On any given viewing, Rumble '91 can seem like one of the best of the rest or one of the matches in the middle of the pack. The climax that saw Hulk Hogan win his second consecutive Rumble match by last eliminating Earthquake could just as easily be construed as an example of the dwindling momentum for Hulkamania as it could be the apparent end of a marginally enjoyable Hogan feud dating back to the previous year. The field of wrestlers might well be considered "stacked" by some fans, yet full of "nobodies" to others. All in all, it earns its place by virtue of its simplicity. Back then, the Rumble had no need to reinvent itself because it was still inventing itself. In only its fourth year, the concept's bread and butter was the unpredictability of the entrant order, the countdown from the live audience, and the anticipation of the next man in. The strength of the match was allowing talented workers like Bret Hart, British Bulldog, and Tito Santana to shine and MVPs, Greg Valentine and Rick Martel, to spend 40+ minutes each building the baseline for the outing. Little else was needed for this match to be a success.
"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.
