A FATEFUL EXPLOSION
BY
BOB WRIGHT
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This will be the penultimate story in the series, essentially in the long run, Part 1 of a two part finale; hence, it's only fitting that I post this first one today, on the 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania III, since we're headed straight for what I hope will be a terrifically rendered Wrestlemania. So hold on tight, we're almost to the end, and the most explosive moments (as you've probably already ascertained at this point) are yet to come.
All wrestlers' public in-ring personas are registered trademarks of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. And now, sit back and enjoy the story...
NOT THAT LONG AGO, IN AN ARENA NOT THAT FAR AWAY...
"All right wrestling fans, this is the moment you've been waiting for," a smiling Gene Okerlund addressed the cheering arena crowd, "Please welcome the champion of the world for three years running, the Immortal Hulk Hogan!"
The arena did in fact explode in applause as "Real American" cranked up over the loudspeakers and the champion trotted out, pointing proudly at his fans. He leaped up to the interview podium next to Okerlund and merrily ripped his T-shirt through as usual, sending the crowd into even more of a frenzy. "All right, Hulk Hogan, we're glad to have you here today as well," Okerlund told him, "The big news of course is the big match you have scheduled next week on the final installment of Saturday Night's Main Event before Wrestlemania, a rematch against the Nature Boy Ric Flair. As fans recall, you defeated him on Saturday Night's Main Event in an earlier encounter last July; Ric Flair has been vehemently demanding a rematch over the last few weeks, and you have decided to grant it; why now, may I ask?"
"Well you know something, Mean Gene, when you're the world champion, it's your obligation to take on anyone who challenges you for the gold, and I think you can agree that during my time as World Wrestling Federation champion, I haven't yet ducked anyone," Hulk declared firmly.
"No, you certainly have not. However, to put the title on the line so close to Wrestlemania, when the two of you could have a terrific clash on the greatest stage in all of wrestling-aren't you afraid of losing your title before that point?"
"Ultimately, Mean Gene, it won't matter; Ric Flair can lobby all he wants for a shot, but just like in July, the only thing he's going to get out of this encounter is a pin for the loss, and the cold realization that Hulkamania will live forever!" Hulk bellowed, raising his index finger skyward as the crowd roared in approval.
"All right, let's hope so. Now, Hulk Hogan, the stipulation of the match as insisted on by Ric Flair and his manger, your former manager, 'Classy' Freddie Blassie, was that each side be allowed a man in his corner. Word reached us earlier in this week that the Nature Boy had chosen his partner in the Million Dollar Corporation, the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. Have you made your selection yet as to whom you want in your corner?"
"Indeed I have, Mean Gene, and it's the best partner anyone could ask for. All you Hulkamaniacs give a big hand to my partner for the match, my partner in the Mega Powers and our manager, the First Lady of Wrestling, Elizabeth; 'Macho Man' Randy Savage!" Hulk gestured his finger at the curtain as "Pomp and Circumstance" rose up in the arena and the crowd went crazy as first a smiling Elizabeth and then a more neutral Savage emerged and came down the aisle, joining Hulk on the interview platform. "Well, well, I'll admit I'm not surprised," Okerlund admitted, "If anyone could cover the Hulkster's back in the ring, it's you, Randy Savage. How does it feel to be backing him up yet again as he defends the gold?"
He held the microphone to Savage's lips. It took an atypical few moments before Savage managed to mumble out, "Well, Gene, I've done it so many times before, it's like second nature to me, yeah. Seems like I've been covering Hulk Hogan's back since we founded the Mega Powers. Three years," he mumbled softly, staring intently at his partner, "That's an awful long time to be champion if you ask me. All that time, with every deserving competitor wanting the shot at the gold...everybody wants a shot at the champ...while he's held the gold this long, and just might continue to hold it forever..."
"Well, I doubt that, Randy Savage, but there's no denying Hulk Hogan is a tremendous champion, perhaps the greatest wrestling champion of all time, and he's so lucky to always have you in his corner," Okerlund declared, not noticing the small scowl starting to form on Savage's face from his remark. "Elizabeth," the interviewer turned to the Mega Powers' manager next, "As I understand, you've been working intently with Hulk Hogan to get him ready for this match; any trepidation on your part?"
"Well of course I'm worried, Gene," she admitted, "I've known Ric Flair since before he joined the WWF, and he'd always stoop to any level to win even then. I'm worried he'll pull something terrible in the match and get Hulk hurt, and the last thing we want is to see Ric Flair as world champion."
The crowd roared their agreement. "But all in all," she went on, "I think Hulk should be able to pull it out; he's beaten Ric before when Ric was fighting dirty, and I'm sure he'll beat him again, because I think you're right, Gene; he is the greatest champion of all time, and next Saturday night, he'll prove it again."
The crowd roared again in approval, but none of them noticed Savage's scowl getting deeper. "Encouraging words from the lovely Elizabeth, Hulkster; I take it you and her have gone over every possible angle Ric Flair might take," Okerlund asked the champion.
"You bet we have, Mean Gene, and that's why we'll win as well, because Elizabeth is five thousand times the manager Freddie Blassie could ever be," Hulk raised her arm high, "She's like a sister to me, and I couldn't have asked for a better person in my corner."
There came a low snort from Savage, who was fighting to control what looked like a furious expression, but again nobody noticed it. "All right, a strong relationship between the world champion and his manager in the Mega Powers," Okerlund commented, "Of course, wrestling fans," he addressed the arena, "Hulk Hogan will not be the only one defending his title next Saturday; his other teammate in the Mega Powers Rock 'n Wrestling Connection, 'Hitman' Bret Hart, will also be putting the Intercontinental gold on the line against former champion Mr. Perfect once more, so please welcome the Hitman at this time!"
The crowd in fact gave Bret a strong ovation as he entered to "Hart Beat" and joined the Mega Powers on the platform. "OK, Hitman, much like Ric Flair, Mr. Perfect lobbied heavily for this rematch; have you any regrets signing up for it?" Okerlund repeated his earlier question to Hulk.
"I'm not worried at all, Gene; I've shown I can beat Mr. Perfect twice before in spite of his whining, in spite of the cheating by him and the Weasel Bobby Heenan," Bret paused while the fans cheered the tearing down of Heenan before continuing, "To be a champion, you have to act like a champion, both in and out of the ring; by being the, shall we say, perfect crybaby, Mr. Perfect has hurt his standing. And Perfect," he stared into the camera hard, "This IS your last shot at the title. I'm tired of the complaining, I'm tired of the whining that you're better, and all these people are tired of it too," he gestured around the arena, "So next Saturday night, it's either put up or shut up."
He got another strong ovation. "Bret Hart, also quite confident," Okerlund summed it up, "Now, before all of you go," he held up his hand at the four of them as they started to leave the platform, "We have a special presentation for you. At this time, I would like to introduce the esteemed president of the World Wrestling Federation, Mr. Jack Tunney, to make that presentation; give him a hand, folks."
Polite applause greeted Tunney as he emerged from the tunnel and joined the others on the platform. "Thank you, Gene," he commended the interviewer, "I indeed have a presentation to make today for you, Hulk Hogan," he told the champion, "As I'm sure you may well recall, today marks the anniversary of your defeat of the Iron Sheik to win the World Wrestling Federation world championship. In honor of your three years on top of the world, and in recognition of all the tremendous good you have done for the sport of wrestling, it is my distinct honor to present to you, this grand trophy on account of your success."
He gestured down the aisle at a pair of aides carrying forward a tremendous four-tiered trophy. Hulk sputtered in happy surprise as it was laid in front of him. "Wow, this...this is a tremendous honor, Mr. Tunney," he told the company president, "When I first won the World Wrestling Federation championship, I never thought it would go this far, that I'd be on top of the world this long after beating so many top contenders. But the power of all the Hulkamaniacs out there," he waved to the cheering crowd, thrusting the trophy high, "Makes it all worth it. This is your trophy too, for all of you, and I can't thank you enough for all your support during these years. I have been so blessed to have so many friends holding my back all this time, just like Randy here. Isn't this terrific, Randy?"
He pulled the Macho Man close, not noticing the furious look on Savage's face (although it was likely his shades shielded the cold look in his eyes) as the Macho Man stared covertously at the trophy. "Yeah, it's been quite a ride for you, champ," Savage managed to say as calmly as he could, "I'd love to stay and celebrate, but I've got a match with DiBiase coming up; Elizabeth, let's get ready, yeah."
He took hold of her arm and bustled her off the platform and down the aisle. "Isn't he so modest, everyone?" Hulk remained oblivious to his partner's emotions, only briefly shooting a glance at Bret as the Hitman, with a concerned expression on his face, followed the Savages back towards the locker room, "Like I said, this one's for all of you too; you're all what keeps Hulkania the strongest force in the universe!"
He thrust the trophy skyward again to tremendous applause. "Hulk Hogan, now with this trophy to go along with his other accolades; how about that, everyone?" Okerlund summed everything up, "All right, stay right where you are; tag team action between the Young Stallions and the team of Hercules and King Kong Bundy is coming your way in a few moments..."
"See, right there," backstage, a smiling Freddie Blassie pointed to Savage's scowling expression on the nearest monitor as the camera focused on his exit from the arena before the throw to commercials, "That, gentlemen-and Martel-is the look of a jealous man."
"OOOOOOOh yes, I would say that does look like jealousy to me," Paul Bearer squinted at the image just before it faded to commercial, "Mr. Ventura may have been right, Freddie; there may be an opening here to pursue."
"You betcha, Paul; what better way to send Hogan down than to turn his so-called best friend against him-not that we really need to do much given Hogan took pleasure in driving the knife home himself just now," Blassie bragged.
"Well, I like it, Freddie, but I don't really like Don Vincenelli telling us how to do our business," Jimmy Hart mumbled, slightly frustrated, "There's still a lot of things we could have pulled out of our own hats that could have taken Hogan down."
"Hey, Jimmy, the man wants to feel important; if he wants to come up with his own ideas from time to time, let him; his father was the same way when he ran the wrestling rackets," Blassie told him, "And I love the plan; hit Hogan from where he doesn't expect it and explode the high and mighty Mega Powers..."
"And if we're lucky, destroy the fairy tale union of sweet, caring Liz and the high and mighty Macho Man," Sensational Sherri rubbed her hands eagerly, a dark look spreading on her face, "I've been hoping to see that moment for a while now. I just wished the plan was to turn Savage completely against Hulk and have him destroy him at Wrestlemania in front of the whole world, Freddie," she confessed the Blassie, "I don't want him back under my wing, sure-he blew that when he blew the title shot to Hogan-but if you'd be willing to take him up..."
A, Savage is too much damanged goods from his time with that dog Hulette, and secondly, I promised Ric I'd get him the world title A.S.A.P., and I will, through divide and conquer principles: first, destroy the Mega Powers and leave Hogan alone when he faces Ric next Saturday, second, take the title off him with our secret weapon," Blassie told her. "And how's it coming with that, Ted?" he turned to the Million Dollar Man next to him.
"We're just negotiating the price, Freddie, but otherwise, we're all set to go with Phase Two next week, and that should fall into place easy, since everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man," DiBiase predicted confidently, "And I especially love that Bruce Hart came up with the idea; it may not be his brother he's helping cheat out of the gold, but I just love that he realizes that when it really matters, money trumps family every single time."
He laughed hard. "Well, if he thinks he's buying New Stampede any favors by going to Don Vincenelli for assistance, he's got something else coming in the end," Blassie snickered, "All he's done is ensure it'll be kept afloat as a Vincenelli Family protectorate; the don'll be calling all the shots whether Hart or his blasted family like it or not."
"So what's the next step for us then, Freddie?" Jimmy had to ask.
"You and Bobby work on your vocal lessons," Blassie told him and the Brain in the rear of the pack, "You two will be the most important part of Phase One, where we send Savage over the edge. Martel, you know what to do," he turned to Sherri, "Make him so suspicious of Hogan he won't be able to stand the thought of the man. Ventura'll fill in the rest when he gets spare time."
"I want more in return," Sherri folded her arms across her chest, "When Flair wins the title, I get to be co-manager with you; I want part of the belt."
"You always did strike a hard bargain, Martel," Blassie rolled his eyes in disgust, "But all right, if that's what it takes, you can help as Flair's...queen; you can be a queen again. Just don't fail on your end."
"Oh I'll do my best then, you can count on that," Sherri grinned darkly, "I've been dreaming of seeing Savage and Liz destroyed for the longest time, and I want to be there when she's sobbing heartbroken on the floor, her knight in..."
"OOOOOOOh boy, I'm late!" Heenan gasped, seeing the arena's wide shot come back on the TV screen, "I can't miss out on this match; Herc, Bundy and I had such big plans for it! Keep me informed on any changes."
He rushed off towards the curtain, where his men were waiting to go on. "All right then," Blassie rolled his eyes in disgust, "Ted," he turned back to the Million Dollar Man, "To advance the plan further in your match with Savage in few minutes..."
"Already taken care of, Freddie; Jimmy and I worked out a plan where Hogan'll have to come out and save Macho's hide," DiBiase put his arm around his manager and laughed again.
"Oh you know it, baby, and it's going to leave the entire Mega Power structure...crushed," the Mouth of the South laughed himself, "Come on Ted, baby, let's go get ready for that."
"I'm ready now, Jimmy," DiBiase laughed again as the two of them left. Blassie laughed himself. "Your time's up, Hogan," he mumbled to himself, turning back to the monitor as the rest of the managers dispersed, "By this time next week, Ric's going to be well on his way to world champion, and you're going to be in the gutter, permanently."