ANDRE THE GIANT VS. HULK HOGAN

 Due to the controversy surrounding the WWF Championship involving these two competitors they each got a bye to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Hogan famously defended the title against Andre the previous year, and Andre beat Hulk Hogan on The Main Event back in February, making this their rubber match. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are on commentary for this match. “Sugar” Ray Leonard is shown in the crowd before Ted DiBiase and Virgil enter with Andre the Giant. The fans start cheering for Hogan before he walks through the curtain, he keeps them waiting for a while and Gorilla mirrors my thoughts that Hogan looks strange without the championship in this era.

 

ANDRE THE GIANT VS. HULK HOGAN (Tournament Quarterfinal)

WWF Wrestlemania IV (27^th March 1988)

 Andre the Giant stomps Hogan as he slides in the ring, then lays into him with a headbutt. Andre hits Hogan with some clubbing blows and another headbutt, then sends the Hulkster’s head into the turnbuckle. Andre with chops and right hands, the third headbutt knocks Hogan back into the ropes, but he makes a comeback with a series of running forearms, knocking Andre into the ropes. DiBiase is on the apron, distracting Hulk Hogan, Andre tries to take advantage but gets cut off, Hulk Hogan sends Andre’s head into DiBiase’s, chops send Andre the Giant back into the ropes and he’s tangled. DiBiase and Virgil release Andre from the ropes as Hogan gets to complete his entrance. Hogan unloads right hands and knocks Andre down to one knee, Andre goes down in his own time. Hulk Hogan hits a series of elbow drops but Andre reaches up and starts choking Hogan down to the mat, making use of the 5-count. Andre the Giant hits a seated splash on Hogan (to be generous) and Ted DiBiase chokes Hogan from ringside.

  Andre goes back on the attack after walking Hogan’s attack off and he starts choking Hogan from behind. Andre breaks before the DQ and chops Hogan, Andre chokes again bringing Hogan down to his knees and changing the move into a nerve hold. Hulk Hogan’s arm drops twice but he starts fighting to his feet with the crowd’s support. He breaks Andre’s grip and knees him in the midsection. Hulk Hogan hits Andre with right hands, a clothesline sends Andre the Giant into the corner and Hogan signals for the slam. Virgil is on the ring apron distracting Joey Marella as Ted DiBiase sneaks in the ring behind Hogan and hits him across the back with a chair. Hulk Hogan no-sells it and DiBiase scarpers out of the ring, Hulk grabs the chair but Andre the Giant is able to block it, they fight over the chair, Hogan kicks Andre in the midsection and hits him with a chair but Jesse points out Andre’s still on his feet! Andre the Giant grabs the chair from the referee, Hulk Hogan tries to block it but the chair is bounced off the top of his head. The referee finally calls for the bell but we don’t know what the result is.

WINNER: DOUBLE  DISQUALIFICATION (No one advances)

After the bell ringing, Hulk Hogan grabs the chair again, running into Andre with it and knocking him off his feet. He chases DiBiase and Virgil up the entranceway, Virgil is sent into a standing suplex, because Hogan didn’t fall back at all, he’s not taking that. Hulk Hogan gets back to the ring and slams Andre the Giant as we find out the result.

This match was an easy way to  get both of the favourites out of the tournament without hurting them. However, it didn’t lead to a very good match. Very basic and had a terrible (but justified) finished. [*] 2.5/10