WWE's fifth installment in the WrestleMania series used the tagline "The Mega Powers Explode" as Hulk Hogan met the Macho Man Randy Savage.
The Mega Powers Exploded on April 2, 1989 in the fifth edition of WrestleMania. Returning to Atlantic City at the same Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino venue of the previous WrestleMania, Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura called the action for the third straight year in front of 18,946 people. The Lady’s Champion, Rocking Robin, kicked off Professional Wrestling’s biggest event of 1989 by singing America the Beautiful. Headlining this event was the Championship Contest between the Macho Man Randy Savage and the Immortal Hulk Hogan with the manager Miss Elizabeth in a neutral corner.
On this night, Shawn Michaels, Mr. Perfect, and Owen Hart all made their WrestleMania debut. In the first tag team event of the evening Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannety took on the Big Boss Man and Akeem. Unfortunately for Shawn Michael, his first WrestleMania did not end as a highlight. After the 400 plus pound Akeem hit Shawn with a big splash, there was absolutely no way for Shawn to kick out. The match between Owen Hart (wrestling as the Blue Blazer Character) and the 2007 inductee to the Hall of Fame, Mr. Perfect, was a technically sound contest that ended in favor of Mr. Perfect.
The celebrity count at this WrestleMania dwindled a little, but at this point the WWE superstars had achieved celebrity status. Some of the celebrities that were in attendance include Run DMC performing their “WrestleMania Rap” and TV bad man Morton Downey Junior. Downey’s participation made for a funny skit between him, Brother Love, and Rowdy Roddy Piper. In a special episode of Piper’s Pit, the Hot Rod took care of both men. Brother Love came out to the ring wearing a skirt designed to mock Piper’s quilt, so Piper had no problem removing the quilt and sending Brother Love running embarrassed to the backstage area. With Brother Love out of the way, Downey continuously taunted Piper by blowing smoke in Piper’s face. Piper took care of this problem by spraying a fire extinguisher in Downey’s face.
In the Tag Team Title contest, Demolition defended their titles against three men including their former manager Mr. Fuji. After Fuji backstabbed the champions by contributing to a loss at Survivor Series, he went on to manage the Powers of Pain and joined this team in their battle against Demolition at WrestleMania 5. As a former Tag Team Champion, Fuji performed well, but also made it clear that his wrestling days had long passed. Eventually Demolition got their hands on Fuji and finished him off with the Demolition Decapitation.
The largest man in Professional Wrestling, Andre “the Giant,” faced off against Jake “the Snake” Roberts in a match too big for a normal WWE official. As such, the WWE brought in former wrestler Big John Stud to keep order in the ring. As always Roberts had his python, Damian, at ringside giving him a psychological advantage against the Giant who had a serious fear of snakes. Before Jake made it to the ring, Andre and Bobby Heenan somehow removed the top turnbuckle pad, which Andre used as soon as Jake entered the ring. With Jake standing on the outside of the ring and Damian in hand, Big John admonished him to get back into the ring until Andre ran into the back of the special referee. Not taking the abuse from Andre, Stud slugged Andre. At the same time, Ted Dibiase came to ringside and attacked Jake from behind and stole the python. As Roberts chased Dibiase, the battle in the ring continued until Jake made it back with Damian in hand. After throwing the Snake into the ring, Andre quickly evacuated and Stud raised Jake’s hand for the victory via disqualification.
In the final match of the Evening, the Mega Powers of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage did in fact explode. With Miss Elizabeth in the neutral corner, she provided enough distractions to where the official eventually demanded that she leave ringside. The match spilled to the outside several times, but eventually the Macho Man seemingly secured a victory when he hit the Hulkster with the big elbow from the top rope. Just as the referee was about to make the three count, Hogan kicked out and started Hulking up. At this point, there was nothing Savage could do to hurt the former champion. Hogan threw the Macho Man off the ropes, hit him with a big boot to the face, bounced off the ropes himself, and landed his signature legdrop to pick up the victory. After Hogan defeated the Macho Man for the World Title, Hogan took time to pose in the ring as WrestleMania went off the air.
- The Mighty Hercules defeats King Haku via pinfall
- The Twin Towers defeat The Rockers via pinfall
- The Million Dollar Man and Brutus Beefcake match ended with a double count out
- The Bushwackers defeat the Fabulous Rougeaus via pinfall
- Demolition defeats the Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji via pinfall
- Dino Bravo defeats Rugged Ronnie Garvin via pinfall
- Brain Busters defeats Strike Force via pinfall
- The Hart Foundation defeats Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine via pinfall
- Jake the Snake defeats Andre the Giant via disqualification
- Rick Rude defeats the Ultimate Warrior for the Intercontinental Title
- The Bad News Brown and Hacksaw Jim Duggan match ended in a double disqualification
- The Red Rooster defeats Bobby Heenan via pinfall
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Also See: Raw Review March 5, ECW Review March 6
