Boom Decline

[80s4life]

3rd Hardy said : "mania 7 don't know much about ticket sales but i did once read that they were supposed to be in a bigger building but was a bomb scare or something. but don't quote me on that."

I think the bomb scare story was what the W.W.F. used to cover up the fact fans weren't lining up around the block to see The Rockers vs. Haku & The Barbarian, Tito Santana vs. The Mountie, Kerry Von Erich vs. Dino Bravo, The Undertaker vs. Jimmy Snuka (who was well past his prime), Demolition vs. Genichiro Tenryu & Koji Kitao, Earthquake vs. Greg Valentine, and the Legion of Doom vs. Power & Glory. Actually, looking back, Savage vs. Warrior was the only redeeming quality of that show I can think of. It led to Savage's "retirement," his turning face again, his dumping of Sensational Queen Sherri (or vice versa, actually), and his reunion with Elizabeth. I'm sorry, but I never bought Sgt. Slaughter in the main events. His gimmick was good, if not a little frightening, but not two years before, he was the "geezer attraction" in the A.W.A. trying to beat Larry Zbyszko for the "World" Title. After his use as a fossil with nostalgia value, it was kinda hard buying him as a big threat to Hulkamania.

Virgil - Dibiase and Boss Man - Perfect were both good, to a point. I don't really think Jake Roberts vs. Rick Martel was that awesome, except it was interesting psychologically because there was only one pair of eyes functioning in that match, and they belonged to the referee.

[oldschooler]

3rdhardy said:

piper was never used as top guy always mid card face. only time was main event was with hogan.

Simply not true,Piper vs Snuka was main event on many house shows add to the fact he WAS the top Heel in the WWF at the time

[Scott Joyce]

True these two had one of the best feuds in wrestling and matches as well.

[3rd Hardy]

yeah house shows where you can have the rockers in the main event.

and bulldog v king kong bundy 94.

i am huge piper fan. and i know he clams to have turned down the chance to be champ twice.

but was not used as much as savage in a main event style.

i think mania 7 had to many small bouts so that every one got on the card

[oldschooler]

3rdhardy said:

yeah house shows where you can have the rockers in the main event.

and bulldog v king kong bundy 94.

i am huge piper fan. and i know he clams to have turned down the chance to be champ twice.

but was not used as much as savage in a main event style.

i think mania 7 had to many small bouts so that every one got on the card

Your a huge Piper fan then you should realise how much House Shows meant and drew in the 80's,Heres a question for you since your from the UK as myself,When was WWF first broadcast in the UK ?

[3rd Hardy]

to my knowledge late 80's early 1990 when ever sky came out.

[oldschooler]

WWF was first seen in the Uk in 1985 on The Sky Channel,alougth NWA, and other Promotions were on before that on ScreenSport

[Scott Joyce]

Did the UK get to see all the big NWA stars like Flair, Rhodes, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard? Just curious how they did programs in other places.

[oldschooler]

scottingraham said:

Did the UK get to see all the big NWA stars like Flair, Rhodes, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard? Just curious how they did programs in other places.

Yes,NWA Worldwide wrestling and Power Hour were on over here

[Dan Poutsma]

I think the 80s's boom peaked w/ Wrestlemania III, but it never felt the same to me after they took the belt off of Hogan in February '88. I think that's when it pretty much started to wind down.

[Scott Joyce]

Hogan was a big part of the whole WWF boom and I agree win they took the strap off Hogan things did seem to slow down for the WWF. But IMO Hogan got to much of the attention I know his popularity was tremendous then but there was so many other capable wrestlers who could have been the champion.

[Alpha Clash]

Yeah it did start to drop off a bit for the WWF when they took the strap off of Hogan, but the same guy can't hold the ball all the time. Think about this, if the Honky Tonk Man had not refused to drop the IC belt back to Savage, they would not have made Savage champ at Wrestlemania IV....picture that.

[Scott Joyce]

Savage should have held the strap several more times than he did. IMO he never should have been in Hogans shadow like everyone was back then. Savage IMO was a better producer in the ring by a mile.

[Alpha Clash]

True Savage was better, but Hogan meant more money at the gate, the merchandise, the PPVs, ratings...everything. Hogan meant sellouts and big money for Vince. So he rode that cash cow til it collapsed.