6. Yokozuna Beats Bret Hart; Immediately Loses To Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania IX)
The finish to WrestleMania IX was shocking on multiple levels. To a lesser extent, it was a head-shaker that Bret Hart lost the title to Yokozuna. For several months, it felt as though Yoko was being built-up simply to put over Bret and make the new face of WWE look stronger. It was a theory that followed years of WWE booking, favoring the babyface and ending the biggest show of the year on a high note with the protagonistic character having overcome the odds. To the surprise of many, Hart was cheated out of the victory. In the end, the booking logic of the past did follow through. Hulk Hogan raced to ringside to come to Brets aid. For some reason, Mr. Fuji decided to issue an immediate challenge to the well-rested Hogan for a title match right after Yoko had needed Fujis help (via salt to the Hitmans eyes) to win the gold in the first place. Of course, Hogan accepted. Staying true to his heroic persona, Bret encouraged and waved him forward. 90 seconds later, an unadvertised match with no previous hype had closed what has largely been considered the worst WrestleMania of all-time with a version of Hogan (off steroids) that looked completely different from the Herculean figure that dominated the 80s. Hogan sure did enjoy his reflection in the championship gold, but the moment remains one of the most infamous shockers in WWE history.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
