Rebooking The WWF: WrestleMania XI

WWF WrestleMania XI
Date: 4/2/1995
From: Hartford, CT
Attendance: 16,305
Announcers: Jim Ross & Bobby Heenan

Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan welcome fans to the biggest event of the year, WrestleMania XI! Ross promotes the huge card lined up that includes seeing Hulk Hogan in singles action against Ron Simmons, Ric Flair battling the Undertaker, and WWF World Champion King Yokozuna defending against Diesel. Bobby Heenan chimes in and tells Ross that the World Wrestling Federation could be headed towards a new era if Diesel wins the WWF World Championship tonight. Heenan is concerned about what Ron Simmons has up his sleeve and that although he dislikes Hogan, he seems be a lesser evil than what the Movement has been doing in recent months. Heenan is excited about tonight as is Jim Ross who sends it backstage to Todd Pettengill.

Backstage, Todd Pettengill is with Chris Benoit and Owen Hart. Benoit tells Pettengill that tonight is the biggest night of their careers as they finally have the chance to showcase to the world that they are the best wrestlers to come out of the Hart Dungeon and not Bret Hart or the British Bulldog. Owen chimes in and says that he knows what his brother is capable of doing and knows him better anyone. That’s why tonight he’s going to defeat his own brother right in the middle of the ring and that’s a promise.

Backstage, Mean Gene talks to Bret Hart and the British Bulldog. Hart tells Gene that they never would have sought this out, but this is what Owen and Benoit wanted. Bret believes that their experience will lead them to victory and that it’s just not the time for Owen and Benoit to make it to the next level. Bulldog tells Owen and Benoit that they will prove to be the best wrestlers to come out of the Dungeon tonight.

Opening Contest: Bret Hart & The British Bulldog vs. Owen Hart & Chris Benoit: After nearly fifteen minutes of action, the team of Owen Hart and Chris Benoit walked out victorious. Late in the match, Bulldog had Benoit setup for a running power slam, but Owen hit a missile dropkick from behind allowing Benoit to counter the move into the Crossface. Owen clotheslined himself and Bret over the top to the floor allowing Benoit to get the submission victory.

Second Contest: Psycho Sid vs. John Bradshaw: It took about seven minutes of action for Psycho Sid to defeat Bradshaw with a power bomb. It was a hard hitting contest that saw Bradshaw nearly win following a lariat, but Sid was too much of a challenge.

Third Contest: Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett: After nine minutes of battling all around ringside and eventually back into the ring, Jarrett was able to steal a victory from Ramon when he took a chain out of his boot and decked Ramon while the referee was out of position.

A video promoting the feud between WWF Intercontinental Champion Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner is aired.

Fourth Contest: WWF Intercontinental Champion Rick Steiner vs. Scott Steiner in a street fight: The heated feud between the brothers comes to an end at WrestleMania. After sixteen minutes of action and both men ending up bloody, Scott was able to put away Rick with a double under hook power bomb onto a steel chair in the middle of the ring. Scott is now a two time WWF Intercontinental Champion.

Backstage, Mr. Perfect is interviewed by Todd Pettengill. Perfect says that tonight Helmsley has a chance to end his career, but it’s not going to happen. Tonight, Perfect will prove that he’ll continue to be the perfect wrestler and move on from his issues with Helmsley. Tonight will not be the last time we see Mr. Perfect.

Fifth Contest: Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Mr. Perfect: It was an emotional evening for many fans and for one WWF superstar in particular. After eleven minutes of action, Helmsley was able to put Mr. Perfect away with a Pedigree officially ending Mr. Perfect’s career in the WWF. After the match, Perfect stood in the ring and thanked the fans.

A video promoting the return of the Legion of Doom and a video highlighting the Movement is shown.

Sixth Contest: WWF Tag Team Champions Carlos Vega & Tatanka vs. Legion of Doom in a non-title match: The legendary team of the Legion of Doom made their return to the WWF and the fans were thrilled to see them back. They battled for ten minutes and it saw the Legion of Doom hit the Doomsday Device on Carlos Vega. However, Tatanka was able to save his partner and pulled him to the floor. The Movement proceeded to leave the ring and took a count out loss.

Seventh Contest: Doink the Clown, Hughie The Clown & Jerry Lawler vs. Randy Savage & Bam-Bam Bigelow in a handicap match: Despite being at a disadvantage, Savage and Bigelow were able to work together and overcome the odds. Savage finished off Lawler with a top rope elbow drop after eight minutes of action.

Backstage, Lex Luger is interviewed by Mean Gene. Luger tells Gene that tonight at WrestleMania he will be victorious over Shawn Michaels and his face will be plastered all over the state, all over the country since he’s a star and the best looking man in the world today.

Eighth Contest: Shawn Michaels vs. Lex Luger: Both men had dealt with facial injuries in recent months and this was an intense battle. They battled on the floor sending each other into the ring steps and ring post. Late in the match, Luger attempted a running forearm but was met with a super kick square on the chin giving Michaels the victory.

Ninth Contest: The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair: During the match, Flair tried to out wrestle Undertaker, but that didn’t work out very well. After about nine minutes of action, the Undertaker choke slammed and then drove Flair down with a tombstone piledriver for the victory. After the match, Arn Anderson came out trying to help Flair, but he was met with a tombstone, as well. Undertaker ended up putting both Flair and Anderson into a casket at ringside and Paul Bearer pushed the casket to the backstage area.

A video promoting the match between Ron Simmons and Hulk Hogan is aired.

Tenth Contest: Hulk Hogan vs. Ron Simmons: There has been a lot of hype around this match and a lot at stake for Simmons as he looks to rise to the top of the WWF. They traded powerful moves throughout and both men were exhausted as the match went over seventeen minutes of action. In the end, Simmons was able to finish Hogan off with a devastating Dominator.

A video promoting the main event between WWF World Champion King Yokozuna and Diesel is aired.

Main Event: WWF World Champion King Yokozuna vs. Diesel: This one had a big match feel to it as WWF fans were clamoring for a title change. It was a slow, but impactful match. After ten minutes of action, Yokozuna looked like he was going to win with a Bonzai Drop, but Diesel managed to get to his feet and ended up hitting a modified Jackknife off the middle rope to put away Yokozuna and win the WWF World Championship for the first time in his career.