Post by yapappi4life on Sept 26, 2010 1:59:58 GMT -5
What if Yokozuna didn’t win the 1993 Royal Rumble?
Royal Rumble 1993
The crowd is admiring the fierce battle inside the squared circle as the #26 entry to the match, Rick “The Model” Martel, arrives to the ring. Just as he slides into the ring, he notices “El Matador” Tito Santana darting toward him. So, he decides to run to the farthest corner where he picks a fight with a tired Bob Backlund to divert the attention of one angry Santana. Irritated, Santana attacks Carlos Colon just as Earthquake battles with both Tatanka and Jerry Saggs on the other side of the ring. The countdown to the next entry is underway as all men continue fighting. As the sound of the buzzer blasts over the speakers, it is indeed Yokozuna with Mr. Fuji that is walking confidently to the ring. The other seven men try not to pay attention to the big man and simply continue fighting. Once he steps through the ropes, Tatanka allows Saggs to fight Earthquake on his own and batters Yokozuna with a series of hard clubs to the back. Unfortunately for him, it has barely any effect on the gargantuan Sumo champion, who responds with a series of headbutts before violently throwing Tatanka over the top rope and to the ringside floor. Then, Carlos Colon- responsible for one Damian Demento’s elimination- tries his luck after Yokozuna but despite his admirable persistency, he gets dumped to the outside floor as well.
Suddenly, a light bulb goes over inside Earthquake’s head and he challenges Yokozuna to a face-off. After all, he thought, he could eliminate another big man- he had already eliminated his partner Typhoon along with Irwin R. Schyster- he wanted to make it three for three. Earthquake then launches himself toward Yokozuna with a combination of fists, headbutts and clubs to the back. While Yokozuna does not fall to the ground, he retreats in the nearest corner. This allows Earthquake to deliver three avalanche splashes before signalling to the crowd of the incoming elimination. As Earthquake attempts to lift the big man over the top rope, Mr. Fuji –through the ropes- hits Earthquake between the eyes with the tip of the Japanese flag. This allows Yokozuna to recover and hit a picture-perfect thrust kick to send Earthquake flying outside the ring and to the ringside floor…eliminated. Once Earthquake falls to the ringside floor, it causes every remaining participant to stop their fighting and turn their gaze over to the mighty Yokozuna. The #28 entry reveals itself to be the younger brother of the WWF Champion- Owen Hart- and he proceeds to dash inside the ring and joins the other four men as they contemplate the perfect plan to eliminate the big man. A tired Backlund is slumping against the turnbuckles as he notices Saggs charging toward Yokozuna and is caught with a brutal clothesline. Tito Santana tries the same but to no avail. Rick Martel also gets hit with a back elbow smash. Meanwhile, Owen Hart delivers a dropkick that dazes the big man. He delivers a second one that staggers Yokozuna near the ropes. Finally, a third one pushes Yokozuna against the ropes. This triggers an alliance by Backlund, Tito Santana, Jerry Saggs, Owen Hart and Rick Martel in an attempt to eliminate the big man.
The #29 participant Repo Man calmly struts to the ring and joins the others to try and get rid of Yokozuna. However, Yokozuna repels the others with fists and headbutts and dismantles the rest of the competition. The fans are starting to lose hope as the reality begins to sink inside their head: Yokozuna IS going to win the 1993 Royal Rumble and there is no longer any doubt about it. Mr. Perfect might have had a chance but after eliminated Ric Flair, Skinner and Jerry Lawler, it took Koko B. Ware, Ted Dibiase, Jerry Lawler and an interfering Razor Ramon to cost him the chance to headline WrestleMania 9. Similarly, Undertaker was the odds-on favourite after eliminating Tenryu, Samu, Ted Dibiase and the Berzerker but the Giant Gonzales appeared and illegally took him out of the match. As Yokozuna taunts the fans, the countdown for the final participant is underway. As the countdown reaches zero, it is revealed to be… “The Macho Man” Randy Savage to a deafening ovation. The hope that was nearly shattered beforehand has now been revitalized: they believe that if anybody can take down the gigantic menace, it has to be Randy Savage, who has dispatched other large opponents in his career such as the One Man Gang, the Big Bossman and Earthquake. Immediately, Yokozuna tries to attack Yokozuna but the former two-time WWF Champion ducks underneath and begins to deliver stinging jabs at the former Sumo champion. Savage then delivers elbow smashes, which stuns the big man. Savage heads to the top turnbuckle but gets caught with a big thrust kick.
As Yokozuna prepares himself to eliminate Savage, Earthquake has fully recovered from the sneak attack from before and and bodyslams Mr. Fuji on the outside of the ring. This distracts Yokozuna and causes him to lose focus on the actual match. As he turns around, he does not notice Owen Hart delivering a top-rope dropkick to the back of his head, pushing him straight into the flying forearm from Santana, staggering him. As Saggs, Backlund and Martel delivers a series of kicks to Yokozuna’s midsection, Savage then climbs back to the top rope and delivers a top-rope axhandle to Yokozuna’s upper back, causing Yokozuna to lose balance and slump stomach-first unto the top rope but not falling to the ground. This enables Savage, Repo Man, Owen Hart, Rick Martel, Tito Santana, Jerry Saggs and Bob Backlund the perfect opportunity as they successfully lift up Yokozuna and- to the shock of the audience- barely throw him out of the ring to the biggest ovation of the year. Earthquake screaming “I told you that I would eliminate you!” to a fallen Yokozuna before heading to the backstage area whereas Mr. Fuji-grabbing his back in pain- is livid.
Meanwhile, the Repo Man celebrates near the ropes, allowing Savage to deliver a jumping knee attack and eliminate the Repo Man from the match up. Tito Santana then goes back to fighting Saggs as Owen Hart fights with Rick Martel in the corner. Savage is in the middle of the ring while Backlund gets back to a vertical base. Meanwhile, Yokozuna is up and fuming outside and destroys television monitors at ringside, part of the guardrail and throws the ring steps in rage. Several road agents and officials arrive but all get battered by the mighty one. Finally, newly appointed road agent Sergeant Slaughter arrives and gets into a brawl with Yokozuna, resulting in Yokozuna delivering a devastating belly-to-belly suplex and a brutal legdrop before angrily walking to the backstage area. Saggs lifts up Santana and holds him in a full-nelson position as Owen Hart is looking to hit his spinning heel kick, which he does. However, since Tito ducked at the last second, it is Saggs who takes the full brunt of the manoeuvre, resulting in Saggs being launched over the top rope and to the ringside floor. Owen Hart goes over and yells: “I’m sorry” to Saggs from the apron but it leads to him turning around and being blasted with a clothesline from Santana that throws him over the top rope as well.
The final four are Bob Backlund, Tito Santana, Rick Martel and Randy Savage. As they inadvertently bumped into each other Martel and Santana starts shoving one another before Martel delivers two hard-hitting slaps to his former partner. This leads Martel to cower away but this time, he is caught with a haymaker from Savage. Meanwhile, Tito and Backlund are fighting near the ropes. Backlund goes for another clothesline, but the former two-time WWF Champion backdrops Santana out of the ring. However, Santana only has one foot touching the outside floor- the other foot is touching the ring apron. Martel gets the upper hand on Savage with an eye rake, an eye poke and a stalling backbreaker. He goes to do jumping jacks but from behind Backlund delivers his signature atomic drop on Rick Martel, launching him into Savage, who grabs him by the hair and launches Rick Martel out of the ring and over the top rope. The fans are now ecstatic as it is guaranteed that a fan favourite will go on to face the reigning WWF Champion Bret “The Hitman” Hart for the WWF Title.
Unbeknown to both Savage and Backlund, Santana is struggling not to fall to the ringside floor as the Model walks over toward Santana and begins taunting him, saying remarks such as “You can’t do it, Tito! You’re nowhere as good as me…just give up this charade!” In fact, he even grabs Tito’s left foot on the apron of the ring, trying to yank him out. However, this provides Tito with a boost as he swings his legs upwards and kicks Martel down to the floor while springing back inside the ring. Meanwhile, Savage and Backlund are both fighting against the ropes, looking to eliminate the other when Santana unexpectedly comes over, lifting both men by their vulnerable legs and –doing the impossible- throwing them over the top rope , with both feet touching the ringside floor. The crowd delivers a big, respectful ovation with several boos mixed in as Howard Finkel takes the microphone for the big announcement.
“Here is the winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble…”El Matador” Tito Santana!”
At ringside, Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan- as are the fans- are shocked by the result, expecting both former WWF Champions to get the job done. In fact, many fans were cheering Backlund on to be the first man to completely go the distance and similarly, many were cheering Savage to be the first man to win from the #30 spot. Instead, it was won by another man drawing the now lucky number #25- the same number drawn by Hulk Hogan back at the 1990 Royal Rumble. Savage and Backlund both help each other to their feet and are dumbfounded as they thought Santana to be history. Martel is throwing a temper tantrum at ringside. The last shot of the PPV is Bret Hart- observing backstage- clapping respectfully for Tito Santana’s monumental victory.
Last Raw of January ‘93
The very next Raw begins with Tito Santana delivering his Rumble win interview, thanking the fans and proclaiming himself as the first ever Mexican-born wrestler to headline a Wrestlemania. He then mentions how he is proud to be an honorary Matador and thanks everybody involved for that honour but that is something that is part of his past. He would like now to go back to just being called Tito Santana. Then, he mentions that over the years, he has accomplished a lot of things in the WWF: he has been a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion with Ivan Putski in 1979 and with Rick Martel eight years later- and he has been a two-time Intercontinental Champion. Hell, he was even the 1989 King of the Ring. However, the one title that he has never held is the WWF title- he has always been the second banana but not the top man. After securing that Rumble win, he promises to the fans that all of this is going to change. He closes the interview with his signature “Arriba!” as Tito Santana’s first theme plays over the speakers.
The taping sees an angry Yokozuna- scheduled to face Virgil in a one-on-one match- demand a handicap match instead with Max Moon being the other competitor. The handicap match is a one-handed squash bar the little offence from Virgil and Moon, leading to a belly-to-belly to Virgil and the Banzai drop on Moon for the three-count. Just for the hell of it, Yokozuna delivers a big legdrop to Virgil and delivers one more Banzai drop: however, this time, he is dropped on Virgil. After the match, “OOOHH!” is heard over the speakers and Jim Duggan hustles his way to the ring, clearing the big man from the squared circle as he brandishes his famous 2X4. Then, he goes toward his injured friends. EMTs rush the ring and take both Virgil and Max Moon out in stretchers.
Bob Backlund is delivering an interview backstage where he claims that he was real close to winning the rumble but congratulates Santana for his victory. However, he believes that there is no one as resilient as him and he asks that whomever wins at Wrestlemania 9 to give him a title shot for the title he once held back in 1982. Meanwhile, -from the commentary booth- Randy Savage agrees with Backlund that he is deserving of a title shot but he mentions that if anybody should get a title shot first, it should be him. Savage then mentions that he likes both Bret and Santana but whichever he faces after WrestleMania, he will defeat and win his third WWF Title. Then, he promises to defend Backlund the first shot. As the two competitors come to an amicable truce, the Repo Man smashes Baclund upside the head with that cowbell of his and steals Backlund’s jacket, proclaiming that Backlund has stolen the true spirit of America and that since he cannot get the job done, he is simply taking it back before hysterically walking away from the scene.
Up next, Bam Bam Bigelow is taking on Brian Knobbs in a close encounter, with Bam Bam Bigelow taking the win with snap powerslam and his top-rope headbutt.
Rick Martel is then interviewed and expressed his utter disgust with Santana winning, telling the crowd that he cheated to win the Rumble and that the crowd did not see his left foot briefly touch the floor. He reminds everybody that he lasted 51 minutes in the 1991 Royal Rumble- unheard of back then- and was in amongst the final five participants of that year. Last year, he was amongst the final six competitors with Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Sid Justice, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan comprising the rest. He mentioned that all of them were granted WWF title opportunities or in Piper’s case, Intercontinental title opportunities but he hadn’t. Then, he mentioned that he went one step further this year and went to the final four, had the upper hand before Backlund, Tito and Savage conspired together to get him out. He says that the WWF fears the Model and demands a singles title shot. Mean Gene questions him but mentions that the referee’s decision is final and that he will not obtain a WWF heavyweight title shot until after WrestleMania 9. Martel angrily acknowledges that fact but since he is impatient, he declares himself to be the rightful #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title and demands an Intercontinental Title shot at Wrestlemania 9.
Up next, “The Narcissist” Lex Luger makes his debut and quickly defeats Barry Horowitz with his dreaded forearm. He then comments to the camera that he intends too have the longest undefeated streak in WWF history.
Brutus Beefcake faces Bo Beverly next and wins via submission with the sleeper. He then gives him a personalized Mohawk haircut to celebrate his return.
The main event is Mr. Perfect facing Ric Flair in a loser-leaves-town match and just like in real life, Mr. Perfect wins with the Perfect-plex. As Ric Flair is pleading not to leave, he is greeted by Perfect and the fans chanting “Na na na na!” while the security officials drags him out of the arena. Meanwhile, Razor Ramon slides inside the ring and blindsides him with a clothesline and a Razor’s Edge to finish the show.
First Raw of February ‘93
Earthquake and Typhoon starts off the show and defeat the Beverly Brothers relqatively quickly with the combination of the Typhoon splash and the Earthquake drop. After the match, Mean Gene interviews the Natural Disasters and asks them what’s in store for them for WrestleMania 9. Typhoon starts to speak and says that he wants him and Earthquake to issue a challenge to Money Inc. to face them for a second time in Wrestliemania history. Earthquake though has other plans. He issues a challenge to Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9. He mentions that he is undefeated at WrestleMania and that he intends to stay that way. However, he’d like to cash in their contractual tag title rematch next week on Raw. Typhoon appears dumbfounded but still agrees to this as both giants leave the ring.
Tatanka then defeats Mike Bell in the second match of the night. He then signals that his undefeated streak will never end due to the power of the people and his Papoose To Go Drop.
Mr. Perfect heads to the ring and faces Koko B. Ware in a one-on-one match lasting over eight minutes. Skinner tries to his Ghost Buster but Mr. Perfect hangs on the top rope, leaving Ware confused. However, Mr. Perfect counters it with a Perfect-plex for the three count and the victory. He then motions that there is one man down and three to go.
Owen Hart appears next in a backstage interview, declaring that he is appalled by Koko B. Ware’s action at the Royal Rumble and that the High Energy team is no more. From now on, he will be known as “The Rocket” Owen Hart and will be making a name for himself in the WWF. However, Jerry “The King” Lawler interrupts the promo and mentions that he is and always will be the weak link of the Hart Family, that he leeches off Bret Hart and that he has never accomplished something noteworthy in the WWF. As he taunts him some more, the confrontation degenerates into an all-out brawl.
The newcomer Doink The Evil Clown debuts next and forces a young P.J. Walker into submission with the Leg Pull submission. He announces that he is simply out to amuse himself and bring laughter back to the WWF before striking Walker with a huge, cartoonish boxing glove to the head.
Shawn Michaels is up for an interview by cockily bragging about his successful title defence at the 1993 Royal Rumble, that Jannetty is done and that he has become nothing more than a bad memory. He issues an open challenge for his Intercontinental Title.
In the main event, Bret “The Hitman” Hart faces Papa Shango in a WWF Title match. It takes nine minutes before Bret Hart can hit his usual offence –including the bulldog, the Russian leg sweep, the second rope elbow and the pendulum backbreaker- before forcing him to submit to his patented Sharpshooter. Tito Santana comes out and stares at Bret Hart from the stage, clapping sincerely due to his tough win over Shango.
Second Raw of February ‘93
The night begins with Bob Backlund winning over Damian Demento following an atomic drop and an Oklahoma roll-up. He then expresses his disgust at the Repo Man and claim that he is not just the spirit of America but he claims that age or shape does not matter as long as the willpower and dedication is still there. Those things can never be repo-ed and he mentions that Repo Man will soon learn the meaning of the word “respect”. Now, as far as the situation between Savage and himself is concerned, he wants to shake the hand of Savage right now and prove that there is no hard feeling between the both of them and that if one of them wins the title, they must give the other the very first shot at it. Savage gets off the headsets and proceeds to shake his hand. Out of nowhere, the Repo Man comes out of the audience and steals the Macho Man’s hat. Backlund wastes no time in running after him. Meanwhile, Rick Martel appears and ambushes Randy Savage inside the ring. Backlund then turns back inside the ring and saves Randy Savage as Martel grabs the microphone. He informs them that –as the rightful #1 contender to the Intercontinental title- he is not satisfied with just the Intercontinental Title but aspires to be the #1 contender to the WWF title. However, Savage and Backlund are standing in his way. So, he went over to WWF President Jack Tunney and organized a match that will settle it all: Randy Savage vs Bob Backlund. The winner of that match will be not only e declared the #1 contender to the WWF Title but will have to face the #1 contender to the IC Title Rick Martel at WrestleMania 9. Whomever wins is the #1 contender for the WWF Title following WrestleMania 9 and the loser will have to satisfy himself with being the #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title. Both Savage and Backlund agree to the stipulations and the match itself, which will take place next week on Raw. Both men go face-to-face as we go to a commercial break
Up next, Owen Hart takes on the Berzerker. A top-rope drop kick and a spinning heel kick later, Owen Hart amasses the win and heads to the back before he is hit with Lawler and his crown. As Owen is writhing in pain on the floor, Lawler walks to the ring for the next match.
Lawler is ready to face Mr. Perfect in a match that is deemed as a great technical match that is an early Match of the Year candidates. Jerry Lawler goes to hit the piledriver but Perfect hits a backbody drop. Lawler then shoves the referee toward Perfect and looks to use his crown to blast Perfect with it. However, Owen Hart- recovered from the sneak attack- yanks on the crown and wears it to mock Lawler. He slowly walks away from the aisle as Lawler turns around into the Perfect-plex for the three-count. Perfect celebrates by raising two fingers, as if saying two more men are on his hit list: “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and I.R.S.
Kamala is up next and defeats Kim Chee with his splash. Bam Bam Bigelow then appears and mentions that he has taken out the Big Bossman right out of the WWF and that he intends to rid it of Kamala next. Slick answers back that Bam Bam Bigelow is nothing more than a low-life thug and that he doesn’t deal with that kind anymore. Bigelow also introduces the fans to his new squeeze, Luna Vachon.
Crush then beats Terrific Terry Taylor with the Cranium Crunch. He claims that he is excited for WrestleMania 9 and that he will face any jokester who thinks that they can beat the Kona Krusher.
Up next, Shawn Michaels faces P.J. Walker in a non-title match. As expected, Shawn Michaels squashes him, delivering his trademark piledriver, teardrop suplex, flying elbow drop and superkick, each time going for the pin but yanking on Walker’s shoulder up to further punish him. Once he hit Walker with the superkick, Jannetty’s theme hits and the fans go ballistic. Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels is daring Jannetty to come inside the ring. However, Jannetty never comes out. That allows Walker to roll-up a shocked Michaels for the shocking three-count. Walker runs away soon afterwards while Michaels is livid inside the ring. Finally, Jannetty comes out with Sensational Sherri in tow. He declares that he accepts Michaels’ challenge for WrestleMania 9.
Finally, the main event is for the WWF Tag Team titles as Money Inc. defends against the Natural Disasters. Everything is going their way until Typhoon is thrown out of the ring. Suddenly, Mr. Fuji tries to hit Typhoon with the flag but it is intercepted by Earthquake who grabs the flag and breaks it in two. Meanwhile, he does not notice that Yokozuna is right behind Typhoon, who knocks him straight into the ring apron and legdrops him on the ringside floor. He then throws Typhoon back into the ring as Earthquake chases Mr. Fuji out. Meanwhile, Dibiase covers the unconscious Typhoon for the win. He then grabs the microphone and mentions that Irwin and he are bored with the current competition in the tag title division and that are looking to create their own competition for WrestleMania 9. Starting next week, the people will see the big picture, they mention, as the show fades to black.
Third Raw of February ‘93
The show starts with an Intercontinental Title defence with Shawn Michaels learning from his lack of focus last week and obliterating P.J. Walker to retain his title and ensure that the battle between the two Rockers will indeed be for the Intercontinental Title.
Then, Brutus Beefcake faces Ted Dibiase in a match, that ends up identically as the one in real life did: Dibiase getting disqualified by hitting Beefcake in the face with the briefcase and shoving a sympathetic Jimmy Hart out of the way.
Next up, the Headshrinkers defeat the Bushwhackers in a six-minute competitive bout.
The Undertaker beats Skinner via pinfall in four minutes with the chokeslam and the Tombstone. After the match, Giant Gonsales attacks once more and finishes off the Undertaker with his Claw-assisted chokeslam.
Because of that attack, Jack Tunney books a second match for WrestleMania: Undertaker vs Giant Gonsales in a No-DQ match.
Kamala and Bigelow are seen brawling in the back –with Luna Vachon manhandling the Slickster- when the Headshrinkers decide to help Bigelow. Meanwhile, the Steiners come over to Kamala’s rescue. while Tatanka defeats Berzerker in a one-on-one encounter. Soon after, Lex Luger offers the challenge for WrestleMania 9, mentioning that one undefeated streak would come to an end. Tatanka accepts.
In the ring, Crush beats Koko. B. Ware and subsequently delivers a promo about being more than ready, willing and able to beat anybody across the ring from him at WrestleMania when Doink the Clown shows up in a cast as he claims to have injured his arm with that haymaker with the giant boxing glove. He asks for sympathy out of Crush and that he knows that he will make history at WrestleMania 9. Crush- distrustful of the clown- asks him to catch the microphone, leading to Doink being proven as a scammer. Crush then claims that since he’s a jokester that likes to make fun of people and is healthy enough for a match, he’ll have to face him at WrestleMania 9. This is when Doink takes him out with the iron cast.
In the promised main event, Randy Savage takes on Bob Backlund, with the winner meeting Rick Martel at WrestleMania 9. This is a back-and-forth technical encounter lasting twelve minutes. Both men are fighting cleanly. Backlund goes for the crossface chicken-wing but Savage puts his foot on the middle rope. He elbows out of it, hits the body slam and goes for the flying elbow smash but Backlund moves out of the way at the last instant. Backlund then attempts his Oklahoma roll-up but Savage counters it into a roll-up of his own for the victory. It is now official: Randy Savage will face Rick Martel at WrestleMania 9. Rick Martel slides inside the ring and attacks Savage. Out of nowhere, Tito Santana chases off Rick Martel and checks on Savage as the screen fades to black.
Last Raw of February ‘93
Rick Martel defeats Jerry Saggs via submission with the Quebec Crab.
Yokozuna faces “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in a six-minute match. Yokozuna dominates the match with a clothesline, a thrust kick, a legdrop and a bearhug. However, Duggan fights out of it with fists and clotheslines. He then delivers a three-point stance clothesline which staggers Yokozuna. He then delivers two more and that pushes Yokozuna in the opposite corner. He then goes to take the 2X4 but Fuji yanks on the 2X4, provoking a tug of war. Sensing an opportunity, the recovering Yokozuna returns with a running avalanche, a belly-to-belly suplex and a Banzai drop for the three-count. For good measure, he then drops another one on Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He looks to hit a third one when the retired Sergeant Slaughter rushes down the aisle and inside the ring as Yokozuna makes his exit. Jim Duggan is taking out in a stretcher as the fans look concerned about Duggan’s health.
In the next contest, the Steiners defeat the team of Mike Bell and Mike Sharpe in three minutes with the Frankensteiner and the Steiners Bulldog.
Doink the Evil Clown is up next and dismantles Jim Powers, finishing him off with the Whoopee Cushion in two minutes.
Razor Ramon squashes Koko B. Ware with the top-rope belly-to-back suplex and the Razor’s Edge. He vows to get revenge on Mr. Perfect for ridding the WWF off his mentor and employer Ric Flair at WrestleMania 9.
Backstage, Typhoon and Earthquake are having an argument about their tag team title loss and Yokozuna interfering in their business. Earthquake then lays down the law and issues once again a challenge to Yokozuna for WrestleMania 9. However, Typhoon wants it to be a tag team match with the Natural Disasters versus Yokozuna and Fuji at WrestleMania 9. Earthquake seems confused but relunctantly agrees to keep the team going.
Ted DiBiase defeats Barry Horowitz with the Million Dollar Dream. He then offers to wrestle once more tonight but this time, he wants it to be top competition. Out of nowhere, Mr. Perfect accepts the challenge.
Mr. Perfect and Ted Dibiase wrestle a counter-for-counter match. Perfect goes for the fisherman suplex but IRS grabs on Dibiase’s foot to prevent that from happening. Dibiase tries to pin Perfect while his feet are on the ropes but to no avail. Dibiase then counters in his own small package and gets the win. This means he has obtained his revenge on everybody but the man he will face at WrestleMania 9, Razor Ramon. Dibiase and IRS are looking to sneak attack Perfect but the latter simply runs out and exits through the crowd to ensure his safety. Besides, Jimmy Hart was blocking the way and preventing them from attacking Mr. Perfect. Dibiase delivers another promo to question Jimmy Hart’s loyalty and dedication to the team. IRS wonders if Jimmy really paid his taxes or if he paid off somebody to hide his tax-evading ways. Jimmy simply answers that he’s sick of the sneak-attacks, and the sadistic, inhumane intentions of the team. He was managing them for one reason: to win every match and for them to become the greatest team he ever managed, not to become a bunch of low-life barbarians. He then walks out of the team, with Dibiase insulting him as he heads to the back.
In the main event, Tito Santana takes on Papa Shango. After a nifty little match, Tito Santana finishes with the El Paso de la Muerte leaping forearm. This time, it is the Hitman who comes out of the locker room- with the WWF title wrapped around his waist- clapping his hands in approval of Santana’s victory. Then, on the big screen, Rick Martel labels Santana a coward and challenges him for a match next week on Raw to finally settle the score after four years of boiling hatred. Santana accepts as Raw comes to a close.
First Raw of March ‘93
Raw opens with Marty Jannetty defeating Damian Demento with the Rocker-Dropper in a competitive encounter.
Then, Giant Gonzales destroys P.J. Walker with the Claw-assisted chokeslam in under one minute. Another match is added to WrestleMania 9: Owen Hart vs Jerry Lawler.
In the third match of the evening, Yokozuna will face off against Sergeant Slaughter. Slaughter delivers a couple of ax-handles and clotheslines to Yokozuna but the big man refuses to go down. Instead, Yokozuna gets his first offensive strike of the night with a thrust kick. He then goes for a nerve hold but Slaughter eventually finds his way toward the ropes. Yokozuna tries an Avalanche splash but Slaughter ducks underneath, delivers two-middle rope flying clotheslines and locks in the Cobra Clutch. Yokozuna drops to one knee to a huge pop but then, Yokozuna musters every bit of energy within him and squashes Slaughter multiple times in order to successfully break the hold. Then, Yokozuna hits a falling DDT and hits the Banzai Drop for the three-count in around seven minutes. He then runs up the ropes and delivers three legdrops in succession before The Natural Disasters arrive and clear the ring. Typhoon yanks the microphone away from the ring announcer and challenge Yokozuna for a match against him two weeks from now. Mr. Fuji accepts on behalf of Yokozuna.
In the very next match, Rick Martel awaits the arrival of the 1993 Royal Rumble winner. As Tito’s theme plays, nobody comes out. Martel seems puzzled and ticked off that he gets denied his chance at revenge. The theme starts once more but once again, Tito does not come out. Repo Man is standing over Tito’s prone body with his cow bell, laughing at Tito Santana’s current predicament. However, Bob Backlund rushes in and assaults Repo Man while Yokozuna sneaks into the picture, preparing to drop the big leg on Santana when Bret Hart and Earthquake hammer Yokozuna endlessly, forcing the mighty one to escape down the hallway. As Bret Hart and Earthquake check on Santana, the referee declare Rick Martel the winner via forfeit. Rick Martel then proceeds to celebrate like he had won the WWF title, labels Tito a coward and takes pride in Tito’s current state. Sickened to his stomach, Randy Savage can take no more of Martel’s bragging so he removes his headset and batters Rick Martel with fists and chokes before Martel runs away from the scene without looking back.
The WWF Tag team titles are on the line next as Money Inc. defend against the Nasty Boys. The Nastys are on the verge of winning with their Pit Stop finisher when IRS –behind the referee’s back delivers a briefcase shot to Saggs back, leaving a puzzled Knobbs prey for a Dibiase Guillotine Drop, three fist drops and a three count. He then challenges any team to accept their challenge at WrestleMania 9 when suddenly, Brutus Beefcake appears on the stage with a protective mask. As they are scoffing at the potential of facing an injured Brutus, they ask him if he’s crazy or deluding himself. They even plead to him to stay out of commission and not force them to take it one step further. Brutus replies that they will have to do that because while they did incapacitate him, they did not put him out. He then announces that he has found a new manager in Jimmy Hart and a partner to not only take care of Money Inc. It is Hulk Hogan to the fans’ eye-splitting joy and to the dismay of Money Inc.
In the main event, Bret “Hitman” Hart successfully fends off Fatu of the Headshrinkers and defeat him with the Sharpshooter.
Second Raw of March ‘93
The show starts with a hot six men tag: Shawn Michaels and the Beverly Brothers against Marty Jannetty and the Steiners. The finish sees the Steiners the Headshrinkers fighting on the outside and Shawn Michaels goes the superkick but Jannetty ducks underneath and attempts one of his own. However, Michaels also sees it coming and counters into a Teardrop suplex. However, in mid-air, Jannetty catches Michaels with the Rocker Dropper. He then goes for the cover: 1…2…..3! The fans go ballistic as Jannetty has pinned the Intercontinental Champion in this six-men tag match, giving him extra momentum for his Wrestlemania match.
Next up, Lex Luger defeats Koko B. Ware under 30 seconds with the running forearm, the powerslam and the Torture Rack. He announces that at Wrestlemania IX, it will be Lex Luger, Bam Bigelow and the Headshrinkers vs Tatanka, Kamala and the Steiners.
Doink then defeats the Kid in a fast-paced match under four minutes with the Whoopee Cushion.
Tatanka faces Terry Taylor and beats him via Papoose To Go Drop and pin.
An in-ring with Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake and Jimmy Hart is soon underway and Jimmy Hart re-explains why he joined them. Hulk Hogan mentions that he came back not just for Brutus or for revenge but because he missed the WWF. He promises that at WrestleMania 9, the Hulkamaniacs will become the next WWF tag team champions.
The Beverly Brothers step out from the back and challenge them on the spot for a tag match. In three minutes, Hogan and Brutus win following the big boot, a legdrop and the sleeper.
Razor Ramon beats Jerry Saggs via Razor’s Edge.
Earthquake then dismantles the Berzerker in short order via the stalling powerslam and the Earthquake drop. After the match, Typhoon adds his splash for good measure. Afterwards, Gorilla Monsoon announces that Bob Backlund vs the Repo Man and Doink vs Crush has been announced for WrestleMania 9.
Then, Tito Santana –showing signs of back problems- faces and defeats Samu of the Headshrinkers via the flying forearm and the Paso de la Muerte forearm. Soon after, Bret Hart hits the ring and we have a face-to-face interview and signing of the contract. Afterwards, Bret Hart mentions that both men have a lot of history and are great athletes and that he cannot wait for WrestleMania 9 for this classic encounter and that he will shake Tito’s hand after he has won the match and retained his belt.
Suddenly, Tito- still fuelled by adrenaline- snaps at Hart and asks him who is he to cast away the outcome before the match has even taken place? He claims that he has everything on the line, he will lay everything on the line and he will leave WrestleMania 9 as the WWF Champion as he has been wrestling before Bret Hart had even entered the world of professional wrestling. However, Bret Hart replies simply that he’ll win because he was born into wrestling. He also reminds Tito that this will not be the first time that they met at a WrestleMania. They did six years ago in a six-men tag match. Bret as the leader of his team and Tito as the leader of his. Bret Hart’s crew won that match and he predicts that lightning will strike twice. Tito Santana replies that it was his no-good partner and himself that ended the long tag title reign of Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart. Bret Hart mentions that he has been a two-time tag champion. Santana snaps back and mentions that he too was a two-time tag champion. Bret Hart mentions that he is a former Intercontinental Champion. Tito Santana replies with “So was I.” Then, Bret simply mentions that it was a long time though. Bret Hart responds that he has won the King of The Ring tournament. Santana responds with “Me too.” Bret Hart mentions that he has done everything in the WWF and he is the second Triple Crown Champion in WWF history, with the first being Pedro Morales.
Tito Santana promises that he will be the third-ever Triple Crown Champion at WrestleMania 9 and that there will be no more holding back. But then, Bret Hart mentions one little piece of history: he mentions that these is a good old tradition at WrestleMania. He mentions that the WWF title has changed six times out of seven and even better, apart from the very first Wrestlemania, Tito Santana always walk away with a loss at WrestleMania. A new fire ignites in Santana’s eyes as he is furious of Bret Hart reminding the masses of Tito’s past failings. Bret Hart says that he is damn proud to finally fight someone who will not cheat, who is not a low-life thug and who is a world-class competitor and human being for the WWF title. He just hopes that Tito can live with himself after losing at WrestleMania…again.
This is when that Santana replies with a big slap to Bret Hart’s face and the two men are separated by a horde of officials as the show ends abruptly.
Third Raw of March ‘93
This is the last Raw before WrestleMania 9 and it is a 2 hour Raw. Thus, it will be headlined by a big ten-men tag match: Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake, Bob Backlund, Owen Hart and Randy Savage against the team of Ted Dibiase, IRS, Papa Shango, Jerry Lawler and Rick Martel.
Also, Tatanka will face Fatu. Mr. Perfect will face Terry Taylor. Crush will face Blake Beverly. Lex Luger will face Kamala. Undertaker will face Kim Chee and Yokozuna will face Typhoon. Shawn Michaels will defend his Intercontinental Title against Skinner. Also, Bret Hart will defend his WWF Title against Repo Man with Tito Santana at the color commentary booth.
In the very first match, Shawn Michaels successfully retains the Intercontinental Title against the man known as Skinner after dodging the Alligator Drop and hitting Sweet Chin Music. Following the match, Michaels and Jannetty brawl all the way to the back.
In the next match, the Undertaker crushes Kim Chee under two minutes with two consecutive Tombstones and the three-count. Soon after, the Giant steps inside the ring and is clotheslined right out by the Undertaker. Both men are separated by a truckload of officials.
In the next contest, Typhoon will face Yokozuna. Mr. Fuji has demanded and been granted one stipulation: if Earthquake interferes in any way, their match at WrestleMania 9 will be cancelled and he will be suspended indefinitely. The match is predictably dominated by Yokozuna but Typhoon manages to strike when Yokozuna misses a running splashes. He follows it up with clotheslines, running flying shoulder blocks and even a double-ax handle from the second rope but it only succeeds in getting the big man on his knees. Typhoon goes for the kill but Yokozuna- playing possum- catches him with a big belly-to-belly suplex for the three count. Following the match, Yokozuna goes to the nearest corner and delivers a Banzai drop across Typhoon’s chest. He then delivers yet another one to Typhoon. As he goes for the third one, Earthquake storms out of the back but he is restrained by the security officers, enabling Yokozuna to deliver one running splash to Typhoon, adding insult to injury. EMTs run to the ring, providing medical assistance to Typhoon and carrying him out on a big stretcher as Earthquake is livid.
After the commercial break, it is announced that due to Typhoon’s internal injuries, the tag match has been turned into a singles match between Earthquake and Yokozuna. It has been said that the competitors can not co-exist and hate each other so badly that whomever lose the match must leave the WWF for one full year.
In the next contest, Mr. Perfect dominates and defeats Terry Taylor in a seven minutes match via Perfect-plex. Razor Ramon observes the match from ringside and taunts Perfect after the match.
Then, Crush annihilates Blake Beverly in 90 seconds and forces him to quit via the Cranium Crunch. Doink runs at ringside but he is Gorilla Press Slammed right out of the ring. He goes to give him the Cranium Crunch but Doink hastily runs away.
In the sixth match of the night, Lex Luger uses his steel forearm to defeat Kamala, who has dominated most of the match.
The Tatanka-Fatu matches barely last a minute before the rest of Luger’s team interfere, drawing a DQ win for Tatanka. The faces clear the ring as Tatanka’s Theme music hits.
Then, it is time for the first of two main events: the ten-men tag match lasts over fourteen minutes and ends with IRS using the briefcase to smack Brutus behind his head, Jerry Lawler hits his piledriver and Dibiase locks on the Million Dollar Dream for the submission victory. At that time, Hogan was brawling with Papa Shango, Bob Backlund was chasing an interfering Repo Man, Owen Hart yanked Lawler right out of the ring following his piledriver and Randy Savage and Martel brawled around ringside.
Finally, Bret Hart faced Repo Man in a good but not great eight-minute bout that sees Bret Hart winning via a superplex and Sharpshooter combination. Repo Man tried to gets himself counted out at one point but Backlund stalked him and threatened him to get back inside the ring. Tito Santana suddenly removes his headset, entered the ring and extended his hand toward his WrestleMania 9 opponent. The latter looks at the fans and finally shakes Tito Santana’s hands. The two stare a hole into the other as the show fades to black.
WrestleMania 9
Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
The card (in order of matches):
Dark match: Bushwhackers vs Damian Demento & Papa Shango
Tatanka, Kamala, Slick and the Steiners vs Lex Luger, Bam Bam Bigelow, Luna Vachon and the Headshrinkers
For the Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels © vs Marty Jannetty (w/Sherri)
Doink vs Crush
Bob Backlund vs Repo Man
Loser leaves WWF for one year: Earthquake vs Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji)
For the WWF Tag team titles: Ted DiBiase & IRS © vs Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake
Razor Ramon vs Mr. Perfect
Undertaker vs Giant Gonzales in a No-DQ match
For #1 contendership to the WWE title: Macho Man Randy Savage vs Rick Martel
“The Rocket” Owen Hart vs Jerry “The King” Lawler
Main event: For the WWF Title: Bret “Hitman” Hart © vs RR ’93 winner Tito Santana
The dark match was a comedy match where Bushwhackers lost via combination of Demento & Shango (over-the-shoulder-breaker into hangman’s neckbreaker) on Luke for the pin. **
The first match of the night was electric for all thirteen minutes as it hit on all four cylinders. Tatanka displayed incredible athleticism along with the Steiners with flying bodypresses, top-rope tomahawk chops, deep armdrags and overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. As the Steiners were looking to finish off Samu, Luna Vachon tripped Rick Steiner, injuring his knee. This caused the heel team to display their own brand of athleticism with a Luna senton splash from the top, a second-rope Headbutt from Fatu, and Bam Bam Bigelow with an Enzaguri, a a gourdbuster and a missed moonsault. Eventually, Tatanka was the recipient of a hot tag while Bigelow tagged Fatu and helped clean house. Samu received a Frankensteiner from Scott Steiner but soon after Fatu delivers his top-rope splash on Scott Steiner. Rick Steiner follows it up with a middle-rope bulldog but he is caught with a running forearm from Lex, knocking him out. Tatanka looks to hit the Papoose to Go on Fatu but Luna kicks away at Tatanka’s knee, forcing him to break the hold. Bam Bam then holds up Tatanka, telling Lex to hit him with the running forearm. Unfortunately for him, Tatanka ducks and Bigelow receives all of it, knocking him out. Kamala butts in with his splash before being knocked out with a steel forearm right out of the ring. Luger then tries to do same to Tatanka but is caught with the Papoose to Go slam. Tatanka is about to celebrate but Luna- who tagged Luger via slapping his butt- is standing on the top rope behind him. As he turns around, he sees her going for a bodypress but he catches in mid-air in a bodyslam position, lifts her up on his shoulders and delivers the Papoose to Go. Then, he tags in Slick who delivers a running elbow drop and pins Luna Vachon for the victory. *** 1/2
The next contest would go on to be a runner-up for Match of the Year over in PWI as the Intercontinental Title laid on the line. It was claimed to be the best Intercontinental Title match at a WrestleMania since the Savage-Steamboat encounter. This twenty-one minute match had it all: blood, technical wrestling, counter-for-counter wrestling. Shawn Michaels even delivered a piledriver outside of the ring only for Marty to kick out of that. Shawn Michaels nonchalantly delivers the Teardrop suplex and pins Marty but only gets 2.99. Frustrated, Michaels tries another teardrop suplex but at the last minute, Marty Jannetty turns it into a sunset flip, pulling Michaels’ tights down in the process. Once again, it only obtained a 2.99. Discouraged, Michaels tries for a back body drop but Michaels kicks away at Jannetty and tries the Sweet Chin Music but Jannetty ducks underneath and hits the Rocker Dropper. He hooks the legs but again, Michaels kicks out at 2.999. He then powerslams his former partner and delivers a top-rope flying fist drop for the three count. However, Shawn’s leg was on the bottom rope so the match must continue. Thrown off guard, Marty goes one more time to the rope for another fist drop. Unbeknown to him, Michaels had recovered by that point and as Marty leaps off the top, Michaels nails him with the Sweet Chin Music superkick and pins him –hooking both legs- for the three count. “Sexy Boy” would hit and Shawn Michaels would celebrate, revelling in the boos of the crowd when Sherri jumped in the ring and…to the shock of the audience…hugged him. However, two minutes later, as he turned his back on her, she stunned him with a kick to the groin, allowing Jannetty to hit another Rocker Dropper to get the moral victory. Jannetty’s theme now played as a victorious Michaels was out cold on the ring and Jannetty and Sherri hugged each other on the aisle way. ****1/2
The Doink-Crush contest occurred exactly like in real life, with Doink winning due to a second appearing and hitting him several times with the iron cast. **1/2
Bob Backlund against the Repo Man was the shortest match of this particular WrestleMania as both competitors were exchanging arm drags and hiptosses when Repo Man rebounded from an irish-whip to the corner and was caught with the Crossface Chickenwing for the submission under three minutes. *1/2
The next match pitted Earthquake and Yokozuna in a pretty good 9-minute brawl which included Earthquake kicking out of the belly-to-belly suplex, the big legdrop and the running splash and Yokozuna kicking out of the Earthquake Drop early on. Earthquake also was the first man to knock Yokozuna down to the ground with a running bulldog after three consecutive avalanche splashes. He also delivered a running dropkick to Yokozuna and even a running crossbody to Yokozuna for a two-count. Yokozuna hit a thrust kick that forced Earthquake to fall. He pinned him for only two. Then, Yokozuna tried to hit a Banzai drop but Earthquake got up right behind him and delivered a belly-to-back suplex form the middle rope to the surprise of many. It only got two though. He then signalled for another Earthquake Drop when Fuji jumped inside the ring. Before he could do anything, Earthquake caught him and delivered his stalling powerslam to a huge pop to Fuji. However, as he ran up the opposite ropes, he never saw Yokozuna coming and got caught in a Uranagi slam. Yokozuna then delivers one Banzai drop to Earthquake but doesn’t go for the cover just yet. He delivers a second one to pin Earthquake for the three count, end his Wrestlemania undefeated streak and send him packing for one year. Then, he delivers another Banzai drop and a running legdrop to send him off in a stretcher to the hospital. ***
The WWF tag team title match is almost exactly like the one in real life. However, once the original referee is down, IRS hits Brutus with the Write Off running clothesline. Ted Dibiase tries to interfere but Hogan nails him with the briefcase, knocking him out. Then, he delivers the big boot and the legdrop to IRS to IRS before putting Brutus on top of IRS. A new referee arrives and counts to three, awarding the tag titles to the Hulkamaniacs to a deafening pop. Hogan, Jimmy Hart and Brutus celebrate for about five minutes as officials carry the evil Money Inc. to the backstage area. The whole thing lasted about twenty-two minutes. ** 3/4
The next match is a hybrid of technical/brawling match that lasted sixteen minutes with Razor Ramon slightly dominating but with Perfect also dominating some parts. He gets to hit a top-rope flying dropkick, his reverse jumping snapmare and a beautiful snap suplex while Razor hits his fall away slam, his discus punch, his top-rope belly-to-back suplex and his chokeslam. He looks to end with the Razor’s Edge but Mr. Perfect rolls out of it and hits the Perfect-plex out of nowhere at 12:45 for the three count. His music plays as the referee raises his hand but notices that Razor’s foot is on the bottom rope. The fans have noticed that Razor did that AFTER the three count had been administered but the referee did not and thus, the match was restarted to boos. Three minutes later, Mr. Perfect was hit by the Razor’s Edge and gets pinned for the three-count. However, he had his leg wrapped on the bottom rope before the three count but the referee did not see it to the discontent of Perfect and his fans. ****
Undertaker and Gonzales occurred exactly how people expected it too: a giant, brainless brawl. They used urns, chairs, monitors and even Harvey Whippleman as weapons. The match ended in six minutes and a half with three Undertaker top-rope flying clotheslines- the last one where Gonzales fell on a steel chair in the ring- for the three-count. Undertaker is now 3-0 at WrestleMania. * ¼
In the back, a brawl occurs with Perfect and Shawn Michaels with Perfect winning the brawl by throwing Michaels through the catering table.
Now, it was time to determine the rightful contender to the WWF title. Rick Martel arrived with an even greater amount of arrogance than usual. Macho Man Randy Savage arrived, decked in a gold, red and white outfit. Immensely good match where Martel gets to shine with stalling backbreakers, bodypresses, stalling suplexes, a gutwrench suplex and even bridged German suplexes. However, Macho fought back with top-rope ax handles, the throat snap drop, a piledriver and a swinging neckbreaker. He went for the elbow from the top rope early on but Martel counters by kneeling Macho’s back as he fell. He then turned into the Quebec crab and Savage endured it for ninety seconds before reaching the ropes. Martel also hit a slingshot suplex, a middle-rope dropkick and roll-ups but to no avail. Savage would hit a kneelift and gained the advantage back when Martel lifted Savage up for a superplex. Savage knocked down Martel and hit the flying elbow smash for the pinfall victory in nineteen minutes. **** ¼
Afterwards, the penultimate match took place with the wily veteran Jerry Lawler controlling most of the action. He hit a piledriver seven minutes of the match but taunted the fans before going for the pin, which resulted in a two count. Immediately after, he hit his second-rope fist drop for a two-count as well. Owen hit the top rope flying drop kick, his spinning heel kick and his trademark snap belly-to-belly suplex all for a two count. Owen Hart becomes distraught and tries to attempt the Sharpshooter but he punches Owen with a closed fist in the process. He then tries again for the piledriver but Owen Hart surprisingly counters with a gorgeous Northern Lights Suplex for the pinfall for the pinfall victory at eleven minutes and a half. Afterwards, the sore loser Jerry Lawler hits a vicious piledriver on Owen Hart while Gorilla Monsoon gets up from his seat and indicates to Lawler to leave him alone. Thus, Lawler steps through the ropes- indignant with his WrestleMania loss- but proud of his actions afterwards. ***3/4
The final match pitted Tito Santana- decked in gold, white and black- with a rockier version of his theme music, flaring intensity with every single breath of his. Similarly, the Hitman walked out very intense and focused. Both men would shake hands before the match. The entire match is an excellent technical affair, with Bret Hart focusing on the legs of Tito Santana, hitting knee atomic drops, dropping his girth on Tito’s knees as well as stomping them, hitting a Russian leg sweep, and the pendulum backbreaker on Tito. However, as he goes for the running bulldog, Tito counters and sends Hart face-first against the ring post. Tito also shows his wrestling arsenal during this bout. Whether it is kneedropping Bret’s knees, delivers a floatover suplex, headlock takedowns, reverse atomic drops, leaping dropkicks and bridged German suplexes. Eventually, Santana hits the flying forearm for two only. Shocked, he goes for the figure-four and Bret Hart endures that hold for over two minutes before he turns around and reverses it into the Sharpshooter. Tito Santana endures the excruciating agony that only the Sharpshooter can deliver for about forty-five seconds before slowly crawling to the ropes. Several minutes later, Bret Hart lifts up Tito Santana looking for a suplerplex but the latter counters in mid-air by falling on top of Bret Hart for nearly a three count. After shouting at the referee, the 1993 Royal Rumble winner goes over to Bret and gets caught in a small package that gets 2.99. Eventually, Tito hits a second-rope butterfly suplex and Bret Hart hits a top-rope superplex followed by Tito unexpectedly rolling up Bret in a victory roll for a two count. Then, Bret would hit his patented top-rope rope elbow and drapes his arm over Santana for 2.999.
At the twenty-sixth minute, Rick Martel slowly walks to the ring, mocking Tito Santana’s knee injury and encouraging Bret Hart to finish him off. As he heads toward the ring, Savage runs from the backstage area, yanking on his hair when suddenly, Yokozuna blindsides Savage and delivers a double shot to the throat to knock him down. Bob Backlund soon arrives and is downed with a thrust kick as the Model arrives to ringside.
Both Santana and Bret Hart are struggling to get to their feet as the Model yanks on Santana’s arm from the outside. Both Gorilla and Heenan talks out about Santana’s WrestleMania losing streak and how it is doomed to continue by the looks of it. They proclaim that Tito and Martel’s hatred is so big that they would cost themselves victories against other despised rivals. Meanwhile, Tito is struggling to release himself from Martel’s hold, even trying to yank at the Model’s eyes. A fair warrior, Bret Hart goes over and tries to pry Santana from the hold but to no avail. He then goes to put his head out of the ring to sock the Model with a punch but it is indeed Martel who drills Bret Hart with a right-hook that causes Bret Hart to crumble to the floor. The camera zooms on Martel’s hand to reveal that he is carrying brass knuckles with him. Tito is yelling at Martel to stay out of his business and to leave ringside, which Martel slowly does. As Bret Hart groggily stands up, bent down, Tito Santana raises both arms in the air, runs to the top rope and delivers the fiercest Paso de la Muerte forearm shot that he has ever delivered. He then covers Bret Hart and hooks the leg: 1……2……3! The fans are shocked to their very core as Tito’s theme is playing in victory and the Fink makes the announcement. ****1/2
“The winner of this match…and NEW WWF Champion, Tito Santana!”
A teary-eyed Santana gazes over at the belt and kisses it as Bret Hart is knocked out on the mat. Both Gorilla and Heenan, Tito himself and the fans let two realizations sink inside their heads.
One: Tito Santana’s WrestleMania losing streak is over…and in a big way.
Two: Tito Santana has now become the brand new WWF Champion and is indeed the third-ever WWF Triple Crown Champion.
While some fans are cheering the announcement and out of respect for a man who really deserve it, most fans are booing due to the interference of Martel and Yokozuna at the end. Unfortunately for Tito Santana, both Martel and Yokozuna step through the ropes and inside the ring, cornering the brand new champion. Martel yells: “Finally, you will get what you deserve…what you need.” He glances over at Yokozuna and determines that it is time to move in on Santana. Instead, Martel shoves off Santana and continues battering Bret Hart until the ex-champion is busted open, profusely losing blood from his forehead. Then, Yokozuna adds insult to injury by delivering three consecutive leg drops and two Banzai drops to the Hitman. Santana goes over to stop the assault and helps Bret Hart to get to a vertical base, indicating that he will take Martel out with the flying forearm. So, he runs into the ropes and against the opposite ropes while Martel cowers away and Yokozuna practically dares Tito to hit him. However, at the last minute, Tito delivers his Paso de la Muerte on the inexplicably standing Bret Hart and kicks him out of the ring. The entire arena has gone silent due to the utter shock of that move. No more than two seconds later, Tito displays a mischievous smirk and hugs both Rick Martel and Yokozuna to thunderous boos. The fans now have to digest the seemingly impossible: after nearly seventeen years in the business, Tito Santana has finally gone to the dark side. Both Martel and Yokozuna lift him up high on their shoulders as Tito holds the WWF title on his shoulder. Meanwhile, Hulk Hogan runs to ringside, attending to the fallen Bret Hart and pleading to Santana “Why, Tito, WHY?”. Several fireworks go off as Tito’s theme plays once more with Santana proudly displaying his newest trophy to the crowd, with both Martel and Yokozuna pleased with what has just occurred.
The news were just in: Tito Santana was now the brand new WWF Champion…and the crowd wishes it had never happened.
To be continued
Royal Rumble 1993
The crowd is admiring the fierce battle inside the squared circle as the #26 entry to the match, Rick “The Model” Martel, arrives to the ring. Just as he slides into the ring, he notices “El Matador” Tito Santana darting toward him. So, he decides to run to the farthest corner where he picks a fight with a tired Bob Backlund to divert the attention of one angry Santana. Irritated, Santana attacks Carlos Colon just as Earthquake battles with both Tatanka and Jerry Saggs on the other side of the ring. The countdown to the next entry is underway as all men continue fighting. As the sound of the buzzer blasts over the speakers, it is indeed Yokozuna with Mr. Fuji that is walking confidently to the ring. The other seven men try not to pay attention to the big man and simply continue fighting. Once he steps through the ropes, Tatanka allows Saggs to fight Earthquake on his own and batters Yokozuna with a series of hard clubs to the back. Unfortunately for him, it has barely any effect on the gargantuan Sumo champion, who responds with a series of headbutts before violently throwing Tatanka over the top rope and to the ringside floor. Then, Carlos Colon- responsible for one Damian Demento’s elimination- tries his luck after Yokozuna but despite his admirable persistency, he gets dumped to the outside floor as well.
Suddenly, a light bulb goes over inside Earthquake’s head and he challenges Yokozuna to a face-off. After all, he thought, he could eliminate another big man- he had already eliminated his partner Typhoon along with Irwin R. Schyster- he wanted to make it three for three. Earthquake then launches himself toward Yokozuna with a combination of fists, headbutts and clubs to the back. While Yokozuna does not fall to the ground, he retreats in the nearest corner. This allows Earthquake to deliver three avalanche splashes before signalling to the crowd of the incoming elimination. As Earthquake attempts to lift the big man over the top rope, Mr. Fuji –through the ropes- hits Earthquake between the eyes with the tip of the Japanese flag. This allows Yokozuna to recover and hit a picture-perfect thrust kick to send Earthquake flying outside the ring and to the ringside floor…eliminated. Once Earthquake falls to the ringside floor, it causes every remaining participant to stop their fighting and turn their gaze over to the mighty Yokozuna. The #28 entry reveals itself to be the younger brother of the WWF Champion- Owen Hart- and he proceeds to dash inside the ring and joins the other four men as they contemplate the perfect plan to eliminate the big man. A tired Backlund is slumping against the turnbuckles as he notices Saggs charging toward Yokozuna and is caught with a brutal clothesline. Tito Santana tries the same but to no avail. Rick Martel also gets hit with a back elbow smash. Meanwhile, Owen Hart delivers a dropkick that dazes the big man. He delivers a second one that staggers Yokozuna near the ropes. Finally, a third one pushes Yokozuna against the ropes. This triggers an alliance by Backlund, Tito Santana, Jerry Saggs, Owen Hart and Rick Martel in an attempt to eliminate the big man.
The #29 participant Repo Man calmly struts to the ring and joins the others to try and get rid of Yokozuna. However, Yokozuna repels the others with fists and headbutts and dismantles the rest of the competition. The fans are starting to lose hope as the reality begins to sink inside their head: Yokozuna IS going to win the 1993 Royal Rumble and there is no longer any doubt about it. Mr. Perfect might have had a chance but after eliminated Ric Flair, Skinner and Jerry Lawler, it took Koko B. Ware, Ted Dibiase, Jerry Lawler and an interfering Razor Ramon to cost him the chance to headline WrestleMania 9. Similarly, Undertaker was the odds-on favourite after eliminating Tenryu, Samu, Ted Dibiase and the Berzerker but the Giant Gonzales appeared and illegally took him out of the match. As Yokozuna taunts the fans, the countdown for the final participant is underway. As the countdown reaches zero, it is revealed to be… “The Macho Man” Randy Savage to a deafening ovation. The hope that was nearly shattered beforehand has now been revitalized: they believe that if anybody can take down the gigantic menace, it has to be Randy Savage, who has dispatched other large opponents in his career such as the One Man Gang, the Big Bossman and Earthquake. Immediately, Yokozuna tries to attack Yokozuna but the former two-time WWF Champion ducks underneath and begins to deliver stinging jabs at the former Sumo champion. Savage then delivers elbow smashes, which stuns the big man. Savage heads to the top turnbuckle but gets caught with a big thrust kick.
As Yokozuna prepares himself to eliminate Savage, Earthquake has fully recovered from the sneak attack from before and and bodyslams Mr. Fuji on the outside of the ring. This distracts Yokozuna and causes him to lose focus on the actual match. As he turns around, he does not notice Owen Hart delivering a top-rope dropkick to the back of his head, pushing him straight into the flying forearm from Santana, staggering him. As Saggs, Backlund and Martel delivers a series of kicks to Yokozuna’s midsection, Savage then climbs back to the top rope and delivers a top-rope axhandle to Yokozuna’s upper back, causing Yokozuna to lose balance and slump stomach-first unto the top rope but not falling to the ground. This enables Savage, Repo Man, Owen Hart, Rick Martel, Tito Santana, Jerry Saggs and Bob Backlund the perfect opportunity as they successfully lift up Yokozuna and- to the shock of the audience- barely throw him out of the ring to the biggest ovation of the year. Earthquake screaming “I told you that I would eliminate you!” to a fallen Yokozuna before heading to the backstage area whereas Mr. Fuji-grabbing his back in pain- is livid.
Meanwhile, the Repo Man celebrates near the ropes, allowing Savage to deliver a jumping knee attack and eliminate the Repo Man from the match up. Tito Santana then goes back to fighting Saggs as Owen Hart fights with Rick Martel in the corner. Savage is in the middle of the ring while Backlund gets back to a vertical base. Meanwhile, Yokozuna is up and fuming outside and destroys television monitors at ringside, part of the guardrail and throws the ring steps in rage. Several road agents and officials arrive but all get battered by the mighty one. Finally, newly appointed road agent Sergeant Slaughter arrives and gets into a brawl with Yokozuna, resulting in Yokozuna delivering a devastating belly-to-belly suplex and a brutal legdrop before angrily walking to the backstage area. Saggs lifts up Santana and holds him in a full-nelson position as Owen Hart is looking to hit his spinning heel kick, which he does. However, since Tito ducked at the last second, it is Saggs who takes the full brunt of the manoeuvre, resulting in Saggs being launched over the top rope and to the ringside floor. Owen Hart goes over and yells: “I’m sorry” to Saggs from the apron but it leads to him turning around and being blasted with a clothesline from Santana that throws him over the top rope as well.
The final four are Bob Backlund, Tito Santana, Rick Martel and Randy Savage. As they inadvertently bumped into each other Martel and Santana starts shoving one another before Martel delivers two hard-hitting slaps to his former partner. This leads Martel to cower away but this time, he is caught with a haymaker from Savage. Meanwhile, Tito and Backlund are fighting near the ropes. Backlund goes for another clothesline, but the former two-time WWF Champion backdrops Santana out of the ring. However, Santana only has one foot touching the outside floor- the other foot is touching the ring apron. Martel gets the upper hand on Savage with an eye rake, an eye poke and a stalling backbreaker. He goes to do jumping jacks but from behind Backlund delivers his signature atomic drop on Rick Martel, launching him into Savage, who grabs him by the hair and launches Rick Martel out of the ring and over the top rope. The fans are now ecstatic as it is guaranteed that a fan favourite will go on to face the reigning WWF Champion Bret “The Hitman” Hart for the WWF Title.
Unbeknown to both Savage and Backlund, Santana is struggling not to fall to the ringside floor as the Model walks over toward Santana and begins taunting him, saying remarks such as “You can’t do it, Tito! You’re nowhere as good as me…just give up this charade!” In fact, he even grabs Tito’s left foot on the apron of the ring, trying to yank him out. However, this provides Tito with a boost as he swings his legs upwards and kicks Martel down to the floor while springing back inside the ring. Meanwhile, Savage and Backlund are both fighting against the ropes, looking to eliminate the other when Santana unexpectedly comes over, lifting both men by their vulnerable legs and –doing the impossible- throwing them over the top rope , with both feet touching the ringside floor. The crowd delivers a big, respectful ovation with several boos mixed in as Howard Finkel takes the microphone for the big announcement.
“Here is the winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble…”El Matador” Tito Santana!”
At ringside, Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan- as are the fans- are shocked by the result, expecting both former WWF Champions to get the job done. In fact, many fans were cheering Backlund on to be the first man to completely go the distance and similarly, many were cheering Savage to be the first man to win from the #30 spot. Instead, it was won by another man drawing the now lucky number #25- the same number drawn by Hulk Hogan back at the 1990 Royal Rumble. Savage and Backlund both help each other to their feet and are dumbfounded as they thought Santana to be history. Martel is throwing a temper tantrum at ringside. The last shot of the PPV is Bret Hart- observing backstage- clapping respectfully for Tito Santana’s monumental victory.
Last Raw of January ‘93
The very next Raw begins with Tito Santana delivering his Rumble win interview, thanking the fans and proclaiming himself as the first ever Mexican-born wrestler to headline a Wrestlemania. He then mentions how he is proud to be an honorary Matador and thanks everybody involved for that honour but that is something that is part of his past. He would like now to go back to just being called Tito Santana. Then, he mentions that over the years, he has accomplished a lot of things in the WWF: he has been a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion with Ivan Putski in 1979 and with Rick Martel eight years later- and he has been a two-time Intercontinental Champion. Hell, he was even the 1989 King of the Ring. However, the one title that he has never held is the WWF title- he has always been the second banana but not the top man. After securing that Rumble win, he promises to the fans that all of this is going to change. He closes the interview with his signature “Arriba!” as Tito Santana’s first theme plays over the speakers.
The taping sees an angry Yokozuna- scheduled to face Virgil in a one-on-one match- demand a handicap match instead with Max Moon being the other competitor. The handicap match is a one-handed squash bar the little offence from Virgil and Moon, leading to a belly-to-belly to Virgil and the Banzai drop on Moon for the three-count. Just for the hell of it, Yokozuna delivers a big legdrop to Virgil and delivers one more Banzai drop: however, this time, he is dropped on Virgil. After the match, “OOOHH!” is heard over the speakers and Jim Duggan hustles his way to the ring, clearing the big man from the squared circle as he brandishes his famous 2X4. Then, he goes toward his injured friends. EMTs rush the ring and take both Virgil and Max Moon out in stretchers.
Bob Backlund is delivering an interview backstage where he claims that he was real close to winning the rumble but congratulates Santana for his victory. However, he believes that there is no one as resilient as him and he asks that whomever wins at Wrestlemania 9 to give him a title shot for the title he once held back in 1982. Meanwhile, -from the commentary booth- Randy Savage agrees with Backlund that he is deserving of a title shot but he mentions that if anybody should get a title shot first, it should be him. Savage then mentions that he likes both Bret and Santana but whichever he faces after WrestleMania, he will defeat and win his third WWF Title. Then, he promises to defend Backlund the first shot. As the two competitors come to an amicable truce, the Repo Man smashes Baclund upside the head with that cowbell of his and steals Backlund’s jacket, proclaiming that Backlund has stolen the true spirit of America and that since he cannot get the job done, he is simply taking it back before hysterically walking away from the scene.
Up next, Bam Bam Bigelow is taking on Brian Knobbs in a close encounter, with Bam Bam Bigelow taking the win with snap powerslam and his top-rope headbutt.
Rick Martel is then interviewed and expressed his utter disgust with Santana winning, telling the crowd that he cheated to win the Rumble and that the crowd did not see his left foot briefly touch the floor. He reminds everybody that he lasted 51 minutes in the 1991 Royal Rumble- unheard of back then- and was in amongst the final five participants of that year. Last year, he was amongst the final six competitors with Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Sid Justice, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan comprising the rest. He mentioned that all of them were granted WWF title opportunities or in Piper’s case, Intercontinental title opportunities but he hadn’t. Then, he mentioned that he went one step further this year and went to the final four, had the upper hand before Backlund, Tito and Savage conspired together to get him out. He says that the WWF fears the Model and demands a singles title shot. Mean Gene questions him but mentions that the referee’s decision is final and that he will not obtain a WWF heavyweight title shot until after WrestleMania 9. Martel angrily acknowledges that fact but since he is impatient, he declares himself to be the rightful #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title and demands an Intercontinental Title shot at Wrestlemania 9.
Up next, “The Narcissist” Lex Luger makes his debut and quickly defeats Barry Horowitz with his dreaded forearm. He then comments to the camera that he intends too have the longest undefeated streak in WWF history.
Brutus Beefcake faces Bo Beverly next and wins via submission with the sleeper. He then gives him a personalized Mohawk haircut to celebrate his return.
The main event is Mr. Perfect facing Ric Flair in a loser-leaves-town match and just like in real life, Mr. Perfect wins with the Perfect-plex. As Ric Flair is pleading not to leave, he is greeted by Perfect and the fans chanting “Na na na na!” while the security officials drags him out of the arena. Meanwhile, Razor Ramon slides inside the ring and blindsides him with a clothesline and a Razor’s Edge to finish the show.
First Raw of February ‘93
Earthquake and Typhoon starts off the show and defeat the Beverly Brothers relqatively quickly with the combination of the Typhoon splash and the Earthquake drop. After the match, Mean Gene interviews the Natural Disasters and asks them what’s in store for them for WrestleMania 9. Typhoon starts to speak and says that he wants him and Earthquake to issue a challenge to Money Inc. to face them for a second time in Wrestliemania history. Earthquake though has other plans. He issues a challenge to Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9. He mentions that he is undefeated at WrestleMania and that he intends to stay that way. However, he’d like to cash in their contractual tag title rematch next week on Raw. Typhoon appears dumbfounded but still agrees to this as both giants leave the ring.
Tatanka then defeats Mike Bell in the second match of the night. He then signals that his undefeated streak will never end due to the power of the people and his Papoose To Go Drop.
Mr. Perfect heads to the ring and faces Koko B. Ware in a one-on-one match lasting over eight minutes. Skinner tries to his Ghost Buster but Mr. Perfect hangs on the top rope, leaving Ware confused. However, Mr. Perfect counters it with a Perfect-plex for the three count and the victory. He then motions that there is one man down and three to go.
Owen Hart appears next in a backstage interview, declaring that he is appalled by Koko B. Ware’s action at the Royal Rumble and that the High Energy team is no more. From now on, he will be known as “The Rocket” Owen Hart and will be making a name for himself in the WWF. However, Jerry “The King” Lawler interrupts the promo and mentions that he is and always will be the weak link of the Hart Family, that he leeches off Bret Hart and that he has never accomplished something noteworthy in the WWF. As he taunts him some more, the confrontation degenerates into an all-out brawl.
The newcomer Doink The Evil Clown debuts next and forces a young P.J. Walker into submission with the Leg Pull submission. He announces that he is simply out to amuse himself and bring laughter back to the WWF before striking Walker with a huge, cartoonish boxing glove to the head.
Shawn Michaels is up for an interview by cockily bragging about his successful title defence at the 1993 Royal Rumble, that Jannetty is done and that he has become nothing more than a bad memory. He issues an open challenge for his Intercontinental Title.
In the main event, Bret “The Hitman” Hart faces Papa Shango in a WWF Title match. It takes nine minutes before Bret Hart can hit his usual offence –including the bulldog, the Russian leg sweep, the second rope elbow and the pendulum backbreaker- before forcing him to submit to his patented Sharpshooter. Tito Santana comes out and stares at Bret Hart from the stage, clapping sincerely due to his tough win over Shango.
Second Raw of February ‘93
The night begins with Bob Backlund winning over Damian Demento following an atomic drop and an Oklahoma roll-up. He then expresses his disgust at the Repo Man and claim that he is not just the spirit of America but he claims that age or shape does not matter as long as the willpower and dedication is still there. Those things can never be repo-ed and he mentions that Repo Man will soon learn the meaning of the word “respect”. Now, as far as the situation between Savage and himself is concerned, he wants to shake the hand of Savage right now and prove that there is no hard feeling between the both of them and that if one of them wins the title, they must give the other the very first shot at it. Savage gets off the headsets and proceeds to shake his hand. Out of nowhere, the Repo Man comes out of the audience and steals the Macho Man’s hat. Backlund wastes no time in running after him. Meanwhile, Rick Martel appears and ambushes Randy Savage inside the ring. Backlund then turns back inside the ring and saves Randy Savage as Martel grabs the microphone. He informs them that –as the rightful #1 contender to the Intercontinental title- he is not satisfied with just the Intercontinental Title but aspires to be the #1 contender to the WWF title. However, Savage and Backlund are standing in his way. So, he went over to WWF President Jack Tunney and organized a match that will settle it all: Randy Savage vs Bob Backlund. The winner of that match will be not only e declared the #1 contender to the WWF Title but will have to face the #1 contender to the IC Title Rick Martel at WrestleMania 9. Whomever wins is the #1 contender for the WWF Title following WrestleMania 9 and the loser will have to satisfy himself with being the #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title. Both Savage and Backlund agree to the stipulations and the match itself, which will take place next week on Raw. Both men go face-to-face as we go to a commercial break
Up next, Owen Hart takes on the Berzerker. A top-rope drop kick and a spinning heel kick later, Owen Hart amasses the win and heads to the back before he is hit with Lawler and his crown. As Owen is writhing in pain on the floor, Lawler walks to the ring for the next match.
Lawler is ready to face Mr. Perfect in a match that is deemed as a great technical match that is an early Match of the Year candidates. Jerry Lawler goes to hit the piledriver but Perfect hits a backbody drop. Lawler then shoves the referee toward Perfect and looks to use his crown to blast Perfect with it. However, Owen Hart- recovered from the sneak attack- yanks on the crown and wears it to mock Lawler. He slowly walks away from the aisle as Lawler turns around into the Perfect-plex for the three-count. Perfect celebrates by raising two fingers, as if saying two more men are on his hit list: “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and I.R.S.
Kamala is up next and defeats Kim Chee with his splash. Bam Bam Bigelow then appears and mentions that he has taken out the Big Bossman right out of the WWF and that he intends to rid it of Kamala next. Slick answers back that Bam Bam Bigelow is nothing more than a low-life thug and that he doesn’t deal with that kind anymore. Bigelow also introduces the fans to his new squeeze, Luna Vachon.
Crush then beats Terrific Terry Taylor with the Cranium Crunch. He claims that he is excited for WrestleMania 9 and that he will face any jokester who thinks that they can beat the Kona Krusher.
Up next, Shawn Michaels faces P.J. Walker in a non-title match. As expected, Shawn Michaels squashes him, delivering his trademark piledriver, teardrop suplex, flying elbow drop and superkick, each time going for the pin but yanking on Walker’s shoulder up to further punish him. Once he hit Walker with the superkick, Jannetty’s theme hits and the fans go ballistic. Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels is daring Jannetty to come inside the ring. However, Jannetty never comes out. That allows Walker to roll-up a shocked Michaels for the shocking three-count. Walker runs away soon afterwards while Michaels is livid inside the ring. Finally, Jannetty comes out with Sensational Sherri in tow. He declares that he accepts Michaels’ challenge for WrestleMania 9.
Finally, the main event is for the WWF Tag Team titles as Money Inc. defends against the Natural Disasters. Everything is going their way until Typhoon is thrown out of the ring. Suddenly, Mr. Fuji tries to hit Typhoon with the flag but it is intercepted by Earthquake who grabs the flag and breaks it in two. Meanwhile, he does not notice that Yokozuna is right behind Typhoon, who knocks him straight into the ring apron and legdrops him on the ringside floor. He then throws Typhoon back into the ring as Earthquake chases Mr. Fuji out. Meanwhile, Dibiase covers the unconscious Typhoon for the win. He then grabs the microphone and mentions that Irwin and he are bored with the current competition in the tag title division and that are looking to create their own competition for WrestleMania 9. Starting next week, the people will see the big picture, they mention, as the show fades to black.
Third Raw of February ‘93
The show starts with an Intercontinental Title defence with Shawn Michaels learning from his lack of focus last week and obliterating P.J. Walker to retain his title and ensure that the battle between the two Rockers will indeed be for the Intercontinental Title.
Then, Brutus Beefcake faces Ted Dibiase in a match, that ends up identically as the one in real life did: Dibiase getting disqualified by hitting Beefcake in the face with the briefcase and shoving a sympathetic Jimmy Hart out of the way.
Next up, the Headshrinkers defeat the Bushwhackers in a six-minute competitive bout.
The Undertaker beats Skinner via pinfall in four minutes with the chokeslam and the Tombstone. After the match, Giant Gonsales attacks once more and finishes off the Undertaker with his Claw-assisted chokeslam.
Because of that attack, Jack Tunney books a second match for WrestleMania: Undertaker vs Giant Gonsales in a No-DQ match.
Kamala and Bigelow are seen brawling in the back –with Luna Vachon manhandling the Slickster- when the Headshrinkers decide to help Bigelow. Meanwhile, the Steiners come over to Kamala’s rescue. while Tatanka defeats Berzerker in a one-on-one encounter. Soon after, Lex Luger offers the challenge for WrestleMania 9, mentioning that one undefeated streak would come to an end. Tatanka accepts.
In the ring, Crush beats Koko. B. Ware and subsequently delivers a promo about being more than ready, willing and able to beat anybody across the ring from him at WrestleMania when Doink the Clown shows up in a cast as he claims to have injured his arm with that haymaker with the giant boxing glove. He asks for sympathy out of Crush and that he knows that he will make history at WrestleMania 9. Crush- distrustful of the clown- asks him to catch the microphone, leading to Doink being proven as a scammer. Crush then claims that since he’s a jokester that likes to make fun of people and is healthy enough for a match, he’ll have to face him at WrestleMania 9. This is when Doink takes him out with the iron cast.
In the promised main event, Randy Savage takes on Bob Backlund, with the winner meeting Rick Martel at WrestleMania 9. This is a back-and-forth technical encounter lasting twelve minutes. Both men are fighting cleanly. Backlund goes for the crossface chicken-wing but Savage puts his foot on the middle rope. He elbows out of it, hits the body slam and goes for the flying elbow smash but Backlund moves out of the way at the last instant. Backlund then attempts his Oklahoma roll-up but Savage counters it into a roll-up of his own for the victory. It is now official: Randy Savage will face Rick Martel at WrestleMania 9. Rick Martel slides inside the ring and attacks Savage. Out of nowhere, Tito Santana chases off Rick Martel and checks on Savage as the screen fades to black.
Last Raw of February ‘93
Rick Martel defeats Jerry Saggs via submission with the Quebec Crab.
Yokozuna faces “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in a six-minute match. Yokozuna dominates the match with a clothesline, a thrust kick, a legdrop and a bearhug. However, Duggan fights out of it with fists and clotheslines. He then delivers a three-point stance clothesline which staggers Yokozuna. He then delivers two more and that pushes Yokozuna in the opposite corner. He then goes to take the 2X4 but Fuji yanks on the 2X4, provoking a tug of war. Sensing an opportunity, the recovering Yokozuna returns with a running avalanche, a belly-to-belly suplex and a Banzai drop for the three-count. For good measure, he then drops another one on Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He looks to hit a third one when the retired Sergeant Slaughter rushes down the aisle and inside the ring as Yokozuna makes his exit. Jim Duggan is taking out in a stretcher as the fans look concerned about Duggan’s health.
In the next contest, the Steiners defeat the team of Mike Bell and Mike Sharpe in three minutes with the Frankensteiner and the Steiners Bulldog.
Doink the Evil Clown is up next and dismantles Jim Powers, finishing him off with the Whoopee Cushion in two minutes.
Razor Ramon squashes Koko B. Ware with the top-rope belly-to-back suplex and the Razor’s Edge. He vows to get revenge on Mr. Perfect for ridding the WWF off his mentor and employer Ric Flair at WrestleMania 9.
Backstage, Typhoon and Earthquake are having an argument about their tag team title loss and Yokozuna interfering in their business. Earthquake then lays down the law and issues once again a challenge to Yokozuna for WrestleMania 9. However, Typhoon wants it to be a tag team match with the Natural Disasters versus Yokozuna and Fuji at WrestleMania 9. Earthquake seems confused but relunctantly agrees to keep the team going.
Ted DiBiase defeats Barry Horowitz with the Million Dollar Dream. He then offers to wrestle once more tonight but this time, he wants it to be top competition. Out of nowhere, Mr. Perfect accepts the challenge.
Mr. Perfect and Ted Dibiase wrestle a counter-for-counter match. Perfect goes for the fisherman suplex but IRS grabs on Dibiase’s foot to prevent that from happening. Dibiase tries to pin Perfect while his feet are on the ropes but to no avail. Dibiase then counters in his own small package and gets the win. This means he has obtained his revenge on everybody but the man he will face at WrestleMania 9, Razor Ramon. Dibiase and IRS are looking to sneak attack Perfect but the latter simply runs out and exits through the crowd to ensure his safety. Besides, Jimmy Hart was blocking the way and preventing them from attacking Mr. Perfect. Dibiase delivers another promo to question Jimmy Hart’s loyalty and dedication to the team. IRS wonders if Jimmy really paid his taxes or if he paid off somebody to hide his tax-evading ways. Jimmy simply answers that he’s sick of the sneak-attacks, and the sadistic, inhumane intentions of the team. He was managing them for one reason: to win every match and for them to become the greatest team he ever managed, not to become a bunch of low-life barbarians. He then walks out of the team, with Dibiase insulting him as he heads to the back.
In the main event, Tito Santana takes on Papa Shango. After a nifty little match, Tito Santana finishes with the El Paso de la Muerte leaping forearm. This time, it is the Hitman who comes out of the locker room- with the WWF title wrapped around his waist- clapping his hands in approval of Santana’s victory. Then, on the big screen, Rick Martel labels Santana a coward and challenges him for a match next week on Raw to finally settle the score after four years of boiling hatred. Santana accepts as Raw comes to a close.
First Raw of March ‘93
Raw opens with Marty Jannetty defeating Damian Demento with the Rocker-Dropper in a competitive encounter.
Then, Giant Gonzales destroys P.J. Walker with the Claw-assisted chokeslam in under one minute. Another match is added to WrestleMania 9: Owen Hart vs Jerry Lawler.
In the third match of the evening, Yokozuna will face off against Sergeant Slaughter. Slaughter delivers a couple of ax-handles and clotheslines to Yokozuna but the big man refuses to go down. Instead, Yokozuna gets his first offensive strike of the night with a thrust kick. He then goes for a nerve hold but Slaughter eventually finds his way toward the ropes. Yokozuna tries an Avalanche splash but Slaughter ducks underneath, delivers two-middle rope flying clotheslines and locks in the Cobra Clutch. Yokozuna drops to one knee to a huge pop but then, Yokozuna musters every bit of energy within him and squashes Slaughter multiple times in order to successfully break the hold. Then, Yokozuna hits a falling DDT and hits the Banzai Drop for the three-count in around seven minutes. He then runs up the ropes and delivers three legdrops in succession before The Natural Disasters arrive and clear the ring. Typhoon yanks the microphone away from the ring announcer and challenge Yokozuna for a match against him two weeks from now. Mr. Fuji accepts on behalf of Yokozuna.
In the very next match, Rick Martel awaits the arrival of the 1993 Royal Rumble winner. As Tito’s theme plays, nobody comes out. Martel seems puzzled and ticked off that he gets denied his chance at revenge. The theme starts once more but once again, Tito does not come out. Repo Man is standing over Tito’s prone body with his cow bell, laughing at Tito Santana’s current predicament. However, Bob Backlund rushes in and assaults Repo Man while Yokozuna sneaks into the picture, preparing to drop the big leg on Santana when Bret Hart and Earthquake hammer Yokozuna endlessly, forcing the mighty one to escape down the hallway. As Bret Hart and Earthquake check on Santana, the referee declare Rick Martel the winner via forfeit. Rick Martel then proceeds to celebrate like he had won the WWF title, labels Tito a coward and takes pride in Tito’s current state. Sickened to his stomach, Randy Savage can take no more of Martel’s bragging so he removes his headset and batters Rick Martel with fists and chokes before Martel runs away from the scene without looking back.
The WWF Tag team titles are on the line next as Money Inc. defend against the Nasty Boys. The Nastys are on the verge of winning with their Pit Stop finisher when IRS –behind the referee’s back delivers a briefcase shot to Saggs back, leaving a puzzled Knobbs prey for a Dibiase Guillotine Drop, three fist drops and a three count. He then challenges any team to accept their challenge at WrestleMania 9 when suddenly, Brutus Beefcake appears on the stage with a protective mask. As they are scoffing at the potential of facing an injured Brutus, they ask him if he’s crazy or deluding himself. They even plead to him to stay out of commission and not force them to take it one step further. Brutus replies that they will have to do that because while they did incapacitate him, they did not put him out. He then announces that he has found a new manager in Jimmy Hart and a partner to not only take care of Money Inc. It is Hulk Hogan to the fans’ eye-splitting joy and to the dismay of Money Inc.
In the main event, Bret “Hitman” Hart successfully fends off Fatu of the Headshrinkers and defeat him with the Sharpshooter.
Second Raw of March ‘93
The show starts with a hot six men tag: Shawn Michaels and the Beverly Brothers against Marty Jannetty and the Steiners. The finish sees the Steiners the Headshrinkers fighting on the outside and Shawn Michaels goes the superkick but Jannetty ducks underneath and attempts one of his own. However, Michaels also sees it coming and counters into a Teardrop suplex. However, in mid-air, Jannetty catches Michaels with the Rocker Dropper. He then goes for the cover: 1…2…..3! The fans go ballistic as Jannetty has pinned the Intercontinental Champion in this six-men tag match, giving him extra momentum for his Wrestlemania match.
Next up, Lex Luger defeats Koko B. Ware under 30 seconds with the running forearm, the powerslam and the Torture Rack. He announces that at Wrestlemania IX, it will be Lex Luger, Bam Bigelow and the Headshrinkers vs Tatanka, Kamala and the Steiners.
Doink then defeats the Kid in a fast-paced match under four minutes with the Whoopee Cushion.
Tatanka faces Terry Taylor and beats him via Papoose To Go Drop and pin.
An in-ring with Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake and Jimmy Hart is soon underway and Jimmy Hart re-explains why he joined them. Hulk Hogan mentions that he came back not just for Brutus or for revenge but because he missed the WWF. He promises that at WrestleMania 9, the Hulkamaniacs will become the next WWF tag team champions.
The Beverly Brothers step out from the back and challenge them on the spot for a tag match. In three minutes, Hogan and Brutus win following the big boot, a legdrop and the sleeper.
Razor Ramon beats Jerry Saggs via Razor’s Edge.
Earthquake then dismantles the Berzerker in short order via the stalling powerslam and the Earthquake drop. After the match, Typhoon adds his splash for good measure. Afterwards, Gorilla Monsoon announces that Bob Backlund vs the Repo Man and Doink vs Crush has been announced for WrestleMania 9.
Then, Tito Santana –showing signs of back problems- faces and defeats Samu of the Headshrinkers via the flying forearm and the Paso de la Muerte forearm. Soon after, Bret Hart hits the ring and we have a face-to-face interview and signing of the contract. Afterwards, Bret Hart mentions that both men have a lot of history and are great athletes and that he cannot wait for WrestleMania 9 for this classic encounter and that he will shake Tito’s hand after he has won the match and retained his belt.
Suddenly, Tito- still fuelled by adrenaline- snaps at Hart and asks him who is he to cast away the outcome before the match has even taken place? He claims that he has everything on the line, he will lay everything on the line and he will leave WrestleMania 9 as the WWF Champion as he has been wrestling before Bret Hart had even entered the world of professional wrestling. However, Bret Hart replies simply that he’ll win because he was born into wrestling. He also reminds Tito that this will not be the first time that they met at a WrestleMania. They did six years ago in a six-men tag match. Bret as the leader of his team and Tito as the leader of his. Bret Hart’s crew won that match and he predicts that lightning will strike twice. Tito Santana replies that it was his no-good partner and himself that ended the long tag title reign of Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart. Bret Hart mentions that he has been a two-time tag champion. Santana snaps back and mentions that he too was a two-time tag champion. Bret Hart mentions that he is a former Intercontinental Champion. Tito Santana replies with “So was I.” Then, Bret simply mentions that it was a long time though. Bret Hart responds that he has won the King of The Ring tournament. Santana responds with “Me too.” Bret Hart mentions that he has done everything in the WWF and he is the second Triple Crown Champion in WWF history, with the first being Pedro Morales.
Tito Santana promises that he will be the third-ever Triple Crown Champion at WrestleMania 9 and that there will be no more holding back. But then, Bret Hart mentions one little piece of history: he mentions that these is a good old tradition at WrestleMania. He mentions that the WWF title has changed six times out of seven and even better, apart from the very first Wrestlemania, Tito Santana always walk away with a loss at WrestleMania. A new fire ignites in Santana’s eyes as he is furious of Bret Hart reminding the masses of Tito’s past failings. Bret Hart says that he is damn proud to finally fight someone who will not cheat, who is not a low-life thug and who is a world-class competitor and human being for the WWF title. He just hopes that Tito can live with himself after losing at WrestleMania…again.
This is when that Santana replies with a big slap to Bret Hart’s face and the two men are separated by a horde of officials as the show ends abruptly.
Third Raw of March ‘93
This is the last Raw before WrestleMania 9 and it is a 2 hour Raw. Thus, it will be headlined by a big ten-men tag match: Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake, Bob Backlund, Owen Hart and Randy Savage against the team of Ted Dibiase, IRS, Papa Shango, Jerry Lawler and Rick Martel.
Also, Tatanka will face Fatu. Mr. Perfect will face Terry Taylor. Crush will face Blake Beverly. Lex Luger will face Kamala. Undertaker will face Kim Chee and Yokozuna will face Typhoon. Shawn Michaels will defend his Intercontinental Title against Skinner. Also, Bret Hart will defend his WWF Title against Repo Man with Tito Santana at the color commentary booth.
In the very first match, Shawn Michaels successfully retains the Intercontinental Title against the man known as Skinner after dodging the Alligator Drop and hitting Sweet Chin Music. Following the match, Michaels and Jannetty brawl all the way to the back.
In the next match, the Undertaker crushes Kim Chee under two minutes with two consecutive Tombstones and the three-count. Soon after, the Giant steps inside the ring and is clotheslined right out by the Undertaker. Both men are separated by a truckload of officials.
In the next contest, Typhoon will face Yokozuna. Mr. Fuji has demanded and been granted one stipulation: if Earthquake interferes in any way, their match at WrestleMania 9 will be cancelled and he will be suspended indefinitely. The match is predictably dominated by Yokozuna but Typhoon manages to strike when Yokozuna misses a running splashes. He follows it up with clotheslines, running flying shoulder blocks and even a double-ax handle from the second rope but it only succeeds in getting the big man on his knees. Typhoon goes for the kill but Yokozuna- playing possum- catches him with a big belly-to-belly suplex for the three count. Following the match, Yokozuna goes to the nearest corner and delivers a Banzai drop across Typhoon’s chest. He then delivers yet another one to Typhoon. As he goes for the third one, Earthquake storms out of the back but he is restrained by the security officers, enabling Yokozuna to deliver one running splash to Typhoon, adding insult to injury. EMTs run to the ring, providing medical assistance to Typhoon and carrying him out on a big stretcher as Earthquake is livid.
After the commercial break, it is announced that due to Typhoon’s internal injuries, the tag match has been turned into a singles match between Earthquake and Yokozuna. It has been said that the competitors can not co-exist and hate each other so badly that whomever lose the match must leave the WWF for one full year.
In the next contest, Mr. Perfect dominates and defeats Terry Taylor in a seven minutes match via Perfect-plex. Razor Ramon observes the match from ringside and taunts Perfect after the match.
Then, Crush annihilates Blake Beverly in 90 seconds and forces him to quit via the Cranium Crunch. Doink runs at ringside but he is Gorilla Press Slammed right out of the ring. He goes to give him the Cranium Crunch but Doink hastily runs away.
In the sixth match of the night, Lex Luger uses his steel forearm to defeat Kamala, who has dominated most of the match.
The Tatanka-Fatu matches barely last a minute before the rest of Luger’s team interfere, drawing a DQ win for Tatanka. The faces clear the ring as Tatanka’s Theme music hits.
Then, it is time for the first of two main events: the ten-men tag match lasts over fourteen minutes and ends with IRS using the briefcase to smack Brutus behind his head, Jerry Lawler hits his piledriver and Dibiase locks on the Million Dollar Dream for the submission victory. At that time, Hogan was brawling with Papa Shango, Bob Backlund was chasing an interfering Repo Man, Owen Hart yanked Lawler right out of the ring following his piledriver and Randy Savage and Martel brawled around ringside.
Finally, Bret Hart faced Repo Man in a good but not great eight-minute bout that sees Bret Hart winning via a superplex and Sharpshooter combination. Repo Man tried to gets himself counted out at one point but Backlund stalked him and threatened him to get back inside the ring. Tito Santana suddenly removes his headset, entered the ring and extended his hand toward his WrestleMania 9 opponent. The latter looks at the fans and finally shakes Tito Santana’s hands. The two stare a hole into the other as the show fades to black.
WrestleMania 9
Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
The card (in order of matches):
Dark match: Bushwhackers vs Damian Demento & Papa Shango
Tatanka, Kamala, Slick and the Steiners vs Lex Luger, Bam Bam Bigelow, Luna Vachon and the Headshrinkers
For the Intercontinental Title: Shawn Michaels © vs Marty Jannetty (w/Sherri)
Doink vs Crush
Bob Backlund vs Repo Man
Loser leaves WWF for one year: Earthquake vs Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji)
For the WWF Tag team titles: Ted DiBiase & IRS © vs Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake
Razor Ramon vs Mr. Perfect
Undertaker vs Giant Gonzales in a No-DQ match
For #1 contendership to the WWE title: Macho Man Randy Savage vs Rick Martel
“The Rocket” Owen Hart vs Jerry “The King” Lawler
Main event: For the WWF Title: Bret “Hitman” Hart © vs RR ’93 winner Tito Santana
The dark match was a comedy match where Bushwhackers lost via combination of Demento & Shango (over-the-shoulder-breaker into hangman’s neckbreaker) on Luke for the pin. **
The first match of the night was electric for all thirteen minutes as it hit on all four cylinders. Tatanka displayed incredible athleticism along with the Steiners with flying bodypresses, top-rope tomahawk chops, deep armdrags and overhead belly-to-belly suplexes. As the Steiners were looking to finish off Samu, Luna Vachon tripped Rick Steiner, injuring his knee. This caused the heel team to display their own brand of athleticism with a Luna senton splash from the top, a second-rope Headbutt from Fatu, and Bam Bam Bigelow with an Enzaguri, a a gourdbuster and a missed moonsault. Eventually, Tatanka was the recipient of a hot tag while Bigelow tagged Fatu and helped clean house. Samu received a Frankensteiner from Scott Steiner but soon after Fatu delivers his top-rope splash on Scott Steiner. Rick Steiner follows it up with a middle-rope bulldog but he is caught with a running forearm from Lex, knocking him out. Tatanka looks to hit the Papoose to Go on Fatu but Luna kicks away at Tatanka’s knee, forcing him to break the hold. Bam Bam then holds up Tatanka, telling Lex to hit him with the running forearm. Unfortunately for him, Tatanka ducks and Bigelow receives all of it, knocking him out. Kamala butts in with his splash before being knocked out with a steel forearm right out of the ring. Luger then tries to do same to Tatanka but is caught with the Papoose to Go slam. Tatanka is about to celebrate but Luna- who tagged Luger via slapping his butt- is standing on the top rope behind him. As he turns around, he sees her going for a bodypress but he catches in mid-air in a bodyslam position, lifts her up on his shoulders and delivers the Papoose to Go. Then, he tags in Slick who delivers a running elbow drop and pins Luna Vachon for the victory. *** 1/2
The next contest would go on to be a runner-up for Match of the Year over in PWI as the Intercontinental Title laid on the line. It was claimed to be the best Intercontinental Title match at a WrestleMania since the Savage-Steamboat encounter. This twenty-one minute match had it all: blood, technical wrestling, counter-for-counter wrestling. Shawn Michaels even delivered a piledriver outside of the ring only for Marty to kick out of that. Shawn Michaels nonchalantly delivers the Teardrop suplex and pins Marty but only gets 2.99. Frustrated, Michaels tries another teardrop suplex but at the last minute, Marty Jannetty turns it into a sunset flip, pulling Michaels’ tights down in the process. Once again, it only obtained a 2.99. Discouraged, Michaels tries for a back body drop but Michaels kicks away at Jannetty and tries the Sweet Chin Music but Jannetty ducks underneath and hits the Rocker Dropper. He hooks the legs but again, Michaels kicks out at 2.999. He then powerslams his former partner and delivers a top-rope flying fist drop for the three count. However, Shawn’s leg was on the bottom rope so the match must continue. Thrown off guard, Marty goes one more time to the rope for another fist drop. Unbeknown to him, Michaels had recovered by that point and as Marty leaps off the top, Michaels nails him with the Sweet Chin Music superkick and pins him –hooking both legs- for the three count. “Sexy Boy” would hit and Shawn Michaels would celebrate, revelling in the boos of the crowd when Sherri jumped in the ring and…to the shock of the audience…hugged him. However, two minutes later, as he turned his back on her, she stunned him with a kick to the groin, allowing Jannetty to hit another Rocker Dropper to get the moral victory. Jannetty’s theme now played as a victorious Michaels was out cold on the ring and Jannetty and Sherri hugged each other on the aisle way. ****1/2
The Doink-Crush contest occurred exactly like in real life, with Doink winning due to a second appearing and hitting him several times with the iron cast. **1/2
Bob Backlund against the Repo Man was the shortest match of this particular WrestleMania as both competitors were exchanging arm drags and hiptosses when Repo Man rebounded from an irish-whip to the corner and was caught with the Crossface Chickenwing for the submission under three minutes. *1/2
The next match pitted Earthquake and Yokozuna in a pretty good 9-minute brawl which included Earthquake kicking out of the belly-to-belly suplex, the big legdrop and the running splash and Yokozuna kicking out of the Earthquake Drop early on. Earthquake also was the first man to knock Yokozuna down to the ground with a running bulldog after three consecutive avalanche splashes. He also delivered a running dropkick to Yokozuna and even a running crossbody to Yokozuna for a two-count. Yokozuna hit a thrust kick that forced Earthquake to fall. He pinned him for only two. Then, Yokozuna tried to hit a Banzai drop but Earthquake got up right behind him and delivered a belly-to-back suplex form the middle rope to the surprise of many. It only got two though. He then signalled for another Earthquake Drop when Fuji jumped inside the ring. Before he could do anything, Earthquake caught him and delivered his stalling powerslam to a huge pop to Fuji. However, as he ran up the opposite ropes, he never saw Yokozuna coming and got caught in a Uranagi slam. Yokozuna then delivers one Banzai drop to Earthquake but doesn’t go for the cover just yet. He delivers a second one to pin Earthquake for the three count, end his Wrestlemania undefeated streak and send him packing for one year. Then, he delivers another Banzai drop and a running legdrop to send him off in a stretcher to the hospital. ***
The WWF tag team title match is almost exactly like the one in real life. However, once the original referee is down, IRS hits Brutus with the Write Off running clothesline. Ted Dibiase tries to interfere but Hogan nails him with the briefcase, knocking him out. Then, he delivers the big boot and the legdrop to IRS to IRS before putting Brutus on top of IRS. A new referee arrives and counts to three, awarding the tag titles to the Hulkamaniacs to a deafening pop. Hogan, Jimmy Hart and Brutus celebrate for about five minutes as officials carry the evil Money Inc. to the backstage area. The whole thing lasted about twenty-two minutes. ** 3/4
The next match is a hybrid of technical/brawling match that lasted sixteen minutes with Razor Ramon slightly dominating but with Perfect also dominating some parts. He gets to hit a top-rope flying dropkick, his reverse jumping snapmare and a beautiful snap suplex while Razor hits his fall away slam, his discus punch, his top-rope belly-to-back suplex and his chokeslam. He looks to end with the Razor’s Edge but Mr. Perfect rolls out of it and hits the Perfect-plex out of nowhere at 12:45 for the three count. His music plays as the referee raises his hand but notices that Razor’s foot is on the bottom rope. The fans have noticed that Razor did that AFTER the three count had been administered but the referee did not and thus, the match was restarted to boos. Three minutes later, Mr. Perfect was hit by the Razor’s Edge and gets pinned for the three-count. However, he had his leg wrapped on the bottom rope before the three count but the referee did not see it to the discontent of Perfect and his fans. ****
Undertaker and Gonzales occurred exactly how people expected it too: a giant, brainless brawl. They used urns, chairs, monitors and even Harvey Whippleman as weapons. The match ended in six minutes and a half with three Undertaker top-rope flying clotheslines- the last one where Gonzales fell on a steel chair in the ring- for the three-count. Undertaker is now 3-0 at WrestleMania. * ¼
In the back, a brawl occurs with Perfect and Shawn Michaels with Perfect winning the brawl by throwing Michaels through the catering table.
Now, it was time to determine the rightful contender to the WWF title. Rick Martel arrived with an even greater amount of arrogance than usual. Macho Man Randy Savage arrived, decked in a gold, red and white outfit. Immensely good match where Martel gets to shine with stalling backbreakers, bodypresses, stalling suplexes, a gutwrench suplex and even bridged German suplexes. However, Macho fought back with top-rope ax handles, the throat snap drop, a piledriver and a swinging neckbreaker. He went for the elbow from the top rope early on but Martel counters by kneeling Macho’s back as he fell. He then turned into the Quebec crab and Savage endured it for ninety seconds before reaching the ropes. Martel also hit a slingshot suplex, a middle-rope dropkick and roll-ups but to no avail. Savage would hit a kneelift and gained the advantage back when Martel lifted Savage up for a superplex. Savage knocked down Martel and hit the flying elbow smash for the pinfall victory in nineteen minutes. **** ¼
Afterwards, the penultimate match took place with the wily veteran Jerry Lawler controlling most of the action. He hit a piledriver seven minutes of the match but taunted the fans before going for the pin, which resulted in a two count. Immediately after, he hit his second-rope fist drop for a two-count as well. Owen hit the top rope flying drop kick, his spinning heel kick and his trademark snap belly-to-belly suplex all for a two count. Owen Hart becomes distraught and tries to attempt the Sharpshooter but he punches Owen with a closed fist in the process. He then tries again for the piledriver but Owen Hart surprisingly counters with a gorgeous Northern Lights Suplex for the pinfall for the pinfall victory at eleven minutes and a half. Afterwards, the sore loser Jerry Lawler hits a vicious piledriver on Owen Hart while Gorilla Monsoon gets up from his seat and indicates to Lawler to leave him alone. Thus, Lawler steps through the ropes- indignant with his WrestleMania loss- but proud of his actions afterwards. ***3/4
The final match pitted Tito Santana- decked in gold, white and black- with a rockier version of his theme music, flaring intensity with every single breath of his. Similarly, the Hitman walked out very intense and focused. Both men would shake hands before the match. The entire match is an excellent technical affair, with Bret Hart focusing on the legs of Tito Santana, hitting knee atomic drops, dropping his girth on Tito’s knees as well as stomping them, hitting a Russian leg sweep, and the pendulum backbreaker on Tito. However, as he goes for the running bulldog, Tito counters and sends Hart face-first against the ring post. Tito also shows his wrestling arsenal during this bout. Whether it is kneedropping Bret’s knees, delivers a floatover suplex, headlock takedowns, reverse atomic drops, leaping dropkicks and bridged German suplexes. Eventually, Santana hits the flying forearm for two only. Shocked, he goes for the figure-four and Bret Hart endures that hold for over two minutes before he turns around and reverses it into the Sharpshooter. Tito Santana endures the excruciating agony that only the Sharpshooter can deliver for about forty-five seconds before slowly crawling to the ropes. Several minutes later, Bret Hart lifts up Tito Santana looking for a suplerplex but the latter counters in mid-air by falling on top of Bret Hart for nearly a three count. After shouting at the referee, the 1993 Royal Rumble winner goes over to Bret and gets caught in a small package that gets 2.99. Eventually, Tito hits a second-rope butterfly suplex and Bret Hart hits a top-rope superplex followed by Tito unexpectedly rolling up Bret in a victory roll for a two count. Then, Bret would hit his patented top-rope rope elbow and drapes his arm over Santana for 2.999.
At the twenty-sixth minute, Rick Martel slowly walks to the ring, mocking Tito Santana’s knee injury and encouraging Bret Hart to finish him off. As he heads toward the ring, Savage runs from the backstage area, yanking on his hair when suddenly, Yokozuna blindsides Savage and delivers a double shot to the throat to knock him down. Bob Backlund soon arrives and is downed with a thrust kick as the Model arrives to ringside.
Both Santana and Bret Hart are struggling to get to their feet as the Model yanks on Santana’s arm from the outside. Both Gorilla and Heenan talks out about Santana’s WrestleMania losing streak and how it is doomed to continue by the looks of it. They proclaim that Tito and Martel’s hatred is so big that they would cost themselves victories against other despised rivals. Meanwhile, Tito is struggling to release himself from Martel’s hold, even trying to yank at the Model’s eyes. A fair warrior, Bret Hart goes over and tries to pry Santana from the hold but to no avail. He then goes to put his head out of the ring to sock the Model with a punch but it is indeed Martel who drills Bret Hart with a right-hook that causes Bret Hart to crumble to the floor. The camera zooms on Martel’s hand to reveal that he is carrying brass knuckles with him. Tito is yelling at Martel to stay out of his business and to leave ringside, which Martel slowly does. As Bret Hart groggily stands up, bent down, Tito Santana raises both arms in the air, runs to the top rope and delivers the fiercest Paso de la Muerte forearm shot that he has ever delivered. He then covers Bret Hart and hooks the leg: 1……2……3! The fans are shocked to their very core as Tito’s theme is playing in victory and the Fink makes the announcement. ****1/2
“The winner of this match…and NEW WWF Champion, Tito Santana!”
A teary-eyed Santana gazes over at the belt and kisses it as Bret Hart is knocked out on the mat. Both Gorilla and Heenan, Tito himself and the fans let two realizations sink inside their heads.
One: Tito Santana’s WrestleMania losing streak is over…and in a big way.
Two: Tito Santana has now become the brand new WWF Champion and is indeed the third-ever WWF Triple Crown Champion.
While some fans are cheering the announcement and out of respect for a man who really deserve it, most fans are booing due to the interference of Martel and Yokozuna at the end. Unfortunately for Tito Santana, both Martel and Yokozuna step through the ropes and inside the ring, cornering the brand new champion. Martel yells: “Finally, you will get what you deserve…what you need.” He glances over at Yokozuna and determines that it is time to move in on Santana. Instead, Martel shoves off Santana and continues battering Bret Hart until the ex-champion is busted open, profusely losing blood from his forehead. Then, Yokozuna adds insult to injury by delivering three consecutive leg drops and two Banzai drops to the Hitman. Santana goes over to stop the assault and helps Bret Hart to get to a vertical base, indicating that he will take Martel out with the flying forearm. So, he runs into the ropes and against the opposite ropes while Martel cowers away and Yokozuna practically dares Tito to hit him. However, at the last minute, Tito delivers his Paso de la Muerte on the inexplicably standing Bret Hart and kicks him out of the ring. The entire arena has gone silent due to the utter shock of that move. No more than two seconds later, Tito displays a mischievous smirk and hugs both Rick Martel and Yokozuna to thunderous boos. The fans now have to digest the seemingly impossible: after nearly seventeen years in the business, Tito Santana has finally gone to the dark side. Both Martel and Yokozuna lift him up high on their shoulders as Tito holds the WWF title on his shoulder. Meanwhile, Hulk Hogan runs to ringside, attending to the fallen Bret Hart and pleading to Santana “Why, Tito, WHY?”. Several fireworks go off as Tito’s theme plays once more with Santana proudly displaying his newest trophy to the crowd, with both Martel and Yokozuna pleased with what has just occurred.
The news were just in: Tito Santana was now the brand new WWF Champion…and the crowd wishes it had never happened.
To be continued
