Randy “Macho Man” Savage ascended to the top of the World Wrestling Federation at WrestleMania IV in 1988.

He won a 14-man tournament that was preceded by a truly bizarre match between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant.

With a record TV audience of 33 million people watching on NBC, Andre ended Hogan’s four-year reign as WWF champion.

Ted DiBiase had paid off referee Earl Hebner to count the pin on Hogan, who had kicked out at the one-count.

The ruse was exposed when Hebner’s identical twin brother showed up. Dave Hebner had been apparently kidnapped and replaced with Earl.

Andre handed over the championship to DiBiase, who cackled with glee after succeeding in his plan to buy the WWF title.

NOT SO FAST

WWF President Jack Tunney voided the transaction and set up the tournament to declare a new champion. Here are the first-round results:

·      Ted DiBiase beat Hacksaw Jim Duggan

·      Don Muraco beat Dino Bravo by disqualification

·      Greg Valentine upset Ricky Steamboat

·      Randy Savage pinned Butch Reed

·      One Man Gang beat Bam Bam Bigelow by countout

·      Jake Roberts fought Rick Rude to a 15-minute draw

Hogan and Andre each received a first-round bye and faced each other in the second round. They were both disqualified, clearing the way for a new champion.

DiBiase beat Muraco, and the Macho Man pinned Valentine in the second round. One Man Gang got a bye into the semifinals, where he was disqualified against Savage.

That set up the final match between Savage and DiBiase. After Andre interfered, Miss Elizabeth ran to the locker room to fetch Hogan.

The Hulkster helped the Macho Man beat DiBiase to capture the WWF title.

OTHER BOUTS
Demolition (Ax & Smash) won the WWF tag team championship from Strike Force (Tito Santana & Rick Martel).

Brutus Beefcake beat The Honky Tonk Man by disqualification, so Honky didn’t lose his Intercontinental title.

The Ultimate Warrior beat Hercules. Bad News Brown won a 20-man battle royale to open the show.

The Islanders & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan beat The British Bulldogs & Koko B. Ware.