for a
time-out. Lock-up with both men trading right hands, Beefcake wins the war.
Virgil holds onto Beefcake’s leg for Dibiase to sneak in a cheap shot. Illegal
choke-hold from Dibiase, Dibiase batters Beefcake in the corner. Reverse elbow
from Dibiase, fist drop from Dibiase. Irish whip into a clothesline from
Dibiase, Dibiase is on the middle rope. Double axe handle from Dibiase who
taunts the crowd before stomping on Beefcake’s face. Two for Dibiase, Dibiase
yells at the referee to count faster.
Irish whip,
Dibiase ducks his head. Small package from Beefcake for two, Dibiase regains
control. Suplex attempt goes wrong, Beefcake nails the suplex. Another Irish
whip, double clothesline in the middle of the ring. Dibiase nails a suplex,
Dibiase stalks and applies his Million Dollar Dream. Beefcake makes it to the
ropes, Dibiase has his head rammed off the turnbuckle. Beefcake nails repeated
right hands, Dibiase meets the turnbuckle ten times. Dibiase begs off, Irish
whip into The Sleeper. Virgil is on the apron, Beefcake reaches for Virgil.
Dibiase dumps Beefcake to the floor, Virgil assaults Beefcake. Beefcake shakes
off the attacks of Virgil, Dibiase jumps Beefcake from behind. Double
count-out.
Two very
popular superstars with the audience for different reasons but this match goes
to show that does not always equal a good match. The match never seemed to get
going for me, it was as if they were going through the motions. Beefcake looked
awkward at times while Dibiase never got into that selling zone where he steals
the show. A big match in terms of personality but that finish leaves me wanting
these two to stay far way from one another.
Double
Count-Out!
The
Bushwhackers vs The Fabulous Rougeaus W/ Jimmy Hart
Firstly, The
Bushwhackers as The Sheephearders are one of the most badass tag teams of all
time, look up their work and you will not be disappointed. As The Bushwhackers,
they were a comedy duo who were more for the little kids and were fun. The
match starts with The Bushwhackers sending Jimmy Hart & The Rougeaus into
one another.
Raymond
attacks Butch, drop toe-hold before a Battering Ram from The Bushwhackers.
Jacque knee drops Raymond by accident, The Rougeaus regroup on the floor.
Jacque and Raymond double team Butch behind the referee’s back, tag to Raymond.
Irish whip by Raymond, Butch hits the corner hard. Scoop slam and Raymond is on
the middle rope, axe handle to Butch. Jacque tags in, reverse elbow to Butch.
Raymond and Jacque double team Butch, Luke is knocked off the apron. Abdominal
stretch from Jacque, tag to Raymond who struts and nails his thrust-kick. The
Rougeaus hug and celebrate but we have a Battering Ram and double Gutbuster for
the win.
That was a
rough sit through which is crazy because I think it went maybe six minutes but
I felt like turning it off at least three times. How bad can a match be? The
Bushwhackers were beaten to death for the match and a battering ram later, this
match was over. Just a match, I fear for things to come if I must watch that
for a few years but bless them for their work as The Sheephearders.
Winners:
The Bushwhackers over The Rougeau Brothers via Double Gut-buster!
Mr.
Perfect vs The Blue Blazer
Mr Perfect
debuts his singlet look after wrestling in blue trunks for his early run,
Blazer is a breathe of fresh air on this roster. Lock-up and hip-toss from
Perfect. Perfect backs Blazer to the corner, slap and shove from Perfect.
Blazer slaps back, drop toe-hold and massive slap from Blazer. Scoop slams from
Blazer and a dropkick sends Perfect to the floor. Baseball slide, uppercuts
from Blazer. Arm-wringer from Blazer, Perfect chops Blazer in the corner.
Blazer comes back with a hip-toss and a dropkick. Back-breaker by Blazer for
one, underhook suplex for one.
Scoop slam,
Blazer attempts a top rope splash. At the last minute, Perfect uses his knees
to block the splash. Clubbing blows from Perfect, knees to the back and a camel
clutch like hold from Perfect. Irish whip to the corner by Perfect, Blazer
blocks with a boot. Falling powerslam from Blazer for two, Blazer whips Perfect
to the corner, belly to belly suplex for two. Perfect reverses an Irish whip
but Blazer answers with a crucifix pin for two. Clothesline from Perfect,
Perfect-Plex for the win.
Undefeated
and rightly so, Perfect is a great addition to the WWF roster. Much like
Dibiase, Perfect is so great at making his opponent look amazing. It is on
display here with Perfect teasing that the streak could end as Blazer was
kicking some serious ass. Loved this match, could have been even better with
more time.
Winner:
Mr. Perfect over The Blue Blazer via Perfect-Plex!
(WWF
World Tag Team Championship Match) Demolition © vs The Powers of Pain & Mr.
Fuji
This was crazy
because it is a very memorable heel turn for Fuji and face turn for Demolition
but the match handled it so badly, the fans did not know what to make of it all
when The Powers of Pain were saving Fuji as the duo were babyfaces. It was all
made clear in the post-match interview. So, Fuji sold out Demolition to side
with The Powers of Pain, a double turn was achieved and now Demolition look to
destroy Fuji and his new toys.
Fuji looks
great for his age, Ax and Warlord to start this match. Lock-up, Warlord smacks
Ax, Ax smacks back. Knee to the head, tag to Smash. Double tag team smash from
the champions, snap-mare into a neck crank from Smash. Clubbing blows from
Smash, front chancery over to the corner. Tag to Ax, snap-mare into a reverse
chinlock and a tag to Smash. Double beat-down, Warlord lifts Smash to the
corner. Tag to Barbarian, Smash is battered in the corner. Smash fights out,
Irish whip, shot to the ribs and a tag to Ax.
Lariat from
Ax, scoop slam and tag to Smash. Irish whip and reverse elbow, front chancery
and tag to Ax. Double reverse elbow, snap-mare and neck crank from Ax.
Barbarian throat thrusts Smash and we have a tag to Warlord. Smash tees off
with right hands, tag to Ax. Double clothesline, Ax looks to attack Fuji which leads
to Barbarian nailing Ax with a thrust-kick. Fuji chokes Ax from the apron,
Warlord chokes Ax too. Fuji is tagged in, chops from Fuji. Falling headbutt to
the lower regions from Fuji, tag to Barbarian. Leaping club to the back, Irish
whip and big boot from Barbarian. Flying shoulder tackle and a tag to Warlord,
clubbing blow to the back of Ax.
Cover for
two, Barbarian nails a scoop slam. Tag to Fuji, Fuji misses a senton splash off
the top rope, Ax is crawling for Smash but Warlord bumps Smash off the apron.
Scoop slam from Warlord, Ax ducks a clothesline and nails his own clothesline.
Smash is in, Smash runs wild with right hands and scoop slams. Lariats and
Smash is on fire, Warlord is hung over the top rope, Barbarian saves the match.
Fuji has salt, Warlord holds onto Smash. Smash ducks, Warlord has been blinded,
Axe takes out Barbarian. Smash clotheslines Fuji and Demolition nail their
finish for the win.
An odd start
for sure, it was not very back or forth but rather the babyfaces in Demolition whipping
the asses of The Powers Of Pain. We had a nice little face in peril segment
with Ax before getting down to the finish which was a whole lot of fun, Fuji
gets the ass-whipping that he has deserved since Survivor Series.
Winners: Demolition
over The Powers of Pain via Decapitator!
Dino
Bravo W/ Frenchy Martin vs Rugged Ronnie Garvin W/ Superfly Jimmy Snuka
Bravo jumps
Garvin from behind, scoop slam and elbow drop from Bravo. Bravo punches Garvin
in the back multiple times, big chop from Bravo. Irish whip and a bear-hug,
Garvin is thrown into the corner. Multiple stomps from Bravo, shoulder block by
Bravo. Two for Bravo, Irish whip and a powerbomb is reversed by Garvin, two for
Garvin. Massive right hand and splash for two, Bravo is smashed into the
turnbuckle multiple times.
Jacknife
cover for two, Garvin applies a sleeper. Bravo goes to the ropes, Garvin pulls
out Bravo. Big piledriver coming but Bravo counters with a back-drop. Garvin
holds on for a sunset flip, Bravo powers out at two. Garvin has Bravo in the
counter, inverted atomic drop by Bravo and one Sidewalk Slam later, Dino Bravo
is your winner.
Have not see
anything of note from either of this guys in the WWF, Bravo has a good gimmick
going though as the heat is there but this match was slow and plodding, the
kind of action that makes me rethink watching these classic pay per views.
Winner:
Dino Bravo over Ronnie Garvin via Sidewalk Slam!
The
Brainbusters W/ Bobby Heenan vs Strikeforce
Anderson and
Blanchard look for a big win over Martel and Santana, have not seen much of
Santana and Martel lately, I am guessing injury played a role in that. Martel
and Blanchard begin, Anderson plants a knee in Martel’s spine before Martel
batters both heels with right hands. Double Irish whip and dropkick by
Strikeforce. Martel slams Anderson’s face into the mat as we reset, Martel and
Anderson have a test of strength on the mat with Martel out-powering Anderson.
Anderson
clamps Martel in a bodyscissors, Martel counters the hold for a Boston crab.
Blanchard thumbs Martel in the eye, Santana is blind-tagged into the match.
Bulldog on Blanchard, double figure four in the middle of the ring. Blanchard
escapes with Santana bridging out of a pin, backslide from Santana for two.
Anderson interferes, Martel tags into the match. Santana goes for a flying
forearm and nails Martel by mistake as Blanchard ducks, dropkick by Blanchard.
Anderson and Blanchard begin working Santana, Santana Irish whips Blanchard
into Anderson.
Anderson
tags in, clubbing blows to Santana. Sunset flip by Santana, Anderson tags in
Blanchard. Knee drop to Santana’s face, Irish whip to the corner. Santana comes
out with a middle rope crossbody, Blanchard escapes the pin and tags Anderson.
Reverse chinlock from Anderson, Santana is forced to the corner. Knee to the
face, Anderson is climbing the top rope. Santana yanks Anderson off the top
rope, Santana crawls to the corner and Martel holds onto his face and turns his
back on Santana.
Blanchard
nails a right hand on Santana, stun-gun and elbow drop by Blanchard. Elbow
drops from Blanchard, Martel is walking to the back saying screw Santana. Tag
to Anderson, Anderson stomps away on Santana. Anderson claws at Santana’s face,
Irish whip and a massive Spinebuster from Anderson. Tag to Blanchard, Santana
sent to the corner. With a right, Santana shows signs of life. Irish whip to
the corner, Anderson stops Blanchard from eating a monkey flip, tag to
Anderson. Spike Piledriver and it is goodnight!
More of an
angle than a match but little things I liked were the double tag team sequences
and Anderson’s heel work as well as Blanchard strutting around confidently once
Martel left, Martel cuts a decent promo afterwards and I am looking forward to
the feud between the two.
Winners:
The Brainbusters over Strikeforce via Spike Piledriver!
Andre The
Giant W/ Bobby Heenan vs Jake The Snake Roberts (Big John Studd = Special Guest
Referee)
Poor Andre
is afraid of snakes, not a good idea to go attacking Jake Roberts then but The
Eighth Wonder of The World is one bad man and things do not look for Roberts,
every time the two have met inside of the ring, Andre has left Roberts laying
with Roberts only method of attack being using his snake. Big John Studd is
here as the referee, the royal rumble winner and one of a only a handful men
that can stand close to Andre and not seem small.
Andre rams
Roberts into an exposed turnbuckle pad, Andre forearms Roberts over and over.
Knee to the throat, sleeper from Andre. Andre eats elbows to his stomach,
Roberts unloads with right hands. Roberts goes for the snake, Andre gives chase
with a sleeper. Andre wants no part of the snake. Roberts is down, big chest
slap from Andre. Andre squishes Roberts in the corner, Andre chokes Roberts in
the corner. Andre talks strategy with Heenan, hip attacks from Andre.
Andre steps
on Roberts’ chest, right hands from Andre. Roberts slaps back, kicks to the
ribs. Andre is rocked, rights and lefts from Roberts. Clothesline and Andre is
stuck in the ropes, Andre cannot move. Roberts chokes Andre, right hands to the
face of Andre. Andre chokes Roberts, escaping from the ropes. Headbutt and
choke-hold from Andre, Roberts manages to knee Andre away. Andre meets the
exposed turnbuckle, kicks to the downed Andre. Andre chops back at Roberts,
Roberts is out on the floor. Andre and Studd have words as Andre will not let
Roberts back in the ring. Roberts grabs Damian, Andre shoves Studd.
Studd and
Andre have words, Dibiase and Virgil are here. Dibiase attempts to steal Damian,
Roberts gives chase and saves his snake. Andre attacks Studd, Andre is choking
the life out of Studd, Damian is thrown in the ring and Andre leaves with his
manager Bobby Heenan. Roberts wins by DQ.
Yeah.. not
happy with this one by a longshot. Roberts and Andre have a good feud going, it
is Mania and we should have a pay-off. Should Roberts have beaten Andre? No, I
do not think so but Andre not taking the snake? That’s crazy! Not even Heenan
took the snake, it seemed weird. Of course, the work is not super inside of the
ring but Andre is broken down at this stage.
Winner:
Jake The Snake Roberts over Andre The Giant via DQ!
Rhythm
and Blues W/ Jimmy Hart vs The Hart Foundation
No jet black
hair for Valentine just yet but they are a team chosen to take out Jimmy’s
former associates: The Hart Foundation. Bret and Honky begin the match, they
lock-up. Knee by Honky, Bret fires back with right hands and headbutt. O Connor
roll for two, Honky eats an atomic drop. Inverted atomic drop and Honky tags to
Valentine, inverted atomic drop and a dropkick by Bret. Right hands by Bret,
tag to Neidhart. Slingshot shoulder block from Neidhart, Neidhart bites
Valentine’s head. Tag to Bret, back-breaker but Bret misses a middle rope
elbow. Valentine lays in a fist drop and elbow drops, tag to Honky.
Honky
distracts the referee as Bret is choked by Valentine, firemen’s carry slam from
Honky. Tag to Valentine, top rope axe handle from Valentine. Elbow by
Valentine, inverted atomic drop. Headbutt to the lower stomach from Valentine,
tag to Honky. Shake, Rattle and Roll from Honky, tag to Valentine. Figure four
is countered, gut-buster from Valentine. Tag to Honky, Irish whip but Bret uses
a cross-body for two.
Valentine is
tagged into the match, chops and elbows by Valentine. Irish whip, Bret dodges a
scoop slam, Valentine avoids an O Connor roll but Bret tags Neidhart. Shoulder blocks
and dropkicks all around, Honky saves Valentine from being pinned. Clothesline
by Neidhart, Honky saves Valentine. Tag to Honky, Honky misses a fist drop,
Neidhart brings Honky to his corner. Tag to Bret, middle rope elbow. Suplex by
Bret for two, Valentine saves the match for his team. Jimmy leaves down his megaphone,
Neidhart grabs it and throws it to Bret. Bret waffles Honky and The Hart
Foundation get the win.
Good stuff and
another pay-off to an angle, Bret sells his ass off in this match as per usual.
Valentine is so rough and mean inside of the ring, I just buy all his offense
inside of the ring. Honky is so unlikable, it’s fantastic. Every movement is perfect,
enjoyed this match a lot more than I thought.
Winners:
The Hart Foundation over Rhythm & Blues via Megaphone!
(WWF
Intercontinental Championship Match) The Ultimate Warrior © vs Ravishing Rick
Rude W/ Bobby Heenan
Rude is in
love with himself, after vanquishing Jake Roberts Rude wanted to show that The
Ravishing One had the best body in the WWF. The Ultimate Warrior had something
to say about all that, they has a memorable pose-down where Rude attacked Warrior
from behind and left the champion knocked out. They now collide for Warrior’s
championship, Warrior starts the match battering Rude. Hard Irish whips, Rude is
tossed around the ring like a doll. Warrior poses and talks trash to Rude,
bear-hug from Warrior. Eye rake from Rude and a massive missile dropkick but
Warrior powers out, scoop slam by Warrior.
Another
scoop slam by Warrior, another bear-hug. Warrior bites the head of Rude, big
back body-drop from Warrior. Ultimate Splash misses as Rude blocks with his
knees, kicks from Rude. Piledriver from Rude, Rude crawls to the cover for two.
Jaw-breaker from Rude who tries swivelling his hips but to no avail, the back
pain is too much. Stiff clothesline from Rude for two, Russian leg-sweep by
Rude for two. Warrior shakes off the pain, Rude is thrown back. Massive shoulder
block, mat slam by Warrior. Make it two, back-breaker by Warrior, massive
clothesline.
Hard Irish
whips by Warrior, massive shoulder block sends Rude flying. Another Irish whip
but Rude ducks a corner splash. Warrior is all over the place, Rude Awakening
is blocked by Warrior. What strength to power out of the hold, clothesline by
Warrior. Rude rolls to the floor, Warrior clotheslines Rude to the apron.
Warrior is looking for a suplex, Heenan trips Warrior and holds onto his feet,
Rude steals the win and the championship.
That was an
odd one for sure, Warrior and Rude are very over and Warrior is being presented
as damn near invincible so how were they going to work this? Well, Warrior dominated
for large portions of the match and that leads to a boring match for me. Rude
sells everything like a boss, making Warrior look great but for me, it became
dull as Rude was being bounced over and over. Warrior never looked in danger to
me so I did not get fully invested in this, might give it a rewatch but not in
love with this match, that’s for sure.
Winner:
Ravishing Rick Rude over The Ultimate Warrior via Shenanigans!
Hacksaw
Jim Duggan vs Bad News Brown
I see
neither of these men doing the job, this could be bad. Brown jumps Duggan,
right hands but Duggan dodges a corner splash. Rights and lefts by Duggan, big
clothesline by Duggan. Brown thinks of leaving, Irish whip by Duggan. Duggan
lowers his head, Brown takes control with a boot. Headbutt by Brown, Duggan is
rocked. Duggan has his eyes raked, Brown goes low with right hands. Duggan
fights back with shoulder thrusts, kick from Brown. Right hand floors Duggan,
headbutt from Brown. Duggan is sent crashing into the ring-post, we go back
into the ring.
Brown misses
his ghetto blaster, Three-Point Stance Clothesline from Duggan. Brown rolls to
the floor, the referee is with Duggan. Brown is in the ring with his chair,
Duggan has his 2X4. We have a DQ as both men smack one another and trade right
hands before Duggan sends Brown packing with a 2X4 to the chest. DUD!
Double
Disqualification!
The Red
Rooster vs Bobby Heenan
Heenan brought
in Rooster as his protégé but quickly turned on the youngster due to Rooster
losing his matches. Heenan brought in The Brooklyn Brawler to take out Rooster,
this plan did not work in the slightest. Heenan cowers from Rooster, Rooster
rams his head into the turnbuckle. Rights and lefts, Heenan reverses an Irish
whip to the corner. Heenan misses a corner shoulder thrust and Rooster scoops
up Heenan for a schoolboy, this match is over. DUD!
Winner:
The Red Rooster over Bobby Heenan via Roll-Up!
(WWF World
Heavyweight Championship Match) Hulk Hogan vs Randy Macho Man Savage©
All story
this one, the two biggest babyfaces in the WWF united in early 1988 forming The
Mega-Powers. With great highs like Summerslam 1988 where the duo took on The
Mega-Bucks, came great lows as Savage felt Hogan wanted Elizabeth and the WWF
Championship. Jealousy and ego ran rampant as Savage became more delusional,
walking out on Hogan and attacking The Hulkster with his WWF Championship on
Saturday’s Night Main Event. Miss Elizabeth is in the middle of these two men,
supporting both as both men want to tear one another apart inside of the ring.
This build has been fantastic, a true memorable one for the WWF and this match
is going to be fantastic.
Savage backs
away as Hogan enters the ring, Savage thinks about a cheap shot but Hogan looks
back at Savage and the champion thinks otherwise. Savage on the run early,
Hogan controlling the ring. Lock-up, Hogan shoves back Savage. Side headlock
from Savage, Hogan shoves him off and nails a shoulder block. Savage goes to
the floor, Hogan is inside the head of Savage. Side headlock from Savage, punch
to the head. Side headlock from Savage, Hogan shoves off Savage but Savage
holds onto the ropes and runs, hiding behind Elizabeth as Hogan gives chase.
Tremendous
work from Savage so far, putting Hulk over as strong, frustrating Hulk and
being an all-out coward. Take-down from Hulk, front chancery from the
challenger. Transition to a side headlock, Savage nails a massive back suplex.
Savage misses an elbow drop, right hands by Hogan. A third closed fist brings
down Savage, arm-wringer from Hogan. Eye rake by Savage, kicks to the ribs.
Savage climbs high, top rope double axe handle from Savage. Arm-wringer with a
hair pull to maintain control by the champion, Hogan is using the crowd to
rally.
Hair pull keeps Hogan down on the ground, the third
hair pull does not work for Savage as Hogan pulls Savage to the floor. Back in
the ring, Savage meets the turnbuckle hard. Irish whip and an axe bomber,
followed by a series of elbow drops and a face rake. Irish whip, Hogan lowers
the head and Savage kicks Hogan hard, running clothesline from the champion.
Two for Savage, Savage slaps on a reverse chinlock to keep Hogan grounded,
Hogan is bleeding from his eye. The drama has been heightened, Hogan is a
wounded animal and Savage is going in for the kill.
Hogan
rallies and elbows his way out, shoulder blocks from Hogan. Hogan catches
Savage’s boot, atomic drop from Hogan. Elbow drop misses, Savage is too quick.
Running knee in the back, Savage holds the tights on a schoolboy for two. Hogan
is rammed into the turnbuckle, hard Irish whip from Macho Man. Hogan is on his
knees, right hands to the eye from Savage. The cut is opened up even more,
Irish whip to the corner with Hogan collapsing to the mat again. Savage stomps
on the fingers of Hogan, a slap to the face from Savage. Hogan is on his feet,
Savage is pummelled in the corner. Irish whip and corner clothesline, Savage is
on dream street.
Scoop slam
to the floor, Savage is down. Elizabeth is checking on Savage, helping the
champion to his feet. Savage says get away and threatens Elizabeth. Hogan to
the rescue, eye rake from Savage. On the floor, Savage cannot smash Hogan into
the guard rail or ring apron, Hogan rams Savage into the apron. Hogan wants to
send Savage into the ring-post, Elizabeth does not let it happen though. Savage
takes control and shoves Hogan into the ring-post, Hogan is helped to his feet
by Elizabeth. Savage threatens Elizabeth again, putting his hands on Elizabeth.
The referee
saves Elizabeth as Elizabeth is sent to the back, shocking scenes here at
Wrestlemania. Savage is on the top rope, double axe handle to the floor with
Hogan landing throat first onto the guard-rail. Hot-shot from Savage, Savage
calling for the end, leg across the back from Savage. Elbow to the throat,
scoop slam. Knee drop from Savage, two for the champion. Savage rips off his
tape and chokes Hogan, choke from Savage. Hogan is down to the mat, Savage will
not release the choke. Hogan is lifeless, Savage is on the top rope. Diving
Elbow Drop in the middle of the ring, 1…2…. Hogan still breathes! Hogan Hulks
Up, you know the drill ladies and gentlemen. Right hands, Irish whip and a big
boot, Atomic Leg Drop and we have a new WWF Champion.
Quite
possibly my favourite Hogan match in the WWF thus far, Savage was tremendous as
a heel in this match. All the little touches from Savage, the mind-games and
the dirty tactics, loved every moment of Savage acting in such fashion. Liked
the work on the throat too, wished it was a bit more drawn out. Could have been
established earlier but Savage identifies the weakness and destroys Hogan’s
throat on his way to the finish. The finish is classic Hogan, an ass-kicking
that would kill a normal man and even the elbow drop could not keep down Hogan.
A fitting end to the war between these two men, Hogan has overcome the bitter
and jealous egomaniac that is The Macho Man Randy Savage, justice has been
served!
Winner:
Hulk Hogan over Randy Macho Man Savage via Atomic Leg Drop!
That was WWF
Wrestlemania V, the best of the Wrestlemanias that I have reviewed here during
this retrospective. Wrestlemania V has a number of big clashes between big
superstars and a lot of matches that deliver combined with the culmination of
one of the best feuds in WWF history. Two quality tag matches with The Twin Towers
vs The Rockers and The Hart Foundation vs Rhythm & Blues, memorable moments
such as Rick Martel turning on Tito Santana and Piper’s Pit and finally, the
best Hogan match that I have seen in a long time, Hogan and Savage tear the
house down in that main event, this was a rough Mania at times but when it was
good, it was very good. You could trim an hour off this and it could have been
great but as it stands, it is the best Wrestlemania out of the first 5. Thanks
for reading and remember: there’s always another night!