WWE WAR ZONE - The Tombstone

As I write this, it is four months and twenty-one days until the greatest spectacle in sports-entertainment history, Wrestlemania XX. Twenty years in the making, and probably the biggest night in the history of the industry, and it all happens on March 14th. And guess what? I’ve got tickets! That being said, I decided that twice a month or so, until Wrestlemania XX arrives, I’ll cover one Wrestlemania per column out of the 10 I’ve been a fan long enough to see. So I’ll be starting with Wrestlemania IX.

On April 4, 1993, Wrestlemania IX (nine) emanated from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the first Wrestlemania I got to see, as I rented it when it came out that summer. I think as of right now, I would probably say Wrestlemania IX is my favorite Wrestlemania, due largely to the part that it was my first I think. Another huge factor in how much I loved Wrestlemania IX was the fact that it was held outdoors and had a very cool look to it as a result.

The entire thing was themed as “The World’s Largest Toga Party”, and everyone was decked out in Roman attire. I’m sure many of you have heard Jim Ross state that he was a little less than pleased that his first day on the job (at Wrestlemania IX) he had to wear a toga. Everything was Roman themed, all the way down to the ring entrances. The Undertaker made his entrance being brought to the ring on a cart thing pulled by people dressed in togas, and a huge vulture rested on a perch above Undertaker’s shoulder.

Wrestlemania IX proved to be Hulk Hogan’s last Wrestlemania appearance for nine years (until Wrestlemania X-8 in 2002), but the Hulkster made it one that you couldn’t forget. First, Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake took on the team of Money Inc. (Ted Dibiase and I.R.S.) for the WWF Tag Team Titles. Hogan and Beefcake ended up on the short end, as they got disqualified.

But the thing that was spectacular (although I didn’t really care for it) and unexpected for the evening, occurred after the main event. Bret Hart defended the WWF title against Yokozuna. While the Hitman had Yokozuna trapped in the Sharpshooter, Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna’s manager, tossed salt into Bret’s eyes, and Yoko rolled up Bret for the win and was the new WWF Champion.

Hogan then came out to protest to the referee about Bret’s loss, when Fuji took the mic and challenged Hogan to fight Yokozuna right then and there for the title. Hogan accepted, and after an errant salt shot by Fuji to his own wrestler, Hogan had become an (at the time) record setting five-time WWF Champion.

It is too bad that Hogan left the WWF before we got the eventual payoff from that night, with a Bret Hart vs. Hulk Hogan match, as the story was supposed to go that Hart only told Hogan to go kick Yoko’s ass, not take the title.

My favorite match of the night, however, was the Intercontinental Title match between Shawn Michaels and Tatanka. As a 10 year old boy, I was a fan of Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect, but Tatanka was my favorite when I had first started watching. Shawn Michaels was my brother’s favorite, so it was a perfect fit for our first Wrestlemania to have our two favorites square off. Shawn Michaels ended up retaining, since the title can’t change hands on a disqualification, but it was a fun match nonetheless.

I’ll be back sometime somewhat soon to talk about Wrestlemania X in 1994, and perhaps a column on the passing of Road Warrior Hawk and Stu Hart as well.

Until next time… 1