WWE's seventh installment in the WrestleMania series featured Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter for the World Championship and the Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage.
WrestleMania returned to the west coast as the Los Angeles Sports Coliseum hosted the largest pay per view event in the history of pay per view (at the time). With Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “the Brain” Heenan performing the commentary, Willie Nelson kicked off the activities by singing America the Beautiful. Headlined by Hulk Hogan challenging Champion Sgt. Slaughter, the 1991 event included a lot more than a simple championship match. The Macho King Randy Savage squared off against the Ultimate Warrior in a career ending match, Shawn Michaels made his final WrestleMania appearance as a member of the Rockers, and the Undertaker began his incredible WrestleMania streak when he defeated Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka.
One of the minor matches on the card featured the Warlord vs. the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith. The match warrants mention because of the ongoing professional wrestling theme that goes along with the Full Nelson. Like the match that took place in WrestleMania III between Hercules and Billy Jack Haynes, this match was underlined by the Warlord’s claim that nobody could break his Full Nelson. The British Bulldog did break the hold and defeated the Warlord with his running powerslam. Again this match bears particular resemblance to the Master Lock Challenge that can be witnessed from week to week on Monday Night Raw.
Nobody knew the Million Dollar Man’s signature phrase of “Everybody has a price” better than his own bodyguard Virgil. After years of doing Ted Dibiase’s bidding, Virgil finally became fed up with being degraded. Rowdy Roddy Piper stood at Virgil’s side when he challenged Ted Dibiase at WrestleMania VII. In one of the biggest upsets in WrestleMania’s history, the Million Dollar Man was counted out of the ring and Virgil’s hand was held in victory.
Unquestionably the best match on the card (both in terms of storyline and in actual combat) had to be the career ending match between the Macho King Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior. With Sensational Queen Sherri getting involved throughout the entire match, the Ultimate Warrior had major problems overcoming the adversity. In the beginning, the contest could easily be described as a “seesaw” wrestling match because neither superstar could get the advantage. At one point in the match, the Macho King was able to deliver five consecutive flying elbow smashes that would put most normal wrestler on the canvas for a week. The Ultimate Warrior reached deep down inside and found that little something special to give him the ability to kick out. When Warrior got the advantage, he hit the Macho King with his gorilla press slam and running splash. Like the Warrior before, Savage found that extra something and avoided a three count. At this point, the Warrior began to question his destiny and whether or not the end of his career should come at the Los Angeles Sports Coliseum. With the Warrior wondering about fate on the outside of the ring, Savage went for his double ax handle from the top rope. Getting some sort of answer from above, the Warrior stepped aside and delivered a shot to the Macho King’s breadbasket. Apparently now the Warrior knew his destiny because he tossed Savage back in the ring and delivered three flying tackles with each of them knocking the King to the outside. As the referee made the three count, Sensational Sherri and the Macho King saw their careers become nothing more than a memory. The match being over, Sherri entered the ring obviously irate that the Macho King could not save her career. With Savage barely able to move, Sherri attempted to humiliate Savage by smacking him repeatedly. In a strange twist, Randy Savage’s former manager, Miss Elizabeth, came from the crowd, rushed to the ring, and tossed Sherri from the ring. The story ended with the Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth leaving arm in arm and getting a standing ovation from the crowd.
No matter the importance, no match could successfully follow the career performance of the Macho Man Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior. Nonetheless, Hulk Hogan challenged Sgt. Slaughter for the World Championship in the main event. Hogan did defeat Slaughter for another World Title reign after connecting with his famed legdrop.
- The Rockers defeat Haku and the Barbarian via pinfall
- The Texas Tornado defeats Dino Bravo via pinfall
- The Nasty Boys defeat the Hart Foundation via pinfall
- Jake Roberts defeats the Model Rick Martel via pinfall
- The Undertaker defeats Superfly Jimmy Snuka via pinfall
- The Ultimate Warrior defeats Macho King Randy Savage via pinfall
- Tenryu and Ktao defeats Demolition via pinfall
- The Big Boss Man defeats Mr. Perfect via disqualification
- Earthquake defeats Greg Valentine via pinfall
- Hulk Hogan defeats Sgt. Slaughter via pinfall
- Legion of Doom defeats Power and Glory via pinfall
- Virgil defeats Ted Dibiase via count out
- The Mountie defeats Tito Santana via pinfall
- Hulk Hogan defeats Sgt. Slaughter via pinfall
- Donald Trump, Regis Philban, Alex Trebek, Marla Maples, Chuck Norris, Donald Trump, Lou Ferrigno, and Henry Winkler were all in attendance.
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Also See: Raw Review March 5, ECW Review March 6
