The final stop on the Road to WrestleMania VI is a prime time special on NBC, hyped by an appearance by the world heavyweight boxing champion serving as a referee in the WWF Championship match where Hulk Hogan defended his title against former champion “Macho King” Randy Savage.
It was supposed to be boxing phenom Mike Tyson serving as the special referee for the title bout, but life has a way of mucking things up. Tyson, who seemed unbeatable during his reign, was upset by James “Buster” Douglas in Tokyo barely two weeks before this show aired. The new champion took Tyson’s place as the special guest on the prime time telecast, which only aired two matches during the hour-long program.
Best Match: WWF Championship Match: Hulk Hogan (c) defeated “Macho King” Randy Savage – This was a condensed version of the usual Hogan-Savage fare, which main evented WrestleMania V one year before. And most of the match was a set-up to get guest referee Douglas to interact with the guys in the ring. Douglas kept Savage from attacking Hogan outside and sent Savage’s manager, “Sensational Queen” Sherri Martel, back to the locker room before counting Savage’s shoulders down. The match was secondary to the post-match angle with the defeated challenger taunting the boxing champion, as Hogan watched on, amused, from the corner before Douglas finally knocked Savage out. Maybe not the best Hogan-Savage match, but the post-match angle made up for it in spades.
Worst Match: Intercontinental Championship Match: The Ultimate Warrior (c) defeated Dino Bravo – It’s not the worst 4-minute match ever. Warrior was started the match hitting two axe handles off the top rope and then dragged manager Jimmy Hart under the ring and stripped him down to his underwear. But it’s a Dino Bravo match, too, so a lot of the TV time here was spent hyping up Bravo’s corner man, the Earthquake. Bravo and ‘Quake attack Warrior after the match, bringing Hogan in to save the Intercontinental Champion. Warrior didn’t really appreciate the save, and the two face off, much like they did in the previous month’s SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT. And your WrestleMania VI main event is set.
Who’s That Referee – While Buster Douglas was outside the ring for the WWF Championship match, the referee inside the ring was Earl Hebner. Two years earlier, at the very first MAIN EVENT, Hebner made his debut as a WWF official in controversial fashion. Earl had been a ref for the NWA, but joined his brother Dave in the WWF by replacing him during the WWF Championship match between Hogan and challenger Andre the Giant. Hebner counted a pin on Hogan despite the champion’s shoulder being off the mat. It’s probably a good thing Hebner was knocked out for this event’s final three count.
Let’s take a look at the rankings!
*DISCLAIMER* The Top 10 rankings are for discussion purposes only and in no way reflect an official or authoritative list. It is simply my opinion. If you disagree, let me know in the comments. New arrivals to the Top 10 are in bold.
1 – NWA Tag Team Championship Match: The Steiner Brothers (c) defeated Doom – Clash of the Champions X
2 – Steel Cage Match: Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Ole Anderson beat The Great Muta, Buzz Sawyer and the Dragonmaster – Clash of the Champions X
3 – “Macho King” Randy Savage defeated “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan – Saturday Night’s Main Event, Jan. 27, 1990
4 – Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior defeated “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig and “The Genius” Lanny Poffo – Saturday Night’s Main Event, Jan. 27, 1990
5 – Submission Match: “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin defeated Greg “The Hammer” Valentine – Royal Rumble 1990
6 – Mil Mascaras defeated Cactus Jack – Clash of the Champions X
7 – WWF Championship Match: Hulk Hogan (c) defeated “Macho King” Randy Savage – Main Event 3
8 – “Ravishing” Rick Rude and “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes battled to a double countout – Saturday Night’s Main Event, Jan. 27, 1990
9 – Hulk Hogan wins the 30-Man Royal Rumble – Royal Rumble 1990
10 – Falls Count Anywhere Match: Norman the Lunatic defeated Kevin Sullivan – Clash of the Champions X
Coming up later this week, we go back to the NWA/WCW with WrestleWar 1990!