Wrestlemania Count-Up – Wrestlemania V (2015): One Long Wait
IMG Credit: WWE
Wrestlemania V
Date: April 2, 1989
Location: Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Attendance: 18,946
Commentators: Jesse Ventura, Gorilla Monsoon
King Haku vs. Hercules
Rating: D+. Not the worst match here but this was a strange choice for an opener. I mean did they really think that it made sense to push Hercules as something special? At the time they were actually pushing him as a third Mega Power, which meant “the guy that would take a fall in a six man” but it was really just in name only. This was a pretty pedestrian power match but that superkick to stop Hercules was a nice touch. Haku always had a good superkick and it was cool to see him use it, even in a nothing match like this.
Rockers vs. Twin Towers
Rating: C+. This was fun for how well the Rockers bumped for the monsters here. That clothesline and the powerbomb to Shawn were particularly awesome as Shawn looked dead off both moves. The Twin Towers had just come off feuding with Hogan/Savage but for some reason it never led to the Tag Team Titles or even a serious shot at them.
Ted DiBiase vs. Brutus Beefcake
Back in and even more right hands stagger Ted until Virgil trips Brutus to give the boss an opening. A middle rope elbow gets two for DiBiase and a suplex sets up the Million Dollar Dream. Brutus grabs the rope and makes his comeback, sending Ted face first into the buckle ten straight times. DiBiase finally knocks Brutus to the floor where Virgil gets in a few shots. Ted follows and they brawl to a double countout at 9:57.
Post match Brutus cleans house with the hedge clippers to claim a moral victory. As usual, Jesse is on point by calling that assault with a deadly weapon.
Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. Bushwhackers
Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer
Jesse is presented to the crowd for the third year in a row. For some reason Gorilla is surprised and says he was set up for this one.
Run-DMC performs the Wrestlemania Rap. Was Gladys Knight busy this year?
Demolition is ready to beat up Fuj the Stooge.
Tag Team Titles: Demolition vs. Powers of Pain/Mr. Fuji
Dino Bravo vs. Ronnie Garvin
Bravo attacks from behind and forearms Garvin in the back as Gorilla and Jesse argue over how strong Bravo really is. A kick to the chest gets two for Dino and even Jesse rips on Bravo for thinking that would get the pin. Garvin suddenly starts his comeback with a bunch of right hands (his finisher back in the NWA) and a sleeper but Bravo is right in the corner. A sunset flip gets two for Ronnie but he walks into the side suplex for the pin at 3:55.
Brainbusters vs. Strike Force
The Brainbusters (Gorilla: “Two really tough dudes!”) are Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard with Heenan in their corner. Strike Force has been inactive for a long time due to Martel being injured but he begged Tito to reform the team. Blanchard starts with Martel and Arn is cheating just a few seconds in with a knee to the back. Everything breaks down and stereo dropkicks put the Busters on the floor.
Donald Trump thinks this has been a great event for the Trump Organization and that the casinos have been doing very well. Sean Mooney sounds incredibly nervous here.
Long recap of the Mega Powers forming and splitting to get us to the main event. Like I said, Hogan was taking a bit too much of the spotlight, including getting the win at Survivor Series after Savage did most of the work. It was finally too much for Savage and he snapped to set up the Mega Powers exploding.
Jake Roberts vs. Andre the Giant
Jake catches DiBiase and brings in the snake to clear the ring.
Sean Mooney gives us a worthless report from the cheap seats.
Honky Tonk Man/Greg Valentine vs. Hart Foundation
Intercontinental Title: Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude
Warrior comes right back with another bearhug and the referee is even nice enough to stop Rude from poking the eyes again. Rude gets out off something we missed because the camera was on Heenan and a piledriver gets a very delayed cover. The kickout is a lot weaker this time and Rude follows up with a jawbreaker.
Rating: B. This was a pairing that never made sense as neither guy was known as the best in ring performer on their own but they meshed together very well and produced some good stuff. Rude was still goofy and Warrior was still insane so this was a major upset and big surprise all around. Good match too.
Bad News Brown vs. Jim Duggan
Red Rooster vs. Bobby Heenan
Heenan can barely walk after the beating from Warrior. Right hands, Heenan misses a charge and hits the post, Rooster pins him in 30 seconds.
Post match the Brooklyn Brawler comes in but gets beaten up by Rooster. This is really the last match before the main event at WRESTLEMANIA.
Tony Schiavone says the locker room has all gone into the arena to watch the match.
Sean Mooney polls fans on who is going to win. My goodness ENOUGH FILLER ALREADY.
WWF World Title: Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan
We hit the armbar from the champ but Hogan fights up and uses the trunks to pull Savage to the floor. Back in and Hogan drops a bunch of elbows for two but Savage pulls him into a chinlock. Hulk has a cut over his eye and Savage knees him into the buckle for two, even with a handful of trunks. Hogan fights up again and just slams Savage over the top to the floor.
A lot of posing and raving from Jesse take us out.
Ratings Comparison
Hercules vs. King Haku
Original: C-
2013 Redo: C-
2015 Redo: D+
Twin Towers vs. Rockers
Original: C
2013 Redo: C
2015 Redo: C+
Brutus Beefcake vs. Ted DiBiase
Original: D+
2013 Redo: C-
2015 Redo: D+
Bushwhackers vs. Fabulous Rougeau Brothers
Original: D-
2013 Redo: D
2015 Redo: D-
Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer
Original: B-
2013 Redo: C+
2015 Redo: C+
Demolition vs. Powers of Pain/Mr. Fuji
Original: C-
2013 Redo: D
2015 Redo: D
Dino Bravo vs. Ronnie Garvin
Original: F
2013 Redo: D
2015 Redo: D
Brain Busters vs. Strike Force
Original: B-
2013 Redo: B-
2015 Redo: C+
Jake Roberts vs. Andre the Giant
Original: D
2013 Redo: D
2015 Redo: D
Hart Foundation vs. Honky Tonk Man/Greg Valentine
Original: D+
2013 Redo: D+
2015 Redo: C
Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior
Original: B
2013 Redo: B
2015 Redo: B
Jim Duggan vs. Bad News Brown
Original: F
2013 Redo: D-
2015 Redo: D
Red Rooster vs. Brooklyn Brawler
Original: N/A
2013 Redo: N/A
2015 Redo: N/A
Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage
Original: C+
2013 Redo: B-
2015 Redo: B
Overall Rating
Original: D+
2013 Redo: D
2015 Redo: D-
It just keeps getting worse.
And the 2013 Redo:
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