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Wrestlemania VII (Written By: Maurice D. Proffit)

11 Mar

Wrestlemania 7

Date: March 24^th, 1991

Cities: Los Angeles, California

Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

Combined Attendance: 16, 158

Sub-Theme: “Stars and Stripes Forever”

Celebrities: Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek, Marla Maples, Macaulay Culkin (in attendance) and Donald Trump

Originally advertised, Wrestlemania 7 was supposed to take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, potentially having a 100,000 in attendance to break the record. However, according to the World Wrestling Federation, due to the company receiving threats of a possible attack at the event and due to the emotionally tied story line connecting with Sgt. Slaughter, The WWF decided to move the event to the adjacent arena, next to the coliseum, for safety. Or was it because of embarrassing low ticket sales that took place? Helluva difference going from 100,000 fans to a mere 16,000 fans. However, the show must go on! And on we go!

Aug of 1990, the United States of America declared war on the country of Iraq, due to their invasion in Iran. President George HW Bush, addressed the nation on Aug 8^th 1990 (I remember this vividly since it was my 9^th birthday) about the crimes of then dictator Sudam Hussein. During this time, there was a sense of unity when it came to American citizens supporting our troops fighting for our country and a stance of solidarity when it came to standing behind all that was Red, White and Blue. And how perfect of an opportunity was this for the World Wrestling Federation to capitalize on this? Enter Sgt. Slaughter.

Sgt. Slaughter was brought back to the WWF for this reason. However, instead of being the tough talking, hard hitting, American GI that he once was, he turned his back on the United States and became an Iraqi sympathizer. Aligning himself with General Adnan, Sgt. Slaughter was now donning the colors of red, white, black and green, the colors of the Iraqi flag. Slaughter defeated the Ultimate Warrior at the 1991 Royal Rumble to become the WWF Champion. And what better of an opponent to have than none other than the Immortal Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan challenged Slaughter for the WWF Championship at Wrestlemania 7, Slaughter accepted, and a main event was born.

Wrestlemania 7 was a very entertaining show, and really encompassed the “who’s-who” of the WWF at the time, which was really a golden era in terms of popularity at this time. A very entertaining card indeed, with great commentary from Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan and Rowdy Roddy Piper. This had to be one of the most emotional wrestlemanias as well. Between the main event and Virgil wrestling his former employer The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase. But there was one match that kept the people on the edge of their seats, and the hallways, concession and bathrooms empty. I’m talking the “Retirement Match” between The Macho King Randy Savage vs The Ultimate Warrior. This rivalry was so heated leading up to mania, you as the viewer, truly felt that the saying “this town aint big enough for the two of us”, screamed truth with these two. Their heat for each other came across TV as so vicious that it was only fitting that the loser would have to retire. Randy Savage, the perfectionist he is, proved that trait to be true as he single handedly made the Warrior look like a 5 star athlete. Warrior and Savage left it all in the ring, including Savage throwing 5 flying elbow drops on the Warrior, just for him to kick out. The end saw The Ultimate Warrior give Savage 3 shoulder tackles, and pinned him with one foot.

Savage’s career was over. With that being done, so was Queen Sherri. Macho did all he could do to the Warrior, but Sherri refused to be sympathetic as she attacked the Macho Man. Unable to defend himself and fight back, one WOMAN was able to come to his aid, enter the return of the lovely Miss Elizabeth. Liz throws Sherri out the ring and comes to Savages rescue. When Savage realizes what has happened aftering piecing all of the happenings together, with nothing left but a goodbye to the crowd, Savage leaves the WWF the way he came in, in the arms of the lovely Miss Elizabeth as they embrace each other by a hug that symbolized reuniting. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as they marched away down the aisle for the “last time”.

Taker Note: This was the Undertaker’s first wrestlmania, he faced SuperFly Jimmy Snuka. And defeated him. Taker is 1-0 at Wrestlemania

The Main event saw The World Wrestling Federation Champion Sgt. Slaughter battle Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship. Hogan wrestling not only for himself and the company, but also for the honor of the United States. In a bloody bloody battle, Hogan refuses to give up.

Slaughter does everything to put Hogan away, and just when slaughter thought the job was done as he pinned Hogan with the Iraqi Flag and the blood on Hogan’s face, Hogan miraculously kicks out, sees the blood and rips the Iraqi flag in half. After the formulaic “hulk up”, Hogan delivers the big boot to the leg drop to Slaughter and pins him in the middle of the ring, 1-2-3, to win the World Wrestling Federation Championship belt for the 3^rd time.