Wrestlemania 6 would be the last time the WWE Universe gets a chance to watch Andre “The Giant” wrestle. After many memorable moments in WWE, Andre’s health begins to get the best of him, and Andre starts to fade away from wrestling, but before he goes he makes another memorable impact. After joining the “Heenan Family”, Andre went on to battle Hogan; only to be defeated. Andre wins the title, only to hand it over to Ted Dibiase. The end of this match would be the result of pent up frustration, and a goodbye to Andre “The Giant”. Andre and another Heenan Family member Haku would win the WWF (WWE) tag team titles, and go on to defend them against Demolition at Wrestlemania. Demolition were two big men, dressed in leather; with face-paint on, these two man would end up defeating Andre and Haku and win the tag team titles. The manager and leader of the “Heenan Family”; Bobby “The Brain” Heenan would then get up in Andre’s face, after the match, and slap him in the face for losing the match. Andre would then start to slap Heenan around like a rag doll; finally punching and knocking him to the ground. Andre would than leave the building renewed again as a face. Although this was Andre’s last wrestling match, he does make an appearance at the next Wrestlemania; but then dies a few months later. Andre “The Giant” would than later become the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The next match I would like to mention is the first ever mixed gender tag team match at Wrestlemania. After the fallout of Wrestlemania 5, The “Macho Man” Randy Savage would go on to become the top heel in the WWF. Hogan had taken his title, and his wife Elisabeth turned her back on him as well. Savage would then use the services of a new WWF Diva; Sensational Sherri. Thanks to Miss. Elisabeth, WWF divas started to rise in professional wrestling again. The Women’s Championship had been long forgotten, at this time, and women wrestlers were fading out. Instead of in ring talent, women started to become sex objects. Women began to be used only as valets, to catch the ref’s or the opponent’s attention and look pretty. Miss. Elisabeth and Sensational Sherri were polar opposites, which could help the new direction Savage’s character was heading. Randy Savage and Sensation Sherri would lose to “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire. The “American Dream” would have Miss. Elisabeth in their corner, which caused as a distraction for Savage, and won the match. This match is important because it shows the rise of female valets and the very first mixed gender tag team match at Wrestlemania. Randy Savage would go on to fight for another title shot, well Rhodes would leave the WWF for a new wrestling company; WCW, but we’ll talk about them later.
Finally the main event match, in front of more than 67,000 fans we witnessed the first ever “Champion Vs. Champion” Match. Hulk Hogan was the heavyweight champion, and the challenger the Ultimate Warrior was the Intercontinental champion. The match was named the “Ultimate Challenge” and featured two of the most famous WWF names. The Ultimate Warrior was on a continuous rise to the top and this match was the pinnacle. Although the Ultimate Warrior’s character begins to defuse after this main event, and would lead to his downfall. Hulk Hogan had conquered every challenge thrown his way, until April 1, 1990. This was the first PPV of the 90”s and my favorite Wrestlemania from the decade. I remember as both sides were 50/50, half had red and yellow t-shirts, while the other half had warrior face paint. Never had a crowd been so behind their favorite superstar. Crowds of the eighties were much more tamer, than in the nineties the fans started to become a part of the show it self; with poster boards and distinct chats, this match would be the beginning of a new change in the WWF. The match would be completely equal up till the end, both men almost got a 3 count and both men knocked out the referee. The Ultimate Warrior would get the final move in with his finisher “The Warrior Splash” and win the WWF title for the very first time. This had been the first time that Hogan had his shoulders pinned to the mat at Wrestlemania and sent goosebumps down your spine. The end of the match would lead to a symbolic passing of the torch, as Hogan would hand the Warrior the title and then pose with him as the new champion. This was the first time two big name faces squared off in a big match atmosphere and they blew the roof off the place. Matches like this one is why I remain a WWE loyalist and is why I’m writing this blog. Wrestlemania 7 will feature The Macho Man’s rise back to the top and the debut of one of the most important characters in WWE history; The Undertaker. For now, let’s ravel in the shinning moment for the Ultimate Warrior.
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