WWE: 29 Iconic WrestleMania Moments

WrestleMania IX - Announce Team & Lots Of Goofiness

The outdoor setting and Roman theme had the odd effect of looking goofy, but on an epic level. It speaks volumes that I chose a shot of the announce team. But when I think of WrestleMania IX, I don't think about Bret getting cheated out of the title, or a busted-up Hogan magically winning it later. I think of two Doinks. I think of Lex posing in front of all those pyro-laden mirrors. I think of Bobby Heenan riding in backwards on a camel.

This event was more about the spectacle than it was about the content. It was an era that struggled to balance the old school formula with necessary evolution. I hated all Yokozuna matches because they never felt like wrestling but a joke I was meant to tolerate. Because of the climate at that time, I could barely appreciate Bret Hart's work, or that of most others. Though they tried to pin a rose on an untended garden €“ with lots of superficial glitz to distract from the horrible performances €“ I did always appreciate how committed that announce team was to making it work. Jim Ross was new, and likely spent the entire day wondering just what the hell he had gotten himself into. Savage and Heenan were often at odds, both trying to be the comedian to JR's straight man. But I loved them for their efforts, sitting in the hot sun with their ridiculous Roman garb.