40 Years Of Fascinating WWE WrestleMania Facts (Part 1)

7. 'Mania IV - Plans Change

Ultimate Warrior Sabotage
WWE

Plans do in fact change in WWE, and in 1988, they changed for the better.

Ted DiBiase was originally slated to capture the WWF World title at the culmination of the (quite horrendous) WWF title tournament at WrestleMania IV. This was a great idea; DiBiase was a phenomenal heel capable of drawing real heat, and an on-fire WWF delighted in booking angles that drove those reactions. It was as if working out means by which to make children cry was a loving passion project of the creative inner sanctum.

DiBiase was able to work the sort of laugh you only involuntarily let slip when a friend makes a dark, unrepeatable joke. He was magic in the role, the best-cast talent ever.

He didn't end up winning the title in advance of Hulk Hogan going off to shoot No Holds Barred; as you'll know, Randy Savage captured it. It felt like the wrong move at the time, since he was framed during his celebrations as Hogan's wee pal.

But in going with a babyface on top to maintain the successful WWF formula, Vince was able to plot Savage's scarily believable descent into paranoia and book, at WrestleMania V, what was then the biggest money match he had ever promoted.

Savage drew huge on the house show loop before he turned, too. Vince played his cards right in Atlantic City.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!