The Ultimate Challenge. World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan against Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior. Two huge babyfaces finally go one on one with the two singles titles at stake. It’s a huge main event right up there with Hogan/Savage and Hogan/Andre. It’s been brewing for a few months and tonight it comes to a head. Also at Wrestlemania VI the year long feud between Jake Roberts and Ted Dibiase ends and tag team champions The Colossal Connection defend their belts against Demolition. Aside from that feuds from the last PPV The Royal Rumble including Brutus Beefcake vs Mr Perfect and Roddy Piper vs Bad News Brown come to a close. So let’s get into it.

We’re treated to an opening video featuring Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior made up of star consolations. It’s the main event of the night and apparently the only match worth mentioning in the intro. Now it’s down to the commentary position where Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura will be calling the action tonight. Down to your Howard Finkel.

Koko B. Ware vs. Rick “The Model” Martel

It’s Koko vs. Martel to open the night. Koko has the worst PPV record of anyone in the WWE up to this point. He’s had six matches and lost everyone of them. This seems like a big step down for Martel who has been an awesome heel since turning on Tito at last years Wrestlemania. There hasn’t been a PPV singles bout between the two yet and I would have liked to have seen it at this event. Anyway Koko out first with Frankie is followed by Martel who has his arrogance cologne. 

Rick attacks Koko before the bell and has the advantage in the early going. Koko with some dropkicks though gets a great reaction. It’s back and forth until Martel takes control. He knocks The Birdman out of the ring and then hits a backbreaker. Back in the middle of the ring Martel locks on the Boston Crab for the win. Wow, that was quick. A good win for Martel and another loss for Koko B. Ware.

Rating: 3/10

Backstage now to Demolition. Ax has some words for Andre The Giant, saying that he’ll chop the big man down. Smash would love to drop Andre and Haku off a cliff. They are out to demolish and destroy The Colossal Connection. 

The Colossal Connection (Andre The Giant & Haku) (c) vs. Demolition (Ax & Smash) – WWF Tag Team Title Match

The champions come out to no fanfare, no music. Demolition follow to their trademark theme music. It’s worth noting that the wrestlers are coming out in the little rings that always remind me of Wrestlemania III. Andre hasn’t won in the last three Wrestlemania’s and Demolition have won in tag title matches at the last two. 

Demolition start well with quick tags but Haku soon takes the advantage with a karate chop on Ax. Haku keeps Ax grounded now with a resthold and the crowd get behind the challengers. Demolition are looking for their third tag team title reign tonight. Classic heel tactics as Haku goads Smash into the ring whilst Andre chokes Ax in the corner. Demolition haven’t been out of the tag team title scene in two years since winning the belts at Wrestlemania 4. Ax takes Haku down now and crawls over to his corner, tagging in Smash. Smash comes in to a good ovation, including a cheer from me. I’m a big fan of Smash. He throws Haku from pillar to post and all four men are in! Andre hasn’t legally been in this match yet. Demolition clothesline both men down but as Ax gets escorted from the ring Andre holds Haku and Haku thrust kicks his own partner!

Andre gets hooked up in the ropes and as Smash holds Haku, Ax dives off the top rope hitting a double backbreaker! Ax pins Haku for the win and we’ve got new tag team champions! Another short match and Bobby Heenan is fuming! He takes his frustration out on Andre the Giant and even slaps the big man! Andre looks massive. Andre then slaps Heenan! He actually misses him twice by a mile. Haku then tries another kick and Andre grabs him and headbutts him out of the ring. Andre looks so passed it now but a great attraction none the less.

Rating: 4/10

Backstage now to Earthquake and Jimmy Hart who have some words for Hercules. Lots of Earthquake references including aftershocks and natural disasters. Jimmy is his usual over-excited self. 

Hercules vs. Earthquake

Hercules does not often miss a pay per view. He’s been around a long time and actually won a match at last years Wrestlemania for the first time. Earthquake is the new man who has been taking people down. He’s undefeated going into this match (except the Royal Rumble match) and hap apparently sent 28 men to hospital. This’ll be Earthquakes first PPV singles match.

Hercules hits some quick jabs to start the match with and Earthquake retreats. Quake is actually bleeding already. And he looks massive compared to Hercules. A test of strength now which ends when Earthquake headbutts his opponent. He has the advantage now slowly taking apart the experienced Hercules. He puts his head down though and Hercules tries to take the big man off his feet. It takes a few clotheslines but Earthquake goes down to one knee but no further. He tries a backbreaker and fails miserably. Earthquake takes control again and signals for his big splash, nailing it for the three count! After the match Quake hits it again much to Jimmy Harts delight. 

Rating: 3.5/10

Backstage to Rona somebody and Miss Elizabeth. She asks Elizabeth where she’s been and Elizabeth says she’s hasn’t been able to help her clients and she doesn’t want to disappoint her fans. I don’t get it. Anyway.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Mr Perfect

Perfect is already in the ring as Beefcake makes his entrance. I like this feud it seems perfect for both men at this point in their careers. Perfect has been on a role and was runner up in the Royal Rumble. Beefcake has also been on a good run which included a main event spot at Summerslam. Much like every other match, this one starts before the bell. Beefcake sends Perfect to the outside and quickly drags him back in. It’s a good start for Brutus who has appeared on every Wrestlemania event. It’s back and forth now with men getting some offence in. The Genius is at ringside managing Mr Perfect. Perfect does some very over-the-top selling as he gets thrown around the ring. Brutus does some strutting and calls for the sleeper but The Genius jumps onto the apron. He drops his metal scroll and Perfect picks it up and nails Beefcake with it. 

Perfect doesn’t go for the pin oddly enough but continues the beating. Perfect has one of the best PPV win records of anyone. He just toys with The Barber now slapping him about. Beefcake slingshots Perfect into the post which is enough for the win! Pretty much out of nowhere. I’m not a fan of the ending. Or the result. This was Perfects first televised loss. Beefcake motions at cutting Perfects hair but I have a feeling The Genius will take the bullet. And that;s not all because The Genius takes the clippers. Brutus catches him though and throws him into the ring. Perfect manages to crawl away and Brutus locks a sleeper on The Genius.As predicted he then cuts away at the managers hair.

Rating: 4/10

To a video package now of Roddy Piper and Bad News Brown eliminating each other at The Royal Rumble and brawling to the back. And a quick one of the two men going at it three weeks later.That match is up next.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. Bad News Brown

Brown is already in the ring as Piper makes his entrance. Piper is pained on one side of his body and face. He’s jiving and allsorts. Pretty sure there’s some racism going on here but I could be wrong. The two men brawl to start the match, I don’t think there’ll be many holds in this one. Referee Danny Davis tries to break them up but they keep going at it. Piper punches and bites Brown who at one point was a main event player.  Bad News takes it to Piper, choking him on the mat and then power slamming him. This is Piper first Wrestlemania match in three years. Bad News hasn’t won a PPV match in a long time, at last years Wrestlemania he went up against Jim Duggan.

Piper has now found a glove in his tights and he puts it on and lands punches on Bad News Brown, taking him down. Not sure if the glove is loaded but referee Danny Davis seems fine with it. Piper sends Brown to the outside and follows him out before trying to nail him with a chair. The bell then rings and presumably it’s a double count out! The two men continue to brawl as referees flood from backstage. It’s a draw but this feud is definitely not over. Which is a shame, I like a feud to end at Wrestlemania. Closure on the biggest event of the year is the best way to go in my opinion.

Rating: 3.5/10

Back to some bloke playing the piano. Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov come in as the bloke says he’ll play the Russian national anthem. He doesn’t though, he plays some comedy tunes. They’re in the shower by the way. Strange!

The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. The Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zhukov)

The Hart Foundation have already challenged Demolition for a shot at the tag team titles so they shouldn’t struggle here. The Bolsheviks haven’t been on pay per view since Survivor Series 88. Nikolai treats us to his usual rendition of the Russian national anthem which is abruptly ended by The Hart Foundation. With Zhukov still in his jacket the Harts hit the Hart Attack and it’s over! The Hart Foundation win the match very quickly. Back to losing ways for The Bolsheviks.

Rating: N/A

Tito Santana vs. The Barbarian

Tito comes out to some funky music, the first time I think I’ve heard him come out to music. This guy has lost more matches than anybody else on pay per view. The Barbarian has split from his partner The Warlord by the look of it and is now managed by Bobby Heenan. The two men go back and forth and Barbarian retreats to his manager before getting back in the ring and taking control of the match. The Barbarian sells very loudly. Tito hits his trademark running elbow but only gets a two count. Barbarian hits a big boot which takes Santana down. He follows it up with a shoulder breaker and then goes to the second rope and misses an elbow. Santana now has the advantage and he’ll be looking for his first pay per view win since god knows when. Tito is actually the reigning King Of The Ring. He hits his big running forearm again but Heenan puts The Barbarians foot on the rope.

The Barbarian now goes up top and hits his big clothesline for the three count. A big win for The Barbarian who starts his singles career with a win. Santana is on a big losing streak and continues to be the man with the most amounts of PPV losses.

Rating: 4/10

Backstage now to Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire. Dusty cuts an awesome promo and says Randy Savage and Sensational Sherri are missing the crown jewels of which Dusty and Sapphire have.

 

“Macho Man” Randy Savage and Sensational Sherri vs. Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire

Well this is a bit of a step down for Savage who main evented the last two Wrestlemania’s and defended his Intercontinental title in the two before. Savage looks awesome in his gold jacket whilst Sherri looks like the witch from Snow White. Dusty comes out in his polka dots and grabs the microphone. He has a suprise for Randy Savage and says that he’s missing something. Dusty has the crown jewels, he has Miss Elizabeth! And out she comes. It’s amazing how relevant she still is a year after her and Savage split. Ventura describes her as a camera hound, brilliant.

It’s Dusty and Savage that start the match. It’s man against man and women against women. Although Sherri comes in and attacks Rhodes. Savage up top now and Rhodes catches him and throws him into Sherri! The crowd are firmly behind Dusty in this one. Sapphire tagged in and she pushes Sherri into Savage. Sapphire picks up Sherri and spins her round very slowly. Sherri tries to slap Sapphire but can’t get her up. Sherri is a former Womens champion. Rhodes tagged in and in comes Savage too. Dusty holds Randy for Sapphire and she slaps him, softly. This is almost a comedy match. Savage gets the advantage and hits Dusty with some jabs on the outside. Sherri also chips in. Macho King up top and nails his big double axe handle form the top. And hits it a second time. As Sapphire steps in the way, Savage throws her out of the way. Miss Elizabeth sees to her as Savage takes it to Rhodes back i the ring. 

Randy grabs his scepter now and nails Rhodes with it as Sherri distracts the referee. Randy then tags in Sherri who goes up top and hits a big splash on Dusty. No luck though and Rhodes hits a double noggin knocker on his two opponent. Dusty tags in Sapphire who botches another move. She throws Sherri out of the ring and Elizabeth throws her back in. Sapphire then botches a DDT/suplex. Sherri shouts at Elizabeth who pushes Sherri who in turn falls over Sapphire who rolls her up for the win! After the match Dusty chases Savage and Sherri off with the scepter. A big win for Dusty and Sapphire who celebrate post match with Miss Elizabeth!

Rating: 6/10

Some pictures now from the activities leading up to Wrestlemania. A 5K run and lots of signings. And even a charity dinner. Hillbilly Jim still about for the signings. Tito Santana on hand for many of the events too. 

Backstage to Hulk Hogan now. You know something Mene Gene! Classic. Nothing but stark raving Hulkamaniacs greeted him in Canada. Does Ultimate Warrior want to last forever? Hulk thinks he can save his challenger. Hogan hopes Warrior is a good loser. Hogan hasn’t actually defended his title on PPV up to now.

Ultimate Warrior has super big hair tonight. He’s backstage with Sean Mooney. Lots of neon paint on his face and chest. Warrior is still Intercontinental champion. He’s saying things but I’m not sure I understand. I think his message is that he wants the world title. And he wants to brings the Hulkamaniacs and Warriors together. 

The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) vs. The Orient Express (Sato & Tanaka)

The Rockers go into this match having never won on pay per view. Six matches, six losses. Jannetty starts the match with Tanaka. The Rockers start quickly with double team moves sending their opponents out of the ring. Mr Fuji is managing his fellow countrymen. As Jannetty gets sent t the outside, Fuji smashes him with his cane. Gorilla Monsoon has no idea of the names of The Orient Express, he hasn’t said them once. Tanaka takes it to Marty now and tries a big back body drop but Jannetty lands on his feet and tags in Michaels. Tanaka tags in Sato. Shawn carries on where he left off and hits a neckbreaker on Sato. Sato with the advantage now after Tanaka got involved. Tanaka tagged in and he hits some awesome looking jumping spinning body block. Sato back in. The Orient Express are making their PPV debut tonight. 

Jannetty tagged in now and he takes it to everybody. Double noggin knocker! Both Rockers in now and they hit a huge double big back body drop on Tanaka. Both men g up top but Fuji gets involved. Jannetty is totally distracted and Sato throws some powder in his eyes. In a comedy moment Jannetty goes flying over the railing. He was of course the legal man and the bell rings as he’s been counted out! The Rockers continue their awful PPV run! Something about this match didn’t quite click. It had a lot of potential but it didn’t quite hit the mark. 

Rating: 3.75/10

Dino Bravo vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan

These two guys have been feuding for years. Duggan comes out with the American flag which is interesting because this event is in Canada. You can hear some boos as he goes up against a Canadian. Earthquake and Jimmy Hart are out with Dino. Some awful swings and selling from Bravo to start the match. Duggan then hits his 10 punches in the corner. Duggan won his match at the Royal Rumble and Bravo won at Survivor Series so they’re both in quite good form. Bravo has the advantage in the early going and it doesn’t take long before Earthquake gets involved behind the referees back. It’s back and forth for a minute and then Duggan tries to go for his finisher but Earthquake grabs his leg. Jimmy Hart throws in the 2×4 but Duggan gets it and smashes Bravo with it! The referee doesn’t see it but makes the count and Duggan wins! After the match Earthquake comes in and takes out Duggan hitting him with the Earthquake splash. Three times. And nobody comes to his rescue.

Rating: 3.75/10

Backstage to Jake Roberts who has the Million Dollar belt and says Dibiase can have it back if he can get through Damien. Roberts doesn’t agree with Dibiase’s tactics. He wants Ted to beg claiming he’s a victim of his own greed. Awesome promo.

“The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts

This match is a year in the making. Ever since Dibiase stole Damien at last years Wrestlemania. The two men were on opposite sides at Survivor Series and went at it at The Royal Rumble. This has a big fight feel to it. A quick start to the match and it’s Jake Roberts taking it to Dibiase. This soon changes though and it’s back and forth. The match maybe starting too quick as both men seem to be blowing for air now. Ted Dibiase hits a big piledriver and doesn’t go for the pin. The crowd are chanting for the DDT but Roberts can’t even stand up. Dibiase goes for the Million Dollar Dream and locks it on. He takes Roberts down but The Snake gets his foot on the rope breaking the hold. Dibiase drags him to the middle of the ring and gets a two count. Dibiase flies off the middle ropes and Roberts punches him off. Roberts has control now and hits an atomic drop and a clothesline then a back body drop. Virgil tries to get involved by Roberts kicks him away.

A short arm clothesline from Roberts tends to signify the DDT is soon. And then he signals for it. The crowd are hot for Roberts. Virgil pulls Roberts to the outside though. Big mistake as Jake slams him to the mat. Dibiase then locks a Million Dollar Dream on the outside but Jake throws him into the post. Virgil throws Dibiase back into the ring just in time to avoid a count out! Roberts gets counted out but it would’ve been nice to see a clean finish in such a high profile match. Like most of the losers tonight though Roberts gets back into the ring and gets his revenge, hitting the DDT on Dibiase! Roberts then chases him backstage with Damien around his neck. This match could have been better especially with a more conclusive ending.

Rating: 5.5/10 

Backstage to The Big Boss Man who says Ted Dibiase is scum. Clearly he’s turned face now and he’s proud not to be associated with Akeem and Slick. 

Akeem vs. The Big Boss Man

Former tag team partners collide in this one. Boss Man has awesome music and so does Akeem. The Boss Man has lost a lot of weight since he debuted. Ted Dibiase is still at ringside though and he attacks The Boss Man before the bell. He powerslams the big man outside the ring and hits an elbow then throws him into the steel post! Dibiase then slides him into the ring for Akeem. Akeem continues the damage hitting a big splash in the corner but can only get a 2 count. Boss Man comes back though and botches an atomic drop then boots Akeem in the face. He throws Akeem from corner to corner then clothesline the American Dream down. He then hits the Boss Man Slam for the win! After the match Boss Man clobbers Slick. 

Rating: 4/10

Oh God. Next up to debut their new song “Hunky Love” are Rhythm and Blues, Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine. Valentine has dyed his hair black and couldn’t look any more ridiculous. It’s DDP driving them in too. And here we go. Jesus. Honky can’t sing. And Valentine can’t pretend to play the guitar. And now Valentine is signing. He might actually be worse than Honky. Honky Tonk Man is a good entertainer though. When the song finishes two vendors come out but wait they’re not vendors…..they’re The Bushwhackers! They chase off Rhythm & Blues then smash up their guitars! We won’t see it tonight but this match is brewing! 

“Ravishing” Rick Rude vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka

Well this seems like a fall from grace for Rude. Saying that Snuka has been feuding with the likes of Ted Dibiase and Mr Perfect. Still, Rude should dispose of Snuka pretty easily. Snuka has lost all three of the matches he’s been involved in since returning. Rude attacks Snuka before the bell but it doesn’t take long for Snuka to come back into it. He hits a couple of big back body drops on Rude and shakes his hips like his opponent before dropkicking him out of the ring. Rude comes back in and suplex’s Superfly and hits s back body drop of his own. A great line by the guest commentator who claims that Snuka is wearing his wives underwear. Snuka with a big headbutt takes Rude down and he goes to the top. He jumps right over the top of Rude though. A big powerslam from Jimmy and he goes to the middle rope and misses a headbutt! Rude then picks him up and hits The Rude Awakening and it’s over! Rick Rude with the big win. 

Rating: 4/10

Hulk Hogan (c) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (c) – World Heavyweight & Intercontinental Title Match

It’s time for the big one! Hogans world title against Warriors Intercontinental title. Warrior comes running out as he does and Hogan doesn’t opt for a cart either. Both men get huge ovations but I’d be inclined to say Hogan gets the bigger cheer. Real American gets played for ages which usually suggests it won’t be getting played at the end of the night. I’m a huge Ultimate Warrior mark. Lots of Warrior chants breaking out now as the two men go toe to toe. Some shoving between the two babyfaces and this one is under way. The two men go for a test of strength and it’s Hogan that goes down to his knees. Hulkster back up though and now it’s Warrior at goes down to his knees. He’s soon back up though and both men are toe to toe again. Warrior and Hogan criss cross now and Hogan slams The Warrior but he’s straight back up. More criss crossing and now Warrior hits a slam. 

Warrior clotheslines Hogan to the outside and Hulk holds his knee. Warrior goes outside and hacks away at Hogans injured knee. Both men back in the ring and Warrior goes after the knee but Hogan with a thumb to the eyes. It’s Hogan now with the advantage and the crowd are very much into it. Hulk hits a body slam and this time Warrior doesn’t get back up. Hogan with a few elbows and a near fall. He clotheslines Warrior down and gets another near fall. It’s all Hogan at the moment. A backbreaker and another near fall. Hulk now locks on a sleeper. Warrior powers out of it though and a double clothesline to each other knocks them both down. Both men get up and Warrior powers up as the crowd get behind him. He nails Hogan with three clotheslines and a couple of Irish whips. Warrior gets a near fall off the back of a suplex and then locks in a bear hug. Hogan gets out of it though and Warrior accidentally knocks down the referee! Warrior comes off top twice hitting double axe handles. Warrior then misses his shoulder block. Both men make pinfalls but the referee is still down. Eventually Hebner gets up but a slow count means Ultimate Warrior can’t get a three count. 

Hogan now clotheslines Warrior over the top rope. Warriors paint has been completely sweated off. Both men back in the ring now and Warrior knocks Hogan down with a clothesline. He then lifts Hogan up and nails a Gorilla Press Slam, he bounces off the ropes and hits his splash but can only get a two count! It’s Hogans turn to Hulk up now, the finger point and some big right hands are followed up with the big boot. He tries for the legdrop but Warrior rolls out of the way and hits his big splash! He hooks the leg and gets the three count! We have a new World Heavyweight Champion! Warrior celebrates as Hogan grabs the World title. Hulk then hands it over to Warrior and the two men hug in the middle of the ring! Hogan then leaves as Warrior celebrates in the ring. 

Rating: 8/10

 

And that was the sixth annual Wrestlemania. It seemed like a massive clusterfuck of a card with 15 matches when 10 would have sufficed. I would have liked to have seen Tito Santana vs. Rick Martel. And they could’ve merged a couple of matches and had Jim Duggan & Hercules against Dino Bravo & Earthquake. The Rockers/Orient Express match didn’t seem necessary either. Because of the huge amount of matches, quality suffered. There were a few good matches though most notably Hogan/Warrior, Dibiase/Roberts and the Savage/Rhodes tag team match. Only two matches were over ten minutes long. It would have been nice to see a more decisive finish in the Piper/Brown and Dibiase/Roberts matches too. I always see Wrestlemania as the end of the wrestling year. It wasn’t the best Wrestlemania ever but the main event was something epic. 

Overall Rating: 41/100 (Ranked 14 out of 16)