Intro:
WrestleMania V took place on April 2, 1989. For the only time in event history, the event was held in the same arena for back to back years. The main event featured Randy Savage defend the WWF title against Hulk Hogan. As the previous year, the NWA ran a Clash of Champions special live on TBS against WrestleMania. The big difference was that Ted Turner was the owner of the company.
Ted Turner:
Ted Turner bought Jim Crockett's wrestling promotion in the summer of 88. The company kept the NWA name until 1991 when they became known as World Championship Wrestling. With the exception of this event, WCW wasn't a thorn in the side of the WWF until 1995. This installment of the Clash featured Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat in a best of 3 falls match. While this was the match of the night, WrestleMania was the better event.
The Megapowers Explode:
Throughout the year, Randy was getting more and more paranoid about his friend Hulk Hogan. On a live edition of The Main Event, the team came apart during a match against the Big Bossman and Akeem. Hulk left his partner to attend to the injured Elizabeth. After the match, Randy accused Hulk of lusting after Elizabeth and his title. He then attacked Hogan in the locker room.
The Main Event:
Randy's elbow was heavily taped for this match due to an injury he was going to have surgery on. Elizabeth was in a neutral corner for the match before th ref made her go to the back for her own safety. The match ended like most Hulk Hogan matches. After he Hulked up, he hit the big leg drop to get the win and the title.
Other Highlights:
In a huge surprise, Rick Rude beat The Ultimate Warrior for the Intercontinental Championship. Roddy Piper returned to the ring and conducted a Piper's Pit with special guest Brother Love and Morton Downy Jr. The segment ended with Piper dousing Downey with a fire extinguisher because he wouldn't stop blowing cigarette smoke in Piper's face.
The Aftermath:
The movie No Holds Barred was released that summer. Hulk's movie nemesis Zeus (Tiny Lister) would become Savage's ally in this battle which also saw Hall of Famer Sherri Martel take the place of Elizabeth as Savage's corner person. While Savage and Hogan continued their feud, The Ultimate Warrior was quickly becoming a crowd favorite.
Match Results:
- Hercules pinned King Haku
- Akeem & Big Bossman pinned The Rockers
- Ted DiBiase & Brutus Beefcake battled to a double-count out
- The Bushwhackers pinned The Rougeau Brothers
- Curt Hennig pinned The Blue Blazer
- Tag Team Title: Champions Demolition pinned The Powers of Pain & Mr. Fuji
- Dino Bravo pinned Ron Garvin
- The Brainbusters beat Tito Santana & Rick Martel
- Jake Roberts beat Andre the Giant via DQ - Big John Studd was referee
- The Hart Foundation beat Greg Valentine & The Honky Tonk Man
- Piper's Pit: Roddy Piper had guests Brother Love & Morton Downey Jr. The segment ended when Piper doused Downey with a fire extinguisher
- I-C Title: Rick Rude pinned The Ultimate Warrior to win the title
- Jim Duggan & Bad News Brown fought to a double-DQ
- Terry Taylor pinned Bobby Heenan
- WWF Title: Hulk Hogan regained the title by defeating Randy Savage
