More than any other period to this point in Wrestlemania history, it seems as if the entire WWF roster changed from VI to VII. Yet, it is pretty much a change for the better, as older, less relevant wrestlers take a back seat to a whole new generation.
The highlights of this event for me include:
-The British Bulldog (always a fan-favorite) in a singles match with The Warlord. -The Hart Foundation (now solidly in the babyface camp) taking on the new Nasty Boys tag team. -The first WM appearance for The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer, of course!) -The epic "retirement match" between "Macho King" Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior. Probably the best overall match of the entire event in terms of both execution and excitement. -Mr. Perfect, one of the greatest technical wrestlers the WWF had ever seen, against the Big Boss Man, who could execute moves very well for a big guy and had a great persona to boot. -Even the Virgil/DiBiase feud was kind of fun.
Ironically enough, however, the reason I can't give Wrestlemania VII the full five stars is because the final Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter match just isn't very good at all. The buildup is incredible and it may have been one of the most publicized matches of all-time playing on the tensions surrounding the Gulf War at the time, but the match just doesn't live up to the hype. Nowhere near the Hulk/Warrior clash of a year earlier.
There is also a shakeup in the broadcast booth for this event, with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan replacing Jesse "The Body" Ventura beside Gorilla Monsoon. I have always thought that "The Body" was one of the best color commentators the WWF ever had, and while "The Brain" is okay, that great Monsoon/Ventura chemistry is no longer apparent.
Overall, though, this is a solid Wrestlemania. What it lacks in a "grand finale" it more than makes up for with an infusion of new, fresh talent into the business.
