The Mega-Powers was one of the greatest storylines in professional wrestling history, as it pitted the two most popular wrestlers of the time, perhaps of all time, against each other. But first, as was a common story for Hulk Hogan, they became close friends before feelings of resentment and betrayal set in.
Like the best tragic stories, it all started with good intentions.
Whether he wanted it or not, Hulk Hogan aided Randy Savage in his attempt to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 4. Facing off against Ted DiBiase (with Andre the Giant in his corner) in the final match, Savage fought back bravely, but would’ve eventually lost thanks to Andre’s interference.
Miss Elizabeth, Savage’s valet and real-life wife, ran backstage and returned with Hulk Hogan. After missing with his flying elbow drop, Savage was locked in DiBiase’s Million Dollar Dream sleeper hold. Savage tried to reach for the ropes, but Andre swatted them out of his hands. While the referee was distracted, Hogan slipped into the match and hit Dibiase with a steel chair. Savage would then hit his flying elbow drop and score the pin.
The birth of the Mega-Powers
Over the next few weeks, Savage would accept Hulk Hogan’s help and the two would form the most powerful tag team at the time. With the top two professional wrestlers in the world together (Triple H and Steve Austin would be the next generation’s version of this with the Two Man power Trip), the world was at their feet.
But they gradually grew apart, as the WWE writers used Savage’s real life paranoia about Hogan and Elizabeth becoming close as fodder for the storyline that eventually split the two men’s friendship and partnership and began the Mega-Powers Explode storyline.
As shared by @awrestlinghistorian
“While Randy Savage held the championship, the two of us formed a tag team called the Mega-Powers. Our manager was Randy’s real-life wife, Miss Elizabeth, a good-looking brunette who went over big with the fans. The story line was that Randy got insanely jealous of my friendship with Elizabeth and our argument escalated to a showdown at WrestleMania where we would meet with The Macho Man’s heavyweight title on the line.” – Hollywood Hulk Hogan book
The destruction of the Mega-Powers
Their final match was on The Main Event on February 3, 1989. While a full card was seen by the house audience, only the final two matches were televised on NBC. On a personal note, I wasn’t a fan of the two match Main Event format. Saturday Night’s Main Event was far superior and diverse, but watching this was worth the short show.
In the first of two main events (Ted Dibiase beat Hercules in the other). Hogan and Savage beat the Twin Towers (Akeem and the Big Bossman). During the match, Savage was thrown out of the ring and onto Elizabeth. Concerned, Hogan left Savage and carried Elizabeth into the back to be looked after.
Eventually, Elizabeth recovered enough for Hogan to return to the ring, where he was tagged in and Savage left him. Hogan went on to win the match, but the final nail was in their coffin.
After the match, Savage accused Hogan of trying to take Elizabeth away from him. While Hogan tried to convince Elizabeth to talk Savage down, Savage hit him with the WWF championship belt. Officials entered the room to break them up, but the rivalry was set and they’d meet at WrestleMania 5 for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in a match dubbed the Mega-Powers Explode.
Stay tuned for part two of today’s This Day in Wrestling History involving Vince McMahon’s first attempt at he XFL.
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