Intro:
WrestleMania VII took place on March 24, 1991 at the L.A. Sports Arena. The event was originally scheduled to take place at the L.A. Coliseum but was moved due to security issues. The controversial main event pitted Hulk Hogan battling Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. At the time, the U.S. was at war with Iraq.
The Events Leading to the Main Events:
After several months of insulting the troops of Operation Desert Shield, Sgt. Slaughter was granted a title match against the Ultimate Warrior at the Royal Rumble. A few days before the event, the war started and Sgt. Slaughter won the world title with the help of Randy Savage. It was only natural that 'The Real American” Hulk Hogan would battle Sgt. Slaughter.
The Main Event:
The match between Slaughter and Hogan was a brutal match. At one point in the match, Slaughter draped the Iraqi flag over Hogan. However, Hulk Hogan and America would prevail as Hulk hit the leg drop to regain the title. The show ended with a very bloody Hulk Hogan waving the flag of the U.S.A.
The Other Big Match:
Interest was just as high for the retirement match between Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior. As great as the match was, it is the surprise ending that this WrestleMania is most known for. After losing the match, Savage was attacked by Queen Sherri. Miss Elizabeth ran into the ring and saved her former man. The two embraced and the crowd was literally in tears.
The Aftermath:
Randy became a TV commentator and married Elizabeth at SummerSlam. He returned to the ring in late November and feuded with Jake Roberts. The Ultimate Warrior left the WWF after SummerSlam. Sgt. Slaughter became an American hero again a few months later. Hulk would go on to meet his gravest challenge in the form of the Undertaker.
The Competition :
At this point in time, it appeared that WCW was doing everything they possibly could to go out of business. A few months after this show, Ric Flair appeared on WWF TV with the WCW World title. Additionally, their young superstar Sid Vicious also signed with the WWF. Both men would go on to be in the main events at WrestleMania VIII.
Random Facts:
- Celebrities sitting ring side included Donald Trump, Henry Winkler, Macaulay Caulkin, Chuck Norris, and Lou “The Other Hulk” Ferrigno.
- This is the first of 3 consecutive opening matches for Shawn Michaels.
- Both Demolition and the Hart Foundation were broken up by the WWF after this event.
Match Results:
- The Rockers beat The Barbarian & Haku
- Kerry Von Erich beat Dino Bravo
- Davey Boy Smith pinned The Warlord
- Tag Team Title: The Nasty Boys won the titles from The Hart Foundation
- Blindfold Match: Jake Roberts pinned Rick Martel
- The Undertaker pinned Jimmy Snuka
- Retirement Match: The Ultimate Warrior pinned Randy Savage. After the match, Randy Savage reunited with Miss Elizabeth.
- Koji Kitao & Genichiro Tenryu beat Demolition
- I-C Title: Big Bossman beat Champion Curt Hennig by DQ. Curt Hennig keeps the title.
- Earthquake pinned Greg Valentine
- The Legion of Doom beat Power & Glory
- Virgil beat Ted DiBiase by count out
- The Mountie beat Tito Santana
- WWF Title: Hulk Hogan won the championship for the third time by beating Sgt. Slaughter
