5. The Ultimate Warrior vs. Macho King Randy Savage - WrestleMania VII
Randy Savage was out of the title picture for a while after he concluded his feud with Hulk Hogan in 1989. He spent a year working near the top, but not at the top where he felt he belonged. The Warrior had come on strong during that time and taken the belt from Hogan at Mania VI. As King of the Ring, all Savage wanted was a title shot, but Warrior would not grant it to him. He emphatically told Queen Sherri NO! Savage took action during Warriors Championship match with Sgt. Slaughter, costing the Warrior the title at the 91 Royal Rumble. The ensuing Career match was treated as a co-main-event at Mania. People paid to see this match. Macho King came to the ring with much pageantry and Warrior joined him at a much slower pace than his usual, high energy run. Bobby Heenan spied Miss Elizabeth sitting in the stands. The Brain and Gorilla set the stage well with their commentary. There was a great atmosphere for this match. The live crowd was really into it. Warrior was so smart about his move set throughout. Everything he did had a more meaningful purpose. Savage looked to have the match won when he gave Warrior FIVE flying elbow drops in a row. Warrior shockingly kicked out and went on to give Macho Man the press slam and jumping splashing combo. When Savage even more shockingly kicked out, it gave birth to the modern WWE main-event. Warrior took control of the match one last time and hit two diving shoulder tackles for the win. After the match, Sherri turned on Savage. Liz fended off Sherri, much to the Macho Kings surprise. When Savage realized what was going on, he embraced Liz and the two of them celebrated in one of WWE historys most emotional moments. This was the single most underrated match in wrestling history. Warrior had always been known as a very limited worker who had very few good matches on his career resume, but he should be praised to no end for Mania VII. Anyone who says otherwise was not paying close enough attention. Savage was his usually brilliant self, leading a match that was so amazing in every aspect.
"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.
