In the build-up to WrestleMania 32, the Flickering Myth writers look back at previous installments of the ‘Show case of the Immortals’.
The Card:
Koko B. Ware vs. Rick ‘The Model’ Martel
WWF Tag Title Match: Andre the Giant & Haku w/Bobby Heenan vs. Demolition
Hercules vs. Earthquake w/Jimmy Hart
Mr. Perfect vs. Brutus Beefcake
‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper vs. Bad News Brown (Double Count-Out)
The Hart Foundation vs. The Bolsheviks
Tito Santana vs. The Barbarian
Randy Savage & Queen Sherri vs. Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire w/Miss Elizabeth
The Rockers vs. The Orient Express w/Mr. Fuji
‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan vs. Dino Bravo
Million Dollar Title Match: Ted Dibiase w/Virgil vs. Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts
Big Bossman vs. Akeem
Rick Rude w/Bobby Heenan vs. Jimmy Snuka
WWF & IC Title Match: Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior
The Lows:
Arguably one of the more controversial low-points of WrestleMania VI was the match between ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper and Bad News Brown. The match was not particular good: a fairly short brawl with a dissatisfying double count-out finish.
What makes this bout worst still is that Piper was painted half-black for its entirety, as well as a disastrous pre-match promo segment. The reason for Piper ‘blacking up’ was never really stated, and was deemed pretty distasteful even at the time. Brown has gone on the record since saying that the decision was racially motivated, while Piper has claimed the whole thing was just a misguided attempt to add heat to the match. Either way, it’s pretty shocking to look back on.
Another baffling booking decision came immediately after, in the subsequent match between The Hart Foundation and The Bolsheviks. Bearing in mind this event took place in the Toronto SkyDome – and was the first WrestleMania to take place in Canada – The Hart Foundation were always going to be one of the most beloved acts on the card. Even in the earlier years of their careers, Bret Hart and Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart were the very epitome of ‘Proud Canadians’.
Understandably so the pair received a huge ovation upon their entrance. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much time to soak up the crowd’s adulation, as the match only lasted 19 seconds. The opening bell had barely stopped ringing when the babyfaces hit their patented Hart Attack Clothesline for the victory. Given how incredibly ‘over’ home-grown heroes were, this seems like a massively wasted opportunity.
The Highs:
Just as a tag-team match was singled out as a low-point, another was an unmistakeable high-point; The Rockers vs. The Orient Express. Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty had become a well-established highlight of the tag division, while the team of Sato and Tatanka had only recently broken onto the scene.
This was a classic ‘popcorn match’, filled to the brim with high-energy offense. Tatanka taking his famously impressive backflip bump off of a Michaels’ Clothesline was a particularly memorable high spot.
For the second consecutive WrestleMania, the main event undoubtedly stole the show. One year after he wowed fans opposite Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan did the same with The Ultimate Warrior, and even did a little bit of torch-passing in the process.
In fact, this main event can be considered even more impressive than its immediate predecessor. In his prime, Savage was such a phenomenal worker that he could have had a great match with anyone, whereas Warrior had various and visible flaws. This fact alone makes his 20 minute classic with Hogan even more of an accomplishment.
Both men had their limitations, of course, but both Hogan and Warrior gave their all in Toronto… and Toronto sure appreciated them for. The crowd was electric. This was the first time a WrestleMania had been headlined by a babyface vs. babyface encounter (an idea that was aggressively opposed by many bookers at the time), which meant both competitors received hug ly positive reactions during their entrances. Also, say what you will about their technical abilities, there’s no denying both Hogan and Warrior knew exactly how to make an audience become unglued.
Overview:
WrestleMania VI can be confidently filed as ‘Average-To-Good’. The undercard was nothing particularly special (and included an especially disappointing semi-main event between Rick Rude and Jimmy Snuka), but the main event elevates the event above many of its forerunners.
The Hogan/Warrior match was remarkable and still holds up against many contemporary masterpieces. In addition to this, the lasting image of The Hulkster respectfully raising his opponent’s hand in victory remains a classic ‘Mania moment.
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Originally published March 9, 2016. Updated October 24, 2022.
