It is March 24th 1991, and the WWF are hilariously in Los Angeles, California for WrestleMania VII. That’s another story for another day, as our focus is elsewhere. Indeed, the career ending match between Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior, as two WWF icons put it all on the line. This is an incredibly famous bout, serving as a bridge to an even more famous moment, perhaps the most iconic in WWE history.
Speaking of such, Miss Elizabeth is in attendance, sitting anxiously as Savage arrives with Sensational Sherri. This is, of course, the Macho King version of Savage, which rules. They let the atmosphere breathe early, with Warrior’s strength being the first factor of note. Sherri is second, distracting Warrior only for him to clobber Savage anyway. In fact, Sherri even takes a bump in the opening block, having Savage thrown into her.
‘Macho King’ eventually finds an answer, landing a timely clothesline and to shrieks and screams, heading up for a crossbody. Warrior catches him though, placing Savage down and landing a slap that forces him to bail. His next plan doesn’t work either, finally taking control by evading Warrior’s big corner splash. Sherri then widens his sudden advantage, landing some shots of her own as Savage comes crashing down via double axe.
The heat for this is extraordinary, truly breathtaking stuff. They don’t settle either, producing immediate Warrior hope spots as Savage steers the ship. The atmosphere is life and death, truly manic responses to each and every momentum shift. It’s electric, even as Savage briefly settles in a hold, then reaching a double down with duelling clotheslines. Sherri again plays a part while they fight upright, distracting the referee as Warrior scores a visual pin.
The referee is then bumped, encouraging Sherri to launch her own double axe, inadvertently toppling Savage. Both Savage and the referee recover however, resetting things as Savage reclaims control. Elizabeth remains anxious. ‘Macho King’ makes the most of his moment, landing FIVE elbow drops while Sherri takes a victory lap. Hilariously, that’s only enough for 2. Warrior then hulks (pop) up, making his comeback to a thunderous ovation.
It culminates with the big splash, only for Savage to kick out himself. Warrior then looks to the sky, as well as his hands (#DIY), stepping away as his time is done or some nonsense. Savage’s attempt to take advantage fails, then being tackled from centre ring to the floor. He does this on three occasions, finally scoring the pinfall win.
It’s a marvellous match, and perhaps the greatest achievement of Savage’s in-ring career. His almost infamous approach makes this feat possible, producing a genuine epic with The Ultimate Warrior. At times, it’s like a WWF golden age take on some 90s AJPW business, which is hilarious. I don’t entirely love the actual closing piece, and feel as though they peak before Warrior looks at the sky, but it still packs an unfathomable punch.
Even if it didn’t, you then have the post-match, as Sherri lashes out at Savage, forcing Elizabeth to make the save. Once she does, Elizabeth and Savage embrace, producing one of the era’s most memorable moments. It is about as powerful as WWE programming ever got, with fans weeping in response. Those visuals will live forever, the height of this particular pro wrestling chapter. The match itself deserves its own love though, and is rightly celebrated as one of Warrior’s absolute best.
It’s a big, loud epic, yet an utter masterpiece of that genre. Savage is simply fabulous, suited to this setting in ways that may have never been replicated over the three decades since. This stage was built for his skill-set, a heart to accompany that extraordinary spectacle. Masterful match, magical moments, the game I love.
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