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The granddaddy of them all, WrestleMania is just about a week away. The anticipation for the extravaganza is sky high among the WWE Universe. And since the pay-per-view is richer than Richie rich when it comes to history, we have decided to take a look back at some of the best WrestleMania matches with this latest series.Down the memory lane, let’s go to Los Angeles back in 1991 as we look upon one of the classic WrestleMania bouts of all time. Back in WrestleMania XVII, The Ultimate Warrior and ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage faced each other in a defining match that would go on to produce one of the greatest WrestleMania moments.Let’s have a look at how it all panned out:
#1 The Build-up
Like many of the WrestleMania matches so far, the Royal Rumble was crucial to setting up this match. However, the story extended beyond that and partly into the real-world as well. A year prior to that, The Ultimate Warrior had defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF title at WrestleMania VI, becoming one of the main guys in the company. Following that into 1991, Warrior was still the Champion towards the Royal Rumble PPV.
That was the time the United States entered into a war with the Middle East. Coincidence or not, Sgt, Slaughter had returned to the WWF prior to the Royal Rumble with a heel gimmick and was immediately in the line for a title shot. However, Savage too was looking for the same since he’d lost the title at WrestleMania V to Hogan.
Eventually, Sgt. Slaughter received the title shot thus enraging Savage. In the ensuing match between Sgt. Slaughter and The Ultimate Warrior at Royal Rumble, Savage interfered and cost Warrior the title. While Sgt. Slaughter became the Champion, Warrior was left fuming over the loss and that set up a feud between him and Savage. While Hulk Hogan would go on to win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania against Sgt. Slaughter, Warrior received a match against Savage.
And in the build-up, it was stipulated to be a retirement match. Savage’s valet, Sensational Sherri, had been effective in inviting hate towards them and Warrior was very much over with the crowd, as evidenced during the match. The build-up was excellent due to the fact that Savage was a great talker while Warrior had the charisma to get the crowd on their feet every other time.
#2 The Match
As one could expect, this was an amazing match build on in-ring psychology and playing to the emotions of the crowd. Not to mention, some clever booking of Sherri made it even more interesting through the course of the match. However, the crowd were in for quite a shock as Miss Elizabeth was among them in the audience. She had separated from Savage, storyline wise, more than a year ago. And it was surprising that she should appear that very night.
Warrior did not make his trademark run during his entrance although Savage had a magnificent entrance. It was the typical crowd right from the start, booing Savage and cheering for Warrior. Early into the match, Warrior had the lead and went in for a couple of atomic drops after hitting a clothesline. And he went for a choke, but Sherri interfered and Warrior had to lose the choke as he pushed Savage on her.
Savage regained his composure and went for an attack before trying a cross body, which failed. He was caught by Warrior and eventually, Warrior slapped him on the face. And that revved up the intensity of the match as Savage had an unsuccessful attempt trying to throw a chair at Warrior from outside the ring.
Then, the tides turned as Savage began having control of the match. He had some moves that were well worked out and gave back to Warrior for his slap by spitting on him. During that period, Sherri was constantly distracting Warrior every time he was on the floor. And seeing Savage’s boot getting stuck, Warrior looked to make a comeback but it ended up with both men colliding on a clothesline.
Then, Sherri had the attention of the crowd as she helped Savage to lay down Warrior for the Flying Elbow. This was one of the turning points of the match and an exciting moment. As Savage hit it once, everyone thought he’d go for the pin. However, he hit the flying elbow five times before covering Warrior. And to the shock of everyone, Warrior kicked out. It was rare for anyone to kick out of a flying elbow, more so in the event of five consecutive.
And following that, Warrior set up his comeback as he did a big splash very soon but Savage kicked out of it. Soon, Sherri had Warrior on a choke but he escaped just as Savage arrived and made Savage crash on the barricade. He pulled Savage into the ring and hit consecutive shoulder blocks on him.
That clock was on twenty minutes at this point and then, Warrior went for a pin with his leg on Savage’s chest. And the referee counted three as Warrior won the match in grand fashion.
#3 The Fallout
As mentioned, this match had a special ending to it that will remain as one of the greatest WrestleMania moments. Following Savage’s loss, Sherri began to kick a lying-down Randy Savage in anger. On seeing this, Miss Elizabeth ran to the ring and threw Sherri out of the ring. As she picked up Savage, he was shocked to see her instead of Sherri. The crowd were stunned as they all stood up to get a good look of what was happening.
Bobby Heenan, on commentary, went berserk and shouted “She loves him!” as they welcomed each other. Savage lifted her on to his shoulder as many in the crowd were in tears. It was the reunion that everybody had hoped for someday. Savage had played the bad guy for nearly two years but this moment set up a face turn and was executed perfectly.
But as the stipulation said, Savage had to retire from the WWF and he did so for some time. However, he would return to television in sometime and had a kayfabe wedding to Miss Elizabeth at Summerslam ( they were married seven years by that time in real life). Savage went on to wrestle Ric Flair at WrestleMania VIII, this time alongside Miss Elizabeth.
