10 Outrageous WWE False Finishes That Fooled Everybody
4. The Ultimate Warrior Survives
Match: The Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (WrestleMania VII)
The rules on finishers have changed mightily over the years. Back in 1991, they typically signalled the end of a match, and that was especially true of the WWF's top names like Hulk Hogan or Randy Savage. For example, no one was kicking out of Hulk's leg drop. Similarly, Macho Man's elbow was a guaranteed ending.
Except when it wasn't.
Savage deserved immense credit for being incredibly generous at 'Mania VII. Mid-"Retirement Match", he hit a stunning five elbows from the top in a row on Warrior, then let his Ultimate rival kick out. Fans hadn't seen someone endure that many finishers before, so it came as a massive surprise when Warrior popped a shoulder up.
Anyone figuring that Macho's elbow was dead as a finish from then on would be mistaken, but it was quite the thing to see someone take five of the buggers and still end up winning.