When you are a fan of professional wrestling, one thing you will always remember, your first WrestleMania. On August 7, 1986, I was born a fan of this business. For me, my first WrestleMania was WrestleMania III (Ironically it was the day after my wife was born). While I watched every WrestleMania at my grandparent’s house, the first one my parents ordered for me was WrestleMania IX.
I could not be more excited, Hulk Hogan was making his return to team with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake to face Money Incorporated, and my new favorite Bret “The Hitman” Hart was defending his WWE Championship against the 505 pound Yokozuna.
WrestleMania IX was booked at the world’s largest toga party. Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada hosted the 9th annual extravaganza. Before I get into the matches, here are some notes about WrestleMania IX:
- Jim Ross WWE debut.
- First WrestleMania held outside.
- First WrestleMania with the broadcast table at ringside.
- Macho Man comes out with the vestal Virgins.
- Bobby Heenan with the camel backwards.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels © vs. Tatanka
Shawn Michaels defended his title against the undefeated Native American Tatanka. Michaels, who had previously separated from Sensational Sheri, had a new woman by his side, Luna Vachon. This was Luna’s WWE debut. Sheri would join Tatanka at ringside. In a previous episode of WWE Superstars, Tatanka pinned Michaels.
During that match, Michaels separated his shoulder, and throughout the match Tatanka would use this to his advantage as he dominated the match. Michaels eventually removed the referee from the ring and when he returned, Tatanka hit him with his finisher, the Samoan Drop, but the referee ruled the match a disqualification. After the match Luna attacked Sheri setting up their feud.
Mr. Main Event Thoughts: Perhaps they were not ready to remove the title from Shawn Michaels considering they had bigger plans for him down the future. The win did not really help Tatanka, although it protected his undefeated record. Michaels was not hurt losing this match because it was forgotten when he attacked Mr. Perfect later on.
Headshrinkers vs. Steiner Brothers
The term “Slobberknocker” was introduced to the WWE audience during this match
Throughout the match the Headshrinkers displayed how hard their heads are. Every time the Steiner Brothers tried to do a head-butt, or ram their heads into one another. Neither Fatu or Samu was phased. There was a lot of athleticism displayed during this match. We really saw how agile both the Steiner brothers and the Headshrinkers were. In the end it was Scott Steiner hitting the Frankensteiner to gain the victory.
Mr. Main Event Thoughts: This was a solid tag team match. During a time where the best performers wrestled on PPV and there was not a PPV every month, this was a much-needed match. One where the winner would be put in a spot to be the number one contender for the tag team titles.
Doink vs. Crush
There are interesting dynamics in this match. Doink, who was portrayed by Matt Bourne, wrestled in WrestleMania I as himself. Crush was apart of the team Demolition and he wrestled in WrestleMania VII. When Crush broke out into singles competition, prior to taking on a more edgy gimmick was a child friendly powerful man from Kona Hawaii.
Before the match Mene Gene Okerlund interviewed Doink. He warned that maybe Crush would be seeing double vision.
Doink was such a perfect heel. He began the match by squirting Crush with water therefore starting the match outside the ring. Crush delivered a beating on Doink. When he delivered the Kona Crush, the refree was knocked out, and a second Doink would enter the ring to attack Crush, allowing the original Doink to obtain the victory.
Mr. Main Event Thoughts: As a 6 year old, I was disgusted. Here comes this clown using tricks to help him win the match. Doink would eventually become a face and Crush would eventually become a heel, so Im not sure how much it helped, although it did create a WrestleMania moment with the two Doinks looking at each other.
Razor Ramon vs. Bob Backlund
Backlund and Razors first WrestleMania. Backlund was back after years out of the ring. He was so old school he did not come out to entrance music. He and Razor displayed a great wrestling match but it was Backlund who was outsmarted by the younger and powerful Ramon with an inside cradle.
Mr. Main Event Thoughts : Bob Backlund was a super babyface, and he seemed to do no wrong. All he wanted to do was shake hands and kiss babies. Razor on the other hand was one of the best heels in the WWE. It was just at the Royal Rumble where he was challenging Bret Hart for the WWE Championship. He never seemed to get back into the main event though. After a face turn, he went on to become one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions. In Today’s WWE, this would have been the perfect match to calm the crowd before the upcoming Tag Team title match.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Money Inc © vs. The MegaManiacs
Jimmy Hart was the manager of Money Inc, but after they attacked Brutus the Barber Beefcake in the face with a briefcase, he went to his aid. Beefcake was in a parasailing accident that disfigured his face. This was attack played on the real life accident. After seeing the attack Hulk Hogan who was at home decided to make a return to save his friend.
During the pre-match interview Irwin R. Schyster revealed that Hogan may have gotten into it at the gym the night before and said “that’s what money can do”. When Hogan entered the ring we notice that he has a cut over his eye. This was Hogan’s first match since WrestleMania VIII, one that many thought would be his last match.
Early in the match Hogan and Beefcake dominated to the point Money Inc left the ring in an attempt to save the titles. During this time referee Earl Hebner spoke with ring announce Finkamus Maximus (Howard Finkel) and said if they lose the match by count-out they would also lose the titles.
These four never lost the crowd. At one point the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase put the Million Dollar Dream on Hogan, but while IRS was trying to interfere, Beefcake ran in and Put the sleeper on DiBiase which lead to the ten count. The ref would reach 9 before Hogan sat up at 9. Beefcake wore a protective mask throughout the match until Money INC removed it. The two worked on Beefcakes face throughout the rest of the match. When Beefcake slapped the sleeper on IRS instead of tagging the fresher Hogan Dibiase knocked the two and the referee down and Hebner would not get up for the rest of the match.
Hogan and Beefcake knocked out Money INC with the face mask and Jimmy Hart jumped in the ring with his coat turned inside out, which was referee stripes, and count them out. Referee Danny Davis came from the back and ruled the match a disqualification. After getting everyone out of the ring, the Megamaniacs celebrated including taking the briefcase and giving money away. Considering no one knew when we would see Hulk Hogan again, this was good send off.
Mr Perfect vs. The Narcissist Lex Luger
Here is a match between two great dynamics. The Perfect one versus the who loves themselves. Luger had a memorable WrestleMania entrance. Many don’t talk about this one. Luger, who came out to the ring with four beautiful women, was more concerned about the mirrors that they were holding so that they could see him.
That morning, during a WrestleMania brunch Luger, who had a metal plate in his forearm, knocked out world champion Bret Hart. He entered the match undefeated winning every match with all knockouts
Perfect displayed great technical wrestling during this match while Luger displayed his power. He also began working the back of Perfect. Perfect was kept out of wrestling for a while due to his back injury. Throughout the match Bobby Heenan reminded everyone that he used to manager Perfect and that he spoke with Luger giving him tips on how to win the match. In the end Luger won with the backslide even though Perfects feet were on the ropes. Luger then knocked out Perfect after perfect began pleading his case with Referee Joey Morella.
As Luger went to the back, Perfect got up realizing what happened and then went to the back after Luger only to be attacked by Shawn Michaels. This would set up the match between the two at SummerSlam. After the broadcast got back to ringside Macho Man took offense to Bobby Heenan laughing at Mr Perfect and the fans near by would get excited as it looked like Savage would knock out Heenan
Mr Main Event Thoughts: I really enjoyed this match. Mr Perfect is one of my top 10 favorite wrestlers of all time, and no matter how bad he is hurt, you never know. I think it was a great set up for him to put Shawn Michaels over at SummerSlam with the attack backstage rather than during the match. Lex Luger was like a free agent signing that never delivered the record breaking statistics that everyone was looking for.
Giant Gonzales vs. Undertaker
The Giant Gonzales was billed as 8 feet tall almost 400 pounds. This was the first time the Undertaker has to look up to someone.
Throughout this match Savage kept questioning if the Undertaker was human. Especially after he seemed to not be phased by a low blow. Before this match Gonzales had not been knocked off his feet. Gonzales dominated the Undertaker throughout the match. But every time Paul Bearer lifted that urn Taker would get back up. This was a match he needed if more than ever.
When Taker got Gonzales down to one knee his manager Harvey Whippleman threw a cloth filled with chlorophyll in the ring and Gonzales used it to palm the Undertakers face. After the five count the ref ruled the match a disqualification. The Undertaker was knocked out and for the first time was carried to the back on a stretcher.
While Gonzales paraded around the ring, fans knew Taker couldn’t return, so they began chanting for Hogan. Then the gong sounded and Taker returned to the ring to take out Gonzales. After three clotheslines Gonzales was finally taken off his feet and was forced to the back by local security.
Mr. Main Event Thoughts: Many critics try to forget this match when they discuss the Undertaker’s WrestleMania legacy. But as a child, I remember hoping that the Undertaker could take down this giant. After all, he seemed unbeatable. I loved the Undertaker returning, this was a perfect set up for SummerSlam.
As everyone would get ready for the main event Mene Gene Okerlund gave viewers a history of Yokozuna and how he dominated the WWE. Then Hulk Hogan joined him. Hogan let everyone know that he and the Hulkamaniacs would be in the corner of Bret Hart. He then issued a challenge to winner. Saying he wanted the first shot.
WWE Championship Match
Bret Hart © vs. Yokozuna
Throughout the match it was said Yokozuna would win the title and take it with him to Japan. Hogan guaranteed the title would stay in the USA.
Bret got out to a fast start using his quickness. But Yokozuna would only let him go so fast as he would use his power and massive body to stop him. Throughout the match Yokozuna would look to Mr Fuji for approval with occasional bows.
Every time Yokozuna would attempt to smash Bret in a corner he would move or counter with his feet. After Bret ripped the turnbuckle cover he would smash Yokozuna face into the exposed Steel. That would allow Bret to apply a modified sharpshooter on Yokozuna. While Hart had him in the sharpshooter Mr. Fuji threw salt into the eyes of Hart allowing Yokozuna to secure the roll up victory.
As Yokozuna celebrated, Hogan ran out to the ring to help Bret Hart and as he was taking him to the backer Fuji challenged Hogan and said they would put the new title on the line.
Hogan returned to the ring and Yokozuna grabbed Hogan to hold him so Mr Fuji could throw salt in his eyes. As Fuji threw the salt Hogan ducked, clotheslined both hit the leg drop on Yokozuna, pinned him and became the new WWE Champion. This was the first time the title changed twice in one night. The fans in Las Vegas went wild and this assured that the crowd went home happy.