WWF WrestleMania IX Results
April 4, 1993
Las Vegas, Nevada (Caesars Palace)
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
A video kicks off the show with Vince McMahon narrating that we’re in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gorilla Monsoon welcomes us to the show and calls it the world’s largest toga party. Monsoon is dressed in a toga with Roman centurions behind him. Monsoon then throws it to Jim Ross.
Jim Ross, making his debut for the company, says this is his first time ever being in a toga. Ross brings up the two main events for tonight. Bret “Hitman” Hart will defend the WWF Championship against Yokozuna. We’ll also see The Mega-Maniacs take on Money Inc. for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
Howard Finkel, known today as Finkus Maximus, introduces Caesar and Cleopatra. Two actors playing Caesar and Cleopatra are brought into the stadium on an elephant. They’re led down by Roman centurions. Jim Ross talks about how Hannibal used elephants in wars. Ross also gives the history of Caesar and Cleopatra.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage is next escorted to ringside to be on color commentary. He’s carried out with some vestal virgins. Savage is wearing a Roman themed outfit, but it is not a toga. Savage gets in the ring and poses. Savage then goes to ringside and talks with Ross.
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan is brought out on a camel. Heenan is terrified and riding the camel backward. Heenan gets to ringside and falls after getting off the camel. Heenan is furious he wasn’t with the vestal virgins like Savage was.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels (c) w/ Luna Vachon vs. Tatanka
Sensational Sherri makes her way down to the ring. She is not representing anybody. She is not happy about Shawn Michaels dropping her and wants to see him get what he deserves.
The bell rings, and Michaels takes his time getting out of his entrance attire. They circle the ring, and Tatanka lets out a war cry. Michaels takes him down, but Tatanka kicks him away. Michaels takes him down again, but Tatanka once again kicks him away. Michaels backs up. They lock up, and Michaels grabs a hammerlock. Tatanka gets out and applies a hammerlock. Michaels twists out and applies an overhead wristlock. Tatanka bends back into a bridge, but he powers up and throws Michaels off. They lock up again, and Michaels applies a side headlock. Tatanka tries to whip him off, but Michaels holds on. Michaels climbs the ropes and jumps off to hit a headlock takeover for a two count. Michaels holds the side headlock on and gets to his feet. Michaels goes to climb the ropes and hit another takeover, but Tatanka counters into a back suplex. Michaels gets up in the corner, and Tatanka chops him hard. Tatanka whips him to the corner and charges, but Michaels moves. Michaels goes to the top rope and dives, but Tatanka hits an arm drag out of mid-air. Tatanka hits another arm drag followed by a dropkick. Tatanka whips him hard to the corner and turns him inside out. Tatanka then chops him off the apron.
Luna Vachon comes up to Michaels, but Sensational Sherri shows up and keeps her away. Vachon looks frightened of Sherri. Michaels is not happy and gets on the apron. Tatanka punches him off the apron. Michaels gets back on, and Tatanka punches him off again. Michaels runs to another area of the ring and gets on the apron, but Tatanka again punches him off. Michaels rakes the eyes and knocks him back before going to the top rope. Michaels goes for a diving sunset flip, but the move is messed up a little bit. Michaels gets a two count. Michaels hits the ropes and sends Tatanka into the ropes. Michaels gets a leapfrog and goes for another, but Tatanka counters into an inverted atomic drop. Tatanka chops him and hits the ropes before hitting a running DDT.
Tatanka takes Michaels down and drops a leg on the arm before applying an arm bar. Michaels fights up, but Tatanka wrenches the arm. Michaels goes to pull the hair while the referee’s back is turned, but he gets caught. Michaels pulls the hair and backs him into the ropes. Michaels goes for a clothesline, but he hurts his own shoulder. Tatanka takes him down and drops a leg on the shoulder before reapplying the arm bar. Michaels fights up, and Tatanka wrenches the arm to take him down. Tatanka keeps the arm bar on. Michaels punches Tatanka in the corner before sending him hard into the corner. Michaels charges, but he hits the ring post hard shoulder-first after Tatanka moves. Tatanka puts the arm bar back on, but Michaels fights up and punches out. Michaels goes for a slingshot over him, but Tatanka catches him and hits a shoulder-breaker. Tatanka follows up with an elbow drop before going to the top rope. Tatanka hits a diving chop to the head. Tatanka goes to the top rope again, and Michaels superkicks him out of mid-air!
Both men are down. Michaels gets up to his feet and throws Tatanka over the top rope. Vachon tries to sneak up on Tatanka, but Sherri intimidates her back again. Vachon cowers away. Michaels grabs Tatanka at ringside and bounces him off the apron. Michaels gets on the apron and hits a diving clothesline to the floor! Michaels gets on the apron and kicks Tatanka in the head. Michaels gets in the ring and taunts Sensational Sherri before shooing her away. Sherri stays where she is. Michaels punches Tatanka and hits a swinging neckbreaker for a near fall. Michaels takes him down with a dropkick for another two count. Michaels applies a chin lock, but Tatanka soon fights up. Michaels turns him in the corner and hits some jabs. Michaels backs up, charges, gets on his shoulder, and takes Tatanka down for a near fall. Michaels jabs him in the corner again and punches him. Michaels gets on his shoulders, but Tatanka counters him with an electric chair drop.
Both men are down once again. Tatanka rolls and covers for a near fall. Tatanka goes for an elbow drop, but Michaels moves. Michaels goes to the second rope and hits a double axe handle. Tatanka starts to get psyched up and does his war dance. Michaels hits two more double axe handles to no avail. Tatanka is bleeding from the mouth. Tatanka blocks a superkick, spins him, and hits a pair of chops and a tomahawk chop to the head. Tatanka sends him to the corner for a back elbow. Tatanka quickly goes to the top rope and hits a cross-body block for a near fall. Michaels reverses a whip to the corner and goes for a dropkick, but Tatanka blocks it. Tatanka catapults him into the ring post for a near fall. Tatanka lifts Michaels up, but Michaels slides off and rolls him up for a near fall. Michaels punches Tatanka back and goes to the top rope. Michaels dives, but Tatanka counters into a powerslam out of mid-air. Michaels once again kicks out! Tatanka approaches him, but Michaels pulls him out of the ring.
A “Sherri” chant picks up. Michaels punches Tatanka, gets on the apron, and goes for a dive, but Tatanka moves. Sherri looks pleased. Tatanka gets in the ring, and Michaels pulls the referee out of the ring. Michaels gets in the ring and starts punching Tatanka before sending him into the ropes. Tatanka quickly counters with the End of the Trail. The referee calls for the bell without counting. Tatanka looks completely confused.
Winner by Count-Out: Tatanka
Shawn Michaels retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels walks off with the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Tatanka shows appreciation to the fans. Sensational Sherri gets on the apron and claps for Tatanka. Luna Vachon pulls Sherri off the apron and clotheslines her on the floor. Vachon scoop slams Sherri on the floor and kicks away at her. Tatanka checks on Sherri as Vachon runs away.
Mike’s Thoughts: Surprisingly very good opener. You knew Shawn Michaels would be on, but who remembers that Tatanka could go when he needed to? They had a fun, hard hitting match. The only thing that hurts this is the really awful finish. Felt really cheap after they went nearly 20 minutes and you get all into the match. On a regular show, it is what it is, but this is WrestleMania and the opening match. You expect a little more. I really liked the post-match brawl with Luna and Sherri. I remember they would get into a great catfight on Raw sometime later.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with The Steiner Brothers. Scott Steiner says he and his brother are excited to be on their first WrestleMania. It’ll be one to be remembered. Rick Steiner says the Headshrinkers are unpredictable, but they’ll wrestle and make Julius Caesar proud.
The Headshrinkers (Fatu and Samu) w/ Afa vs. The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)
Jim Ross says in Oklahoma a match like this would be called a “slobberknocker,” the first time Ross uses that term in WWF. Bill Alfonso is the referee. Fatu will start the match against Scott Steiner. They circle the ring and lock up. Scott takes him down with an arm drag, but Fatu is quickly up. Fatu shoves Scott, so Scott hits a takedown and covers for a one count. Scott powers him to the corner and head-butts him. Scott quickly hip tosses him, and Fatu angrily shoves him. They trade punches with Scott coming out on top before turning him inside out with a clothesline. Fatu quickly thumbs the eye and tags Samu in. Rick Steiner runs in to stop the double-team. Samu takes Rick out and throws him from the ring. Fatu then throws Scott out of the ring. The Headshrinkers taunt the crowd. Afa is on the apron distracting the referee. The Steiner Brothers go to the top rope together and dive off to clothesline the Headshrinkers.
Afa angrily clunks together the heads of Fatu and Samu to get them focused. Jim Ross says he’s been informed that Sensational Sherri was attacked in the first aide station by Luna Vachon. Rick Steiner tags in, as does Samu. Samu kicks and chops Rick before raking the face. Samu punches him and send him hard into the corner for a clothesline. Samu whips him to the corner, but Rick pops out with a clothesline. Rick then sends Samu into the ring post headfirst. Rick wrenches the arm and tags Scott in. Scott hits a double underhook powerbomb, but Fatu breaks up the pin. Samu reverses a whip and goes for a hot shot, but Scott just goes over the top rope headfirst! That was insanely dangerous! Wow! Afa follows up with a kendo stick shot to the back.
Fatu scoop slams Scott on the floor and puts him in the ring. Samu bites Scott’s forehead and clubs him down. Samu drives Scott’s head into Fatu’s and tags him in. Fatu hits Scott with a backbreaker before going to the second rope for a diving head-butt. Fatu covers, but Rick kicks him in the face to break up the pin. The Headshrinkers double head-butt Scott while the referee admonishes Rick. Samu tags and kicks Scott before sending him into the corner. Scott big boots Samu. Fatu quickly tags in and kicks Scott out of the ring. Fatu and Rick get into a shoving match. While that’s happening, Samu sends Scott into the ring post. Rick runs outside to check on his brother. Fatu gets Scott and sends him into the ropes. Scott slams Fatu on his face, but Fatu immediately gets up and superkicks him. Samu tags back in and head-butts Scott. Samu rips at the face and drops an elbow. Samu connects with a dropkick. Samu pokes Scott in the eyes and tags Fatu in. Samu sets Scott up, and Fatu comes off the top rope with a knee. Fatu hits a head-butt for a near fall. Fatu applies a nerve hold. Scott fights up and elbows out. They wipe each other with a sloppy double clothesline. Samu tags in and kicks Scott in the midsection. Samu chops the chest and clubs him down to his knees. Samu rips at the face before head-butting him. Samu hits a scoop slam and goes to the top rope for a splash, but Scott moves.
Rick and Fatu tag in. Rick punches Fatu and hits a big back body drop. Rick hits Samu with a scoop slam and clotheslines Fatu. Rick then clotheslines Samu. Rick bangs the Headshrinkers’ heads together, but they don’t feet it. They head-butt Rick instead. The Headshrinkers drop stereo head-butts on him. Fatu puts Rick on his shoulders for a Doomsday Device, but Rick catches Samu out of mid-air with a powerslam off Fatu’s shoulders! Unreal! Fatu breaks up the pin. Fatu throws Rick out. Scott tags in and hits Fatu with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex on his head! Samu then superkicks Scott. Samu hits a scoop slam and goes to send him to the ropes. Scott reverses the whip and hits Samu with a dangerous looking Frankensteiner for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: The Steiner Brothers
Mike’s Thoughts: This was just a ridiculously hard hitting match. Both teams absolutely annihilated each other. It wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination – there were botched moves galore, but no matter how spectacularly dangerous the botch looked, they kept getting up and going for more. Unreal. That one hot shot gone wrong looked particularly awful. Still, the match really dragged in the middle when the Headshrinkers were beating on Scott Steiner seemingly forever. Finish was also a botched Frankensteiner. Heenan wanted to see a replay, and Jim Ross had to tell him there was no way we were going to see a replay of that.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Doink the Clown, who has desecrated a statue of Julius Caesar with clown face paint. Okerlund talks about how Doink has been mean to kids by throwing water and pies in their faces. Video is shown of Doink attacking Crush with a fake arm. Doink is laughing. Doink says he’s bringing a sense of humor to this party. Okerlund says Crush may get the last laugh. Doink says after WrestleMania IX, Crush may be seeing double vision.
Crush vs. Doink the Clown
Crush chases Doink around the ring during his entrance. Crush head-butts Doink at ringside and gives him a scoop slam on the floor. Crush punches him and sends him into the ring post. Doink tries to get away, but Crush bounces him off the barricade before putting him in the ring. Doink begs him off, but Crush kicks and throws him to the corner. Crush lifts him up by the neck with two hands before throwing him back to the corner. Crush punches Doink before whipping him hard into the corner. Doing pulls Crush out of the ring and punches him. Crush isn’t affected and head-butts him. Crush again sends him into the ring post, and Doink gets in the ring. Doink again begs him off, but Crush kicks him before hitting a hangman’s neckbreaker. Crush hits a snapmare and rakes the face. Crush puts him on the top rope and jumps over to snap him off. Doink begs him off once again, but Crush punches him. Crush sends him into the ropes for a backbreaker. Crush puts Doink on the apron and bends him, but Doink snaps him off the top rope. Doink goes to the top rope and hits a diving double axe handle. Doink goes to the second rope and hits a diving punch. Doink follows up by going to the top rope and hitting another diving punch. Doink sets Crush up and connects with a piledriver. Doink kicks Crush out of the ring and bounces him off the ring post.
Doink gets Crush in the ring and hits a scoop slam. Doink goes to the top rope and jumps off, but Crush gets a boot in his face. Doink manages to come back by bouncing Crush off the top turnbuckle and going to the second rope. Doink dives, but Crush catches him and hits a powerslam. Crush gets fired up and clotheslines Doink over the top rope. Doink crawls under the ring, so Crush pulls him out. Crush puts him in the ring and hits a military press slam. Crush signals for the end and applies the Kona Clutch, but Doink quickly gets to the ropes. The referee is taken out as Doink tries to get away. Crush checks on the referee while Doink goes under the ring again. Crush pulls him out and head-butts him. Crush puts him in the ring and hits a spin kick. Crush applies the Kona Clutch and takes him down.
All of a sudden, a second Doink the Clown gets in the ring and hits Crush with the arm cast. The first Doink holds Crush up, and the second Doink hits him in the head with the cast. They look at each other before the second Doink leaves. The first Doink gets the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Doink the Clown
Referee Bill Alfonso runs down and explains to the referee that there were two Doink the Clowns in the match. The referees go under the ring to find the second one, but they can’t find him. Crush is woozy as he comes to in the ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: Not much of a match to me. Nothing looked particularly good in this. The Doink the Clown character did nothing for me even as a kid. I can appreciate Matt Borne’s dark take on the character, though. Reminds me of Tim Curry as Pennywise in the TV version of “It.” The second Doink was played by the former Skinner, Steve Keirn. A funny little story about this appearance: they were so intent on keeping the second Doink a secret that they had Keirn under the ring before the show started and kept him under there until after all the fans left the building to keep it a secret. No sneaking him away like they do when the Undertaker “appears” in the ring. Just stayed under there, even as Yokozuna was taking bumps in the ring. Doesn’t sound like a particularly fun night for a one minute run-in.
Todd Pettengill is in the crowd wearing a toga. Pettengill asks a photographer if there were two Doinks in the ring. The man is Japanese, so Pettengill can’t understand them.
Razor Ramon vs. Bob Backlund
The bell rings, and Ramon immediately mocks Backlund. Backlund goes for a handshake, but Ramon refuses. They circle the ring and lock up. Ramon powers Backlund to the corner and taunts him. They lock up again, and Ramon shoves him back to the corner and laughs. They lock up a third time, and Backlund trips him into the corner. Backlund trips the legs and challenges Ramon. Ramon kicks Backlund before hitting a scoop slam and stomping the head. Ramon hits another scoop slam and stomps him. Ramon gets Backlund to his feet and punches him twice to take him down. Ramon stands over Backlund and kicks him in the back. Backlund tries to fight back, but Ramon quickly stifles him. Ramon stomps away at him before putting him in the corner and slapping him in the face. Backlund slaps back, so Ramon punches him. Backlund reverses a whip to the corner and hits a pair of hip tosses. Backlund whiffs on a dropkick, hits the ropes, and hits a running forearm. Backlund hits a double underhook suplex before ducking a punch and hitting a (sort of) atomic drop. Backlund brings Ramon back into the ring the hard way and goes for a slam, but Ramon counters into an inside cradle for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Razor Ramon
Mike’s Thoughts: It’s so apparent how hideously miscast and out of place Bob Backlund was, even at this point in his career. Trying to put him out there as the happy-go-lucky babyface in the red trunks… give me a break. Even in 1993 when the ridiculous gimmicks were running wild and they were struggling to find something, this was not going to happen. Not a great match here. Not sure why they didn’t have Ramon decisively beat him. Was Backlund really that integral to their plans in 1993 that he couldn’t take a finish? (the answer is no.)
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with WWF Tag Team Champions Money Inc. Okerlund says he’s got to believe the Tag Team Titles are in jeopardy with the return of Hulk Hogan, teaming with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, and their old manager Jimmy Hart managing them. Footage is shown from Monday Night Raw of IRS hitting Jimmy Hart and hitting Beefcake in the face with a briefcase. DiBiase says the higher the stakes, the bigger the bankroll. You can’t bankrupt a company with an unlimited credit line. IRS says Money Inc. is going to take Beefcake’s face and rearrange it. If you think Beefcake’s face is bad, wait until you see Hogan. He got into an accident coming out of the gym last night. That’s what money can do.
WWF Tag Team Championship
Money Inc. (“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster, c’s) vs. The Mega-Maniacs (Hulk Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake) w/ “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart
Money Inc. attacks The Mega-Maniacs as they get in the ring. Hogan quickly sends DiBiase out of the ring. Beefcake knocks IRS out of the ring. Hogan rips his shirt off and poses to loud applause.
The bell rings, and The Mega-Maniacs wait for Money Inc. to get in the ring. Hulk Hogan is sporting a nasty black eye. Beefcake is wearing a face mask. Money Inc. stalls for a long time outside the ring. It’ll be Beefcake starting against IRS. They lock up, and IRS knees him in the midsection before bouncing him off the turnbuckle. Ted DiBiase tags in and punches away at Beefcake’s midsection. DiBiase chops the chest before sending him into the ropes for a back elbow. DiBiase shouts at Hogan, who tries to get in the ring. Money Inc. throws Beefcake into the corner, and IRS tags in. IRS punches Beefcake down before tagging DiBiase back in. DiBiase goes to the second rope for a diving axe handle. DiBiase hurts his hands on the metal face mask. Beefcake fights back and smacks Money Inc’s heads together. DiBiase tries to bounce Beefcake off the turnbuckle, but the mask protects him. Beefcake bounced DiBiase off the turnbuckle and slams him off Hogan’s boot.
Hogan tags in and starts the 10 punches in the corner. Hogan scares the referee, and DiBiase collapses. Hogan mounts DiBiase and punches some more. Hogan sends him into the ropes for a clothesline before punching at the face some more. Beefcake tags back in, and the Mega-Maniacs hit a double-team big boot. Beefcake stomps DiBiase and hits a scoop slam. Hogan tags in, and he comes off the second rope with a double axe handle. Hogan punches DiBiase some more before clotheslining him out of the ring. Hogan drops down before IRS can hit him. Hogan and Beefcake go back and forth with IRS. Hogan rakes IRS’ eyes and throws him out of the ring before posing.
Money Inc. starts to walk up the ramp and are going to take a count-out loss to save the titles. The referee tells Howard Finkel that if Money Inc. doesn’t get back in the ring by the count of 10, they will not only lose the match but the Tag Team Championship. Money Inc. is livid. The referee begins counting, but they get in at 9. Hogan stares at DiBiase before talking strategy with Hart. Hogan circles the ring, and DiBiase knees him in the midsection before jabbing the throat. DiBiase chokes Hogan on the ropes. IRS takes the tag rope and chokes Hogan with it while DiBiase distracts the referee. Beefcake tries to get in, but the referee holds him back. DiBiase chokes Hogan with the rope before tagging IRS in. The referee didn’t see IRS tag in, so DiBiase chokes Hogan some more. DiBiase then applies the Million Dollar Dream to Hogan. DiBiase holds it on, and Hogan goes down to the mat. Hogan fades, so the referee checks on the arm. The arm goes down twice, but Hogan keeps it up for a third time. Hogan gets pumped up and tries to break out of the Million Dollar Dream. DiBiase cinches it in, and Hogan fakes again. IRS gets in, so the referee stops him. Beefcake then applies a Sleeper Hold to DiBiase before getting out of the ring.
Hogan and DiBiase are down. The referee begins to count both men down. Hogan comes to. Beefcake and IRS are tagged in. Beefcake punches IRS before hitting a high knee. DiBiase runs in, and Beefcake punches him down before sending him over the top rope with an atomic drop. Beefcake punches IRS down three times before DiBiase hits him in the back with the briefcase. Beefcake goes down hard. IRS drops a pair of elbows on Beefcake before tagging DiBiase in. DiBiase drops some knees on Beefcake before pulling at the mask. Beefcake fights him off, but DiBiase cuts him off. DiBiase then pulls off Beefcake’s metal protective face mask. DiBiase punches Beefcake in the face before tagging IRS in. DiBiase is bleeding from the cheek. IRS punches away at Beefcake before tagging DiBiase back in. DiBiase punches Beefcake down. The commentators talk about Beefcake’s facial injuries. Beefcake takes Money Inc. down with a desperation double clothesline. Beefcake then applies the Sleeper Hold to IRS. DiBiase attacks Beefcake from behind, knocking him into the referee.
Hogan and DiBiase tag in. Hogan punches DiBiase a few times before sending him into the ropes for a big boot. IRS runs in, and Hogan kicks him in the midsection. Hogan wipes out DiBiase and IRS with Beefcake’s metal face mask. The referee is still down as Hogan covers. Jimmy Hart gets in the ring to get the referee up. Hart then turns his jacket inside out to reveal referee stripes. Hart counts the pin for Hogan.
Another referee runs down and explains what just happened to Howard Finkel, reversing the decision.
Winners by Disqualification and still WWF Tag Team Champions: Money Inc.
Hogan and Beefcake get in referee Danny Davis’ face. Hart then throws Davis out of the ring. Hogan and Beefcake dance around the ring despite losing. They pose in the ring for a while, getting the crowd going. Hogan grabs IRS’ briefcase and opens it up with Beefcake and Hart. They pull out a brick, some tax forms, and some money. Hogan throws it and gives the money away to the fans in the front row.
Mike’s Thoughts: I can’t begin to properly explain just how boring and awful this match was. Everything about it from the action (of which there was massive amounts of stalling) to the length (almost 20 minutes) to the hideous attempt at a Dusty finish… this was bad. Hogan’s eye looked awful in this and he looked so super thin compared to what he was just a year or so ago from this. This is around that time Hogan became a caricature of himself. Lost all that drive and momentum he had from the 80s and really amped up the politicking to keep his spot. Just not good at all.
Todd Pettengill is with Natalie Cole. She couldn’t believe that was real money. He then goes to Dan Reichartz, the CEO of Caesar’s Palace. He talks about the energy level of the crowd in Las Vegas over the past few days.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund is backstage with Mr. Perfect. Okerlund asks about Perfect’s opponent Lex Luger. Perfect says Luger considers himself a knockout artist and gave Bret Hart a cheap shot at a breakfast. Perfect says he’s on a roll and has been hot at the tables. Perfect messes up saying, “The Narcissist,” so Okerlund saves him.
“The Narcissist” Lex Luger vs. Mr. Perfect
They circle the ring and lock up. Luger wrenches the arm, but Perfect wrenches right back. Perfect flips through and goes for a punch, but Luger backs up. Luger doesn’t want to be punched and mess up his looks. They lock up, and Perfect applies a hammerlock. Luger gets to the top rope to break it. They circle the ring again and lock up. Luger jabs him in the face, but he has a whip reversed. Perfect punches the midsection and hits a knee lift. Perfect shoulder blocks him down and hits the ropes for a dropkick. Luger rolls out of the ring to recover while Perfect stands tall in the ring.
Luger gets back in the ring, and they lock up. Perfect backs Luger to the corner, but Luger punches out. Luger elbows Perfect in the head and bounces him off the top turnbuckle. Luger sends him into the ropes, but Perfect ducks a clothesline and a big boot. Perfect slaps him, takes him down, and hits a knee breaker. Perfect applies a spinning toe hold and twists the knee. Perfect puts him in the corner and chops the chest. Luger blocks a whip, so Perfect chops him again. Luger reverses a whip and sends him hard to the opposite corner. Luger then sends him harder into the opposite corner. Luger throws him out of the ring, and Perfect clutches his back in pain. Luger goes outside and drives the back into the apron. Luger clubs the back with hits forearm that has the metal plate in it. Luger hits a backbreaker before dropping a forearm for a near fall. Perfect kicks back at him and punches him before sending him to the corner. Luger boots him back and rolls him up with his feet on the ropes. The referee catches him and won’t count.
Luger sends Perfect into the ropes for a scoop powerslam for a near fall. Luger sends him into the ropes, but Perfect counters into a sunset flip for a two count. Perfect applies a sleeper hold, but Luger backs him to the corner to break it. Perfect punches Luger in the midsection a few times before punching him down. Luger kicks him and sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and Perfect catches him with an inside cradle for a two count. Perfect hits a back body drop, but Luger quickly knees him. Perfect sends him sternum-first into the corner and catapults him headfirst into the corner. Perfect punches and takes him down for a near fall. Perfect punches him in the corner and tries for the 10 punches. Luger goes for an inverted atomic drop, but Perfect counters and forearms him twice for a near fall. Perfect hits a swinging neckbreaker for another near fall. Perfect goes to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick for yet another near fall. Perfect goes for a backslide, but Luger counters it and presses down. Perfect’s feet are on the ropes, but the referee doesn’t see it.
Winner by Pinfall: “The Narcissist” Lex Luger
Immediately after the match, Luger wipes Perfect out with hits metal forearm. Perfect is unconscious. Luger poses and leaves the ring. Perfect comes to and heads to the back. The cameras follow him. Perfect finds Luger talking with Shawn Michaels outside and attacks. Michaels interferes and destroys Perfect with some garbage cans.
Jim Ross cannot believe what happened. Bobby Heenan loves it, so Randy Savage gets up to get in his face.
Mike’s Thoughts: Boring match that felt like it went on forever. Even Mr. Perfect couldn’t drag Lex Luger to a good match. I liked the post-match angle with Shawn Michaels attacking.
Gorilla Monsoon talks about The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez, which is coming up.
Giant Gonzalez w/ Harvey Wippleman vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
They go face-to-face, and Gonzalez absolutely towers over Undertaker. Undertaker punches him, so Gonzalez clubs him. Undertaker gets up in his face. Undertaker uppercuts him a few times and knocks him to the corner before choking him. Gonzalez quickly grabs Undertaker by the throat and powers him to the opposite corner. Undertaker gets on the second rope and grabs Gonzalez’ throat. Gonzalez low blows Undertaker. Undertaker avoids him and hits an uppercut. Undertaker wrenches the arm, goes to the top, walks on the rope, and clubs the back. Undertaker punches and kicks him in the corner. Undertaker backs up, and Gonzalez boots him back before hitting a clothesline. Gonzalez clubs the back before throwing him across the ring. Gonzalez applies a sleeper hold, and Undertaker starts to fade. Gonzalez holds it for a while, and Undertaker is down on the mat. The referee checks the arm, but Paul Bearer lifts the urn up. Undertaker fights up and elbows out of the sleeper hold. Undertaker hits the ropes, but Gonzalez throws him out of the ring. Gonzalez follows him out and chops the chest before bouncing him off the ring steps. Gonzalez then whips him into the steps.
Paul Bearer holds the urn up to give Undertaker some power. Gonzalez is in the ring. Undertaker gets in, but Gonzalez takes him down. Undertaker sits up immediately. Gonzalez clubs him down again, but Undertaker sits up. Undertaker punches and kicks Gonzalez to the corner before punching him to the center of the ring. Gonzalez begins to “stagger,” and he falls to one knee. Wippleman gets on the apron, so Undertaker grabs and lifts him. Wippleman threw a towel to Gonzalez. Bearer gets on the apron, so Gonzalez head-butts him down. Gonzalez then smothers Undertaker with that towel. The commentators talk about how they can smell chloroform. The referee smells it and throws the match out.
Winner by Disqualification: The Undertaker
Undertaker falls to the mat unconscious. Referees run out to check on the Undertaker. Rene Goulet is dressed in a toga. A stretcher is brought out. Gonzalez grabs the referee by the throat and chokeslams him. Gonzalez taunts the crowd as they loudly boo him. Undertaker is put on the stretcher and brought out of the ring and to the back. Undertaker never regained consciousness. The crowd chants for Hogan to come out.
Undertaker’s bell tolls, and he staggers down the aisle. Paul Bearer is trying to pull him back. Undertaker punches and kicks Gonzalez back before hitting the ropes for a clothesline, but Gonzalez stays standing. Undertaker hits a second one, but Gonzalez is still vertical. A third clothesline takes Gonzalez down. Wippleman gets Gonzalez out of the ring and has him go to the back. Caesars Palace security also pushes him back. Howard Finkel announces Undertaker won the match, and Gonzalez is furious.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was not good at all, but it never had a chance to be. Giant Gonzalez was a visually impressive guy (though who in the world thought those tights were a good idea?!), but once the bell rang it was all downhill. This is another example of them trying to go to their old bag of tricks from the past and being out with the times. The freakshow acts of the 70s and 80s were already passé at this point. Still, it’s win #3 for the Undertaker’s streak. It’s the worst one, but it’s part of it.
We go backstage to “Mean” Gene Okerlund. We see video footage of Yokozuna hitting Hacksaw Jim Duggan with a pair of Banzai Drops. We then see footage of Yokozuna attacking WWF Champion Bret Hart during their contract signing. Yokozuna hit him with a Banzai Drop and stayed on top of him. Hulk Hogan walks up. Okerlund asked him what happened. Hogan says he left Bret Hart’s dressing room and told him the Hulkamaniacs were in his corner. Hogan says money can buy certain liberties in this town. Hogan warns Hart to watch Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji like a cat. As he looked into Bret Hart’s eyes, he could see Hulkamania’s power. Hogan issues an open challenge to whoever comes out on top tonight, whether it’s Bret Hart or “the Jap.” No matter what, the WWF Title is staying in the WWF and the USA.
We find Todd Pettengill in the crowd, who finds some wild people who made some togas out of Motel 6 shower curtains.
WWF Championship
Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Bret “Hitman” Hart (c)
The bell rings, and they stand across the ring from one another. Yokozuna crouches down and stomps the mat like a sumo wrestler would. Hart charges and dropkicks him to the corner. Hart punches and does the 10 punches in the corner. Yokozuna quickly shoves him back, but Hart gets right back up and punches him. Yokozuna chops him, so Hart tries for a waistlock, but he can’t get his arms around him. Yokozuna then shoulder blocks him out of the ring. Hart tries to get into the ring, but Yokozuna kicks him down. Hart counters a second kick and ties the leg in the ropes. Yokozuna falls down. Hart slingshots over the ropes and lands on Yokozuna, punching away at him. Hart hits a diving elbow drop and looks into the crowd. Hard hits the ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Yokozuna stays standing. Hart tries again for the same result. Hart hits the ropes a third time, but Yokozuna clotheslines him down.
Yokozuna drops a forearm on Hart before hitting a scoop slam. Yokozuna hits the ropes and crushes Hart with a leg drop! A “USA” chant fires up as Mr. Fuji waves the Japanese flag. Yokozuna pulls Hart up and chokes Hart on the ropes before slinging him back. Yokozuna picks him up and applies a nerve hold. Hart begins to fade, but he soon fights up. Yokozuna punches him to the corner and whips him to the opposite corner. Hart quickly boots him back and jumps off the second rope for a sleeper hold, but Yokozuna falls over. Hart covers him for a two count. Yokozuna quickly gets up and superkicks Hart down. Yokozuna taunts the crowd. Yokozuna hits a snapmare and goes back to the nerve hold. Hart fights up, but Yokozuna pulls him to the corner. Hart avoids an avalanche and comes off the second rope for a diving bulldog for a near fall. Yokozuna pressed him off. Hart goes to the second rope for a diving elbow for another near fall. Hart backs up and comes off the second rope with a diving clothesline, but Yokozuna stays standing. Hart hits the ropes and clotheslines him down!
Hart catches Yokozuna in the corner and punches away at him. Yokozuna quickly lifts him up, so Hart holds onto the turnbuckle. The turnbuckle pad rips off as Yokozuna slams Hart down. Hart blocks a shot into the exposed turnbuckle and bounces Yokozuna off it! Hart then applies the Sharpshooter! Mr. Fuji is furious. Fuji throws some salt into Hart’s eyes. Hart falls over in pain, and Yokozuna covers to win the WWF Title!
Winner by Pinfall and new WWF Champion: Yokozuna
Hulk Hogan immediately runs down and protests the match to the referee. Mr. Fuji grabs a microphone and says his Yokozuna is issuing a challenge. If Hogan has intestinal fortitude, he’ll accept. Fuji calls Hogan a “yellowbelly.” Fuji says he’ll put the WWF Championship on the on line if Hogan accepts. Hogan checks with Hart at ringside, and Hart tells him to get in the ring.
WWF Championship
Yokozuna (c) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Hulk Hogan
Hogan gets in the ring, so the match starts with no bell ring. Yokozuna immediately attacks and holds Hogan up. Fuji goes to throw salt in Hogan’s eyes, but Hogan ducks and Yokozuna takes it. Hogan punches Fuji out of the ring, hits the ropes, and clotheslines Yokozuna down. Hogan follows up with a leg drop for the win.
Winner by Pinfall and new WWF Champion: Hulk Hogan
The crowd is going ballistic as Hulk Hogan holds up his newly won WWF Championship. Hogan poses for the crowd with the championship as fireworks go off and WrestleMania IX comes to an end.
Mike’s Thoughts: It wasn’t very long, but the Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna match was actually quite good. Leave it to Bret Hart to have a good match with anybody and make it look convincing. That’s the key when you have a smaller guy in with a larger guy. You have to believe it. If Hart was giving him scoop slams and suplexes, that would have looked exceedingly phony. Great work.
The Hogan title change was exciting for the live crowd. It was what it was. Obviously a lot of people know the story of the backstage politics of Hogan and then refusing to have a match with Bret Hart for the WWF Championship. It’s all lame and only delayed the inevitable. I see this as WWF took a drumming in late-1992 at the gate and business got better when Hogan returned. Rather than staying the course, they were in panic mode and went back to the old hat. That’s no way to build the business long term, but they would steady the ship and commit to building new stars for the future. Some could argue WWE should do that when WrestleMania rolls around rather than rely heavily on legends.
Overall, this is one of the weaker WrestleMania shows in history. WrestleMania VIII at least had some good matches. This really didn’t have anything. Any match that could be considered good was marred by a bad finish. They relied a lot on referee bumps and crumby finishes. Not good.
Quick Match Results
— Tatanka def. Shawn Michaels via CO; Shawn Michaels retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship
— The Steiner Brothers (Scott and Rick Steiner) def. The Headshrinkers (Fatu and Samu)
— Doink the Clown def. Crush
— Razor Ramon def. Bob Backlund
— Money Inc. (“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster) def. The Mega-Maniacs (Hulk Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake) via DQ to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship
— “The Narcissist” Lex Luger def. Mr. Perfect
— The Undertaker def. Giant Gonzalez via DQ
— Yokozuna def. Bret “Hitman” Hart to win the WWF Championship
— Hulk Hogan def. Yokozuna to win the WWF Championship
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!