WWF Main Event III

In front of a pink locker, Savage, with Sherri, cuts a promo on Hogan and Buster Douglas. What? Where’s “Iron” Mike Tyson?

To emphasize how incredible of an upset Douglas’ victory was, compare it to Super Bowl XLII when the undefeated New England Patriots remarkably lost to the New York Giants thanks to David Tyree.

In front of a blue locker, WWF President Jack Tunney explains that Earl Hebner will be the referee inside the ring and Douglas will be the referee outside the ring. Douglas’ manager, John Johnson, tells him to “call it down the middle” and “knock somebody out” if or when things get out of hand. Methinks Johnson’s red hat was the key to Douglas’ victory in Tokyo.

In another part of the blue locker room, Hogan’s ready for something to “explode.” Hopefully, it’s not his steroid-infused pythons.

After a commercial break, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews Savage with Sherri in the pink locker room. The royal couple is ready to spoil the Hogan-Warrior title match at WrestleMania VI by taking Hogan’s title. Let’s hope the match doesn’t spoil my appetite.

As Savage makes his entrance atop his throne, Okerlund interviews Hogan in the blue locker room.

While Hogan makes his entrance, Okerlund interviews Douglas in the blue locker room.

Match 1 for the WWF title: Hulk Hogan (champion) versus “Macho King” Randy Savage (w/ Queen Sherri)

As previously mentioned, undisputed heavyweight boxing champion James “Buster” Douglas was the special guest referee for this match.

Sorry, Mike, you lost. Stay away from Indiana beauty pageants.
When Savage sought refuge outside the ring, Hogan tried to follow him, but Douglas stopped him.
Upon his return, Savage guillotined Hogan using the top rope.
He then put a knee into Hogan’s back sending him between the ropes to the floor.
While Savage mounted the top turnbuckle, Douglas prevented him from diving onto Hogan. He’s calling it down the middle. I’ll give him that.
As Queen Sherri got up on the apron, Hogan confronted her. Savage then attempted to put another knee into Hogan’s back but nailed Queen Sherri instead. She took a royal bump down to the floor.
Upon giving Savage a clothesline, Hogan delivered a cross -corner whip followed by a back elbow.
He then gave Savage the ten-punch count-along followed by the Axe bomber.
After a slam, Hogan gave Savage a pair of elbow drops.
When Hogan delivered an atomic drop, Queen Sherri tripped him as he bounced off the ropes. SNEAKY!
Hogan then grabbed Queen Sherri by the hair until Savage gave him a running guillotine.
As Savage delivered a clothesline, he got 2.
He then followed with a knee drop for another 2.
While Savage distracted Hebner, Queen Sherri choked Hogan until Douglas ejected her. The tradition continues!

Thanks, Hank, but I’m more of a rock’n’roll guy.
Savage then mounted the second turnbuckle and gave Hogan a double axe handle as Douglas ensured Queen Sherri’s departure from ringside.
When Douglas returned to ringside, Savage clotheslined Hogan although an arrogant cover only got 2. So THAT’S where Chris Jericho stole that.
As Savage tossed Hogan outside the ring, he mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a double axe handle.
Upon returning Hogan to the ring, Savage again mounted the top turnbuckle, hit another double axe handle, and got 2.
While choking Hogan using the top rope, Savage almost got 3.
Another knee drop earned yet another 2-count. Gotta admire Savage’s persistence.

After Savage nailed Hogan sending him between the ropes to the floor, he mounted the top turnbuckle again, but Douglas prevented any further shenanigans on his turf.
Once Hogan returned, Savage slammed him, remounted the top turnbuckle, and hit the big elbow.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
It’s Hulk-up time!
After Hogan delivered the big boot, Savage dragged Hogan outside the ring with him.
When Hogan re-entered the ring, he nailed Savage while knocking down Hebner.
Hogan then delivered the leg drop.
Abruptly, Douglas came into the ring and counted the pin despite Savage kicking out at 2.
Hogan retained.

Summary: Since Savage was signed to wrestle Dusty Rhodes at WrestleMania VI, his chances of winning the title here were incredibly remote. With that being said, he made Hogan look good in this high-profile match. On another note, I would have preferred to see Mr. Perfect in this slot, but that’s nit-picking.

After the match, Douglas explains to Savage that he, not Hebner, counted the pin. A perturbed Savage then slaps Douglas. When Hogan pushes Savage toward him, Douglas nails Savage twice to a raucous ovation from the Detroit faithful.

Back in the pink locker room, Ventura interviews Bravo with Hart and Earthquake. According to Hart, Warrior doesn’t have “earthquake insurance.” Better call Farmers.

As Bravo makes his entrance, Okerlund interviews Warrior in the blue locker room. While not requiring insurance, Warrior indirectly states he’ll keep his title.

Match 2 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Ultimate Warrior (champion) versus Dino Bravo (w/ Jimmy Hart & Earthquake)

After a leap frog by Bravo, Warrior gave him a powerslam.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a double axe handle.
Next, he tried to remount the top turnbuckle, but Earthquake prevented it by grabbing Warrior’s boot.
When Warrior turned his attention to Earthquake, Bravo nailed him from behind.
Back in the ring, Warrior gave Bravo a hip toss, but Earthquake grabbed his boot again.
That enabled Bravo to clothesline Warrior over the top rope to the floor.
To escape any nefariousness from Earthquake, Warrior snuck under the ring, grabbed Hart, and pulled him underneath.
As Hart emerged, he no longer wore his pants while his shirt was open. Were he and Warrior sharing a moment under the ring?

When Warrior emerged, he gorilla-pressed Hart and tossed him at Earthquake.
In embarrassment, Hart ran backstage while Earthquake slammed Warrior on the floor.
Back in the ring, Bravo applied a bear hug, but Warrior broke the hold with his arms and applied his own bear hug.
After an eye poke, Bravo escaped.
He then gave Warrior a side slam and almost got 3.
As Bravo nailed Warrior in the back, Warrior rallied.

While Warrior wore tassles, I don’t think he ever donned pom-poms.
Regardless, he then clotheslined Bravo twice and delivered a flying shoulder block.
After a splash, Warrior pinned Bravo.

Summary: If you’re seeking a worthwhile high-impact match, look elsewhere, ‘cuz this ain’t one of ‘em.

After the match, Earthquake enters the ring and nails Warrior from behind. Warrior comes back and gives Bravo and him a double noggin knocker. As Warrior tosses Bravo outside the ring, Earthquake hits him and delivers a pair of elbow drops. Next, he mounts the second turnbuckle, but Hogan saves Warrior from being permanently SQUISHED. He then nails Earthquake sending him down to the floor. When Warrior gets in Hogan’s face, he shoves down referee Danny Davis. As Hebner tries to break up the heated argument, Hogan and Warrior shove both he and Davis down. More referees enter the ring to break it up and close the segment.

After a commercial break, while Vince prepares to interview Hogan from the blue locker room, we revisit Royal Rumble when Hogan and Warrior went head-to-head. Afterward, we revisit SNME XXV when Warrior mistakenly clotheslined Hogan. During the interview, Hogan defines the clothesline as an “accident.” Regarding his involvement after Warriors’ match, he states that he wanted Warrior at 100% for the ultimate challenge at WrestleMania VI.

In a different locker room with WWF and Warrior merchandise EVERYWHERE, Okerlund interviews Warrior who notes he doesn’t need Hogan’s protection and is the “chosen one.” Someone might not be thrilled with that.

After another commercial break, Okerlund interviews Douglas who had a “blast” tonight.

As the credits roll, Savage is shown holding his jaw in anguish thanks to Douglas.

Conclusion: If you needed an incentive to purchase WrestleMania VI on PPV back in 1990, this show provided it. While the replacement of Tyson with Douglas took some of the steam away from the show, the seeds were sown for the “ultimate challenge.” Unless you never seen Douglas before, I’d skip this show.