WWF Wrestlemania V Review

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!