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WWF The Main Event
WWF The Main Event
WWF The Main Event
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WWF The Main Event
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byVince McMahon
StarringWorld Wrestling Federation roster
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes5
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesOnce a Month Productions
Titan Sports Inc.
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseFebruary 5, 1988 (1988-02-05) –
February 1, 1991 (1991-02-01)
Related
Saturday Night's Main Event

The Main Event is an American series of professional wrestling television specials that were produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The Main Event was a spin-off of Saturday Night's Main Event and was held only one time in a year (with the exception of 1990 where it was held twice) and was equivalent to today’s monthly pay-per-view (PPV) events. Like Saturday Night’s Main Event, The Main Event aired late and held its main event match on the first hour of the show. There were five shows between 1988 and 1991. Only the first three The Main Event episodes were shown live on NBC. The final two were taped and then shown on NBC at a later date. It included mainly high-card wrestlers of the WWF including Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.

All episodes of The Main Event are available on the WWE Network (in a few countries), Peacock in the U.S. and Netflix in other major international markets, included with Saturday Night's Main Event.

Dates and venues

[edit]
Event Date City Venue Main Event Ref
The Main Event February 5, 1988 Indianapolis, Indiana Market Square Arena Hulk Hogan (c) vs. André the Giant for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship [1]
The Main Event II February 3, 1989 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bradley Center The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage) vs. The Twin Towers (Akeem & Big Boss Man) [2]
The Main Event III February 23, 1990 Detroit, Michigan Joe Louis Arena Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Randy Savage for the WWF Championship with Buster Douglas as special guest referee [3]
The Main Event IV October 30, 1990
Aired November 23, 1990 		Fort Wayne, Indiana Allen County War Memorial Coliseum The Ultimate Warrior (c) vs. Ted DiBiase for the WWF Championship [4]
The Main Event V January 28, 1991
Aired February 1, 1991 		Macon, Georgia Macon Coliseum Hulk Hogan and Tugboat vs. Earthquake and Dino Bravo [5]
(c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

Results

[edit]

The Main Event

[edit]
The Main Event
PromotionWorld Wrestling Federation
DateFebruary 5, 1988
CityIndianapolis, Indiana
VenueMarket Square Arena
The Main Event chronology
← Previous
First 		Next →
II
Television special chronology
← Previous
Royal Rumble 		Next →
Saturday Night's Main Event XIV

The Main Event took place, and aired live, on Friday February 5, 1988 at 8pm ET at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.[6][7] The live broadcast drew a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers, both records for American televised wrestling.[8]

The match between André the Giant and Hulk Hogan saw André receive a pinfall victory despite Hogan raising his left shoulder before a count of two could be reached. It was revealed, post-match, that the referee who worked the match was not the assigned referee, Dave Hebner, but rather his twin brother, Earl Hebner. Earl had been hired by Ted DiBiase to cheat Hogan out of the belt. Immediately after the match, André surrendered the title to DiBiase. Later on, WWF President Jack Tunney said the title can only change hands by pinfall or submission. Tunney acknowledged that the referee's decision is final but, due to André surrendering the belt, he declared the title to be vacant.[9] Following the vacancy, a single elimination tournament was held at WrestleMania IV to crown the new champion.[10]

The Strike Force vs. The Hart Foundation match was still in progress when NBC signed off. In 2014, when the WWE Network made available this episode to its on-demand section, the ending of the match was added in.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1DAx defeated Ken PateraSingles match9:06
2DJake Roberts defeated Harley RaceSingles match11:21
3DRon Bass defeated Koko B. WareSingles match6:33
4DThe British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) defeated The Islanders (Haku and Tama)Tag team match13:42
5DJim Duggan defeated One Man GangSingles match5:55
6DThe Ultimate Warrior defeated SikaSingles match4:01
7Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated The Honky Tonk Man (c) (with Jimmy Hart and Peggy Sue) by countoutSingles match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship8:20
8André the Giant (with Ted DiBiase and Virgil) defeated Hulk Hogan (c)Singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship10:05
9DStrike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel) (c) defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (with Jimmy Hart)Tag team match for the WWF Tag Team Championship10:03
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match

The Main Event II

[edit]
The Main Event II
PromotionWorld Wrestling Federation
DateFebruary 3, 1989
CityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
VenueBradley Center
The Main Event chronology
← Previous
1988 		Next →
III
Television special chronology
← Previous
Saturday Night's Main Event XIX 		Next →
Saturday Night's Main Event XX

The Main Event II took place and aired live on Friday February 3, 1989 at 8pm ET from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[11][12] The live broadcast drew an 11.6 rating and 19.9 million viewers.[13]

The slowly building tension between Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage boiled over during the team's match against The Twin Towers, leading to the team's breakup upon Savage's heel turn when Savage contended that Hogan was lusting after his manager, Miss Elizabeth.[citation needed]

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1DAndré the Giant (with Bobby Heenan) defeated Jake RobertsSingles match7:11
2DThe Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart)Tag team match with Brother Love as special guest referee19:35
3DThe Ultimate Warrior (c) defeated Greg Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)Singles match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship05:19
4DDemolition (Ax and Smash) (c) defeated The Powers of Pain (The Warlord and The Barbarian) (with Mr. Fuji) by disqualificationTag team match for the WWF Tag Team Championship8:16
5DThe Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) defeated The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)Tag team match14:16
6DBrutus Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect ended in a double disqualificationSingles match12:34
7DJim Duggan defeated Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin)Flag match6:08
8The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated The Twin Towers (Akeem and Big Boss Man) (with Slick)Tag team match22:00
9Ted DiBiase (with Virgil) defeated HerculesSingles match7:12
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match

The Main Event III

[edit]
The Main Event III
PromotionWorld Wrestling Federation
DateFebruary 23, 1990
CityDetroit, Michigan
VenueJoe Louis Arena
The Main Event chronology
← Previous
II 		Next →
IV

The Main Event III took place and aired live on February 23, 1990, at 10pm ET from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.[14][15] The live broadcast drew a 12.8 rating and 20.9 million viewers.[16]

Mike Tyson was originally scheduled to be the special guest referee, but this changed following Buster Douglas' knockout title win over Tyson just under two weeks before, on February 11. Tyson would eventually be the guest referee at WrestleMania XIV.

Tito Santana was a substitute for Jimmy Snuka.[citation needed]

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1DEarthquake defeated Ron GarvinSingles match5:12
2DDusty Rhodes (with Sapphire) defeated Mr. Perfect (with (The Genius)Singles match11:26
3DTed DiBiase (with Virgil) defeated Jake RobertsSingles match10:28
4DThe Colossal Connection (André the Giant and Haku) (c) defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash)Tag team match for the WWF Tag Team Championship10:04
5DBad News Brown defeated Tito SantanaSingles match5:31
6DRick Martel defeated Brutus BeefcakeSingles match12:15
7DRoddy Piper vs. Rick Rude ended in a double disqualificationLumberjack match13:00
8Hulk Hogan (c) defeated Randy Savage (with Queen Sherri)Singles match for the WWF Championship with Buster Douglas as special guest referee11:14
9The Ultimate Warrior (c) defeated Dino Bravo (with Jimmy Hart and Earthquake)Singles match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship4:11
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match

The Main Event IV

[edit]
The Main Event IV
PromotionWorld Wrestling Federation
DateOctober 30, 1990
(aired November 23, 1990)
CityFort Wayne, Indiana
VenueAllen County War Memorial Coliseum
The Main Event chronology
← Previous
III 		Next →
V

The Main Event IV took place on October 30, 1990, from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and aired on Friday November 23, 1990 at 10pm ET.[17][18] The broadcast drew an 8.6 rating and 15 million viewers.[19]

The WWF Tag Team Championship match between The Hart Foundation and The Rockers was supposed to be on the show. The Rockers defended their newly won titles a few times before the WWF rehired Jim Neidhart, pairing him with Bret Hart once more, and quietly handing the belts back to The Hart Foundation, erasing The Rockers' reign from the history books. Retrospectively, the WWF explained that the title change had been revoked due to a ring rope malfunction during the second fall of the two-out-of-three falls match. The match can be seen unedited on the DVD The Shawn Michaels Story: Heartbreak & Triumph. Marty Jannetty pinned Bret Hart in the first fall with a sunset flip counter at 9:33. Hart pinned Shawn Michaels in the second fall with the Hart Attack at 19:23. Jannetty pinned Jim Neidhart in the third fall when Michaels dropkicked Jannetty onto Neidhart, who was setting up the Hart Attack at 25:41.

Nikolai Volkoff was scheduled to face Sgt. Slaughter on the show, but Slaughter attacked Nikolai before the opening bell rang and the match never took place.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1DThe Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (c) 2-1Two-out-of-three falls match for the WWF Tag Team Championship25:41
2The Ultimate Warrior (c) defeated Ted DiBiase (with Virgil) by disqualificationSingles match for the WWF Championship9:47
3Mr. Perfect defeated Big Boss Man by countoutSingles match8:15
4Rick Martel defeated Tito SantanaSingles match6:46
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match

The Main Event V

[edit]
The Main Event V
PromotionWorld Wrestling Federation
DateJanuary 28, 1991
(aired February 1, 1991)
CityMacon, Georgia
VenueMacon Coliseum
The Main Event chronology
← Previous
IV 		Next →
Final
Television special chronology
← Previous
Survivor Series Showdown 		Next →
WrestleFest Tokyo

The Main Event V took place on January 28, 1991, from the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Georgia, and aired on Friday February 1, 1991 at 8pm ET.[20][21]

KNBC, the NBC-owned-and-operated station in Los Angeles, did not air this program when it was shown by the network on February 1. That day, a collision took place at Los Angeles International Airport between a US Airways passenger jet and a SkyWest Airlines commuter plane. The crash occurred in the late afternoon, and KNBC opted to air news bulletin coverage of this story throughout the night. The station did replay the program unadvertised on a later date.[citation needed]

The broadcast drew 10.6 million viewers and a 6.7 rating,[22] which was at the time the worst rating any WWF program had received on NBC despite the presence of Hulk Hogan. This has been blamed on the controversial and exploitative Sgt. Slaughter Iraqi sympathizer storyline that was on going at the time.[23]

WWF President Jack Tunney declared Hulk Hogan the number one contender for Sgt. Slaughter's WWF Championship at WrestleMania VII.

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Hulk Hogan and Tugboat defeated Earthquake and Dino Bravo (with Jimmy Hart)Tag team match8:56
2Jim Duggan (with Hulk Hogan) defeated Sgt. Slaughter (c) (with General Adnan) by disqualificationSingles match for the WWF Championship6:50
3The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) defeated The Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka) (with Mr. Fuji)Tag team match5:11
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WWF The Main Event

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

WWF The Main Event was a series of five television specials produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and aired on between 1988 and 1991.
As a spin-off of the longer-running , the specials provided prime-time exposure for WWF's top storylines and during the of Hogan's .
The inaugural event on February 5, 1988, drew a 15.2 Nielsen rating, one of the highest for any wrestling broadcast at the time, featuring a WWF Championship match between champion and challenger .
In that contest, André pinned Hogan in controversial fashion— with Hogan's shoulder visibly off the mat—winning the title before selling it to backstage, an angle intended to crown DiBiase champion but abandoned due to strong negative fan reaction, resulting in the title's vacating.
Subsequent specials, including involving stars like , , and , maintained the format of showcasing marquee bouts but achieved lower viewership, with the series concluding after the fifth event in 1991.

Background and Origins

Development in the WWF Landscape

In the early 1980s, pursued aggressive national expansion for the WWF by signing wrestlers from rival territories, leveraging cable television syndication, and positioning as the promotion's flagship star to appeal beyond traditional wrestling audiences. This shift dismantled the regional territory system, enabling WWF programming like Superstars of Wrestling (debuting September 1986) and Wrestling Challenge (debuting March 1986) to reach broader markets through weekly syndicated broadcasts, while Prime Time Wrestling on the from January 1985 provided recap-style content to build ongoing narratives. The era's momentum peaked with on March 29, 1987, which attracted 93,173 spectators to , demonstrating WWF's capacity for large-scale live events and draw. Seeking to elevate WWF's legitimacy and exposure on major network television, McMahon secured a partnership with NBC, initially through Saturday Night's Main Event specials debuting May 11, 1985, arranged via executive producer Dick Ebersol after high ratings from WWF appearances on other broadcasts. These Saturday slots showcased top talent in scripted matches and celebrity crossovers, drawing 9-15 million viewers per event in their early years and bridging wrestling's niche appeal to mainstream households. By 1988, amid sustained Hulkamania-driven popularity and post-WrestleMania storyline extensions, WWF launched The Main Event as Friday night prime-time specials on NBC, starting February 5, 1988, to capitalize on the network's sports programming window and feature high-stakes bouts like rematches between Hogan and André the Giant. The specials integrated into WWF's evolving media strategy, which emphasized live arenas, closed-circuit PPVs, and television synergy to sustain fan engagement without relying solely on ticket sales or premium buys. Occurring annually through 1991 (with events on February 3, 1989; February 23, 1990; May 27, 1991; and November 23, 1991), they highlighted roster mainstays such as , , and , fostering character arcs that fed into flagship PPVs. This prime-time push occurred against a backdrop of WWF dominance over competitors like NWA, though early signs of overexpansion and regulatory scrutiny, including federal investigations into anabolic steroid distribution by 1990, began testing the promotion's sustainability.

Strategic Purpose for Prime-Time Exposure

The airing of The Main Event specials in on represented a calculated extension of Vince McMahon's broader campaign to nationalize the WWF, transitioning it from regional territory-based operations to a unified, mass-appeal entertainment product accessible via major network television. Following the territorial expansions of the mid-1980s, including syndicated programming and the debut of on in 1985, these Friday night specials targeted peak viewing hours to expose wrestling's evolving "" format—emphasizing character-driven narratives, athletic spectacle, and production polish—to households previously untapped by syndicated or cable outlets. This move aligned with McMahon's rejection of wrestling's "fake" stigma, positioning WWF events as alternatives to scripted TV dramas or sports broadcasts, thereby broadening demographic reach and fostering long-term viewer loyalty. Central to this strategy was leveraging blockbuster matchups to generate massive ratings and cultural buzz, serving as promotional gateways to premium live events like WrestleMania while boosting ancillary revenue from merchandise and pay-per-view adoption. The inaugural The Main Event I on February 5, 1988, exemplified this by featuring the highly anticipated rematch between WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and André the Giant—building directly on WrestleMania III's attendance record—alongside a WWF Intercontinental Championship defense, culminating in a controversial double pin that scripted a tournament angle to sustain intrigue. The broadcast achieved a 15.2 Nielsen rating, equating to roughly 33 million viewers, marking the highest-rated wrestling telecast in U.S. history at the time and demonstrating prime-time viability for sustaining WWF's momentum amid growing competition from cable sports and entertainment. Subsequent specials reinforced this exposure tactic by incorporating celebrity elements and title implications to draw advertisers and casual viewers, such as Mike Tyson's involvement in The Main Event III on February 23, 1990, which aimed to bridge wrestling with pop culture icons for crossover appeal. McMahon's negotiations with executives like focused on these high-impact formats to justify network investment, contrasting with WWF's weekly syndicated shows by reserving prime-time slots for "event" status that amplified star power—e.g., Randy Savage's defenses—and tested scalable production models for future dominance. This approach not only validated wrestling's prime-time draw, peaking WWF's national footprint before the 1990s , but also pressured rival promotions by monopolizing mainstream visibility.

Event Details and Formats

Broadcasting and Production Elements

The WWF The Main Event specials were broadcast exclusively on the NBC television network as one-hour prime-time programs, typically scheduled for Friday evenings to capitalize on national exposure. The series spanned five episodes from February 5, 1988, to November 23, 1991, with the first three airing live to allow real-time audience engagement and dramatic immediacy, such as the controversial referee interference in the inaugural event's main match. The latter two episodes, IV on May 27, 1991, and V on November 23, 1991, were pre-taped at venues before broadcast, enabling post-production refinements but reducing the live-event spontaneity. This hybrid approach marked a strategic evolution from WWF's syndicated programming, aligning with NBC's standards for network television while promoting key storylines and title matches. Production responsibilities fell under Titan Sports Inc., WWF's corporate entity, which managed on-site logistics including ring setup, wrestler entrances, and arena coordination in major venues like the in for the debut, the in for the second, and the in for the third. NBC provided broadcast facilities, but WWF controlled creative elements such as match sequencing and hype segments, often featuring pre-taped vignettes to build narrative tension. Commentary teams emphasized play-by-play and color analysis, with delivering enthusiastic narration alongside Jesse Ventura's heel-leaning insights through the first three events, fostering a contrasting dynamic that amplified match drama. Post-Ventura's 1990 departure, later episodes shifted to McMahon paired with alternating partners like , maintaining WWF's signature promotional style. Technical production adhered to late-1980s broadcast norms, utilizing multi-camera setups for ring coverage and crowd shots, though lighting remained arena-dependent and often subdued to highlight wrestler physiques over elaborate effects, with sound capture prioritizing in-ring impacts and announcer audio amid ambient noise. Graphics were minimal, focusing on WWF logos, fighter introductions, and title belts, without the advanced CGI or of subsequent eras; this restraint suited NBC's family-oriented slot while underscoring WWF's emphasis on athletic spectacle over spectacle-driven visuals. Overall, these elements elevated The Main Event beyond regional syndication, delivering polished yet authentic wrestling programming that drew peak audiences through accessible network reach.

Typical Structure and Matches

The WWF The Main Event specials typically featured a compact card of two to four matches involving upper-card wrestlers, designed to showcase marquee attractions and advance key storylines in a prime-time format. Unlike conventional wrestling broadcasts that build progressively to a closing bout, the signature main event was often placed mid-program or early, enabling post-match angles, betrayals, or segments in the latter portion. This arrangement maximized narrative impact within the 90-minute runtime, incorporating live arena atmospheres, elaborate entrances, and commentary by WWF staples like and . Undercard matches served as showcases or qualifiers, frequently structured as straightforward singles or tag encounters under standard rules to highlight athleticism and character dynamics without excessive gimmicks. For instance, The Main Event III opened with the WWF World Heavyweight Championship defense by against , with special guest referee , spanning 11:52 and drawing a TV rating of 12.8 on . This was followed by Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior's squash victory over . Promotional elements, including wrestler promos and vignettes, interleaved the matches to tease larger arcs, such as versus at following The Main Event III. Attendance for these arena-based tapings averaged around 20,000, underscoring their status as tentpole events bridging weekly TV and pay-per-views.

Individual Events

The Main Event I (February 5, 1988)

The Main Event I was a produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), held on February 5, 1988, at in , , and broadcast live on starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. The event served as a prime-time platform to showcase major storylines, particularly a rematch for the WWF Championship between champion and , following their encounter at the previous year. The undercard included a WWF Intercontinental Championship match where Randy Savage defeated champion The Honky Tonk Man by pinfall after 8 minutes, capturing the title with assistance from Savage's manager Miss Elizabeth, who distracted the referee while Savage executed his flying elbow drop. Additional matches featured Demolition defeating Billy Jack Haynes and Ken Patera by pinfall, and Jake Roberts pinning King Harley Race after executing his signature DDT finisher. A planned tag team contest between Strike Force and The Hart Foundation was omitted due to time constraints. The main event pitted Hulk Hogan against André the Giant for the WWF Championship, with André accompanied by Ted DiBiase and Virgil. During the match, referee Dave Hebner was inadvertently knocked unconscious by Hogan; his identical twin brother Earl Hebner, portrayed as corrupt in the storyline, entered the ring and administered a fast three-count pinfall for André while Hogan's shoulders were not fully down, allowing André to win the title. Upon Dave Hebner's recovery, he also counted a pinfall for Hogan, creating a double-pin controversy that storyline-wise led to the championship being vacated shortly thereafter, setting up a tournament at WrestleMania IV. The broadcast achieved peak viewership for a wrestling program, drawing an estimated 26.64 million viewers, the highest in U.S. wrestling television history at the time. This audience figure underscored the drawing power of the Hogan-André amid the WWF's national expansion in the late 1980s.

The Main Event II (February 3, 1989)

The Main Event II was a television special produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), held on February 3, 1989, at the in , , and broadcast live on as part of the series. The event featured a limited card centered on advancing key storylines, particularly the deteriorating alliance between WWF Champion Randy "Macho Man" Savage and , known as the . It drew an 11.6 Nielsen rating, translating to approximately 19.9 million viewers, reflecting strong prime-time appeal amid the WWF's national expansion. The primary match pitted the —Hulk and , accompanied by —against the Twin Towers (Akeem and ), managed by Slick, in a contest lasting 22 minutes. The bout built tension through the heels' dominance, isolating Savage and prompting Elizabeth to seek Hogan's aid when Savage lay incapacitated outside the ring; Hogan entered to revive his partner, administering chest slaps that visibly agitated the jealous champion upon his return. Despite the Mega Powers securing victory via Hogan's pinfall on Akeem following a , Savage's refusal to tag in earlier—stemming from paranoia over Hogan's interaction with Elizabeth—foreshadowed their , a pivotal angle leading to their confrontation. Additional programming included a brief squash where , with , defeated via count-out after interference from , underscoring DiBiase's "Million Dollar Man" persona. Backstage vignettes and promos, such as Savage confronting over perceived disloyalty, reinforced the main event's narrative without altering championships or delivering undercard surprises. The event's production emphasized high-stakes drama over athleticism, aligning with WWF's entertainment-driven format under , and contributed to the organization's momentum post-Royal Rumble by teasing the era's biggest babyface feud.

The Main Event III (February 23, 1990)

WWF The Main Event III was a live television special produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), broadcast on from the in , , on February 23, 1990. The event attracted an attendance of 21,000 spectators and achieved a Nielsen rating of 12.8, corresponding to approximately 20.9 million viewers. Commentary was provided by and . The card consisted of two televised singles matches, both for WWF championships, highlighting top stars in the promotion's ongoing storylines. The opening contest saw WWF Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior defend his title against Dino Bravo, accompanied by Jimmy Hart and Earthquake. Warrior retained the championship via pinfall after executing his signature gorilla press slam and splash. This match underscored Warrior's dominant run as champion, which had begun in August 1988, and positioned Bravo—known for feats of strength—as a credible challenger backed by Hart's managerial interference attempts. In the main event, WWF Champion defended against "Macho King" , with Sensational Queen Sherri in Savage's corner and heavyweight boxer James serving as special guest referee. Douglas, who had recently upset to claim the undisputed heavyweight title on February 11, 1990, added cross-promotional appeal to the bout. retained the WWF Championship by pinfall after 11 minutes and 52 seconds, countering Savage's attacks—including a top-rope elbow drop attempt—with his standard array of punches, clotheslines, and the finisher. Sherri's interference was neutralized when hurled her from the ring, preventing a disqualification. This rematch from their collision in 1989 extended their rivalry, which had defined WWF's marquee attractions since the mid-1980s. The undercard, not televised on , included house show matches such as defeating Ronnie Garvin, pinning Mr. Perfect with Sapphire's assistance, beating by countout, and The (André the Giant and Haku) overcoming (Ax and Smash). These bouts supported the event's live gate but were absent from the prime-time broadcast, focusing viewer attention on the title defenses. The Main Event III exemplified WWF's strategy of leveraging network exposure for high-profile confrontations, though it marked the final installment in the series amid shifting broadcast partnerships.

The Main Event IV (May 27, 1991)

The Main Event IV was a prime-time produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), taped on October 30, 1990, at the in , and broadcast on on November 23, 1990. The event featured four matches, headlined by WWF Champion defending his title against in a storyline tied to DiBiase's pursuit of the championship amid Warrior's ongoing feuds. It drew a Nielsen rating of 8.6, equivalent to approximately 15 million viewers, reflecting a decline from prior installments amid shifting WWF narratives post-Hulk Hogan's title loss earlier in the year. The card emphasized ongoing WWF angles, including the patriotic backlash against Sgt. Slaughter's persona aligned with Iraq during the buildup, and midcard rivalries involving Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect and tag team tensions. Matches were structured for television pacing, with disqualifications and countouts preserving while advancing plots without clean finishes in key bouts. No live figures were publicly reported, consistent with the event's taping format originally intended for before rebranding.
MatchStipulationResultNotes
vs. SinglesMartel defeated Santana by pinfall rooted in Martel's blinding angle with Santana's misturned spray; lasted approximately 10 minutes.
vs. Mr. Perfect (c)Singles for the WWF Intercontinental ChampionshipPerfect defeated Boss Man by countoutPerfect retained; interference from The Genius aided the escape finish, extending their program.
vs. SinglesSlaughter defeated Volkoff by disqualificationVolkoff, portraying a Soviet sympathizer allied with Slaughter's anti-American , was disqualified for excessive aggression; part of the duo's dynamic against U.S. babyfaces.
(c) vs. Singles for the WWF ChampionshipDiBiase defeated by disqualification retained the title; DiBiase's stable, including , provoked the DQ via interference, teasing future multi-man involvement; match duration around 12 minutes.
The special underscored WWF's transition era, with Warrior's reign facing credibility tests from established heels like DiBiase, whose "Million Dollar Man" character emphasized financial dominance over physical prowess. Non-title finishes avoided major shifts ahead of upcoming pay-per-views like , prioritizing storyline continuity over decisive outcomes.

The Main Event V (November 23, 1991)

The Main Event V was a television special produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), taped on January 28, 1991, at the in , and broadcast on on February 1, 1991. This event served as a lead-in to , featuring matches centered on the ongoing storyline involving WWF Champion and challengers aligned with amid patriotic themes following the . Commentary was provided by and , with a reported Nielsen rating of 6.7, reflecting solid but declining prime-time viewership for WWF specials. The undercard opened with a tag team match where and defeated and (accompanied by ) via pinfall at 8:56, after the interfered to deliver a to , allowing to pin . This bout highlighted 's alliance against forces, building momentum for his title pursuit. Next, Hacksaw Jim Duggan challenged (with ) for the WWF Championship in a non-title match due to disqualification rules; Duggan won by DQ at 9:04 when interfered with a chair shot, but retained the belt as disqualifications did not result in title changes under then-current stipulations. Post-match, attacked Duggan until intervened for the save, intensifying the rivalry. The semi-main event saw the ( and ) defeat the ( and , with ) via pinfall at 8:10, showcasing the LOD's power-based offense including the . A key segment featured WWF President Jack Tunney announcing the WrestleMania VII main event as Hogan versus Slaughter for the championship, capitalizing on Hogan's heroic persona against Slaughter's Iraqi sympathizer gimmick to evoke nationalistic fervor. This decision underscored the event's promotional role, positioning the March 24, 1991, pay-per-view as a cultural clash rather than a standard wrestling contest. No attendance figures were publicly detailed for the taping, consistent with WWF's selective reporting for non-PPV house shows and specials during this era. The Main Event V marked the conclusion of the series, as shifting network dynamics and WWF's focus on monthly PPVs reduced demand for standalone NBC specials.

Viewership and Commercial Impact

Ratings Data and Audience Metrics

The WWF The Main Event specials, broadcast live on , garnered substantial Nielsen ratings during the late , reflecting peak interest in the WWF's prime-time programming amid the Hulkamania era. The inaugural event on February 5, 1988, achieved a 15.2 household rating, translating to an estimated 33 million viewers and establishing it as the highest-rated broadcast in U.S. television . Subsequent installments maintained strong but declining audiences. The Main Event II on February 3, 1989, posted an 11.6 rating with approximately 19.9 million viewers, buoyed by the storyline buildup to . The Main Event III on February 23, 1990, drew a 12.8 rating and about 20.9 million viewers, featuring high-profile feuds involving and .
EventDateNielsen RatingEstimated Viewers (millions)
The Main Event IFebruary 5, 198815.233
The Main Event IIFebruary 3, 198911.619.9
The Main Event IIIFebruary 23, 199012.820.9
Later events in 1991 showed further erosion in viewership amid shifting WWF storylines and competition from cable, though specific Nielsen figures for The Main Event IV (May 27, 1991) and The Main Event V (November 23, 1991) remain less documented in available historical records. These metrics underscore the specials' role in sustaining WWF's network television dominance before the pivot to pay-per-view emphasis.

Revenue Generation and Business Outcomes

The WWF's The Main Event specials derived primary from sold during broadcasts and fees negotiated in the partnership, as the events were produced as prime-time network television rather than . Specific per-event figures are not publicly detailed, but the series aligned with WWF (operating as Titan Sports) achieving annual of $96.9 million in , up from $76.9 million in , reflecting broader from heightened national exposure. This uptick was fueled by strategic TV placements that amplified brand reach, enabling WWF to command premium ad rates amid the wrestling boom. Business outcomes manifested in diversified income streams beyond direct broadcast earnings, including surges in merchandise licensing—such as -endorsed products—and increased ticket sales for subsequent house shows and PPVs. The specials, particularly The Main Event I on February 5, 1988, showcased marquee matches like versus , drawing advertiser interest and reinforcing WWF's transition from regional territories to a mainstream enterprise. By sustaining viewer engagement, the series contributed to sustained revenue trajectory, with estimates placing late-1980s totals near $138.5 million annually as media deals enhanced ancillary sales. Long-term, The Main Event outcomes validated Vince McMahon's model of high-profile TV as a loss-leader for profitability elsewhere, mitigating risks from the expansion costs while establishing WWF's viability for future network and cable negotiations. The events' commercial viability stemmed from causal links between prime-time visibility and consumer demand, evidenced by through the early 1990s despite competitive pressures. No major financial shortfalls were reported, underscoring their role in stabilizing WWF's growth amid the era's territorial consolidations.

Key Moments and Controversies

Title Changes and High-Stakes Outcomes

In The Main Event I on February 5, 1988, defeated via pinfall in 9:05 to capture the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, marking the end of Hogan's four-year reign. The match concluded amid controversy, as referee executed a fast count despite Hogan's shoulder appearing elevated, compounded by interference from and . WWF President vacated the title on the February 13, 1988, episode of , citing undetermined irregularities that prevented a clear winner, which necessitated a 14-man at to resolve the championship. This outcome propelled major storyline developments, including DiBiase's failed purchase of the belt from and Hogan's path to reclaiming the title. Subsequent installments featured high-stakes defenses without changes but with significant narrative implications. In The Main Event II on February 3, 1989, Hulk Hogan retained the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Savage in a match stemming from their WrestleMania V rivalry, solidifying Hogan's dominance ahead of further feuds. The Main Event III on February 23, 1990, saw dual defenses: Hogan retained against Savage (with special referee Mike Tyson) in 11:14, escalating their personal animosity, while Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior pinned Dino Bravo in 4:11 to retain amid the transition to Warrior's world title pursuit. These prime-time bouts on NBC drew peak audiences, underscoring their role in sustaining WWF's momentum during the Golden Era. A second anomalous title shift occurred during The Main Event IV tapings on October 30, 1990, when (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) defeated the (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) 2-1 in a two-out-of-three falls match for the WWF Tag Team Championship. The decisive third fall involved a disputed pin where Jannetty's foot rested on the rope unnoticed by the referee, leading WWF to withhold the match from broadcast and retroactively nullify the change due to the botched finish, restoring the titles to the Harts without official recognition of ' reign. This unreleased outcome, taped amid Neidhart's pending departure, highlighted production risks in live events but preserved continuity. The Main Event V on November 23, 1991 (aired January 28, 1992), involved no title alterations despite defenses, including retaining the Intercontinental Championship against via disqualification in 6:50, reflecting WWF's shift toward Gulf War-themed storylines with Slaughter as champion. also retained the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against via disqualification in The Main Event IV, averting a change but advancing DiBiase's heel pursuits. Across the series, these outcomes—two vacated shifts and multiple defenses—drove causal chains in booking, prioritizing storyline resets over permanent alterations to maintain top babyface dominance, though the controversies exposed vulnerabilities in scripted finishes under high visibility.

Referee Controversies and Kayfabe Breaks

In The Main Event I on February 5, 1988, a scripted referee controversy unfolded during the WWF Championship match between and at the Brendan Byrne Arena in . Assigned Dave was portrayed as being locked in a locker room by , allowing Dave's identical twin brother, , to substitute undetected and administer a fast three-count after André's bearhug-tombstone pinfall attempt, despite Hogan appearing to kick out. This angle, leveraging the real-life twin resemblance of the Hebner brothers, resulted in André being declared the new champion on-screen, but WWF President vacated the title three days later on February 8, 1988, citing the unauthorized switch as grounds for invalidating the result and announcing a 14-man at to crown a new champion. The segment drew 33.4 million viewers, the highest for any wrestling telecast at the time, amplifying the perceived stakes of the referee manipulation within the storyline. The twin referee switch, while a deliberate device to transition the championship from Hogan's four-year reign, mirrored later real-life booking disputes in but remained firmly within , with no evidence of unscripted deviation. later confirmed in interviews that the substitution was pre-planned by WWF booker to create ambiguity and fan outrage without actual discord among officials. No comparable referee controversies arose in subsequent Main Event specials; for instance, The Main Event III on February 23, 1990, featured boxer as a neutral special guest referee in a non-title Hogan-Savage , avoiding disputed counts amid heightened real-world scrutiny from Tyson's involvement. Regarding kayfabe breaks—unintended revelations of wrestling's performative nature—these specials occurred during WWF's adherence to rigid illusion maintenance in the late , predating the Attitude Era's meta-commentary. No documented instances of performers corpsing, out-of-character interactions, or equipment malfunctions piercing the emerged in The Main Event series from 1988 to 1991, unlike later events such as the 1996 . The 1988 referee angle, though emphasizing institutional corruption for dramatic effect, reinforced rather than undermined by framing the irregularity as a heel-orchestrated resolvable through storyline authority, sustaining audience investment without exposing scripted mechanics.

Legacy in Professional Wrestling

Influence on WWF's Golden Era

The WWF The Main Event specials significantly bolstered the Golden Era's television strategy by delivering prime-time spectacles on that extended major storylines beyond pay-per-view events, thereby sustaining Hulk Hogan's star power and WWF's national dominance. The February 5, 1988, edition—billed as The Main Event I—pitted Hogan against in a rematch stemming from their clash, drawing a record 33 million viewers and a 15.2 Nielsen rating, the highest ever for a U.S. wrestling match. This broadcast exemplified the era's reliance on heroic archetypes and larger-than-life confrontations, amplifying WWF's crossover into mainstream and validating Vince McMahon's expansion from regional territories to a syndicated powerhouse. Subsequent installments reinforced this influence by integrating celebrity crossovers, title implications, and feud escalations that kept weekly programming vibrant amid growing competition from cable outlets. For example, events like The Main Event II in October 1988 featured defending the WWF Championship against amid real-time interference angles, while later specials in 1990 and 1991 showcased transitions such as the Ultimate Warrior's prominence and tag team rivalries involving the . These broadcasts, often airing between major PPVs, maintained quarterly hype cycles, with peak episodes contributing to WWF's 1980s boom in merchandise sales exceeding $100 million annually and attendance figures surpassing 1 million for house shows yearly. The format's emphasis on accessible, family-oriented narratives—contrasting the territories' shoot-style roots—cemented the Golden Era's cultural footprint, influencing how wrestling balanced athletic display with theatrical production to capture non-traditional audiences. Though ratings tapered in the early as steroid scandals and Hulkamania fatigue set in, the series' legacy lay in proving wrestling's viability for network slots, paving the way for expanded syndication and PPV bundling that defined WWF's commercial zenith through 1993. By prioritizing verifiable high-impact moments over filler, The Main Event specials underscored causal drivers of the era's success: strategic TV placement yielding massive exposure, which in turn fueled revenue streams and star valuations without diluting core elements. This approach contrasted with less structured regional promotions, highlighting WWF's edge in scaling popularity through controlled, event-driven storytelling.

Comparisons to Other WWF Specials

The Main Event specials distinguished themselves from other WWF television events, such as , through their infrequent, high-stakes prime-time broadcasts designed to showcase marquee matches and title implications, often rivaling the promotional buildup of early pay-per-views. While episodes from 1985 to 1992 typically drew Nielsen ratings between 8.0 and 12.0 during peak periods, The Main Event I on February 5, 1988, achieved a record 15.2 rating, equivalent to approximately 33 million viewers, the highest ever for a U.S. wrestling program. Subsequent installments, however, aligned more closely with averages; for example, The Main Event IV on November 23, 1990, posted an 8.6 rating with 15 million viewers, and The Main Event V on February 1, 1991, earned a 6.7 rating. In contrast to syndicated weekly programs like or Prime Time Wrestling, which garnered household ratings under 5.0 due to regional syndication and afternoon slots, The Main Event leveraged national network exposure to amplify WWF's mainstream appeal during the late Hulkamania peak. These specials avoided the format of multi-match cards seen in , focusing instead on 1-2 pivotal bouts to maximize drama, such as the controversial Hulk Hogan-André the Giant rematch in The Main Event I, which featured real-time interference and a title switch not replicated in other TV formats until later eras. Compared to emerging pay-per-view spectacles like or the inaugural in 1988, The Main Event offered free over-the-air access, prioritizing mass viewership over revenue from buys— drew about 400,000 PPV and closed-circuit viewers despite its cultural impact, far below The Main Event I's audience scale. However, as WWF shifted toward PPV exclusivity for major story resolutions by 1991, The Main Event's sporadic scheduling and declining ratings reflected the transition away from network reliance, rendering it less influential than the annualized , which built a self-sustaining format without TV dependency.

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