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WrestleMania X
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| WrestleMania X | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Promotional poster | |||
| Promotion | World Wrestling Federation | ||
| Date | March 20, 1994 | ||
| City | New York, New York | ||
| Venue | Madison Square Garden | ||
| Attendance | 18,065[1][2] | ||
| Buy rate | North America: 420,000[3] | ||
| Tagline | Ten Years in the Making[4] | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
| WrestleMania chronology | |||
| |||
WrestleMania X was a 1994 professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). It was the 10th annual WrestleMania and took place on March 20, 1994, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was the second WrestleMania held at this venue after the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985.
The central focus of the pay-per-view was the WWF Championship, which was defended in two matches. Due to Lex Luger and Bret Hart being named the co-winners of the 1994 Royal Rumble match, both challenged champion Yokozuna. Luger was first but was disqualified for pushing the referee. Hart faced Yokozuna later in the evening and won the championship by pinning Yokozuna. This led to a lengthy worked feud between Bret and his brother Owen,[5] who had defeated Bret in the opening match of the pay-per-view.
Several other major feuds were also highlighted. Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels in a Ladder match to resolve an angle in which the two had argued over the rightful holder of the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Bam Bam Bigelow gained revenge against Doink the Clown, with whom he had been feuding, by teaming with Luna Vachon to defeat Doink and his partner Dink. Randy Savage settled his feud with Crush by defeating him in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
The event received generally positive reviews, with much acclaim directed towards the Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, along with the opening match between Owen and Bret Hart.
WrestleMania X was the first edition of the event not to include Hulk Hogan, who had been seen as the public face of the WWF.[6] The card also marked Randy Savage's last televised match for the company.[7]
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]
WrestleMania is considered the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF, now WWE) flagship professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event, having first been held in 1985. It is held annually between mid-March to mid-April.[8] It was the first of the WWF's original four pay-per-views, which includes Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, which were dubbed the "Big Four",[9] and one of the "Big Five", along with King of the Ring that was established in 1993.[10] WrestleMania X was scheduled to be held on March 20, 1994, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, the same venue of the first WrestleMania.[1]
Storylines
[edit]The storyline surrounding the WWF Championship began at the 1994 Royal Rumble when the final two wrestlers, Lex Luger and Bret Hart, simultaneously eliminated each other.[11] After a disagreement between two referees, Jack Tunney, the WWF President, declared Luger and Hart co-winners.[12] Tunney announced that both wrestlers would get a WWF Championship match at WrestleMania, the prize given to the winner of the Royal Rumble match,[13] and both wrestlers would have to wrestle two matches for the pay-per-view.[12]
Tunney announced that a coin toss would be used to decide who faced Yokozuna for the belt first. If Luger won, he would face Yokozuna first.[14] Hart would then wrestle his brother Owen Hart before facing the winner of the Luger-Yokozuna match.[14] If Hart won the coin toss, he would get the first title shot, and Luger would wrestle Crush earlier on the card.[14] On the January 31, 1994 episode of Monday Night Raw, Luger won the coin toss and the right to face Yokozuna first.[12]

Bret Hart was booked to face his brother Owen, with whom he was in the middle of a feud. The storyline between the Hart brothers began at Survivor Series 1993, where they were competing on the same side of an elimination match. As Owen was fighting in the ring, Bret, who had sustained a kayfabe injury, was staggering along the ring apron. Owen ran into Bret, causing Owen to lose his focus and get eliminated from the match.[15] After the match, Owen returned to the ring and had a confrontation with Bret.[15] In the following weeks, Owen demanded a match with Bret, but Bret refused to accept the challenge.[12] Eventually, the storyline had the brothers reunite to face The Quebecers at Royal Rumble 1994.[12] During the match, Bret sustained another kayfabe injury, causing the referee to end the match.[16] In a planned turn, Owen got upset by the loss and attacked Bret to restart the feud.[17]

Luger's feud with Yokozuna began on July 4, 1993, at the Yokozuna Bodyslam Challenge. In June, Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna's manager, challenged all American athletes to attempt to bodyslam Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid.[18] After several athletes failed,[19][20] the storyline saw Luger arrive by helicopter and successfully bodyslam Yokozuna.[21] This began a strong push for Luger, who was then scheduled to challenge Yokozuna for the WWF Championship at SummerSlam 1993. Luger won the match by countout but did not win the title.[22] The WWF claimed that the match stipulations did not allow Luger a rematch.[23] The storyline saw Luger campaigning for entry into the 1994 Royal Rumble, as he wanted the title shot that would be given to the winner.[24] Luger was eventually entered into the match, although The Great Kabuki and Genichiro Tenryu were also entered, on Mr. Fuji's behalf, to attempt to prevent Luger from winning.[23] Kabuki and Tenryu were unsuccessful, however, as Luger won the match and gained a match for the WWF Championship.
The storyline leading to the match between "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Crush focused on the supposedly strained friendship between the two wrestlers. On the July 12, 1993, episode of Monday Night Raw, Crush challenged Yokozuna for the WWF Championship. At the end of the match, Yokozuna performed the Banzai Drop to win the match.[25] After the match, he performed three more Banzai Drops while various wrestlers ran to the ring to stop the attack.[25] Savage eventually came to the ring to help Crush.[25] Following the match, Crush was not seen on televised matches for several months, although he continued to appear at house shows.[24] On October 18, Crush appeared on Monday Night Raw accompanied by Yokozuna and Yokozuna's manager, Mr. Fuji. Crush criticized Savage for not intervening sooner during the July 12 match.[24] In a worked promo, Crush announced that he had turned against Savage and the United States in order to align himself with Yokozuna and Fuji.[24] He then attacked Savage by dropping him on the ringside guard rail. Yokozuna performed the Banzai Drop on Savage before a group of referees came to the ring to break up the fight.[24] During the November 8, 1993 episode of Monday Night Raw, Savage left his position as commentator to attack Crush.[26] The following week, Jack Tunney announced that Savage was suspended from commentating as a result of the previous week's attack.[27] The feud intensified at Survivor Series 1993 when Savage and Crush caused each other to be eliminated from their respective matches.[15]
Bam Bam Bigelow and Doink the Clown was engaged in a feud that began in the fall of 1993. Doink annoyed Bigelow with a series of pranks, such as throwing water and confetti on him and tripping him with a broom.[28] Bigelow retaliated against Doink and Doink's midget sidekick Dink.[28] A match was booked for Survivor Series 1993, but Bigelow was unable to get revenge because Doink did not compete. Instead, the WWF prolonged the feud by having Bigelow's team face The Bushwhackers and Men on a Mission dressed as Doinks.[29] The feud eventually culminated in a match scheduled for WrestleMania X. In the match, Bigelow and his storyline girlfriend Luna Vachon competed against Doink and Dink in a Mixed tag team match.
The feud between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels also dated back to the fall of 1993. Jack Tunney announced that he was stripping Michaels of the WWF Intercontinental Championship for not defending the title often enough.[30] There have been reports that the real reason for vacating the title was because Michaels refused to drop the belt.[31] Ramon won the title after competing in a battle royal and defeating Rick Martel, the other finalist in the match. In the angle, Michaels refused to acknowledge the title change, however, as he insisted that he was the true Intercontinental Champion.[31] To gain revenge against Ramon for taking the belt, Michaels attacked Ramon and helped Irwin R. Schyster to steal Ramon's gold chains.[32][33]
Event
[edit]| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentators | Vince McMahon |
| Jerry Lawler | |
| Interviewer | Todd Pettengill |
| Ring announcer | Bill Dunn |
| Howard Finkel | |
| Donnie Wahlberg (Lex Luger vs. Yokozuna match) | |
| Burt Reynolds (Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna match) | |
| Referee | Mike Chioda |
| Danny Davis | |
| Jack Doan | |
| Earl Hebner | |
| Joey Marella |
In a dark match before the pay-per-view aired, The Heavenly Bodies faced The Bushwhackers. Near the end of the match, The Bushwhackers gained control when they performed the Battering Ram on Jimmy Del Ray.[35] Tom Prichard, Del Ray's partner, attacked Bushwhacker Butch before he was able to pin Del Ray.[35] This allowed Del Ray to recover and pin Butch to win the match.[35] As the broadcast began, Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler were introduced as commentators for the event and Little Richard sang "America the Beautiful".[36]
The first televised match was between Bret and Owen Hart. The beginning of the match went back and forth with neither wrestler gaining a strong advantage. The tension between the two was demonstrated by Owen's bragging and Bret's refusal to let Owen leave the ring.[37] Owen eventually gained momentum by using a camel clutch on Bret and performing suplexes and a Tombstone piledriver.[36] When Owen stood outside the ring to recuperate, Bret jumped over the top rope to attack him. Bret landed awkwardly, however, and suffered a kayfabe injury to his knee.[37] Owen used a figure four leglock to capitalize on Bret's sore leg.[36] Bret was able to recover, and he kicked Owen in the back of the head and used a Bulldog and sleeper hold to weaken Owen.[36] Owen regained the advantage, however, and applied the Sharpshooter on Bret.[36] Bret was able to escape and perform a Sharpshooter on Owen.[36] Bret then attempted to end the match with a victory roll, but Owen blocked it and pinned Bret to win the match.[37]
Sy Sperling, the president of hair restoration company Hair Club for Men, appeared in the ring before the next match. He announced that he was at WrestleMania to introduce one of his latest clients, ring announcer Howard Finkel. Finkel came to the ring wearing a toupée, showing off his new hair while the crowd applauded.[36] The match then began, as Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon came to the ring to face Doink the Clown and Dink. Bigelow attacked Doink at the beginning of the match with a dropkick and a powerslam.[37] When Dink entered the match, the rules stated that Bigelow had to tag Vachon into the match.[36] Dink ran around the ring avoiding Vachon, but she eventually caught him. She kicked him and powerslammed him, but she then missed a moonsault attempt.[37] Doink and Bigelow re-entered the match, and Doink performed a DDT on Bigelow.[37] Bigelow reversed the momentum to win the match after a diving headbutt on Doink. Bigelow pinned Doink to win the match, and he and Vachon then attacked Dink.[36]

The next match was a Falls Count Anywhere match between Randy Savage and Crush. The rules stated that any time a wrestler was pinned, he then had to make it back inside the ring within sixty seconds or he would lose the match.[37] Savage tried to attack Crush before the bell rang, but Crush reversed the attack. He used a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker to injure Savage and then dropped Savage across the guard rail to get the first pinfall.[37] While Savage was returning to the ring, Mr. Fuji hit him with the Japanese flag to stall him. Savage made it back to the ring with two seconds remaining, so the match continued.[37] Inside the ring, Crush tried to throw salt in Savage's eyes, but Savage countered by throwing the salt in Crush's eyes.[37] Savage then performed a diving elbow drop and rolled Crush outside of the ring for the pinfall.[36] Fuji helped revive Crush, which allowed Crush to return to the ring before the count had expired.[36] Savage and Crush then brawled down the aisle and into a room backstage. Savage scored a pinfall and tied Crush's legs to a pulley.[37] Crush was left hanging upside down and could not return to the ring, so Savage was declared the winner.[37]
Alundra Blayze defended her WWF Women's Championship against Leilani Kai in the next match. Blayze began the match by using a leg sweep and two sunset flips.[37] Kai came back with a powerslam and a suplex.[37] Blayze got the win, however, by pinning Kai after performing a German suplex.[37]
In the next match, Men on a Mission challenged The Quebecers for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Although The Quebecers attacked Men on a Mission before the bell, Mabel quickly recovered and clotheslined both Quebecers.[37] The Quebecers used several double-team moves against their opponents, but Mabel reversed the momentum after Pierre missed a senton bomb.[37] Mabel eventually missed an Avalanche, allowing The Quebecers to suplex him.[37] The Quebecers performed an assisted senton on Mabel but did not get a pinfall.[37] Men on a Mission regained the advantage, prompting The Quebecers' manager, Johnny Polo, to pull his wrestlers out of the ring.[36] Men on a Mission won the match by countout, but they did not win the belts.[36]

The first WWF Championship match came next, as Lex Luger challenged Yokozuna. Mr. Perfect was revealed to be the guest referee for the match, while Donnie Wahlberg was the guest ring announcer and Rhonda Shear was the guest timekeeper.[34] After a verbal confrontation between Luger and Yokozuna, Luger gained the early advantage by knocking Yokozuna out of the ring.[36] After getting back into the ring, Yokozuna removed the turnbuckle padding from a corner of the ring.[36] Yokozuna used a nerve hold and a belly to belly suplex to wear down Luger.[37] As he tried to throw Luger's head into the exposed turnbuckle, however, Luger blocked him and hit Yokozuna's head into the turnbuckle.[37] Luger then performed clotheslines and a powerslam on Yokozuna before knocking Yokozuna kayfabe unconscious with a running forearm smash.[36] Yokozuna's managers, Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette jumped onto the ring apron to distract Luger, and Luger pulled them into the ring and attacked them.[34] Luger covered Yokozuna, but Mr. Perfect was tending to the fallen managers and did not make the count. When Luger pushed him, Mr. Perfect disqualified Luger and left the ring, thereby turning heel.[36]
Adam Bomb and his manager Harvey Wippleman entered the ring for the next match, and Wippleman criticized Finkel's new hair and tore the pocket off Finkel's suit.[38] Earthquake came to the ring and attacked Bomb from behind. He powerslammed Bomb and performed the Earthquake splash to get the pinfall victory in thirty-five seconds.[39]
For the Ladder match, the Intercontinental belts belonging to Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels were both hanging above the ring, and the first wrestler to use the ladder to reach both belts would be declared the winner.[36] Ramon began the match by chokeslamming Michaels.[37] Michaels recovered, however, and performed a neckbreaker on Ramon.[37] Michaels then threw Ramon out to the ringside, where Michaels' bodyguard Diesel clotheslined Ramon.[37] Referee Earl Hebner responded by ordering Diesel to return to the dressing rooms.[36] Ramon pulled up the padding from the concrete floor, but he was later thrown onto it after Michaels reversed Ramon's attempt to perform the Razor's Edge.[37] While Ramon was lying on the floor, Michaels brought the ladder to the ring and used it to hit Ramon in the stomach, chest, and back.[37] Michaels tried to retrieve the belts, but Ramon stopped him from climbing the ladder.[36] Michaels then set the ladder up in the corner of the ring and performed a splash onto Ramon.[37] Ramon recovered and Irish whipped Michaels into the ladder.[37] He then hit Michaels with the ladder several times before both men tried to climb up to get the belts.[37] Ramon suplexed Michaels off the ladder and tried to reach the belts.[37] Michaels dropkicked the ladder, which caused Ramon to fall off.[37] Michaels performed a superkick and a piledriver on Ramon and then propped the ladder up in the corner of the ring.[37] Michaels climbed the turnbuckles, jumped onto the ladder, and used his weight to push it down across Ramon's chest.[37] Michaels tried to retrieve the belts again, but Ramon pushed him off.[37] Michaels fell into the ropes and got tangled up, allowing Ramon to get the belts and win the undisputed Intercontinental Championship.[37]
A ten-man tag team match was supposed to take place next, but it was canceled due to time constraints.[40] The kayfabe reason given was that the heel team (Irwin R. Schyster, The Headshrinkers, Rick Martel and Jeff Jarrett) could not agree on who would be the team's captain for the match. Their opponents were scheduled to be the face team of the 1–2–3 Kid, Sparky Plugg, Tatanka and The Smoking Gunns.[40] Bob Holly ("Sparky Plugg"), stated in his 2013 autobiography The Hardcore Truth that the timekeeper backstage repeatedly told the referee over his earpiece to end the ladder match, but Michaels and Ramon ignored him and kept wrestling until officials were forced to cancel the tag team match.[41]

The final match of the night and main event was the WWF Championship match between Yokozuna and Bret Hart. The guest referee for the match was "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, while the guest ring announcer was Burt Reynolds and the guest timekeeper was Jennie Garth.[34] Yokozuna attacked Hart before the bell, and Hart attempted a couple of comebacks in vain.[36] Eventually, Yokozuna made a mistake and allowed Hart to knock him to the mat.[37] Cornette tried to distract Piper, but Piper punched him and knocked him off the ring apron.[42] Yokozuna performed a leg drop on Hart but then missed an Avalanche attempt.[37] Bret maintained the advantage for a little while, but Yokozuna came back with a belly to belly suplex.[37] When Yokozuna attempted the Banzai drop, however, he lost his balance and fell to the mat.[34] Hart quickly pinned Yokozuna to win the title.[34] This match also marked the first time in WWF (now WWE) history that two wrestlers faced each other in a WWF World Title match at two consecutive WrestleManias as well as Bret become first wrestler to win both Intercontinental Championship and World Championship at WrestleMania.
Afterwards, Bret Hart celebrated in the ring with several of the face wrestlers including Lex Luger, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Razor Ramon, Tatanka, The 1–2–3 Kid, Sparky Plugg and "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Others who joined in the celebration included Burt Reynolds, Rhonda Shear, Donnie Wahlberg, and WWF commentators Gorilla Monsoon and Vince McMahon. Owen Hart stood in the aisle, glaring at Bret, then quickly left; the brothers continued their feud for the remainder of 1994, with the WWF Championship often on the line.[24][34]
Reception
[edit]The event was attended by 18,065 people, who paid a total of $960,000 in admission fees. The buy-rate for this pay-per-view was 1.68, down from the 2.0 buy-rate that the previous WrestleMania had achieved.[1]
The event received positive reviews from various websites and wrestling publications. In 2010, Rob McNew of 411mania gave the event an overall score of 9.0 out of 10.0 and noted that WrestleMania X "may lack a lot of historical significance due to being during a relative downtime for the business, but this show kicked all kinds of ass." He further noted that "Bret-Owen and Razor-Shawn were both coin flip choices for not only match of the year, but match of the decade as well." He concluded the review citing how WrestleMania X was "easily one of the top five Wrestlemania’s ever."[43]
Much of the praise towards the event was aimed at the ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon. McNew of 411mania cited the match as "downright groundbreaking for the time" and an "amazing match that put the ladder match on the map." It received a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer and was voted Match of the Year (1994) by readers of his Wrestling Observer Newsletter publication. Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers also named that match PWI Match of the Year (1994). It was placed #3 on IGN's Top 20 Matches in Wrestlemania History and described as "one of the most ground-breaking matches in wrestling history".[44]
The opening match between Owen Hart and Bret Hart has also garnered acclaim. McNew described it as the "best opening match in professional wrestling history". It was also #4 on the list of IGN's Top 20 Matches in Wrestlemania History; writer Jon Robinson described it as "the best opening match in pay-per-view history."[45] Multi-time world champion Chris Jericho stated: "For me, the best match on [WrestleMania X] was always Bret vs. Owen, and it kicked off the show and it was hard to follow...the story was amazing, it was kind of Owen's coronation – it was a great moment".[46] Mike "The General" Lambertson, a former professional wrestler from Deep South Wrestling and contributor to voicesofwrestling.com called the match “The greatest sports entertainment event in Madison Square Garden’s history” on episode 138 of the "Talk is Jericho" podcast.
Aftermath
[edit]Men on a Mission continued to challenge The Quebecers for the tag team belts. Men on a Mission won the title on March 29, 1994.[47] This is said to have been an unplanned title change, as Mabel accidentally fell on Pierre to get the pinfall.[48] This title reign lasted only two days, however, as The Quebecers won the titles back in a rematch.[49]
Lex Luger and Mr. Perfect were scheduled to face each other in a series of matches on the WrestleMania Revenge Tour. Mr. Perfect was replaced by Crush,[24] however, and Mr. Perfect did not appear again in the WWF until Survivor Series 1995.[50]

Adam Bomb and Earthquake had a rematch on the April 4, 1994 episode of Monday Night Raw, which Earthquake won.[51] The feud did not progress any further, as Earthquake left the WWF for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in May 1994.[52] Wippleman and Finkel wrestled a series of Tuxedo matches in 1994 that culminated in a match on the January 9, 1995 episode of Monday Night Raw.[24] Finkel defeated Wippleman in a final Tuxedo match to end the feud.[53]
A few weeks after the match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon, Diesel begin to challenge Ramon for the Intercontinental championship. Michaels helped Diesel defeat Ramon for the title on April 13, 1994.[24][54] This win began a push for Diesel that saw him win the WWF's Triple Crown Championship in one calendar year.[55]
The ten-man tag team match took place on the April 4, 1994 edition of Monday Night Raw. The heel team won, as Irwin R. Schyster pinned the 1–2–3 Kid to win the match.[56]
Bret and Owen Hart continued their feud throughout 1994. At King of the Ring, their real-life brother-in-law and Bret's former tag team partner Jim Neidhart became involved in the angle by helping Owen win the tournament.[57] During the coronation ceremony, Owen announced that he wanted to be referred to as the "King of Harts".[58] At SummerSlam, Bret successfully defended his title against Owen in a Steel cage match but was attacked after the match by Owen and Neidhart, prompting another brother-in-law, Davey Boy Smith, to get involved on Bret's side.[59][60] At Survivor Series, the storyline saw Owen partially responsible for costing Bret the WWF Championship. Bret faced Bob Backlund in a match with the stipulation that the winner would be declared when a competitor's cornerman threw a towel into the ring to signify a submission. After Owen caused Smith to knock himself unconscious, Owen pretended to feel sympathy for Bret.[61] While Backlund had Bret in a crossface Chickenwing, the angle had Owen convince his mother Helen to throw in Bret's towel, enabling Backlund to win the match and the title.[61] After the match, Owen celebrated with Backlund and showed that he was faking the concern for his brother.[62]
Results
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External links
[edit]WrestleMania X
View on GrokipediaProduction
Background
In the early 1990s, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) faced significant challenges as it transitioned away from the Hulk Hogan era, which had dominated the company since the mid-1980s. Hogan, the face of WWF's expansion into mainstream popularity, departed in mid-1993 to focus on acting opportunities, leaving a void at the top of the roster amid declining attendance and ratings. This shift coincided with the escalating 1993 steroid scandal, a federal investigation into anabolic steroid distribution within the promotion that implicated numerous wrestlers and executives.[6] The scandal intensified in November 1993 when WWF owner Vince McMahon was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute steroids and possession with intent to distribute, stemming from a federal investigation including grand jury testimony from wrestlers like Hulk Hogan. McMahon testified in his defense during the 1994 trial (July 1994), denying systematic provision of steroids to the roster while admitting personal use in the 1980s. The investigation led to widespread roster changes, as several larger performers, including Hogan and others named in reports, faced scrutiny or left the company, prompting WWF to pivot toward technical, athletic wrestlers to rebuild its image and comply with emerging drug testing policies. McMahon was ultimately acquitted of all charges in July 1994.[6][7] Amid these turmoil, WWF selected Bret Hart as the new cornerstone of the promotion, emphasizing skill over size to align with the post-scandal era. Hart, a second-generation wrestler known for his technical prowess, had already risen prominently, winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania VIII in April 1992 and capturing his first WWF Championship from Ric Flair on October 12, 1992. After losing the title to Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX in April 1993, Hart rebounded by winning the inaugural King of the Ring tournament on June 13, 1993, defeating Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and Bam Bam Bigelow in a grueling semifinal and final matches that showcased his resilience. Hart then won the title from Yokozuna at SummerSlam 1993 before losing it back to him at Survivor Series later that year due to interference from Bob Backlund, elevating his status as the company's top babyface.[8][9] WrestleMania X marked a symbolic return to Madison Square Garden in New York City—the site of the inaugural event in 1985—after nearly nine years away, representing WWF's attempted resurgence following the scandal's shadow. The event was announced in mid-1993, with planning focused on a more restrained production scale compared to the spectacle-driven WrestleManias of the late 1980s and early 1990s, influenced by financial strains from legal fees, lost sponsorships, and reduced merchandise sales during the investigation. Budget considerations emphasized cost-effective staging and storytelling centered on Hart's redemption arc, positioning the pay-per-view as a pivotal comeback moment for the promotion.[10]Storylines
The primary storyline heading into WrestleMania X revolved around Bret "Hit Man" Hart's quest to reclaim the WWF Championship from the reigning heel champion Yokozuna. The feud originated from their controversial encounter at WrestleMania IX in 1993, where Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna's manager, interfered by throwing salt into Hart's eyes, leading to Hart's title loss moments after he had defeated Yokozuna in their opening match.[11] Yokozuna solidified his heel status by defeating Hulk Hogan to regain the championship at King of the Ring in June 1993, though he lost it to Bret Hart at SummerSlam that August before reclaiming it from Hart at Survivor Series with assistance from his allies, setting the stage for Hart's determined pursuit through intense promos and non-title clashes on WWF Superstars and Monday Night Raw.[12] Hart earned his rematch opportunity as one of two co-winners of the 1994 Royal Rumble match, alongside Lex Luger, heightening the narrative of redemption against Yokozuna's dominant, culturally charged reign backed by Mr. Fuji.[13] A deeply personal brother-against-brother rivalry developed between Bret Hart and his younger sibling Owen Hart, fueled by years of tag team frustrations and Owen's growing resentment over being overshadowed in the Hart family legacy. The Harts had success as a team, but losses in high-stakes matches, including against The Quebecers for the WWF Tag Team Championship at Royal Rumble 1994, amplified Owen's bitterness, as he blamed Bret for refusing to tag him in during critical moments.[14] This tension exploded at the same event when Owen abandoned Bret during their title defense, allowing the Quebecers to retain, and later eliminated Bret from the Royal Rumble match itself by dropkicking his knee, marking Owen's shocking heel turn and igniting a family betrayal arc hyped through emotional vignettes on Raw where Owen declared his independence.[15] The storyline positioned the opener as a pivotal clash of technical mastery and sibling animosity, with Owen portraying the jealous underdog seeking to eclipse his brother's stardom. The Intercontinental Championship dispute between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels escalated into one of the event's most anticipated bouts, stemming from Michaels' controversial retention of the title during a suspension period. Michaels, the reigning champion, was sidelined after a loss to Marty Jannetty in May 1993 but reportedly fled with the belt, prompting WWF officials to declare the title vacant and award it to Ramon via a battle royal victory on the September 27, 1993, episode of Raw.[16] Upon his return, Michaels, accompanied by manager Rick Rude, refused to recognize Ramon's claim and produced his own version of the belt, leading to heated confrontations and a non-title match at Royal Rumble 1994 that ended in a double countout.[17] With Rude sidelined by a real-life injury, the feud culminated in a ladder match stipulation to unify the titles, built through intense staredowns and brawls on Superstars that showcased both men's cocky personas and aerial prowess. Supporting the main arcs, Crush's heel alignment with Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji created tension within Ted DiBiase's emerging Million Dollar Corporation orbit, as Crush sought revenge after Yokozuna's unprovoked attack during a bodyslam challenge on the USS Intrepid in 1993, which Randy Savage failed to avenge, prompting Crush's betrayal.[18] This led to proxy conflicts involving DiBiase's stable, including IRS, and Yokozuna's dominance, with promos on Raw emphasizing Crush's shift from Savage's ally to a power-hungry enforcer. Meanwhile, the WWF Tag Team Championship picture featured champions The Quebecers defending against the fan-favorite Men on a Mission, selected via a viewer poll on Raw after MOM's upset victories in qualifying matches against teams like The Bushwhackers and The Smoking Gunns, highlighting the Quebecers' aggressive, anti-American gimmick against MOM's rhythmic, underdog appeal.[19] On the undercard, Adam Bomb, managed by Harvey Wippleman, feuded with Earthquake over territorial dominance, with Bomb's explosive promos threatening to "blow up" the larger competitor during segments on Wrestling Challenge, building a simple power-vs-power dynamic.[20] Throughout the build-up on WWF programming like Monday Night Raw and Superstars of Wrestling, commentators Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan played a key role in amplifying these angles, with Monsoon's straightforward play-by-play contrasting Heenan's sarcastic heel advocacy to hype betrayals and rivalries through memorable banter and analysis.[21]Promotion and Marketing
The promotion for WrestleMania X centered on its status as the tenth anniversary of the event series and its return to Madison Square Garden, the site of the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, framing it as a symbolic homecoming for the World Wrestling Federation. TV spots aired on WWF programming, such as Superstars and Monday Night Raw, highlighted key storylines including Bret Hart's quest for the WWF Championship against Yokozuna, positioning Hart as the heroic representative of the company's "New Generation" era, which emphasized technical skill over larger-than-life physiques amid ongoing scrutiny from the federal steroid investigation. These commercials also teased the brotherly rivalry between Bret and Owen Hart, as well as the ladder match between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels, to build anticipation for the card's marquee bouts.[22][23] Merchandise efforts included the launch of event-specific T-shirts featuring the WrestleMania X logo and wrestler portraits, souvenir programs detailing the card and wrestler bios, and pre-orders for VHS recordings of the full event through WWF's home video distribution. Collectible items, such as replicas of the ladder from the Ramon-Michaels match, were marketed to fans as mementos of the anticipated high-stakes encounters. These products were promoted via WWF catalogs and on-site sales at Fan Fest events leading up to the show.[23] Wrestlers made media appearances to heighten visibility, with Bret Hart and other stars featured on national talk shows to discuss the event's storylines and the shift to the New Generation. Partnerships with pay-per-view providers, including Viewer's Choice, facilitated widespread closed-circuit broadcasts in theaters and bars, expanding access beyond home viewers and contributing to the event's estimated 420,000 worldwide buys.[24] Ticket sales employed a tiered pricing strategy ranging from $20 for upper-level seats to $100 for ringside, reflecting the event's prestige while aiming for broad accessibility; the 18,065 seats sold out rapidly, generating a gate of $960,000 and prompting issues with secondary market scalping outside the venue.[23] Celebrity involvement was limited compared to prior WrestleManias, with no major in-ring performers, but included cameo roles such as Jennie Garth serving as guest timekeeper for the main event and Burt Reynolds as ring announcer, alongside New York media hype leveraging the MSG locale to draw local attention. Garth later expressed embarrassment over her appearance, noting a lack of interaction with the roster.Event
Venue and Attendance
WrestleMania X took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, on March 20, 1994. The arena, renowned as the mecca of professional wrestling, had previously hosted the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and several major WWF events in 1986, solidifying its status as a pivotal venue in the promotion's history. Configured for wrestling, the Garden accommodated up to approximately 18,500 spectators, providing an intimate yet high-energy setting that contrasted with the larger, open-air venue of WrestleMania IX the previous year. The event attracted 18,065 attendees, marking a near sell-out and reflecting strong interest from East Coast audiences, including families and dedicated hardcore fans drawn to the New York spectacle. Security was notably stringent amid the ongoing federal steroid distribution trial involving WWF owner Vince McMahon, which had begun in late 1993. The atmosphere pulsed with electric energy from pre-event fan gatherings and chants supporting favorites like Bret Hart, amplified by the city's vibrant wrestling culture and the promotional focus on returning to this historic site. Backstage areas were restricted, with VIP access primarily limited to key figures such as McMahon himself.Broadcast and Production
WrestleMania X was directed by Kevin Dunn, who oversaw the technical aspects of the production, including camera work that captured the high-flying action of the ladder match between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels.[25] The event ran for 2 hours and 44 minutes, providing a tight broadcast that balanced nine matches with key storyline recaps.[25] The main commentary team consisted of Vince McMahon on play-by-play and Jerry Lawler as color commentator, marking Lawler's debut at a WrestleMania.[26] McMahon and Lawler's dynamic—McMahon's enthusiasm contrasting Lawler's heelish sarcasm—added energy to the calls, particularly during the brother-vs.-brother opener between Bret Hart and Owen Hart. Burt Reynolds served as the guest ring announcer for the main event WWF Championship match between Bret Hart and Yokozuna, bringing celebrity flair to the introduction.[27] The event was distributed via pay-per-view in the United States, achieving 420,000 buys and reaching a wide audience in available markets.[24] Closed-circuit television broadcasts were also offered in select theaters and arenas for group viewings, supplementing home PPV access as the primary format by 1994. The production experienced no major technical glitches, with smooth transitions supported by video packages recapping key storylines like the Hart family feud and Lex Luger's body slam challenge to Yokozuna. Staging elements included the standard WWF ring setup with blue aprons and turnbuckles, enhanced by timed entrance music cues for each wrestler—such as Bret Hart's "Hart Attack" theme—to build crowd anticipation. Inter-match video vignettes highlighted ongoing narratives, maintaining narrative flow without disrupting the runtime.Reception
Critical Response
WrestleMania X garnered strong acclaim from wrestling journalists and fans for its elevated in-ring action and compelling narratives, marking a high point in the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) transition toward more sophisticated storytelling. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter highlighted the Intercontinental Championship ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon as an iconic 5-star performance that redefined ladder match stipulations in professional wrestling.[28] He also praised the WWF Championship main event between Bret Hart and Yokozuna for its dramatic intensity and Hart's triumphant return to the title scene, rating it 2.25 stars.[28] Media and fan outlets echoed this sentiment, with the ladder match voted as Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Match of the Year for 1994.[29] The brotherly clash between Bret and Owen Hart earned 4.75 stars from Meltzer and set the tone for familial rivalries in the promotion.[28] The broadcast's play-by-play commentary by Bob Costas, paired with Jerry "The King" Lawler, was noted for injecting mainstream legitimacy and appeal, though critiqued as somewhat stiff and detached from wrestling's theatrical style, which nonetheless broadened the event's reach beyond core audiences. Despite these strengths, critics pointed to weaknesses in the undercard, such as the squash match between Adam Bomb and Earthquake, viewed as filler that diluted the card's momentum compared to the high-profile opener and main events.[30] Additionally, the limited celebrity involvement—despite Burt Reynolds serving as special guest ring announcer for the main event, unlike the more star-studded WrestleMania IX—drew some complaints for lacking broader spectacle. In historical assessments, WrestleMania X frequently ranks among the top five WrestleManias for overall match quality, credited as a pivotal event that foreshadowed the Attitude Era through its focus on character-driven athleticism and upset victories.Commercial Performance
WrestleMania X drew an attendance of 18,065 paid attendees at Madison Square Garden.[31] The pay-per-view broadcast achieved 420,000 buys at a price of $29.95, producing roughly $12.6 million in revenue.[24] This figure was similar to WrestleMania IX's 430,000 buys in 1993, which had been impacted by the ongoing steroid scandal and legal issues facing the company.[32] Merchandise and ancillary income further enhanced profitability.[33]Aftermath
Immediate Consequences
The immediate aftermath of WrestleMania X saw significant shifts in the WWF's championship landscape. Bret Hart defeated Yokozuna to win the WWF Championship in the main event, marking his second reign with the title and ending Yokozuna's 280-day run as champion.[34] In the semi-main event, Razor Ramon overcame Shawn Michaels in a ladder match to claim the undisputed WWF Intercontinental Championship, retrieving both belts suspended above the ring after Michaels had been counted out earlier in the feud.[35] Meanwhile, the Quebecers retained the WWF Tag Team Championship against Men on a Mission after the match ended in a countout, as titles could not change hands via countout under WWF rules at the time; although the Quebecers were counted out when their manager Johnny Polo pulled them from the ring, Men on a Mission would defeat them to win the titles on March 29, 1994, at a house show in London, England.[3] Storyline developments accelerated in the weeks following the event. Owen Hart's shocking pinfall victory over Bret in the opening match ignited a bitter family feud, with Owen appearing on the March 28, 1994, episode of Monday Night Raw to mock his brother and declare himself the superior Hart, drawing immediate backlash from other family members and setting up multi-man confrontations on television.[36] After the ladder match, Diesel entered the ring to deliver a powerbomb to the celebrating Razor Ramon, an act that solidified his alliance with Michaels despite the loss; the duo targeted Ramon in subsequent appearances, culminating in Diesel defeating Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship on the April 13, 1994, episode of WWF Superstars with Michaels providing interference.[37] Health concerns emerged for key performers. Yokozuna's physical condition, strained by his size and the demands of the main event, was subtly hinted at in post-event commentary, foreshadowing real-life cardiac issues that limited his in-ring activity later in 1994.[38] The event's fallout paved the way for the next major pay-per-view, King of the Ring on June 19, 1994, where new WWF Champion Bret Hart defended against Diesel as his first challenger.[39]Long-term Impact
WrestleMania X's Intercontinental Championship ladder match between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels is recognized as the first ladder match on a WWF pay-per-view, introducing a stipulation that emphasized athleticism and high-risk maneuvers, profoundly influencing future match types across the wrestling industry.[40] This bout, held on March 20, 1994, at Madison Square Garden, inspired subsequent ladder matches in WWF, as well as adaptations in rival promotions like ECW and WCW, where the format became a staple for intense, prize-suspended competitions.[41] Widely hailed as one of the most iconic moments in WWE history, the match's legacy endures through its role in elevating both competitors' careers and redefining in-ring storytelling.[42] Bret Hart's main event triumph over Yokozuna to capture the WWF Championship further entrenched "The Hitman" as the promotion's premier babyface, emphasizing technical prowess over larger-than-life personas amid the shift away from the steroid-influenced 1980s.[43] This victory launched a defining championship era for Hart, spanning multiple reigns through 1997, that enhanced Canadian wrestlers' visibility and prominence in WWF narratives.[44] The momentum from WrestleMania X positioned Hart as a cornerstone figure, culminating in pivotal career-defining controversies like the 1997 Montreal Screwjob.[45] The event symbolized the WWF's transition from the steroid era—plagued by scandals and legal scrutiny—to the New Generation period, spotlighting agile talents such as Hart, Michaels, and Ramon as the promotion's new standard-bearers.[46] By prioritizing skill and character depth over physical dominance, WrestleMania X helped WWF navigate industry challenges and rebuild its roster foundation.[47] Commercially, it achieved the highest buy rate for any WrestleMania until 1999, underscoring its pivotal role in sustaining the event's prestige during a transitional phase. WrestleMania X has been chronicled in documentaries like The True Story of WrestleMania (2011), which examines the evolution of the flagship event and highlights X's contributions to its legacy through interviews with key figures.[48] Retrospectives, including those marking the 30th anniversary in 2024, continue to celebrate its matches as benchmarks of excellence, reinforcing its status in wrestling historiography.[10] Home video releases have preserved the event's accessibility, with WrestleMania X featured in the comprehensive WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology DVD box set issued in 2005, compiling footage from the first 21 iterations.[49] Since 2021, the full card has been available for streaming on Peacock, enabling new audiences to experience its historic bouts.[50]Results
Match Results
The match results for WrestleMania X are presented below in chronological order, including winners, match durations from official WWF timing, stipulations, and relevant notes such as title implications and special referees where applicable. Times and outcomes are sourced from event records.[3][51][52]| No. | Match | Stipulation | Winner(s) | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart | Singles match | Owen Hart (pinfall) | 20:21 | Opening match; family rivalry opener. |
| 2 | Bam Bam Bigelow & Luna Vachon vs. Doink the Clown & Dink | Mixed tag team match | Bam Bam Bigelow & Luna Vachon (pinfall) | 6:09 | Intergender tag bout. |
| 3 | "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Crush (w/ Mr. Fuji) | Falls Count Anywhere match | Randy Savage (countout) | 9:49 | Brawl extended outside the ring; Savage hung Crush from a pipe backstage for the countout. |
| 4 | Alundra Blayze (c) vs. Leilani Kai | Singles match for the WWF Women's Championship | Alundra Blayze (pinfall) | 3:20 | Blayze retained the title in her WrestleMania debut. |
| 5 | Yokozuna (c) (w/ Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette) vs. Lex Luger | Singles match for the WWF Championship | Yokozuna (by DQ) | 14:40 | Special guest referee: Mr. Perfect; Luger disqualified for striking the referee, so Yokozuna retained the title. |
| 6 | Razor Ramon (c) vs. Shawn Michaels (w/ Diesel) | Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship | Razor Ramon | 18:47 | Ramon retained by climbing the ladder and retrieving the suspended title belt above the ring; first ladder match in WrestleMania history. |
| 7 | The Quebecers (c) (Jacques & Pierre, w/ Johnny Polo) vs. Men on a Mission (Mabel & Mo) | Tag team match for the WWF Tag Team Championship | Men on a Mission (countout) | 7:41 | The Quebecers retained the titles per WWF rules requiring pinfall or submission for title changes. |
| 8 | Earthquake vs. Adam Bomb (w/ Harvey Wippleman) | Singles match | Earthquake (pinfall) | 0:35 | Quick squash match. |
| 9 (Main event) | Bret Hart vs. Yokozuna (c) (w/ Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette) | Singles match for the WWF Championship | Bret Hart (submission) | 10:38 | Special guest referee: Roddy Piper; Hart won the title via Sharpshooter submission; second WWF Championship match of the night. |
