Booking Challenge:Wrestlemania IX

[sungod2020]

With Wrestlemania Season in the home stretch, I decided to make a thread on what is considered one of the worst Wrestlemanias of all time. Held on April 4th, 1993, it was the only Wrestlemania to date to take place in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. It was also the first Mania to be held outdoors with a Roman theme to it. It was also notable that Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross made his WWF debut at the show(albeit in a toga).

While those maybe high points, there's been many lows on the show such as Randy "Macho Man" Savage being on commentary instead of having a match, The Undertaker/Giant Gonzalez match that ended in a DQ, MAYBE the Double Doink spot(though I and others found it amusing), subpar matches(the best being Tatanka vs. Shawn Michaels ending in a DQ finish), and Hulk Hogan closing out the show by winning the WWF championship in an impromptu match, when he was originally scheduled for an undercard match.

With that being said, how would you book the show if you were in charge? Would you keep anything the same as it was before? Would Hogan still be on there? I'll post mine after I see a few responses. 

[MolotovMocktail]

I would've had Savage and Razor blow off their feud, which I don't think ever happened on TV. I did feel the Backlund match was underrated, but they dropped the Savage feud for him to do this with no story.

[sungod2020]

Mar 26, 2022 14:46:10 GMT -5 MolotovMocktail said:

I would've had Savage and Razor blow off their feud, which I don't think ever happened on TV. I did feel the Backlund match was underrated, but they dropped the Savage feud for him to do this with no story.

Did they ever have a one-on-one feud? I don't remember that happening. I remember Ramon was Flair's lackey and they were even feuding at the time against Savage and Warrior(who got replaced by Mr. Perfect), but I don't remember it being one on one. Or you can even have Razor Ramon feud directly with Mr. Perfect and blow off the feud there. It certainly would be better than a throw away match against Bob Backlund.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Razor v. Backlund is fine, it's just kind of awkward because Razor had just faced Bret for the title at Rumble. I guess it gives Razor a win over an experienced vet, but it would have been better if he hadn't already faced Bret.

[Nickybojelais]

WWF Championship
Bret vs Yokozuna (As is went down but without the Hogan shenanigans)

Razor Ramon v Randy Savage (Blowoff to the long running storyline with Flair. Razor gets a win by nefarious means)

Loser Leaves WWF Match
Ric Flair v Mr Perfect (Flair isn't let out of his contract early and they do their Raw match at Wrestlemania)

Money Inc v Hogan/Beefcake (Non title match so Hogan can get a clean leg drop pinfall)

Intercontinental Championship
HBK v Tatanka (No changes)

Steiners v Headshrinkers (No Changes)

Crush v Doink (No changes)

Undertaker v Bam Bam Bigelow (Taker wins by pinfall. Gives Taker a match with a big man who can work, and also this means that Giant Gonzales is never shown to the world!)

Lex Luger v Bob Backlund (Gives Luger a win over a former world champion)

[Aceorton]

I found a fantasy booking I did for this show about 14 years ago, and I no longer agree with what I wrote then. Here's a redo:

• IC title: Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Tatanka (same match, but no Sherri or Luna)
• Mr. Perfect vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (upset win for Bigelow when Luna debuts and joins him)
• Steiners vs. Headshrinkers (same)
• Crush vs. Doink the Clown (same)
• Tag titles: Money Inc. (c) vs. Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake (sure, fine - but this is ALL Hogan gets to do, and no title change)
• Yokozuna vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan (feud starts at the Rumble when Duggan cracks Yoko with the 2x4, allowing several guys to then eliminate him; Duggan gets destroyed here instead of on Superstars in February, and Yoko is set up as the next monster challenger without it feeling so rushed)
• Lex Luger vs. Bob Backlund (Luger cheats to win)
• Undertaker vs. Razor Ramon (Taker feuds with Razor instead of Gonzalez and wins here with a tombstone after recovering from three Razor's Edges)
• WWF title: Bret Hart (c) vs. Randy Savage (Savage starts showing signs of heelish jealousy right after Survivor Series and then wins the Rumble, last eliminating Flair; the match is treated as face vs. face in the initial buildup, but then Savage goes full wacko on Raw a few weeks before WrestleMania, claiming that Bret "stole his spot" and is trying to muscle him out of the WWF because he knows Savage is better than him; a week before the show, Savage violently sneak-attacks Bret during an interview and roughs up Stu and Helen as well, so this match is RED HOT. Bret wins a close one to retain.)

[Non Banjoble Tokens]

This is one of my favorite shows to go back and fantasy book.

Here's my latest attempt:

WWF World Championship
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage

WWF Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. Perfect

WWF World Tag Team Championships
Money Incorporated vs. The Nasty Boys

Grudge Match
Hulk Hogan w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji

The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer vs. Papa Shango

Razor Ramon vs. Tatanka

"The Narcissist" Lex Luger vs. Crush

The Headshrinkers w/ Afa vs. The Steiner Brothers

Bob Backlund vs. "The Model" Rick Martel

[Mozenrath]

One could improve a lot of things, but honestly, even if much of the show stayed the same, I'd have Tatanka win the IC title. I think the shitty ending of that match did a lot to mess up the vibes of the show to the audience in attendance. They could get the title off of Tatanka without getting rid of his streak later on if they liked, but this would have been great for his credibility, as well as getting the crowd invested.

[Manute Bol]

Matches I’m keeping:
1. Bret “Hit Man” Hart vs. Yokozuna
2. The Mega-Maniacs vs. Money Inc.
3. The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez
4. Crush vs. Doink the Clown
5. The Steiner Brothers vs. The Head Shrinkers

Matches I’m changing:
6. Macho Man Randy Savage vs. Shawn Michaels
7. Tatanka vs. Razor Ramon
8. Mr. Perfect & Bob Backlund vs. Lex Luger & Jerry “The King” Lawler (This one was set up perfectly at the Royal Rumble and makes a lot more sense than what the actually went with)

It’s only a few minor tweaks, but I think it makes for a much improved card.

[sungod2020]

Mar 26, 2022 23:45:52 GMT -5 Aceorton said:

I found a fantasy booking I did for this show about 14 years ago, and I no longer agree with what I wrote then. Here's a redo:

• IC title: Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Tatanka (same match, but no Sherri or Luna)
• Mr. Perfect vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (upset win for Bigelow when Luna debuts and joins him)
• Steiners vs. Headshrinkers (same)
• Crush vs. Doink the Clown (same)
• Tag titles: Money Inc. (c) vs. Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake (sure, fine - but this is ALL Hogan gets to do, and no title change)
• Yokozuna vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan (feud starts at the Rumble when Duggan cracks Yoko with the 2x4, allowing several guys to then eliminate him; Duggan gets destroyed here instead of on Superstars in February, and Yoko is set up as the next monster challenger without it feeling so rushed)
• Lex Luger vs. Bob Backlund (Luger cheats to win)
• Undertaker vs. Razor Ramon (Taker feuds with Razor instead of Gonzalez and wins here with a tombstone after recovering from three Razor's Edges)
• WWF title: Bret Hart (c) vs. Randy Savage (Savage starts showing signs of heelish jealousy right after Survivor Series and then wins the Rumble, last eliminating Flair; the match is treated as face vs. face in the initial buildup, but then Savage goes full wacko on Raw a few weeks before WrestleMania, claiming that Bret "stole his spot" and is trying to muscle him out of the WWF because he knows Savage is better than him; a week before the show, Savage violently sneak-attacks Bret during an interview and roughs up Stu and Helen as well, so this match is RED HOT. Bret wins a close one to retain.)

I like this one(the bolded part). Originally i'd have the same main event, but I like your idea of the build-up. I don't know if I'd officially turn Savage heel right before Wrestlemania, but he can be acting heelish in the feud for reasons you just stated. They end up having a close one at the show of shows, with Bret retaining and then afterwards, I'd have Savage shake his hand out of respect to besting him in a passing of the torch moment.

BTW, this would require me changing the ending of the Royal Rumble match which would have Savage winning it after last eliminating Bob Backlund. The final three would also include Yokozuna, who Backlund accidentally eliminated after he unconsciously pulled the rope down as he was getting up while Yoko was about to run towards it so he could do some damage to Savage only to fall over it. This sets up a match between Yoko and Backlund which Yoko wins.

As far as the rest of the card goes, I'd have...
The MegaManiacs(Hogan and Beefcake) defeat Money Inc(IRS and Ted Dibiase) to win the tag team belts. If Hogan isn't on the show, then I'd go with The Nasty Boys instead since they were feuding with them just prior to Hogan's return. I'd have The Nasty's become two time tag team champions. In either case, I'd have them lose the belts back to Money Inc at King of The Ring.

Mr. Perfect vs. Ric Flair in a career ending match. Same as it was on the RAW after the Royal Rumble. If Flair still decides to leave when he did, I would replace Flair with Lawler given they had a brawl at the Royal Rumble and looked like they were headed that way anyway. Perfect still wins.

Razor Ramon defeats "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan - It might be a downgrade for The Bad Guy since he just faced WWF champion Bret Hart, but it gives him something to do before his face turn against Ted Dibiase. Plus he gets a win over an over veteran.

Undertaker defeats Bam Bam Bigelow - I like the idea of having him against a workable big man instead of Giant Gonzalez. Luna Vachon debuts. If you want to make Bam Bam look strong and not take a tombstone/pinfall, have Luna interfere somehow and cause a DQ. It also keeps Undertaker's streak in tact..

Lex Luger defeats Tito Santana - Luger gets a win over an established veteran. Sorry for your 8th Wrestlemania loss Tito, you're a cool guy when I met you but you were retiring anyway, and Luger was a newcomer so it only made booking sense.

Steiners defeats Headshrinkers(same as before)

Doink defeats Crush(same as before with Double Doink shenanigans).

Tatanka defeats Shawn Michaels to become IC champion. Can lose it back to HBK at King of The Ring(sorry Marty).

That's my revised card. If there's something I'm missing feel free to let me know.

[fw91]

1) WHC-Bret Hart vs Hulk Hogan (Bret never beats Flair, Hogan dethrones him sometime after Survivor Series, maybe the First Monday Night Raw or the Rumble. Bret wins rumble and challenges Hulk. Bret wins clean)
2) IC Title- Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty (Rumble match happens here)
3) Razor Ramon vs Randy Savage
4) Undertaker vs Yokozuna (Taker wins by dq)
5) Tag Titles- Money Inc vs Steiner Brothers(Steiners Win)
6) Loser leaves WWF- Mr. Perfect vs Ric Flair (Sign Flair to a short term extension. Perfect Wins.
7) Tatanka vs Lex Luger (Luger ends his streak)
8) Bob Backlund vs Bam Bam Bigelow (Bigelow wins)
9) Doink vs Crush (Doink Wins)
10) High Energy vs Headshrinkers (Fast Paced Opener)

[SirLucas]

1. Shawn Michaels vs. Brutus the Barber Beefcake. Brutus makes a comeback to the WWF, but instead of going after Money Inc. he has his eyes set on the Intercontinental title. This would be Beefcake's comeback story since he never got his IC title match with Mr. Perfect at SummerSlam 90. In this match Michaels goes over clean via sweet chin music, and it's a huge victory for HBK.
2. Steiners vs. Headshrinkers, keep as is.
3. Crush vs. Doink, keep as is.
4. Razor Ramon vs. Mr. Perfect. There is still heat between the two going back to Survivor Series. I'd say Razor goes over but with some slight cheating, i.e. foot on the ropes or a handful of tights.
5. Tatanka vs. Bam Bam Bigelow. Since Tatanka isn't working with Shawn, he's placed with Bam Bam so both can have a spot on the card. Tatanka wins by surprise roll up because the undefeated streak needs to stay alive. Afterwards, Bam Bam attacks Tatanks because Bam Bam needs to get his heat back. Another idea would be to give Tatanka a count out victory to protect Bam Bam without killing off the streak.
6. Undertaker vs. Yokozuna. In hindsight, the Undertaker's streak has to persist until 2013. The Undertaker wins via disqualification after Fuji throws salt in his eyes.
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair. This is the match that should have taken place at the previous year's Mania. But this time it's career vs. career and Flair loses clean to Hogan.
8. Money Inc. vs. The Nasty Boys. This was the tag team title feud before Hogan and Beefcake got involved. I would have Money Inc retain the titles over the Nasty Boys as Knobbs and Saggs are on their way out the company in 1993.
9. Bret Hart vs. Lex Luger. Luger would have entered and won the Royal Rumble. Luger beats Bret with the loaded forearm. Then post match, Hogan comes out for a stairdown with Luger. Luger exits the ring for Hogan to pose so Hogan can send the fans home happy. King of the Ring is now Hogan vs. Luger. Bret still wins the King of the Ring. Hogan beats Luger for the title. Then SummerSlam is Hogan vs. Bret.

[repomark]

WWF Championship
Bret Hart vs Lex Luger

IC Championship
Shawn Michaels vs Tatanka

Tag Team Championship
Nasty Boys vs Money Inc

Loser Leaves WWF
Mr Perfect vs Ric Flair

Hulk Hogan vs Giant Gonzalez

Macho Man Randy Savage vs Razor Ramon

Steiner Brothers vs Head Shrinkers

Yokozuna vs Brutus Beefcake

Undertaker vs Bam Bam Bigelow

Doink vs Crush

[jason1980s]

I've been trying to think of something and do like everyone's ideas but it's a lot more difficult than it looks to re-book the show. The roster got very slim compared to 1986-1991. Some guys who could have a blow off feud and lose like Flair or Nasty Boys were gone and feuds that could have been a good starting point at the PPV were already done on TV. IX really wasn't great but it's probably the best we could really get from WWF.

[sungod2020]

Mar 27, 2022 18:43:18 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

I've been trying to think of something and do like everyone's ideas but it's a lot more difficult than it looks to re-book the show. The roster got very slim compared to 1986-1991. Some guys who could have a blow off feud and lose like Flair or Nasty Boys were gone and feuds that could have been a good starting point at the PPV were already done on TV. IX really wasn't great but it's probably the best we could really get from WWF.

That's not true regarding the Nasty Boys. They were being phased out on TV come Wrestlemania, but they were still on the roster when the event came. 
According to wikipedia....

"On the March 13, 1993 edition of WWF Superstars it was announced that the Nasty Boys had agreed to step aside and allow Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake to have a one-time title shot against Money Inc. at WrestleMania IX. They then entered a house show series against The Headshrinkers and wrestled to double disqualifications on multiple occasions. Their feud spilled onto WWF television, as they wrestled once more to a double DQ against Fatu & Samu on the Italian version of WWF superstars that saw both teams hitting each other with chairs in a post match brawl.[5] In April 1993, after a European tour, they were suspended, and later fired from the company. Their final television appearance came on May 16, 1993 when they defeated Steve Vega & Barry Horowitz on WWF Superstars."

You can still have a Nastys/Money Inc match on the card. I would've had them win it then before dropping it back to them at the King of The Ring. If they were still  going to be suspended when they were, they could've dropped it back to them during the European tour. 

[SirLucas]

Mar 27, 2022 20:20:51 GMT -5 sungod2020 said:

Mar 27, 2022 18:43:18 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

I've been trying to think of something and do like everyone's ideas but it's a lot more difficult than it looks to re-book the show. The roster got very slim compared to 1986-1991. Some guys who could have a blow off feud and lose like Flair or Nasty Boys were gone and feuds that could have been a good starting point at the PPV were already done on TV. IX really wasn't great but it's probably the best we could really get from WWF.

That's not true regarding the Nasty Boys. They were being phased out on TV come Wrestlemania, but they were still on the roster when the event came. 
According to wikipedia....

"On the March 13, 1993 edition of WWF Superstars it was announced that the Nasty Boys had agreed to step aside and allow Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake to have a one-time title shot against Money Inc. at WrestleMania IX. They then entered a house show series against The Headshrinkers and wrestled to double disqualifications on multiple occasions. Their feud spilled onto WWF television, as they wrestled once more to a double DQ against Fatu & Samu on the Italian version of WWF superstars that saw both teams hitting each other with chairs in a post match brawl.[5] In April 1993, after a European tour, they were suspended, and later fired from the company. Their final television appearance came on May 16, 1993 when they defeated Steve Vega & Barry Horowitz on WWF Superstars."

You can still have a Nastys/Money Inc match on the card. I would've had them win it then before dropping it back to them at the King of The Ring. If they were still  going to be suspended when they were, they could've dropped it back to them during the European tour. 

I would have  Money Inc retain against the Nastys at Mania. Then instead of an 8 tag man popcorn match at King of Ring, the Steiners win the titles from Money Inc.

[Celexa Bliss 54]

I toyed with going for a card that would've been great, but requires rewriting other events. I'd rather try to make a good show out of the crappy puzzle pieces we have to work with, instead.

IC Title: Shawn Michaels over Typhoon (logic here is that we want Shawn to win and there's nobody higher up you can have him beating clean. And beating a big guy gives him credibility as an upper-level main event player)

The Steiners over The Headshrinkers (same match we had in real life. It feels too early to have them winning the Tag Titles and if they're not winning them, they shouldn't be fighting for them, yet)

Doink over Crush (I mean... what else are we going to do with either guy at this show??)

Razor Ramon over Bob Backlund (let's face it, we need to give Razor a win here. I almost had Backlund in the IC Title match and Razor doing something else, but this just feels right)

Lex Luger over Tatanka (so, to make Tatanka's streak matter, we're going to give it to Luger here. Tatanka's been built up for over a year now as the guy who always wins, but Luger knocks him out with the steel plate to end the streak)

The Undertaker over Bam Bam Bigelow (Harvey Wippleman hires Bam Bam to take out The Undertaker for him, instead of "blessing" us with Giant Gonzalez. Also, we can bring in Luna Vachon at the show and have her hook up with Bam Bam right out of the gate)

Tag Team Titles: Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake over Money Inc (this won't be a long reign, maybe a couple of weeks, before Money Inc win the belts back on the European tour. But I'd rather Hogan win this match than ruin the main event)

Mr. Perfect over Jerry Lawler (a cool-down match and it gives Lawler a spot at Mania in his first year, so I saved us from Lawler/Cole in 2011. Yay!)

World Title: Bret Hart over Yokozuna (David topples Goliath and retains the gold. After the show goes off the air, I'd have Luger lay out Bret with the steel plate, then show the footage on Raw and Superstars to build to them facing each other at King of the Ring)


I DID consider putting Owen Hart in the IC Title match, as well. Ultimately, I kept him off the card. I suppose, if we wanted him on there, he could face Razor instead of Backlund. Also, I didn't do it, but I was considering putting Giant Gonzalez over Kamala. So you're welcome lol

[dangerousdanpotato]

I'm glad you started this thread as I've been re-watching every episode of RAW and Superstars from January 1993 and I'm just one week away from WrestleMania! I've been thinking about this subject a LOT.

It seems everyone has different ideas about where the weaknesses lie in this event. Before I list my card, here are some of the issues I had with the event/era:

- pushing the Nasty Boys aside to shoe-horn in the Mega-Maniacs.
- The Mega-Maniacs. Hulk's return feeling watered down by being stuck with a not-over Beefcake and the bizarro Jimmy Hart turn.
- a relatively new Yokozuna pushed as the title challenger when Bret was still being established.
- no Savage.
- Giant Gonzalez.
- no Bam Bam.
- Crush vs. Doink. I think Crush really needed a feud (as he'd not had one up to this point) but really with someone more established. The guy was over, but he never recovered from the Doink feud that made him look like a chump.
- Razor vs. Backlund being an afterthought.

Here's the card. It's a bit long, but I like early WrestleManias that try to get as much of the roster on as possible. You could cut a couple of the preliminary matches, I guess.

DARK MATCH: Virgil & The Bushwhackers vs. Papa Shango, Skinner and Damian Demento

Just an excuse to get a few more guys on the show.

MATCH 1: Bob Backlund vs. Jerry 'The King' Lawler

This would be set up via Lawler taking potshots and jabs at Backlund on commentary, calling him a has-been etc. A nice win for Backlund here, since Lawler really wouldn't have needed it.

MATCH 2: Typhoon vs. 'The Narcissist' Lex Luger
With Mr. Perfect still tied up with Flair (see later!) Luger needs a match. This angle could be based on Luger deriding fat, out-of-shape guys with Typhoon taking umbrage and issuing the challenge. Nb. Earthquake was gone from WWF in January, otherwise I'd have gone with him over Uncle Fred. Luger wins fairly quickly after knocking out and pinning Typhoon with the forearm smash.

MATCH 3: The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers w/ Afa
No complaints here, keeping this as it was. Winner = Steiners.

MATCH 4: Intercontinental Championship Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Tatanka
Tatanka gets the victory here by pinfall. Anything less is just too flat after the build this match received. Have Tatanka retain the belt until after Diesel debuts, who interferes in a rematch where Shawn gets the belt back and deals Tatanka his first loss. And keep Sherri and Luna out of this.

MATCH 5: Kamala w/ Slick vs. Giant Gonzalez w/ Harvey Wippleman & Kimchee
I feel like you have to have GG on the card, and this is maybe the best way to "damage control" him by keeping him away from anyone who might have wanted to have a decent match. The feud with Kamala is logical and GG can squash him quickly, setting him up strong to feud after WrestleMania with Undertaker or Hogan... or maybe just go away.

MATCH 6: Loser Leaves Town Mr. Perfect vs. Ric Flair
After that, we need a good wrestling match! I think this match was so rushed from being announced on RAW to occurring the next week, the night after the Rumble. If WWF could have retained Flair until WrestleMania (which seems viable) I'd have had this feud continue to simmer and intensify. Mr. Perfect gets a big win to continue to cement his return and Flair is gone. Winner = Mr. Perfect.

MATCH 7: 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan vs. Doink the Clown
Duggan gets squished by Yokozuna just as it happened, but when his "recovery" vignettes begin (including interviews with his pregnant wife and Dad!) Doink begins mocking him and openly laughing at Duggan. As such, Duggan shifts his attention to Doink, overcoming his self-doubt by being motivated to return and shut Doink up. Doink gets the win with the whole double-Doink business. 

MATCH 8: WWF Tag Team Championship Money Inc. w/ Jimmy Hart (c) vs. The Nasty Boys
Straightforward storytelling here to pay off the angle commenced back in September when Jimmy favoured Money Inc. over the Nastys by putting them forward for a title shot. The rivalry would be as much about the Nastys getting revenge on Jimmy as on Ted and Irwin. The Nastys get the win and the belts, dropping them back to Money Inc. shortly after on an episode of RAW.

MATCH 9: Crush vs. Razor Ramon
I think this is a fairly compelling bout for both men - Razor coming off a PPV WWF title loss, and Crush having a ton of upward mobility at this point. Both guys needed a strong feud. Razor would win it, but Crush doesn't look punked like he did against Doink.

MATCH 10: The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Luna Vachon
I think Bam Bam should have been featured as a prominent and dangerous heel after his debut, but instead he floundered for a bit due to the influx of so many new guys. The planned match vs. Kamala was totally throw-away. I think he could have worked a great match with Undertaker and been a credible opponent for him. Undertaker wins a hard-fought match.

MATCH 11: El Matador & High Energy vs. 'The Model' Rick Martel & The Beverly Brothers
Short come-down match to allow the commentators to reset and set the scene for the two big main events coming up next. Maybe let The Model get the pin here.

MATCH 12: Hulk Hogan w/ Brutus Beefcake vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji
I think this is a better role for both Hogan and Yokozuna. It's the old-school Hogan vs. monster match. USA vs. foreign invader. Perfect for Hulk's comeback instead of the somewhat odd Mega-Maniacs and being stuck in a tag match. Instead of Money Inc. answering Beefcake's open challenge, Yokozuna responds and Mr. Fuji takes glee in directing him to crush Beefcake's face with multiple banzai drops, drawing Hulk back to the WWF. And after Yokozuna injures Duggan, it's not just personal, but Hulk has to also defend the red, white and blue! Hogan goes over. 

MATCH 13: WWF Championship Match Bret 'Hitman' Hart vs. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage
Savage wins the Rumble and we get this face vs. face epic for the ages. Savage wrestles slightly heelishly and Bret gets the proper passing of the torch moment that he sorely needed in '92/'93. Winner: Bret

Not used: 'Terrific' Terry Taylor.

[Deleted]

Would it be possible to squeeze Bam Bam vs. Kamala on the show? Just to have Bigelow squash the idiot?

[petef3]

One thing to keep in mind is that booking Hogan on the show was not originally a WWF decision: it was a Caesar's Palace decision. So you're pretty much obliged to have Hogan there somewhere, because that's what the venue was expecting when they essentially bought the show.

I know they're sort of booked into a corner, but I thought Hogan and Beefcake going after the tag titles made for a far more interesting match and interesting use of Hogan than just him beating a monster or wrestling a non-title match. Having the belts at stake actually provided some intrigue as to what they would do.