This look back at WWE WrestleMania 5 appears here, taken from it’s original form from Tiffany MC’s post at The Chairshot. Despite everything going on, it’s still WrestleMania and still the biggest day of the wrestling year!
WrestleMania V seems to be one of the least liked WrestleManias. The reviews are pretty negative, despite what seems, on paper at least, to be a pretty great main event. Does WrestleMania V deserve to be forgotten? Let’s find out.
We’re back in Atlantic City, but there are no slot machine graphics. We go to the ring and ‘America, the Beautiful’ will be sung by the Women’s Champion, Rockin’ Robin. Robin gets a nice pop, but her singing isn’t the best and she looks uncomfortable. The video montage is lovely, as always.
WrestleMania 5 opener: Hercules vs King Haku (wth Bobby Heenan)
Our first match is King Haku, with Bobby Heenan, vs the mighty Hercules. I don’t remember why Haku is a king, but he looks nice in the regalia. He’s greeted with boos from the fans. Heenan takes the mic and tries to tell the fans to bow to King Haku. The fans aren’t having it. Hercules is out next to a really nice pop. Hercules swings the chain around and everyone bails out.
This was a really good starter. Hercules was a really good wrestler, especially for as jacked as he was. Haku was very good and both guys looked great.
Winner: Hercules by pinfall.
Highlights: There were a couple of high-flying moves that were surprising for such big guys.
Thoughts: I liked this match. There was solid, good wrestling and both guys did a great job. Only regret is that Hercules didn’t get his hands on Heenan, but since Heenan was going to be part of several matches, that’s understandable.
We go to the locker room, Mean Gene is interviewing the Rockers. Both guys are super excited to be there. HBK says this the moment of truth and that they’re going to show the Twin Towers a thing or two. Jannetty pipes up and says that just coming out intact would be enough, considering that they’re up against two huge guys, but they would like to win.
Comments: It’s always funny to see future big stars when they’re just starting out and this interview with HBK and Jannetty was no exception. Knowing what was down the road for HBK, seeing him at his first WrestleMania was fun. Oh, the places you’re going to go, young man.
Twin Towers (Akeem and Big Boss Man) with Slick vs the Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
The Twin Towers are already in the ring and the crowd boos. This team is weird. The Rockers get an okay pop, but I don’t think they’ve been in the WWF very long. The ladies seem to like the Rockers.
This was a really good match. Rockers looked great, even in defeat. It’s too bad that they never officially won the Tag Titles.
Winner: The Twin Towers by pinfall.
Highlights: HBK and Akeem’s dance off, who knew HBK could moonwalk? HBK is always fun to watch, he’s like a terrier that thinks he’s a Rottweiler.
Thoughts: I’m not sure what One Man Gang did to deserve the Akeem gimmick, but it couldn’t have been this bad. He looked ridiculous. The match sort of looked like two grown men playing with kids.
We go back to the locker room where Tony Schiavone is interviewing the Million Dollar Man. Virgil’s there, looking like he’d rather be doing something else. DiBiase says that he’s been waiting for WrestleMania V because he’s going to be with his elite friends, and name drops a few, and they’ll watch him demolish Beefcake. He claims to spend thousands on the cheap bleach job he’s got and that Beefcake isn’t going near him with his ‘grubby’ hands. He calls himself the greatest athlete in the WWF and cites the Million Dollar Championship belt as proof.
Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake vs Ted DiBiase (with Virgil)
DiBiase comes out to boos and glad-hands some wealthy people at ringside. Beefcake comes out to a nice pop and he’s got the clippers with him, judging by the bag.
This was a really good match. The difference in styles really worked and both guys looked really good. There was a lot back and forth.
Winner: Both men are counted out, but continue to duke it out on the floor until Beefcake runs DiBiase into the post and chases Virgil into the ring. Virgil tries to fight, but gets an atomic drop for his efforts. Beefcake slaps a sleeper on him, DiBiase tries to get the jump, but Beefcakes sees it and punches DiBiase and scoop slams him before going for the clippers. DiBiase scrams and pull Virgil out with him, surprisingly.
Highlights: Brutus countering the Million Dollar dream by getting into the ropes was nice.
Thoughts: I liked this match. Beefcake looked really good, Virgil took a nice bump, crowd got to see DiBiase get his a little.
We go to Lord Alfred Hayes who is doing a pre-recorded interview with the Bushwhackers at the annual WrestleMania brunch. The Bushwhackers have the worst table manners and they keep talking with their mouths full. Hayes is failing to keep a straight face and ends the interview.
