18. WRESTLEMANIA VII
This is one of the few shows from its time period that I actually enjoy going back to watch, and the first WrestleMania that proved the WWF could deliver not just giant spectacles, but decent pro wrestling cards at the same time.
For years prior, WrestleMania was the biggest show of the year, but for in-ring enthusiasts the NWA (which was becoming WCW by this point) continually kicked their ass with shows like Clash of the Champions and StarrCade. The was the first time I remember the WWF stepping up on a WrestleMania – with matches like Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage, and acts like the British Bulldogs, the Hart Foundation and the Rockers – and saying “hey, we can wrestle too.”
The main event was your basic Hulk Hogan affair. Slaughter had become the biggest heel in pro wrestling by turning on America, and people were really into the story of Hogan taking him down and reclaiming the WWF title. That sort of thing still worked for WWF fans at the time, but it wasn’t too long before that stopped being true.
The real reason to watch this show is the aforementioned “Retirement Match” between Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior. Obviously we know how effective those “retirement” angles are now, but at the time it was almost unthinkable to live in a world without the Macho Man on our TV sets. Aside from that, this may be Warrior’s best worked match and one of the prime reasons he was immortalized in the Hall of Fame.
I have to play the sap momentarily, and bring up the heart-warming moment after their match. Savage had been working heel for quite some time at that point, and Miss Elizabeth – easily the most beloved woman in wrestling during that era (or any era) – had been replaced by the despicable Sensational Sherry. After the Macho King lost his career at the hands of the Warrior, Elizabeth hit the ring and the two had an emotional reunion that wrestling fans will never forget.
Let’s face it, that moment is the real reason to go back and watch WrestleMania VII. “If you like that kind of mush,” as Jesse Ventura would say.
