WrestleMania Rewind: Savage king! Justice done! (WM8)
By FRANK ZICARELLI - Toronto Sun
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Randy (Macho Man) Savage restored the honor of wrestling's first lady
and reclaimed the squared circle's honor as king of the ring during
yesterday's riveting and high-tech WrestleMania VIII.
A raucous and near-record crowd of 62,167 maniacs nearly raised the Hoosier
Dome roof as Savage pinned Ric (Nature Boy) Flair, wrestling's self-styled
60-minute man, in a 30-minute mat classic that was dripping with emotion,
tears and, of course, plenty of blood.
In the end, it was the demure Mrs. Elizabeth, who fended off several WWF
officials, including the elegant Billy Red Lyons, to inspire the Macho Man at
ring side as Savage won his second World Wrestling Federation heavyweight
crown.
As fireworks exploded overhead, Savage and Liz embraced in the middle of
the squared circle with the coveted strap triumphantly and fittingly draped
around Liz's shoulders.
A similar scene erupted later in the co-main event spectacular as Hulk
Hogan, who is taking a summer sabbatical to film a movie, embraced with his
heir apparent, the Ultimate Warrior, in a backdrop reminiscent of their
classic colossal jostle at WM VI at the SkyDome two years ago.
The Warrior surprised the ring world yesterday by coming to the aid of the
Hulkster, who was being ambushed by Papa Shango and sadistic Sid Justice.
Hogan, for the record, defeated Justice on a disqualification in a predictable
bout.
Warrior returns full-time to the WWF's mat wars later this month and will
feud with Justice.
"Before I say anything, I just want to say 'Oh Yeah!''' began the
inimitable Savage in his patented outrageous attire.
"I guess it's really true - once is not enough,'' continued the Macho Man,
who won the heavyweight strap at WM IV.
"I proved to Ric Flair that I am the real world champion. If he chokes on
that, so be it. Oh Yeah!''
Savage, who appeared vulnerable after executive consultant Curt (Mr.
Perfect) Hennig gave Flair a set of knuckle dusters, bent the rules somewhat
by holding onto Flair's tights as Dave Hebner counted the pinfall.
"Whether I did or whether I didn't is not the question,'' explained the
Macho Man.
"Mr. Perfect isn't perfect and neither am I. Nobody said I had a halo on,
but no one else does either. Oh Yeah! Dig it!''
The Warrior, who took a self-imposed seven-month hiatus from the mat wars,
expressed genuine surprise at the deafening ovation he received as he embarked
on his trademark sprint to ring side in support of the Hulkster.
"The response I got, especially from the kids, was great. I was totally
surprised,'' said the Warrior.
Just as entertaining as the co-main events was Rowdy Roddy Piper's
Intercontinental title defence against Bret (Hitman) Hart.
The Calgary-born Hart overcame a nasty cut above his right eye and a
hostile, but later gracious Hot Rod, to win the I-C belt a second time.
The rest of the card went pretty well according to script.
Sadly, the Berzerker-Davey Boy Smith bout wasn't featured in order to
ensure the Hogan-Warrior embrace and accompanying pyrotechnics display were
seen by globally-televised audience.
2004 Wrestling Headlines
2003 Wrestling Headlines
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