Wrestlemania Count-Up – Wrestlemania V (2013): As One Match As You Can Get
IMG Credit: WWE
Wrestlemania V
Date: April 2, 1989
Location: Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Attendance: 18,946
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Ventura
Hercules vs. King Haku
The Rockers say they can handle the Twin Towers.
Rockers vs. Twin Towers
Akeem KILLS HIM with a clothesline (Jesse: “I think he irritated Akeem!”) but Boss Man misses a top rope splash. The Rockers hit some double dropkicks (one of which sees Shawn completely missing Bossman) but a top rope rana is countered into a wicked powerbomb by Boss Man. Akeem crushes Shawn with a splash for the pin.
Ted DiBiase talks about hanging out with Donald Trump and having them here to see him beat up Beefcake.
Ted DiBiase vs. Brutus Beefcake
Brutus gets to the rope so they slug it out some more with the barber taking over. Now Beefcake throws on his own sleeper but gets sent out to the floor in a counter. Virgil interferes a bit to distract Beefcake but DiBiase stupidly goes out to the floor as well. They brawl to a double countout to a big boo from the crowd.
Rating: C-. This was mainly a punching match as well as a pretty big fall for DiBiase. To go from the main event to the third match on the card in a year is a pretty big fall, which is saying a lot as DiBiase was still a very evil heel. Brutus was getting very popular very fast and would be paired with Hogan soon after this for a BIG rub.
Brutus beats up Virgil post match and chases them off with the hedge clippers. You know, assault with a deadly weapon as Jesse calls it.
We go to the Wrestlemania brunch with the Bushwhackers eating a lot and trying to talk about their match with the Rougeaus.
Bushwhackers vs. Fabulous Rougeau Brothers
Anyway Ray puts on an abdominal stretch as a fan or two chants USA. In theory that would be for the Rougeaus here who are the All American Boys facing the guys from New Zealand. The Rougeaus prematurely hug and get caught by the Battering Ram and a double gutbuster is good for the pin on Ray out of nowhere.
Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer
They slightly botch a flip out of a hiptoss and Blazer dropkicks Perfect to the floor. Blazer hits a quick hiptoss (why is that so popular here?) of his own and a dropkick for no cover. A modified northern lights suplex gets two for Blue but a top rope splash hits knees. Off to a reverse chinlock for a few moments by Perfect but Blazer fights up and hits a standing powerslam and a belly to belly for two each. A crucifix gets two more but Blazer spends too long arguing with the referee and the PerfectPlex ends this clean.
Jesse is presented to the crowd again like last year.
Mr. Fuji allegedly runs a 5K run in a tuxedo.
We recap the double tag team turn at Survivor Series 1988 with Fuji leaving Demolition to hook up with the Powers of Pain.
Tag Titles: Demolition vs. Powers of Pain/Mr. Fuji
Ronnie Garvin vs. Dino Bravo
Brain Busters vs. Strike Force
This is the return of Strike Force after Martel had a bad injury. Blanchard and Martel start things off and Rick almost immediately has to punch out of the wrong corner. Off to Anderson who gets rammed face first into the mat before being put in his own test of strength on the mat. Arn catches Martel in a body scissors but Rick turns it over into his signature Boston Crab.
Blanchard makes the save but Tito immediately comes in to put him in the Figure Four. Martel puts one on Anderson as well as things break down. We get some near falls by Tito but he accidentally hits the forearm on Martel to take him out. Rick gets ticked off as Tito is basically in a handicap match. The Busters get to take over on Tito but you know Santana can hang with either guy.
Rating: B-. Best match of the night so far as all four guys were moving out there. Tito could go with the best of them and he had some of the best of them to do that with in this one. Martel and Santana would feud on and off for about a year until they just stopped fighting out of nowhere.
Donald Trump likes hosting Wrestlemania.
Ventura goes into a hilarious rant against Hogan for invading Hollywood because Hogan needs a job after Savage beats him tonight. Jesse shouts that Hulk can drive his limo and storms off.
We recap the Megapowers feud as intermission continues. Basically Savage won the title at Mania 4 then teamed up with Hogan. Hogan kept getting the pins and finally at Main Event II, Savage accidentally wiped out Elizabeth. Hogan took Liz to the back to get attention but it left Savage alone. Finally Savage slapped Hogan and turned heel again, leading to the heel promo of a lifetime as he ERUPTED on Hogan, letting out every bit of his pent up rage and jealousy before blasting Hogan with the title in the medical room.
Hogan says it was Savage eaten alive by the jealousy and the title is coming home tonight. This somehow turns into a talk about destroying the Trump Plaza, which I think he touched on last year too.
Andre the Giant vs. Jake Roberts
Andre looks so different than he did two years ago. In Detroit he looked like a killing machine but here he looks like a lumbering oaf. Giant steps on Jake a few times but Roberts comes back with some strikes. He knocks Andre into the ropes and chokes away, only to see Andre get his arm loose and choke Jake right back.
Sensational Sherri wants to fight Rockin Robin and hopes Liz gets hurt today.
Greg Valentine/Honky Tonk Man vs. Hart Foundation
We recap Rude vs. Warrior which is basically just because Rude attacked Warrior at the Rumble Super Posedown and the champion wants revenge.
Intercontinental Title: Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude
Warrior is defending but Rude has the belt imprinted on his tights. Rude tries a knee to the ribs but hits the belt by mistake. Warrior immediately takes over with the power game and LAUNCHES Rude into the corner. The champ throws on a bearhug for a bit until Rude finally pokes him in the eyes to escape. Rude busts out a MISSILE DROPKICK for two but gets launched off Warrion on the kickout.
Warrior beats up Heenan post match. Remember that for later.
Bad News Brown vs. Jim Duggan
Red Rooster vs. Bobby Heenan
Just to drag this out EVEN LONGER, the Brawler beats the Rooster up, because WE HAVE TO PUSH BROOKLN FREAKING BRAWLER.
Tony Schiavone and Sean Mooney fill in even MORE time.
WWF World Title: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage
Savage escapes being posted and sends Hogan in by mistake. After sending Hulk back in, Randy yells at Liz a bit more and shoves her up the aisle. The referee ejects Liz, making the only interesting factor a nonfactor. Back to the floor and Savage drops the ax handle off the top to send Hogan throat first into the barricade. Savage goes after the throat with various evil measures but the elbow only gets two. Hulk Up, big boot, leg drop, new champion.
Hogan celebrates forever to end the show.
Ratings Comparison
Hercules vs. King Haku
Original: C-
Redo: C-
Twin Towers vs. Rockers
Original: C
Redo: C
Brutus Beefcake vs. Ted DiBiase
Original: D+
Redo: C-
Bushwhackers vs. Fabulous Rougeau Brothers
Original: D-
Redo: D
Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer
Original: B-
Redo: C+
Demolition vs. Powers of Pain/Mr. Fuji
Original: C-
Redo: D
Dino Bravo vs. Ronnie Garvin
Original: F
Redo: D
Brain Busters vs. Strike Force
Original: B-
Redo: B-
Jake Roberts vs. Andre the Giant
Original: D
Redo: D
Hart Foundation vs. Honky Tonk Man/Greg Valentine
Original: D+
Redo: D+
Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior
Original: B
Redo: B
Jim Duggan vs. Bad News Brown
Original: F
Redo: D-
Red Rooster vs. Brooklyn Brawler
Original: N/A
Redo: N/A
Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage
Original: C+
Redo: B-
Overall Rating
Original: D+
Redo: D
Wow that was a rather boring redo.
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