WWF Prime Time Wrestling March to WrestleMania VIII Special: A Tribute to Hulk Hogan

March 29, 1992

The exclusive matches were taped at the 3/10 “Wrestling Challenge” tapings in Biloxi, MS

Vince McMahon is your host.

Matches include Shawn Michaels vs. Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III, Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior from WrestleMania VI. Plus, interviews with Hulk Hogan and Elizabeth.

Vince, wearing a tux, is shown in the studio walking past a few Hogan photos, talks about how we could be seeing Hogan’s last match at WrestleMania.

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III is shown first. However, Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan are doing commentary here as they did not want Jesse Ventura’s voice on the show.

An ad for WBF Bodystars airs.

Back in the studio, Vince talks about WrestleMania III being a pleasant victory for Hogan but at this WrestleMania he has to step into the ring with the maniacal Sid Justice. Gorilla narrates a video package showing the history between Hogan and Sid.

Sid beats Hercules from the 2/23 MSG show.

Shawn Michaels w/ Sensational Sherri vs. Roddy Piper

Heenan talks about Shawn wanting to face whoever wins the Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania. Shawn pushes Piper then gets shoved in return. Piper spits at Shawn then we get more shoving and that turns into slapping. Shawn hits a crossbody but Piper rolls through for a two count. Shawn then reverses an atomic drop with a victory roll but Piper blocks a dropkick and slingshots Shawn into the post and gets two. Sherri is on the apron but misses a swing then Piper kisses her right before the break. The match returns with Shawn clotheslining Piper to the floor. Shawn hits a double axe handle from the apron then rams Piper into the guardrail after a slugfest. Back inside, Shawn knocks Piper around the ring. Shawn now works a chinlock but Piper blocks a suplex then the two men slug it out. Shawn is hung up in the corner as Piper keeps kicking him in the air. Shawn is crotched on the top rope as Piper shakes the ropes. Piper tries for the bulldog but Shawn shoves him into the referee. Sherri then tosses her boot to Shawn and Shawn uses it to nail Piper. Sherri tries to wake up the ref then Bret Hart comes out to the ring. Shawn tries to wake up the ref then Bret throws the boot to Piper. Shawn ducks a swing then the ref sees him and calls for a DQ (8:00) ***. Piper then knocks Shawn out of the ring before yelling at Bret to stay out of his life and if he does not like it then do something. Bret then grabs the IC Title belt and tosses it inside before walking away.

Thoughts: Lots of action and the finish made sense as Shawn needed to kept strong due to the fact he was billed as the #1 contender to the IC Title and it added more heat to the Bret/Piper match at WrestleMania. This match felt like a Saturday Night’s Main Event match to me and it was fun to watch.

Vince is back in the studio as we get a video package of Ric Flair & Mr. Perfect showing us the photos of Elizabeth during their relationship.

“Jumping” Jim Brunzell vs. Ric Flair w/ Mr. Perfect

Flair runs over Brunzell to start. Brunzell then grabs control as Gorilla tells us that Elizabeth’s interview is next. Flair thumbs Brunzell in the eye then hits some chops in the corner. Flair then hits an inverted atomic drop but gets too cocky and that allows Brunzell to fight back. Brunzell hits a dropkick for a nearfall but Flair breaks up a sleeper attempt with a shinbreaker then Flair uses the figure four for the win (3:59).

Thoughts: Just a way to get Flair on the show and lead us into Elizabeth’s interview. The action was forgettable.

Vince McMahon now conducts a sit-down interview with Elizabeth that took place at her home. Elizabeth is unhappy that WWF Magazine published these false photos and says that Savage is en route to the WWF Magazine office with the photo negatives. Vince then asks Elizabeth if she is saying these negatives are going to show her with Savage as she confirms. Elizabeth is upset over her reputation being dragged through the mud and says they will be vindicated when the true photos are published. So they are now going with the idea Flair & Perfect somehow stole the photo negatives and doctored them in an attempt to play mind games with Savage.

In the studio, Vince introduces is to Warrior vs. Hogan from WrestleMania VI. It was really telling how they showed this match as Warrior had not been seen since SummerSlam and they would never show guys who were gone from the company getting a huge win like Warrior did on that show.

We go back to the studio as Vince says WrestleMania VI showed us how Hogan is gracious in defeat. Vince then wants to know if the power of Hulkamania is strong enough to beat Sid Justice. Now, we hear for Sid with Harvey Whippleman as Sid tells Hogan he is facing a “fuel-injected suicide machine” and tells Hogan he fears the man who rules the world.

Footage of the Jake Roberts/The Undertaker feud.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Jim Powers

Powers works a headlock as Heenan talks about what Jake will do to Undertaker. Jake tosses Powers outside then brings him back in and lands a few jabs. Powers fights back as Gorilla plugs the WWF WrestleMania VIII Hotline but Jake hits a short-arm clothesline then uses the DDT for the win (3:04).

Thoughts: More hype for the WrestleMania Tag Team Title bout as it needs a lot of hype due to the fact its off to a cold start.

Natural Disasters vs. Kato & Barry Horowitz

The Disasters beat on Kato to start. Horowitz tags in and gets his ass kicked before he is put away after a pair of splashes (1:57).

Thoughts: A dominating win for the Disasters over two name enhancement talents as the company is trying to get them over as faces.

Vince is now in the studio with Hogan, who is dressed in street clothes. Hogan said every war and match he has won does not mean a thing because Hulkamania could cease to exist if Sid has his way. Hogan says he is either on the edge of greatness or disaster and that Sid better be everything he says he is because Hulkamania is established and Sid will have to beat everyone who beleives in positive thoughts and deeds in order to win. Hogan says Hulkamania is a goal he set for himself and Hulkamaniacs and that its a lofty goal to keep everyone fighting daily. Vince asks Hogan if this will be his last match as Hogan says the question alone makes him sweat. Hogan then says he is asked about family and other business ventures all the time then thinks about his last match being at WrestleMania it chills him to the bone and his greatest accomplishment in life is balancing his career and personal life. Hogan says right now he does not know if it will be his last match and that will not be determined until he comes out of the ring. Vince then thanks Hogan on behalf of Hulkamania for all of the memories and inspiration as the two shake hands.

Final Thoughts: As an advertisement for WrestleMania VIII, I thought they did a decent enough job. The real story though was whether or not this would be Hogan’s last match and its clear to see that he would be taking time off after WrestleMania at the very least. It was cool they showed two full-length PPV classics free on cable, which was unheard of at the time and Shawn vs. Piper was a good match too. The company has hyped up this card as much as possible though so I don’t think there was much more that could have been done in order to get more people to order the PPV.