REVIEW: WrestleMania 8: Double Double

Welcome to KB’s Outdated Faculty (and New Faculty) Evaluations. I’ve been reviewing wrestling reveals for over twelve years now and have reviewed over 6,000 reveals. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new evaluation right here on Wrestlingrumors.web. It could possibly be something from trendy WWE to old-fashioned to indies to something in between. Observe that I charge utilizing letters as a substitute of stars and I don’t charge matches beneath three minutes as actually, how good or unhealthy can one thing that brief be?

Wrestlemania VIII
Date: April 5, 1992
Location: Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
Attendance: 62,167
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan

This was one of many names talked about for a attainable redo so I’ll throw it in as a bonus. On his podcast, Bruce Prichard talked about this as one of many worst Wrestlemanias ever and I’m actually unsure why. The present incorporates a double predominant occasion with Ric Aptitude defending the WWF World Title towards Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan’s attainable retirement match towards Sid Justice. Let’s get to it.

Vince McMahon provides us the large excessive introduction as solely he can do. It solely talks in regards to the double predominant occasion however actually, nothing else is price speaking about.

Gorilla and Bobby (with a VERY seen part of empty seats between their heads, which can be a recurring downside tonight) intro the present with Heenan on the lookout for the images. These could be promised “centerfolds” of Elizabeth, which Ric Aptitude has promised. Extra on this later.

Reba McIntyre singes the Star Spangled Banner. It’s odd to listen to something however America the Lovely.

Tito Santana vs. Shawn Michaels

Tito is a bullfighter (it didn’t work then both) and Heenan says he’s McIntyre’s sister. Heenan: “That’s arriba McIntyre!” Shawn has Sherri with him and we get a cool shot from behind with Shawn wanting up on the big stadium. That is his first singles Wrestlemania so it’s fairly the large second for his profession. Heenan thinks Shawn is a future Intercontinental Champion. He’s just a few months early however he actually can name issues.

We get an extended stretch of Sherri leaving and a few trash speak earlier than we truly do something as a result of stalling is a factor on stadium reveals too. They begin quick (as soon as they begin that’s) with Tito getting two off a crossbody and headlocking him to the mat. Shawn will get despatched outdoors in a heap and which means it’s time for the excessive promoting. We hit the headlock once more and MY GOODNESS there are some half empty sections very seen within the higher deck. If that occurred immediately, the manufacturing workers would all be fired.

Tito pops him within the jaw and Sherri is panicking on the considered Shawn’s face being broken. It’s again to the headlock and Shawn can’t even throw him off with a elevate into the air. Heenan swears that he’s received a match with a headlock and that somebody even gave up throughout directions.

Again up and Shawn lastly throws him excessive for an enormous crash to take over. A backbreaker retains Tito in hassle as Sherri is taking her glove off for some purpose. We hit the chinlock and much more of these empty sections are proven. There’s virtually no angle you may present right here that doesn’t show them and it’s actually distracting. Tito fights up however costs into the superkick (not but a finisher) and Heenan declares no extra tacos tonight.

The Teardrop Suplex is damaged up and Tito scores along with his flying forearm (Heenan: “That’s the Flying Jalapeno!”) to ship Shawn outdoors. Again in and Tito slugs away, permitting Shawn to do the overblown Wrestlemania promoting for the primary time. El Paso Del Muerte (leaping forearm to the again) sends Shawn to the ground and Tito tries a suplex, solely to have Shawn seize the rope and fall on prime for the pin at 10:38.

Ranking: B-. Good opener right here as Tito is a type of guys who’s at all times good for a strong efficiency. Shawn’s star was clearly on the rise right here (give somebody Sherri when you want them to get a rocket hooked up to their again) and a win in a aggressive match was a great begin. Strong match right here and that’s all it wanted to be.

Gene Okerlund is on the platform and brings out the Legion of Doom for an interview, together with supervisor Paul Ellering. Paul talks about the necessity to put the group collectively within the first place and now revenge has introduced them again collectively. He’s not right here to get wealthy however to get even. Animal talks about dealing with and defeating adversity and now it’s time to get revenge on everybody, together with Jimmy Hart and Cash Inc.

Hawk says they’re a runaway prepare and now, look who’s driving the prepare. Paul wraps it up by saying they’re going to earn their cash the quaint means: beating folks for it. They need the titles again and don’t care who they need to beat to get them again. Ellering was good for the group within the NWA however I do not know why he was wanted right here. Or why he’s someway again in WWE twenty six years later.

Jake Roberts isn’t bringing a snake again to the ring however he’ll recap his feud with Undertaker. He’s gone full evil to go after Final Warrior however since Warrior left the corporate, Undertaker turned face on Jake, organising the match. Jake trapped Undertaker’s hand within the casket on the Funeral Parlor and laid Bearer out with a DDT, adopted by a chair shot to Undertaker. Evil Jake was superior however this was a little bit of a unique form of animal.

Jake Roberts vs. Undertaker

I really like that pulling himself up from the nook factor that Jake does. Diamond Dallas Web page borrowed it from him and it’s not all that stunning. Jake slugs away to start out and actuality units in in a short time. A operating proper hand places Undertaker on the ground however Jake will get pulled outdoors as nicely. The beating is on and the followers are WAY right into a fired up Undertaker.

Again in and Jake’s proper fingers nonetheless don’t have a lot impact so Bobby begins making Munsters references. Higher than the Addams Household at the very least. Undertaker begins choking however Jake grabs a fast DDT and you’ll really feel the followers react. Then Undertaker sits up and it’s very clear that that is one thing totally different. One other DDT drops Undertaker once more however this time Jake goes after Bearer….as Undertaker will get up once more. Meaning a Tombstone on the ground and Jake is DEAD for the pin at 6:41.

Ranking: D. This was across the time the place the Undertaker would begin to be the form of attraction that the corporate wished him to be. It’s clear that there’s one thing very totally different about him and beating an enormous title like Roberts was a good way to push him in the direction of that purpose. I imply, beating Hogan lower than six months in the past did it much more so however nonetheless, superior reserving right here. This was Jake’s final match with the corporate till 1996 as he was turned down for Pat Patterson’s job and left because of this.

Roddy Piper and Bret Hart are within the again with Roddy speaking about rising up collectively when Bret was a bit dumb. Apparently Mrs. Hart would make them sandwiches however Bret lastly cuts him off. They’re alleged to have a pleasant contest for the Intercontinental Title however Bret desires to be severe. That’s fantastic with Roddy and the match is on. Bret misplaced the title as a consequence of wrestling with a excessive fever and Piper received it virtually instantly. That is Bret’s massive rematch and one of the crucial intriguing matches on the present.

Intercontinental Title: Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper

Piper is defending. The primary minute is spent with Piper taking off his kilt and a few directions from the referee. By no means let or not it’s mentioned that Wrestlemania doesn’t know the right way to waste time. Piper armdrags him down to start out as Monsoon truly analyzes the match, which isn’t one thing you get from most different announcers. Heenan’s concept: waffle the opposite man with a tire iron.

Piper tries some novice wrestling and is shortly despatched outdoors in a huff. Again in and Piper spits at Bret and Heenan desires an apology proper now. Bret wins a battle of the wristlocks and Piper can’t chop his technique to freedom. Monsoon says thirty international locations are watching the present reside, lists off three of them, after which stops for a great fifteen seconds of silence. A operating dropkick drops Piper however Bret comes up holding his shoulder. Heenan sees proper by it (Bobby: “WHAT A GREAT MOVE!”) and Roddy is REALLY not completely satisfied.

Bret comes again with a operating crossbody and so they fall out to the ground on the identical time. Piper is up first and holds the ropes for Bret however naturally will get in an affordable shot to take over. Nicely you recognize he’s essentially the most pure heel ever so it’s not precisely a shock. A bulldog provides Piper two and Bret is busted open (which he lied about, claiming that it was a hardway reduce to save lots of his job) someplace in there.

Bret is ok sufficient to get two off a sundown flip and Heenan is begging for some extra violence. A slugout goes to Piper so Bret hits a operating forearm to knock him outdoors. Again in and a double clothesline places them each down with Piper’s head touchdown on Bret. Heenan desires a depend however Monsoon precisely says all 4 shoulders are down so there can’t be a pin. A lot for the Mind.

Bret is up first with the 5 Strikes of Doom however Piper blocks the Sharpshooter. The center rope elbow hits a raised boot and Piper has a gap. The referee will get bumped although and Bret is distributed face first into the steps. Piper grabs the bell however can’t deliver himself to do it (Heenan: “GIVE IT TO ME! I’LL HIT HIM!”), as a substitute grabbing a sleeper. Bret climbs the nook and flips backwards onto Piper for the pin and the title at 13:52.

Ranking: A-. That is the match that you simply level at when you want to show that Piper can placed on a great match when he’s given the prospect. Bret profitable the title again right here was all that this could have been and the traditional made it a good higher second. That ending could be used a number of occasions through the years and is somewhat well-known in its personal proper, which is somewhat becoming when it comes from a traditional wrestler like Bret. Nice match right here and one other instance of how gifted each of them actually are.

They shake fingers to make it clear that Piper continues to be on the great facet.

Heenan sends us to Atlanta, Georgia and the house of future WBF Bodystars Champion Lex Luger. Lex is his regular smug self and praises Bobby whereas calling Gorilla fats. Luger takes off his shirt to disclose a muscle shirt and Heenan is WAY too excited. He has some milk to wrap this up with Monsoon not precisely being impressed. Monsoon: “You discovered somebody much more immodest than you’re!”

The Mountie, the Nasty Boys and Repo Man are excited for the eight man tag.

Sgt. Slaughter, Jim Duggan, Virgil and Large Boss Man are excited for the eight man tag. Do not forget that Slaughter was predominant eventing the present final yr.

Comic Ray Combs is visitor ring announcer for mentioned eight man tag and naturally he has some jokes. Since we will’t survey who can be good or evil (yeah you may), he’s requested 100 folks (the gimmick of his Household Feud recreation present) about a number of the folks within the match. The Mountie is dumb just like the Three Stooges, Repo Man is ugly and appears like a woman and the Nasty Boys are solely profitable as a result of they’re fortunate. With that he’s chased off and we’re able to go.

The Mountie/Nasty Boys/Repo Man vs. Sgt. Slaughter/Jim Duggan/Large Boss Man/Virgil

The nice guys clear home with elbows and clotheslines as Heenan plugs some WWF names being on Household Feud. So there’s your cross promotion. Dangle on although: SHAWN MICHAELS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! Monsoon: “WHO CARES?” Nicely Shawn may. Anyway we settle right down to Sags vs. Duggan with Jim firing off some clotheslines. I imply, as a lot hearth as Duggan goes to have.

Slaughter is available in for some clotheslines of his personal to Knobbs earlier than dropping to his knees for an elbow to the ribs. What an odd visible. It’s off to Boss Man for a wind up uppercut however he misses a splash on Repo Man. Repo jumps onto Boss Man’s again, shouts ONE MORE TIME, and jumps proper right into a low blow.

Virgil, with a damaged nostril, is available in and will get taken down with out a lot effort. Even Heenan is operating out of the way to make enjoyable of the folks on this match as a result of Virgil is such a joke within the first place. Sags hits a pumphandle slam however Boss Man is available in with a spinebuster as every thing breaks down. Some heel miscommunication sees Sags hit Knobbs to provide Virgil the pin at 6:28.

Ranking: D. Wrestlemania was totally different again then, which is perhaps the most important understatement of the wrestling yr. This was a home present match to pop the gang however right here it served as a technique to allow them to quiet down a bit after the title change. Not less than it served a objective, however it feels so misplaced on right here.

Aptitude and his government advisor Mr. Good have a look at the blown up image of Liz (we will’t see it after all) with Aptitude swearing it’s actual. Ric talks in regards to the brilliant lights and the large metropolis the place Savage will attempt to reclaim the most important trophy of all of them. After Savage takes the beating of his life, Savage can search for and see the images identical to everybody else. Then Liz has yet one more shot at Area Mountain. Good: “Can I come together with you this time champ?”

Savage received’t grant interviews.

For the reason that firm doesn’t really feel the necessity to clarify the story, the thought right here is Aptitude claimed to have been with Liz earlier than she met Savage. As Savage is totally loopy most days and even worse in relation to her, this despatched him into the trend of all rages and arrange the angle after the match was made, which is at all times odd. Anyway, Aptitude has promised to point out some somewhat personal photos of Liz, which have solely been referenced a few hundred occasions within the first hour and ten minutes of the present.

WWF World Title: Randy Savage vs. Ric Aptitude

Aptitude is defending and sporting pink, which means he’s doubtless dropping (Look it up. He virtually by no means wins an enormous match when he’s sporting pink.). Heenan immediately says that to be truthful to Aptitude, you need to say that’s an incredible gown, giving Monsoon certainly one of his finest ever WILL YOU STOP’s. Savage jumps Aptitude within the aisle till Good drags him off the champ. Heenan sums issues up very nicely: Savage desires to harm Aptitude somewhat than win the title so issues must be going fantastic for Aptitude (and Heenan, who was in full on Aptitude fanboy mode right here).

Aptitude tries an atomic drop and will get his head taken off with a clothesline. A backdrop sends Savage to the ground with certainly one of his trademark nice bumps. Savage is already favoring his again so Aptitude stomps away as Heenan goes into the most effective, longest rants I’ve ever heard him give on Aptitude not dropping. Aptitude will get two off a suplex (Heenan: “An eighty yr previous girl might have counted sooner than Hebner!”) and the stomach to again model is nice for a similar. A chop takes Savage proper again down and Aptitude drops him again first onto the apron.

One other suplex will get one other two as they’ve moved to a somewhat sluggish tempo. Savage manages to get in a neckbreaker and Heenan wants a drink. The required slam off the highest retains Aptitude in hassle and Heenan is begging for Aptitude to do one thing. I do know I’m speaking about Heenan quite a bit on this match however he’s completely wonderful right here. The Aptitude Flip sends Ric to the highest however he dives right into a clothesline for 2 and Heenan….nicely I feel you may determine this one out from right here.

Savage sends him outdoors and hits an ax deal with to drive Aptitude into the barricade. With Aptitude falling down, we get one of the crucial apparent blade jobs you’ll ever see (practically getting him fired within the course of). Again in and Savage hammers away with one other ax deal with getting two. The large elbow connects however Good pulls Savage out at two. Thank goodness that wasn’t a DQ or they may have burned the dome down.

Good will get dragged in and the referee will get bumped for just a few seconds, permitting Good to throw Aptitude an object. That’s solely good for 2 as nicely so Good nails Savage within the leg with a chair. Cue Liz with a bunch of fits (together with Shane McMahon in certainly one of his first on-screen appearances) making an attempt to cease her. Aptitude goes into his regular leg work routine and the Determine 4 goes on. Heenan: “SHOW ME THE PICTURES!”

Good grabs the hand so the referee kicks it away, permitting Savage to show it over and break the maintain. A small package deal provides Savage two (and a GREAT false close to fall with the gang gasping) however Aptitude goes again to the knee. Savage blocks a proper hand although and a rollup (with trunks) provides Randy the title again at 17:58.

Ranking: A. I obtained WAY into this match watching it again and was having a good time with every thing. The gang fully purchased into Savage’s quest for revenge with the title simply being a bonus prize. All of the dishonest was nice stuff with Savage overcoming all odds, partially as a result of inspiration from Liz. The match was even totally different from the same old stuff with Savage having lengthy stretches of management, which you virtually by no means see in a match like this. Actually nice stuff right here and an underrated traditional. If nothing else simply hearken to Heenan’s commentary.

Publish match Heenan bails from the sales space and Aptitude tries to kiss Liz. That earns him a bunch of slaps to the face as every thing goes loopy. Good takes Savage down and Aptitude goes after the knee as all of the fits are powerless to cease something. Savage fights up and cleans home earlier than lastly being introduced as the brand new champion.

Good claims a handful of trunks (correct) and says that’s not how a macho man would act. Heenan is available in and says there’s nothing to fret about as a result of it’s all on tape. Aptitude says tonight, a person goes to stroll round Indianapolis claiming to be the true World’s Champion and to have the love of Liz. Good talks about Savage taking a shortcut, which Aptitude has NEVER completed. Good: “Similar to his previous woman! A cheater!” Ric guarantees to get the title again and kiss Liz every time he sees her.

Savage can barely stroll and says this isn’t completed. Right now was only a piece of what Aptitude has coming to him as a result of he hasn’t been crushed up correctly. Aptitude has someway made him even madder than he was so it doesn’t matter the place it’s, however Ric is getting the beating he deserves. Liz isn’t allowed to say if she’s been vindicated as Savage provides her the belt, saying it’s hers. Savage if Flairs although and that is only a piece. GREAT stuff right here from Savage who can play the crazed man like few others (and I exploit the time period “play” loosely).

We recap Sid Justice vs. Hulk Hogan. Hulk had been named #1 contender and Sid wasn’t completely satisfied. Subsequently he turned on Hogan throughout a tag match and went on a significant rampage, together with destroying the Barber Store set. That was sufficient to vary Wrestlemania as Hogan wished to struggle Sid as a substitute. Hogan has additionally teased that this is perhaps his final match, which interprets to “steroids have gotten an enormous subject and Hogan isn’t the cleanest wanting man on this planet”.

Intermission retains going with some members of Tatanka’s tribe dancing within the ring.

Rick Martel has some reservations about Tatanka as a result of he’s nonetheless outdoors scalping tickets.

Rick Martel vs. Tatanka

Sure that is on Wrestlemania because it’s only a totally different time. Martel knees him within the ribs to start out as Heenan points an announcement on it being a matter of time till they get the title again. He lists off all of his jobs within the Aptitude group with Monsoon solely responding with “YOU’RE A LIAR!” Heenan affords to place em up and Monsoon laughs it off.

Tatanka elbows his means out of hassle and sends Martel shoulder first into the publish. A choke takedown drops Tatanka as we’re nonetheless ready on the announcers to acknowledge the match occurring. Martel sends him onerous to the ground as Monsoon says “Ric Aptitude” is giving a wrestling lesson proper now. Rick heads up however will get crotched, organising the comeback and a crossbody to pin Martel at 4:31.

Ranking: D. Only a filler match right here and there’s nothing unsuitable with that. Right now it will be a fast comedy match or one thing so it’s onerous to argue with one thing being on this spot on the cardboard. Martel feels misplaced right here, although there’s nothing unsuitable with having a strong hand like him on the roster. You’re going to get least a watchable match out of him and this did its job, albeit not in essentially the most entertaining means.

Tag Crew Champions Cash Inc. (Ted DiBiase and IRS with new supervisor Jimmy Hart) is able to handle the Pure Disasters. Hart jumped from the Disasters to Cash Inc. and has instructed them all the Disasters’ secrets and techniques. It’s not a nasty concept and it’s not prefer it’s onerous to boo Cash Inc.

The Disasters (Earthquake and Hurricane) are prepared for revenge and the titles.

Tag Crew Titles: Cash Inc. vs. Pure Disasters

Cash Inc. is defending. IRS begins with Earthquake however bails in very brief order as Heenan complains about all of the noise right here. Some onerous shoves ship DiBiase into the nook earlier than the champs are rocked with some massive clotheslines. After a gathering with Jimmy, it’s IRS getting his arm hammered by Earthquake.

Hurricane is available in for a hiptoss and it’s his flip to get tossed into the nook. Utterly one sided as far as Gorilla retains mocking Heenan over Aptitude’s loss. Hurricane lastly misses a splash within the nook and it’s off to DiBiase. We get a clumsy wanting sequence the place DiBiase doesn’t appear able to low bridge Hurricane to the ground. No worries although as they do it once more just a few seconds later (erg) and this time Hurricane goes over.

A double clothesline (someway to the again of the top as Hurricane can’t even run the ropes correctly) units up a entrance facelock as that is dying earlier than my eyes. Again up and Hurricane will get in a clothesline for his personal for the ice chilly tag to Earthquake. All the things breaks down and DiBiase is clotheslined to the ground. Earthquake masses up the Earthquake however IRS is pulled to the ground and it’s an intentional countout to retain the titles at 8:37.

Ranking: F. WOW this was horrible and the followers clearly didn’t care. Are you able to blame them although? Not solely was it boring however on prime of that it was stuffed with botches and had a home shoe degree end. Simply horrible stuff right here and within the operating for worst Wrestlemania match ever. That’s some somewhat elite firm and I do not know why they thought this was a good suggestion.

Brutus Beefcake is right here to assist Hulk Hogan as a result of Hulkamania will reside eternally.

Owen Hart vs. Skinner

Oh come on GET TO THE MAIN EVENT ALREADY! Skinner jumps him from behind to start out and hits a fast shoulder breaker. The reverse DDT will get two on Owen however he skins the cat and grabs an O’Connor Roll to pin Skinner at 1:08. Absolute filler.

Sid cuts off Gene Okerlund, calling him a brief, bald headed little oaf. He’s going to destroy Hulkamania as soon as and for all. We go to a sitdown interview with Hogan the place he says he’s simply unsure if that is his ultimate match or not. Vince, conducting the interview, shakes his hand and thanks him for every thing. Sid guarantees to destroy each Hulkamaniac as a result of he guidelines the world.

Sid Justice vs. Hulk Hogan

Sid has Harvey Whippleman in his nook. Hogan will get the large entrance and the followers are as into it as they’ve been in a great whereas however Sid jumps him from behind. In one of the crucial underrated Hogan sequences ever, he does a mini Hulk Up, punches Sid to the ground, and clotheslines him off the apron to ship Sid outdoors. You’ll be able to really feel the ability of Hulkamania and my goodness it really works so freaking nicely once more.

We settle right down to Sid choking and hammering within the nook however Hulk is true again with extra proper fingers. The followers are ALL OVER this and Sid bails to the ground for a minute. Again in and we hit the check of energy with Hogan taking place. Because the followers all rethink their place in life, Hogan fights up however will get knocked into the nook. Hogan is in hassle once more and will get despatched to the ground for some pictures to the again from Harvey’s medical bag.

Sid grabs a nerve maintain and it seems to be like Hogan is taking a nap. Sid’s powerbomb units up Hogan’s fish out of water promoting and it’s time for the Hulk Up. Heenan: “THEY’RE BOTH NUTS!” The large boot and a slam (not precisely spectacular on Sid) arrange the legdrop….for 2, because the scheduled run-in was mistimed (on objective, as the corporate determined to make Hogan look unhealthy in case it was his final match). As an alternative Harvey is available in for the DQ at 12:37.

Ranking: D-. I do know the wrestling is fairly horrible however my goodness a few of these Hogan comebacks felt just like the previous days. The followers helped this one quite a bit and the opening was simply an excessive amount of to name this a failure. It felt like a home present match and that’s fully unacceptable for a Wrestlemania predominant occasion, however at the very least it had some nice moments.

Publish match Papa Shango (the scheduled run-in) comes out for the double beatdown however the Final Warrior makes his return after about eight months away for the save. A number of posing ends the present.

Total Ranking: B-. That is everywhere because it goes from excellent to horrible all night time lengthy. The ending with Warrior returning is greater than sufficient of a mixture with the 2 nice matches to make the present work although and actually, a number of the unhealthy matches are brief sufficient that they don’t imply a lot. It doesn’t imply a lot in the long run as this was a VERY weak time for the corporate, however higher occasions had been coming within the types of Bret and Shawn. For one final hurrah for the previous guard although, it labored as a enjoyable present, albeit one which wanted a really highly effective quick ahead button.

Thomas Corridor has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 60,000 wrestling matches. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 6,000 full reveals lined. You’ll find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or take a look at his- Amazon writer web page with 30 wrestling books

Sustain with the LATEST WRESTLING RUMORS! Click on right here to enroll in the unique Wrestling Rumors every day publication, delivered proper to your inbox.