10 Times Great Wrestling Was Ruined By Bad Writing

3. Hulk Hogan Vs. Randy Savage (WWE WrestleMania V)

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WWE.com

Spoiling great matches and moments with confusing booking choices isn’t a new habit for WWE. This 1989 debacle proves they’ve been at it for decades.

Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan is one of the most iconic feuds in WWF history. The “Mega Powers Explode” angle started when Savage, who was WWF Champion at the time, grew immensely jealous of Hogan’s relationship with Miss Elizabeth. This led to a heel turn and a savage beatdown in a backstage medical room, and with tensions at an all-time high, Hogan vs. Savage was booked for WrestleMania V.

Hogan has never been all too fond of losing cleanly, particularly on the biggest stage, but that’s exactly what he should have done against Savage. Momentum was on the Macho Man’s side, and though paranoid, Savage had a legitimate gripe with Hogan getting too close to his partner. Unfortunately, Hogan took the victory and the WWEFChampionship, which he’d hold for over a year.

The result was nonsensical not only for the reasons listed above, but because Hogan was set to vanish so he could film No Holds Barred. He returned to feud with Zeus, the movie’s antagonist, and Savage was relegated to a sidekick role in the rivalry.

An egregious misuse of one of the greatest of all-time, and it could have all been avoided, had he won at WrestleMania V.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.