WWF WrestleMania VI Results
April 1, 1990
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (SkyDome)
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
A video kicks off the show that show constellations in the sky. Vince McMahon narrates in a mysterious voice saying, “Upon the examination of the galaxies of space, images begin to appear. Images of strange and powerful forces. But of all the forces in the universe, the two most powerful, Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior, prepare to explode. Champion versus Champion, title for title. It’s the Ultimate Challenge. It’s WrestleMania!!”
We go live into the SkyDome and are welcomed to the show by Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Ventura says he’s been to the Super Bowl, the World Series, and The Rolling Stones, but WrestleMania surpasses them all. He’s fired up! Monsoon puts over the Ultimate Challenge.
Howard Finkel introduces Robert Goulet to sing the Canadian National Anthem. Goulet sings a beautiful rendition of “O Canada.” The crowd gives him a great hand.
Koko B. Ware vs. Rick “The Model” Martel
The bell rings, and Frankie the Parrot is put on his perch to watch the match. The referee is checking Ware’s boots, and Martel quickly attacks. Martel sends him to the corner, but Ware boots him back. Martel sends him to the opposite corner, but Ware hits a springboard cross-body block for a two count. Ware hits a pair of dropkicks before connecting with a back body drop. Ware then clotheslines him out of the ring. Martel pulls himself up to the apron, but Ware brings him in the hard way. Ware hits a shoulder block, but Martel quickly sends him over the top rope to the floor. Martel punches Ware off the apron and attacks him at ringside. Martel pushes him into the apron and gets in the ring to taunt the crowd. Ware eventually gets in the ring, and Martel clubs and stomps him. Martel hits a textbook suplex for a near fall. Martel is furious and kicks away at Ware. Martel clubs the back a few times and goes to the second rope for a double axe handle. Martel lifts Ware up and hits a backbreaker before going for a Boston Crab. Ware fights it and gets an arm under the bottom rope. Martel bounces him off the turnbuckle, but Ware gets fired up. Martel looks confused. Ware elbows him and bounces him off the turnbuckle. Ware punches him before having a whip reversed. Martel lowers his head and eats a kick. Ware hits a pair of flying head-butts. Martel gets up and falls down. Ware covers for a two count.
Ware has a whip to the corner reversed, so he tries for a springboard cross-body block. Martel ducks the move, but Ware still grazes the back. Martel quickly applies the Boston Crab for the win.
Winner by Submission: Rick “The Model” Martel
Mike’s Thoughts: Pretty neat to see the difference a year can make. At last year’s WrestleMania, Martel was a member of Strike Force wearing babyface whites and was just a guy. He turns heel at the event, cuts a shaky promo on Tito Santana, and this year he’s got it all together and is The Model spraying Arrogance around. Good stuff. Martel was a lot of fun in this. Good opener, and Koko B. Ware certainly held his own as well. I always think of Koko B. Ware as the heavy guy from “Beyond the Mat” that got fired for getting into a fight, but he could certainly perform.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with WWF Tag Team Champions The Colossal Connection, André the Giant and Haku along with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Okerlund calls them “The Colostomy Connection.” Heenan takes exception with that. Heenan says Demolition is heading to the treatment plant.
Sean Mooney is elsewhere backstage with Demolition. Ax says they call him Ax because he can cut down the biggest redwood there is. He’ll cut down the 7’4 redwood and the Polynesian oak. Just before he finishes chopping them down, he’ll stand back and yell, “Timber!” Smash says he’ll throw them in the back of a tractor trailer and drive them straight off a cliff to watch them smash into smithereens! Ax says they’re out to demolish and destroy. Smash says the only metal that will be left is the metal they use to forge their new Tag Team Titles.
WWF Tag Team Championship
The Colossal Connection (André the Giant and Haku, c’s) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Demolition (Ax and Smash)
André and Haku attack Demolition at the sound of the bell. Haku will start against Smash. Haku sends him into the ropes, but Smash avoids a move and attacks. Ax tags in and punches away at Haku before taunting André. Ax hits a snapmare, but André comes in and attacks. Smash tags in and applies a neck vice to Haku. Ax tags in and punches Haku. Ax chops Haku in the face and tags Smash back in. Haku rakes the eyes and sends him into the ropes. Smash avoids a hip toss and tries for a backslide. Haku fights it, and they’re struggling with each other. Smash drops down and pins Haku, but André immediately breaks it up. Smash wrenches the arm and tags Ax in. Ax punches away at Haku and sends him into the ropes. Haku ducks a clothesline and hits a thrust punch. Haku punches away at Ax and hits a backbreaker for a two count. Haku winds up and kicks Ax in the chest. Haku stomps the midsection before choking him on the ropes. Haku distracts the referee, and Heenan slaps Ax in the face. André grabs Ax and head-butts him down. The referee was yelling at Heenan before stopping to count the pin, which got a two count. Haku beats Ax down again, but Ax gets a hand on the bottom rope. Haku rams Ax into André’s forehead and covers, but Smash breaks up the pin. Haku chokes Ax, drawing Smash into the ring, but the referee admonishes him. Ax fights back at Haku, but Haku rakes the eyes. Haku connects with a snapmare before clubbing away at the shoulders and applying a nerve hold. The crowd tries to will Ax on. Haku quickly kicks Ax. André chokes Ax with the tag rope while the referee is admonishing Smash. Ax tries to fight back, but Haku viciously punches him down. Haku hits a shoulder breaker, but Smash breaks up the pin. Haku sends him to the corner but Ax big boots him down. Ax then wipes him out with a clothesline.
Smash tags in and punches Haku down before putting him in the corner. Smash back elbows Haku down before hitting a scary back body drop. Smash hits a running cross-body block, but André breaks up the pin. Ax comes in and clotheslines Haku. Demolition then double-clotheslines André. They club away at Haku before clotheslining him down. André grabs Smash for Haku. Haku throws a kick, but hits André when Smash moves! André stumbles into the ropes and gets tied up. Demolition hot shots Haku on the top rope. Demolition follows up with the Demolisher for the win!
Winners by Pinfall and new WWF Tag Team Champions: Demolition
The crowd is absolutely going wild as Demolition celebrates with the WWF Tag Team Championships. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan is furious. Heenan screams at the referee. André unties himself from the ropes. Heenan gets in André’s face and shoves him before poking him in the chest. André tries to explain himself before Heenan slaps him. André angrily grabs Heenan by the jacket and threatens him! André slaps and backhands Heenan before punching him to the corner and kicking him out of the ring! Haku tries to blindside André, but André blocks it and chops and punches him down. André leaves the ring and kicks them off the cart before driving away by himself.
Mike’s Thoughts: I can’t lie – I absolutely love Demolition. The Colossal Connection would have been an awesome and formidable tag team if it happened just a few years prior to this. Unfortunately, by this point, André the Giant was so ravaged by acromegaly that he was limited to standing on the apron the entire time until he got tied up in the ropes. Never tagged in and saw almost no action. I love the breakup of André and Heenan and the crowd loved it as well. Great pop. Glad André turned back babyface toward the end.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Earthquake and Jimmy Hart. Hart says every scientist in the world has their eyes glued to the seismograph. The epicenter is in Toronto. Earthquake says Hercules is supposed to be unbreakable, but earthquakes destroy the strongest buildings. As the aftershocks subside, the only natural disaster in the WWF will be left standing.
Hercules vs. Earthquake w/ “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart
Earthquake tries to blindside him, but Hercules avoids it. Hercules punches away at him before having a whip to the corner reversed. Hercules avoids an avalanche and punches away at him. Hart gets on the apron, so Hercules scares him off. Earthquake gets out of the ring to recover. Earthquake gets back in the ring and goes face-to-face with Hercules before shoving him. Earthquake stomps the mat, which looks like it could cave in. Earthquake goes for a test of strength, which Hercules obliges. Earthquake gains leverage, but Hercules fights back. Earthquake quickly strikes him down and bounces him off the turnbuckle. Earthquake strikes the throat and puts him in the corner before posing. Earthquake appears to be bleeding from the mouth. Earthquake shoulders him in the corner before sending him into the ropes. Hercules clubs the back and hits the ropes, but Earthquake won’t go down. Hercules goes for a clothesline, but Earthquake stays standing. Hercules hits another clothesline, and Earthquake is down to one knee. Hercules tries to lift him, but Earthquake elbows him down. Hercules drops a pair of elbows and flexes. Earthquake stomps around him and hits the Earthquake Splash for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Earthquake
After the match, Earthquake hits the ropes and hits Hercules with an “aftershock” Earthquake Splash.
Mike’s Thoughts: Decent squash match with Earthquake going over Hercules. Hercules was on the back end of his WWF run here. Earthquake was quite a gimmick. Despite being a really big guy, he was moving fast here.
Rona Barrett is backstage with Miss Elizabeth. Barrett says she has interviewed some of the most glamorous stars, but Elizabeth’s beauty is quite stunning. Barrett asks where Elizabeth has been because she hasn’t been all that active at ringside. Elizabeth says she’s been in an advisory capacity away from the ring. Barrett says the fans are so disappointed. Elizabeth doesn’t want to disappoint her fans. At times there were times she would have an opportunity to physically help, but she felt she couldn’t do enough. She’s thought about coming back and will be more active if she does.
Sean Mooney is backstage with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. Beefcake is looking at Mr. Perfect’s unbeaten record. No one is perfect, and he’ll sever the perfect record.
The Genius is in the ring, and he introduces Mr. Perfect to the ring.
Mr. Perfect w/ The Genius vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
The bell rings, and Mr. Perfect takes his time getting into the ring. Beefcake puts the hedge clippers near the corner of the ring. Perfect tries to attack Beefcake from behind, but Beefcake cuts him off. Perfect turns him around, but Beefcake catches him and punches him over the top rope. Beefcake pulls him into the ring by the hair before having a whip reversed on him. Perfect lowers his head and eats a kick. Beefcake hits an atomic drop, which sends Perfect over the top rope. Perfect talks with The Genius while Beefcake struts in the ring.
Perfect gets back in the ring, and Beefcake taunts him. Perfect knees him in the midsection and chops the chest before punching him. Beefcake sends him hard into the corner, and Perfect explodes out. Beefcake clubs at the back before hitting a scoop slam for a no count. Beefcake bounces Perfect in the corner before punching him in the midsection. Beefcake sends him hard into the corner before clotheslining him down. Beefcake signals for the sleeper hold. Mary Tyler Moore is shown happily clapping at ringside. The Genius gets on the apron and tosses the scroll into the ring. The Genius distracts the referee while Perfect clobbers Beefcake with the scroll.
Perfect stomps Beefcake’s face before hitting a rolling neck snapper. Perfect covers for a two count. Perfect kicks him in the ribs before jumping on the back a few times. Perfect taunts the crowd, and they loudly boo him. Perfect chops the chest before forearming the face. Perfect connects with a knee lift. Perfect punches Beefcake, talks some trash, and slaps him in the face. Perfect shoves him down and playfully kicks him. Beefcake is struggling to get to his feet. Beefcake quickly sweeps the feet and hits a catapult into the top of the ring post! Mr. Perfect is knocked out! Beefcake covers Perfect to hand him his first WWF loss.
Winner by Pinfall: Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
Beefcake goes over to the unconscious Perfect and grabs at the hair. Beefcake goes to get the clippers, but The Genius takes them away. Beefcake catches The Genius and drags him into the ring before applying the Sleeper Hold. Mr. Perfect manages to escape. Beefcake puts The Genius to sleep. Beefcake grabs the clippers before pulling out smaller trimmers. Beefcake then starts to cut away at The Genius’ mullet.
Mike’s Thoughts: Decent match that saw Mr. Perfect’s yearlong undefeated streak end. I liked the finish as it came out of nowhere and was more of Mr. Perfect slipping on a banana peel than straight up losing. Worked well for me.
Footage is shown of Roddy Piper eliminating Bad News Brown from the Royal Rumble. Brown then eliminates Piper. Three weeks later on Wrestling Challenge, Brown insulted Piper, leading to a brawl.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Piper has painted his body half-black and says he is two-faced. Piper talks about Bad News Browns’ eyes and ears. Piper doesn’t want to insult him before insulting Brown’s nose and mouth. Which Piper will shut Brown’s mouth? The Hot Rod or the Hot Scot?
Bad News Brown vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Piper is in the ring still painted half-black. Piper takes his time removing his entrance attire and does a dance. The referee pushes them both to the corner to get the match started. They take each other down and start brawling. The referee separates them again. Piper hits Brown with a running cross-body block for a two count. They tussle in the ring before the referee backs them up a third time. Piper punches Brown back to the corner before the referee once again backs Piper up. Brown punches away at Piper before head-butting him. Brown puts Piper in the corner, but Piper pops right up. Brown tries again for the same result. Brown punches Piper down and applies a nerve hold. Piper fights up and elbows out. They trade punches before no selling their offense. Brown hits a snapmare and hits a forearm smash for a near fall. Brown hits a scoop slam and drops an elbow for a two count. Piper quickly pokes Brown in the eyes before blocking a kick and punching away at him. Brown blocks a punch and rakes the eyes. The referee backs Piper up while Brown exposes the top turnbuckle. Piper reverses a whip into the corner, and Brown hits the exposed turnbuckle sternum-first. Piper goes into his tights and pulls out a Michael Jackson glove before punching away at Brown. Piper comes off the ropes with another punch that takes Brown down. Piper punches Brown out of the ring, so Brown pulls him out. Brown goes into the ring post. Piper grabs a chair and swings, but Brown moves. The bell rings.
Double Count-Out
The referee tries to help, but he’s knocked down. Piper and Brown continue to brawl up the ramp.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was absolutely awful. I mean hideous. It definitely didn’t age well either. The legend goes that Bad News Brown had no idea Piper was coming out with his body painted half-black. If true, my hat is off to Brown for keeping his cool and not flattening Piper right then and there. Still this is one of those things that makes you do a double take and really cringe.
Steve Allen of The Tonight Show fame is in the bathroom playing the piano. He’ll be playing the Soviet National Anthem for the Bolsheviks. Allen joking plays a few songs that most assuredly are not the Soviet National Anthem. Just as Allen is getting ready to play the song, someone flushes a toilet. The Bolsheviks freak out.
The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. The Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov)
Before the match, Howard Finkel asks for the crowd to rise for the Soviet National Anthem. The crowd loudly boos. The Hart Foundation attacks The Bolsheviks from behind.
The bell rings, and The Hart Foundation immediately hits Zhukov with the Hart Attack for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: The Hart Foundation
Mike’s Thoughts: Dominant win for the Hart Foundation, who were being positioned for a Tag Team Title match. Still, it had to be a bummer for Bret and Jim to only have a 19 second match in their home country. The Russian gimmick was definitely getting old by this point. Volkoff was doing the singing on the first WrestleMania and years later was still doing it.
The Los Angeles Coliseum will host WrestleMania VII on March 24, 1991.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura talk about WrestleMania VII being in Hollywood. Ventura says he’s going home.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Tito Santana. Okerlund asks if The Barbarian can make the transition from tag team competitor to singles like Santana did. Santana doesn’t know, but he will survive. Arriba!
The Barbarian w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Tito Santana
They lock up, and Barbarian shoves Santana off. Barbarian powers Santana into the corner, but Santana fights out and punches away at him. Barbarian gets out of the ring to consult with Heenan. Barbarian gets back in and locks up with Santana. Barbarian sends him into the ropes, so Santana goes for a shoulder block. Barbarian doesn’t go down. Santana hits a running cross-body block for a two count. Santana applies a side headlock and disorients him. Santana applies another side headlock before Barbarian whips him off and hits a hip toss. Santana avoids a falling head-butt. Santana jumps up to the shoulders and takes Barbarian down for a near fall. Santana applies another side headlock, but Barbarian whips him off and connects with a big boot. Barbarian scoops Santana up and hits a shoulder-breaker before going to the second turnbuckle for an elbow drop, but Santana moves. Barbarian misses a shoulder in the corner, and Santana punches and dropkicks him. Barbarian doesn’t go down, so Santana hits another dropkick that finally takes him down. Santana hits a double axe handle followed by a flying forearm. Heenan puts Barbarian’s foot on the bottom rope. Barbarian kicks away at Santana before (sort of) sending him into the top rope. Barbarian goes to the top rope and takes his head off with a diving clothesline for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: The Barbarian
Mike’s Thoughts: Not much of a match here. So far this WrestleMania has had mostly enhancement matches and a sad André match. Not great so far.
Video Package: Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire vs. The Macho King and Queen Sherri
Sean Mooney is backstage with “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire. Rhodes says you’re not going to see a common man coming to the ring pretending to be king. You also won’t see Sweet Sapphire pretending to be queen. They’ll get the job down. They know what Savage and Sherri are missing. They’re missing the crown jewel. Mooney is confused as to what that means.
Mixed Tag Team Match
“The Macho King” Randy Savage and Queen Sherri vs. “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire w/ Miss Elizabeth
Before the match, Dusty Rhodes grabs a microphone and has something for Savage and Sherri. They’ve got the crown jewel, the First Lady of the World Wrestling Federation, Miss Elizabeth! Miss Elizabeth comes out to a huge ovation! Miss Elizabeth gets in the ring and poses with Rhodes and Sapphire.
It’ll be Rhodes starting against Savage. Rhodes takes Savage down with a back elbow before hitting a Bionic Elbow. Sherri runs in and clubs Rhodes. Sapphire pulls Sherri by the hair until Savage breaks it up. Rhodes catches Savage coming off the top rope and slams him into Sherri! Rhodes then hits another Bionic Elbow to Savage to knock him out of the ring. Sapphire tags in. Rhodes sends Sherri into the ring. Sherri accidentally clunks heads with Savage. Sapphire drives her hips into Sherri’s head before lifting her up for an airplane spin to pick up a one count. Sherri takes Sapphire down and goes for a slam, but Sherri collapses under Sherri’s weight.
Rhodes tags in and takes Savage down. Rhodes holds Savage up, and Sapphire slaps him. Sherri tries to help, but she runs into Savage. Rhodes shoves Sherri, and Savage knees Rhodes out of the ring. Savage punches Rhodes down, and Sherri gets a slap in for good measure. Savage comes off the top rope with a double axe handle to the floor. Sherri grabs Rhodes and pulls the hair. Savage comes off the top rope again with another axe handle to the floor. Savage punches Rhodes and gets in the ring before going back to the top rope. Sapphire stands in Rhodes’ way. Savage angrily gets down and throws Sapphire down. Miss Elizabeth helps Sapphire up. Savage gets Rhodes in the ring and hits a double axe handle for a near fall. Savage hits a suplex and covers for a near fall. Sherri distracts the referee while Savage hits Rhodes with the scepter coming off the top rope! Sherri tags in and goes to the top rope. Sherri hits a splash for a near fall. Rhodes then punches Savage coming off the top rope. Rhodes then clunks together the heads of Savage and Sherri. Rhodes elbows Savage back to the corner before Sherri jumps on his back. Sapphire tags in and slams Sherri for a two count.
Sapphire dances, and Sherri swings at her. Sapphire throws Sherri out of the ring. Miss Elizabeth throws Sherri back into the ring. Sapphire hits Sherri with a suplex, but Savage breaks it up. Sapphire soon rolls Sherri up for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire
Dusty Rhodes celebrates in the ring with Sapphire and Miss Elizabeth. Savage is absolutely livid before going off with Queen Sherri. Miss Elizabeth happily dances in the ring with Rhodes and Sapphire.
Mike’s Thoughts: You’d think a match with Dusty Rhodes and Randy Savage squaring off would be ridiculous, but it was just ok. This was more comedy and gimmick than a match. Sherri and Sapphire were a lot of fun in this. Sapphire is such a cool story in WWF at the time. Just a random lady that caught a huge break. Dusty Rhodes’ big WrestleMania moment here.
Another commercial for WrestleMania VII coming to Los Angeles on March 24, 1991 airs.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Heenan says he’s an easy guy to get along with, but when you’re a big giant it takes a while to get the blood to the brain. Heenan says he’s the head of the family. You listen to him, you go to the top. You don’t listen to him, you’re never heard from again. André the Giant is lazy and incompetent. Heenan will get a new tag team partner that will listen.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are backstage with Rona Barrett. She hints that she has some dirt on Ventura in Hollywood. Ventura quickly throws it to Sean Mooney.
Sean Mooney is backstage with a furious Randy Savage and Queen Sherri. Savage says he’s going to teach Dusty Rhodes about character. They’ll never be embarrassed again. The crown jewel doesn’t exist.
We go back to “Mean” Gene Okerlund with new WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition. Smash says he had goosebumps when they saw victory. No matter who it is or where it is, they’re ready. Okerlund mentions the Hart Foundation. Ax says this is a natural high. They’ve won the titles for the third time. This is a sweet victory. Ax says they’ll stay the champions.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura talk about Demolition.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan. Hogan says this is a place worthy for the Ultimate Challenge to take place. There’s nothing but positive vibes. Hulkamania is running wild like it’s never run before. The energy will be unreal. The power of the Hulkster will bring The Ultimate Warrior to his knees. Hogan will ask him if he wants to live forever. Hogan can save him and turn him to the light. It’s not whether you win or you lose. It just matters what kind of winner or loser you are. Hogan hopes Warrior is a good loser.
Sean Mooney is now backstage with The Ultimate Warrior. Warrior says Mooney doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air he does. Warrior says in this normal world, no one can live forever. Where he’s taking Hogan, you can live forever. The Warriors have come. The darkness he speaks of is nothing to fear. Hogan has lived for the last five WrestleMania shows. Warrior is coming to take what Hogan believes in further than he could. Warrior is not coming to destroy Hulkamania. Warrior is coming to bring the Warriors and the Hulkamaniacs as one.
The Orient Express (Sato and Pat Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Marty Jannetty will start against Tanaka and punches him down. Tanaka quickly kicks Jannetty back. Jannetty hits a quick slam before Michaels runs in and helps hit a double-team hip toss. The Rockers throw Tanaka into Sato before hitting stereo planchas to the floor! Mr. Fuji shouts instructions at the Orient Express.
Jannetty squares off against Tanaka again before applying a side headlock. Tanaka whips him off, and Fuji pulls the top rope down to get Jannetty out of the ring. Fuji hits Jannetty in the spine with his cane before Tanaka sends him into the ring post. Tanaka gets in the ring and looks for a count-out. Jannetty quickly gets in the ring. Tanaka punches away at Jannetty before putting him in the corner. Sato tags in, and they double-team Jannetty with kicks. Sato chops away at Jannetty before going for a back body drop. Jannetty lands on his feet and tags Michaels in.
Michaels hits thrust kick before slamming Tanaka down. Michaels hits a back body drop before Sato tags in. They lock up, and Sato pushes him to the corner. Michaels quickly comes back with a neckbreaker before hitting the ropes, but Tanaka kicks him. Sato hits a gutbuster and tags Tanaka in. Tanaka sends Michaels into the ropes before hitting a big flying clothesline. Sato tags in. Tanaka slams Michaels before Sato hits a flying knee drop off the top rope for a near fall. Sato applies a nerve hold, and Michaels screams in pain. Tanaka tags in and kicks Michaels. Michaels reverses a whip, but Tanaka flips over him. Michaels quickly clotheslines Tanaka down. Jannetty tags in and punches Tanaka and Sato down. Jannetty sends Tanaka into the ropes for a back elbow. Jannetty then gives them a double noggin knocker. Jannetty moves, and Sato accidentally elbow drops Tanaka. The Rockers dropkick Sato out of the ring before hitting Tanaka with a scary back body drop. Fuji taps Jannetty, so he chases Fuji. Sato throws salt into Jannetty’s eyes. Jannetty accidentally walks into the barricade. The referee counts him out.
Winners by Count-Out: The Orient Express
Mike’s Thoughts: Oof, what an awful finish that was. Absolutely horrid. The match itself was really good until the finish. Too bad.
Steve Allen finds Rhythm and Blues backstage. Allen says Honky Tonk Man reminds him of Elvis… Costello. HTM says when they make their entrance, it’ll be bigger than any concert. Allen says it’ll be bigger than when Tiny Tim played a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Dino Bravo w/ “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Earthquake vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
The crowd has turned on Duggan because he’s trying to do a USA chant and is waving the flag. Bravo quickly powers Duggan away. They both don’t budge on a shoulder block. Duggan shoulder blocks Bravo down before punching him and hitting a back body drop. Duggan then clotheslines him over the top rope. Hart and Earthquake help Bravo up. Duggan hits Bravo with an atomic drop before punching him in the corner. Bravo sidesteps an avalanche and clotheslines him. Bravo punches Duggan down a few times before chopping him. Bravo kicks Duggan and hits an inverted atomic drop. Bravo chokes him before distracting the referee. Earthquake gets a few cheap shots in there. Bravo drops an elbow on Duggan for a two count. Bravo bounces Duggan in the corner a few times, but Duggan gets fired up. Duggan punches away at Bravo before lowering his head and eating a kick. Bravo stomps away at Duggan before putting him in the corner. Duggan knees him back and hits a trio of clotheslines. Duggan gets in a 3 point stance before grabbing at Earthquake. Hart throws the 2×4 to Bravo. Duggan hits Bravo with the 2×4 while the referee is yelling at Earthquake. Duggan picks up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Earthquake quickly gets in the ring and viciously attacks Duggan. Earthquake drops a pair of elbows before hitting the Earthquake Splash. Hart tells him to do it again, so Earthquake obliges. The crowd loudly boos before Earthquake hits a third Earthquake Splash. Gorilla Monsoon thought we were seeing a replay of the first two.
Mike’s Thoughts: Bad match, but pretty typical of a Jim Duggan match. I love the guy, he’s a legend, but in the ring, he’s not that great. I got a kick out of the crowd loudly booing Duggan for doing his USA shtick. Jesse Ventura was right – what was he thinking? Pretty funny.
Video Package: Jake Roberts vs. Ted DiBiase
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Jake “The Snake” Roberts. This is the biggest match of DiBiase’s career. Everything DiBiase stands for is on the line. All DiBiase has to do to get the Million Dollar Championship is go through him and Damian. Roberts and Damian didn’t forget how DiBiase made people grovel for money. They needed the money, so DiBiase made fun of them. DiBiase is going to get down on his hands and knees. This time, DiBiase will grovel for the money. How appropriate that the money he grovels for is his own. A victim of his own greed wallowing in the muck of avarice.
Million Dollar Championship
“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase (c) w/ Virgil vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
They shove each other at the sound of the bell and throw some punches. Roberts wrenches the arm, but DiBiase sends him into the ropes. Roberts shoulder blocks him down before hitting a knee lift. Roberts goes for a DDT, but DiBiase gets out of the ring. DiBiase collects his thoughts at ringside. DiBiase gets in the ring and knees Roberts. Roberts whips him off and hits a hip toss. DiBiase avoids an elbow, and Roberts avoids an elbow. Roberts tries for a DDT, but DiBiase gets out of the ring again. Roberts pulls him into the ring by the hair and wrenches DiBiase’s arm. Roberts takes him down and knees away at the arm. Roberts applies a hammerlock and tells DiBiase to give up. DiBiase fights up and reverses the hammerlock. Roberts quickly runs toward the ropes and sends DiBiase out again. DiBiase is furious and goes to walk off. Roberts catches him and puts him in the ring.
DiBiase hits the ropes and elbows Roberts down. DiBiase sends Roberts to the corner, but Roberts knees him in the face. Roberts goes for a knee lift, but DiBiase throws him into the corner. DiBiase drops a knee and clubs Roberts. DiBiase clubs Roberts and applies a front facelock. The crowd seems really distracted. They start doing the wave, and the camera is following it. DiBiase stomps Roberts out of the ring. DiBiase pulls Roberts shoulder-first into the ring post. The wave is still going strong. DiBiase looks furious. DiBiase connects with a piledriver and angrily stares at the crowd. They loudly boo him. Roberts rolls DiBiase up for a two count. DiBiase knees away at Roberts and flips out. A loud “Jake” chant picks up. DiBiase applies the Million Dollar Dream. Roberts struggles and pulls himself to the ropes to break the hold. DiBiase drags him to the center of the ring and covers for a two count. DiBiase goes to the second rope, but Roberts punches him out of mid-air.
Roberts clotheslines DiBiase down. The crowd loudly chants, “DDT.” Roberts hits another clothesline before sending DiBiase into the ropes for a back body drop. Roberts hits a short-arm clothesline and signals for the end. Roberts pulls the hair, but Virgil pulls Roberts out of the ring. Roberts punches Virgil and hits a hard body slam on the floor. DiBiase goes outside and applies the Million Dollar Dream. Roberts quickly drives Roberts into the post. Virgil puts DiBiase in the ring. The referee counts Roberts out.
Winner by Count-Out and still Million Dollar Champion: Ted DiBiase
DiBiase celebrates in the ring with Virgil. They hold up money. Roberts clotheslines them both down, and the money goes flying. Virgil grabs the Million Dollar Championship and runs away. Roberts then hits DiBiase with the DDT! Roberts picks up some cash and gives it to some fans at ringside. They’re $100 bills. Even Mary Tyler Moore gets $100. Roberts then gets in the ring and stuffs a $100 bill in DiBiase’s mouth! Roberts takes Damian out, but Virgil comes back and gets DiBiase away. They run away while Roberts chases them.
Mike’s Thoughts: Wow – before this match, Jake Roberts cut one of his best promos ever. This guy was just so damn good. It’s too bad the demons derailed his career something fierce. I wish he could work backstage and have some influence today. The guy has such a great mind. That being said, this was a weird match. It seems like they lost the crowd with the wave, but then they got super into it. Still, another horrible finish here, but man Roberts could emote and tell a story.
Sean Mooney is backstage with Akeem and Slick. Mooney asks about the splitting of the Twin Towers. Slick says money is what it’s all about. Slick is the happiest man in the world right now because The Million Dollar Man recaptured his belt. DiBiase has given him and Akeem a thousand reasons to act as judge, jury, and executioner on Big Boss Man. Boss Man will do hard times. Akeem says two things don’t last long: dogs that chase cars and law enforcement officers that don’t take money.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Big Boss Man. Boss Man says DiBiase is scum. He doesn’t take money from scum or anyone. Boss Man is proud to walk into the ring on his own without some reject from Africa that’s fat. Boss Man is proud to be an American.
Akeem w/ Slick vs. The Big Boss Man
Before the match begins, Ted DiBiase blindsides Big Boss Man and slams him on the floor. DiBiase sends him into the ring post and shouts at him. DiBiase puts Big Boss Man into the ring. Akeem attacks Boss Man and sends him hard to the corner before hitting an avalanche. Akeem pins Boss Man for a two count. Akeem clubs Boss Man down a few times before wrenching him in the corner. Akeem does the 10 punches in the corner before Boss Man takes him down. Boss Man takes him down before sending him into the corner three times and hitting a clothesline. Boss Man sends him into the ropes, but Akeem moves. Boss Man hits the Boss Man Slam for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: The Big Boss Man
Big Boss Man immediately grabs Slick and yells at him. Boss Man punches Slick down and celebrates in the ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: Quick match, as it should have been. Didn’t need to be dragged out.
Sean Mooney interviews Mary Tyler Moore, who really has no clue about anything he’s talking about pertaining to Rhythm and Blues.
Howard Finkel introduces Rhythm and Blues to sing “Hunka, Hunka, Hunka Honky Love.” The Honky Tonk Man and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine drive into SkyDome in a pink Cadillac driven by Diamond Dallas Page, though he was not known at the time. HTM says he knows everyone is here to listen to him debut his new song. The Honky-ettes and Jimmy Hart are ready. They sing a rough rendition of the song. The Bushwhackers eventually interfere and destroy the guitars.
Mike’s Thoughts: Awful.
Howard Finkel announces that they have set the all-time attendance record at SkyDome with 67,678 fans in attendance.
Steve Allen joins the commentary team.
“Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
Rude attacks Snuka from behind and punches away at him. Rude sends him into the ropes for a dropkick, but Snuka avoids it. Snuka punches him back before hitting a big flapjack. Snuka mocks Rude’s dance before sending him into the ropes for a back body drop. Snuka drops a head-butt before dropkicking him over the top rope. Snuka counters a sunset flip and punches him. Snuka sends Rude into the ropes, but Rude comes back with a suplex. Rude clubs Snuka before bouncing him off the turnbuckle. Rude sends Snuka into the ropes for a back body drop. Snuka comes back with a facebuster and punches him. Snuka sends him into the ropes, but Rude shoulder blocks him down. Snuka then wipes him out with a head-butt. Snuka goes to the top rope for a Superfly Splash, but he jumps over Rude when he gets up. Snuka sends him to the corner hard and punches him. Snuka hits a scoop slam and goes to the second rope. Rude avoids a splash. Rude follows up with the Rude Awakening for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: “Ravishing” Rick Rude
Mike’s Thoughts: This was really another nothing match on this show. Didn’t feel like there were any consequences on the line here. Not even sure why they were fighting. The commentators didn’t say anything about it.
Video Package: The Ultimate Challenge
The Ultimate Challenge – Title vs. Title
WWF Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior vs. WWF Champion Hulk Hogan
The crowd is going wild as the two men stand in the ring. They go face-to-face, and the buzz and electricity is palpable. Warrior shoves Hogan and gets pumped up. Hogan shoves him back. They lock up, and Warrior shoves Hogan into the corner. The crowd is going absolutely crazy for each power move. They lock up again, and Hogan shoves Warrior down in the corner before posing. Warrior signals for a test of strength. Hogan cautiously obliges, and they lock up. They struggle, and Warrior brings Hogan down to his knees! The crowd cannot believe it. Hogan soon fights up and gets to his feet before powering Warrior down to his knees! Warrior is down and in pain, but he soon fights up. They struggle before Hogan trips him and drops an elbow for a one count.
Hogan goes for a shoulder block, but neither budge. They hit the ropes and crisscross before Hogan catches him with a scoop slam. Warrior gets up and poses. They hit the ropes, crisscross, and Warrior now scoop slams Hogan! Warrior then clotheslines Hogan out of the ring. Hogan limps around at ringside and grabs his knee. Hogan collapses in pain. Warrior goes outside and stomps the knee before getting in the ring. Hogan tells the referee he blew his knee out but wants to get back in the ring. Hogan gets in the ring, and Warrior kicks at the injured leg. Hogan thumbs the eye and punches him back. Warrior and Hogan choke each other before the referee steps between them. Hogan punches Warrior, sends him to the corner, and hits a clothesline. Hogan then does the 10 punches in the corner. Hogan connects with a scoop slam and drops an elbow. Hogan drops a second elbow for a near fall. Hogan hooks a front facelock, which draws a Richard Belzer reference from Jesse Ventura. Hogan catches him with a small package for a near fall. Hogan quickly goes to a chin lock and punches away at Warrior. Hogan knees Warrior to the corner and chops the chest. Hogan sends him into the ropes and clotheslines him down. Hogan covers for a near fall. Hogan yells at the referee over the count. Hogan connects with a backbreaker for another near fall. Hogan goes to the chin lock. Hogan digs his knee into the back of Warrior before hitting a big back suplex. Hogan covers for yet another near fall. Hogan applies a chin lock. Warrior gets fired up, and the crowd is behind him. Warrior gets to his feet and elbows out. Warrior hits the ropes, and they wipe each other out with a double clothesline.
The referee counts them down, but they get up to the roar of the crowd. Warrior gets fired up and is impervious to the punches Hogan is throwing. Warrior jacks Hogan with some punches before hitting a pair of clotheslines. Warrior hits a third clothesline and chops him in the corner. Warrior sends him to the opposite corner, and Hogan collapses in pain. Warrior connects with a suplex for a near fall. Warrior then lifts Hogan up for a big bearhug. Hogan is starting to fade away as Warrior cinches in the hold. Warrior holds it on for a bit. The referee checks Hogan’s arm, which goes down twice. The arm does not go down a third time, and Hogan punches out of the hold! Warrior hits the ropes, but Hogan drops down. Warrior accidentally wipes out the referee. Warrior comes off the top rope with a double axe handle. Warrior goes back to the top rope for another double axe handle. Warrior gets pumped up and hits the ropes for a diving shoulder tackle, but Hogan sidesteps him and slams him down! Hogan covers, but the referee is down. Warrior would not be kicking out here.
Hogan checks on the referee. Warrior gets up and hits a back suplex. Warrior covers, but the referee is still down. Hogan would not have kicked out there. The referee slowly comes to and counts the pin, but Hogan kicks out to a huge ovation. Hogan punches Warrior and school boys him for a near fall. Hogan punches and sends him into the ropes before hitting a back elbow over the top rope.
Hogan follows him out and punches away at him at ringside. Warrior puts the brakes on before Hogan can send him into the ropes. Warrior then sends Hogan into the ring post. Warrior gets Hogan in the ring and hits a clothesline. Warrior military presses Hogan and drops him down! Warrior hits a big splash and covers, but Hogan kicks out! Hogan begins to Hulk Up! Warrior punches Hogan, but Hogan isn’t feeling it. Hogan wags a finger at Warrior before punching him back. Hogan sends him into the ropes for a big boot. Hogan goes for the big leg drop, but Warrior moves! Warrior hits the big splash and covers! Hogan kicks out too late – Warrior wins!
Winner and new WWF Champion and still WWF Intercontinental Champion: The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior celebrates big time in the ring. The crowd is absolutely stunned. Hogan grabs the WWF Championship from Howard Finkel and looks completely dejected. Hogan then gets in the ring and presents the WWF Championship to the Ultimate Warrior. They embrace in the ring before Warrior celebrates with the two championships. Hogan walks off, continuing to point at the Ultimate Warrior to endorse him. Sparklers are in the ring and some fireworks go off from the roof. Hogan drives off in the cart sadly watching. More pyro goes off as the Ultimate Warrior celebrates.
Mike’s Thoughts: Wow – what a damn good match. Considering the two people in this, particularly Warrior, this is an absolute triumph. Every single thing they did was perfect and the right call at that moment in the match. The crowd was eating out of the palms of their hands. It just shows how good the WWF machine was back then at controlling the story and making sure everything was gone over with a fine tooth comb. Just look at the travesty that was Hogan vs. Warrior II in WCW in 1998. No control and they went out there with two wild egos and put on an all-time stinker. This was the opposite. This was Hogan at his peak. He really carried Warrior to a good match, but in the end, Hogan the politician made sure you only remembered him at the end. A masterclass in wrestling politics at the end. Still, a fantastic main event.
All in all, this really was a one match show, but that one match certainly delivered in a big way. If this match was a clunker, this could’ve been an all-time awful WrestleMania. But it wasn’t and is remembered well. Until next time!
Quick Match Results
— Rick “The Model” Martel def. Koko B. Ware via Submission
— Demolition (Ax and Smash) def. The Colossal Connection (André the Giant and Haku) to win the WWF Tag Team Championship
— Earthquake def. Hercules
— Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake def. Mr. Perfect
— “Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. Bad News Brown went to a Double CO
— The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) def. The Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov)
— The Barbarian def. Tito Santana
— “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire def. “The Macho King” Randy Savage and Queen Sherri
— The Orient Express (Sato and Pat Tanaka) def. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) via CO
— Hacksaw Jim Duggan def. Dino Bravo
— “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase def. Jake “The Snake” Roberts via CO to retain the Million Dollar Championship
— The Big Boss Man def. Akeem
— “Ravishing” Rick Rude def. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
— The Ultimate Warrior def. Hulk Hogan to win the WWF Championship; Warrior retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!