WWF The Main Event (February 1990)

Original Airdate: February 23, 1990

After two Main Event specials – putting the WWF live on NBC, and in primetime – were used to set up WrestleMania main events (IV and V) the WWF decided to modify their approach a bit – less focused on a big angle to promote the main event of WrestleMania, and more rather on airing two matches building up the participants in the WrestleMania main event, as well as hoping the involvement of a ‘celebrity’ would help draw ratings.

From Detroit, Michigan; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura.


WWF Title Match: Hulk Hogan v Randy Savage: New Undisputed Boxing Champion of the World, Buster Douglas, is the special enforcer (outside the ring) - replacing Mike Tyson, who was originally scheduled, but shuffled out of the mix when Douglas won the title off of him a few weeks prior. In hindsight, they probably should have stuck with Tyson, as Douglas lost the title and 'retired' by the years end, and is essentially a footnote on boxing history. At the time, the switch made sense, as the entire sporting world was captivated by Douglas' defeat of Tyson, and this route allowed them to sidestep Tyson’s reported $1,000,000 fee for the appearance. Mike Tyson would, of course, still become involved with the WWF, and in a much more important part of wrestling history - though not 'til about eight years later. Hogan overpowers him to start, so Savage bails, but when Hogan tries to go after him, Douglas stops him, and directs Savage back through the ropes. Savage catches Hogan with a high knee to knock him to the floor, but Douglas again intervenes when he wants to follow-up with his flying axehandle. Back inside, a miscommunication with Macho manager Sherri allows Hogan to takeover, and a cross corner backelbow hits. Ten-punch count, and a slam sets up a series of elbowdrops - but he doesn't go for the cover, instead unloading mounted punches. Atomic drop, but Sherri gets involved again - this time successfully – allowing Savage to hit another high knee. Hangman's clothesline gets two, and a kneedrop follows. Sherri joins in on the fun again, but we've got special referee Buster Douglas out there, and he restores order by sending her to the locker room. Meanwhile, Savage grabs a chinlock while the Douglas drama unfolds, and when things settle down, Hogan powers out. Savage catches him with another hangman's clothesline, and sneaks out to the floor for a flying axehandle - this time without Douglas getting involved (realistically, he probably just forgot). Another axehandle inside gets two, and a kneedrop gets a series of two counts. Savage jabs him to the floor again, but this time Douglas steps in to block the axehandle. Inside, Macho hits a gorgeous Flying Elbowdrop, but gets HULKED UP!! Big boot! Legdrop! - but the referee gets predictably bumped, so Douglas has to slide in to count the pin himself at 11:14. Afterwards, Savage argues the count with Buster, and gets knocked out (kayfabe). Hogan/Savage always have chemistry, but this was more about celebrity drama, and less a proper match between the two. ½*

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: The Ultimate Warrior v Dino Bravo: Warrior runs in with clotheslines, and hits a flying axehandle right away. He tries again, but Bravo's buddy Earthquake interferes. Warrior responds by literally hiding under the ring, somehow not getting counted out in the process. He considerably ups the weird-factor by dragging Jimmy Hart under there with him, and then letting him emerge – minus his pants. Well, ‘to each their own’ – as Abraham Lincoln used to say in a campaign speeches throughout the deep South. Inside, Bravo hooks a bearhug, but Warrior is CRACKING UP!! Splash finishes at 4:11. Squash. The ULTIMATE Squash. Afterwards, Earthquake jumps him, so Hulk Hogan runs in to make the save, but Warrior ends up getting pissed that he stepped in, and they do the big staredown to sell WrestleMania. DUD

Vince McMahon hosts a video package (it must be quite the package!) outlining the Hogan/Warrior 'feud,' followed by dueling interviews from both men to really push WrestleMania – especially since they had yet to sell out the SkyDome (selling a little over half at this point), and needed to fill that building. In a power move, the WWF also cut all closed circuit outlets in the Toronto area out of airing 'Mania - 'urging' those in the area to buy tickets, or miss out.

BUExperience: Certainly the weakest Main Event yet. Hogan v Warrior for WrestleMania was already officially announced prior to the event (in a smart move, as they had a lot of tickets to sell), but that sort of left them cold in terms of building an intriguing card here – just doing a hard sell for the big show in their primetime shot.