3 Best Moments From Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage At WrestleMania VII

The Ultimate Warrior faced “Macho King” Randy Savage in a Retirement Match at WrestleMania VII on March 24, 1991. The event was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California, and the stipulation required the loser to end his wrestling career.

Savage had cost Warrior the WWF Championship during his match against Sgt. Slaughter at the 1991 Royal Rumble. Warrior wanted revenge and challenged Savage to a match in which only one of them would be allowed to continue wrestling. After 20 minutes and 47 seconds, Warrior pinned Savage to win the match. However, the scene that followed the final bell became just as memorable as the contest itself.

No. 3 — Randy Savage Hits Five Consecutive Elbow Drops

Randy Savage entered the match knowing that a loss would end his career. With Queen Sherri supporting him at ringside, Savage used every available opportunity to weaken Warrior. Sherri attempted to interfere by jumping from the top rope while holding her shoe. Warrior moved out of the way, causing her to strike Savage by mistake. Warrior then chased Sherri around the ring, but Savage recovered and caught him with a roll-up.

Savage soon took control and placed Warrior in position for his diving elbow drop. One elbow was normally enough to defeat an opponent, but Savage did not stop after landing the first one. He climbed to the top rope five consecutive times and drove his elbow into Warrior’s chest on each occasion. Savage finally made the cover, expecting the match and Warrior’s career to be over.

Warrior kicked out before the referee counted to three. The sequence showed how far Savage was willing to go to protect his career. He had delivered his best-known move five times, yet Warrior still survived. WWE later highlighted the five elbow drops when naming the match among WrestleMania’s greatest contests. WWE’s retrospective also notes that Savage emptied his offensive arsenal without securing the victory. Savage’s reaction helped sell the importance of the kickout. He had thrown almost everything he had at Warrior, but the match continued.

No. 2 — Ultimate Warrior Questions His Future Before Winning

Warrior responded to the five elbow drops by finding another burst of energy. He lifted Savage into a gorilla press slam and followed it with a running splash, the combination he had used to defeat many opponents. Savage kicked out.

Warrior appeared confused after his familiar finishing sequence failed. He looked at his hands and began questioning whether he was destined to lose. He then left the ring and started walking away, seemingly prepared to accept a count-out defeat and surrender his career. Savage refused to allow the match to end that way. He attacked Warrior on the apron and then attempted a double axe handle from the top rope to the floor. Warrior moved, sending Savage crashing into the ringside barricade.

Warrior returned Savage to the ring and struck him with three running shoulder tackles. Each tackle knocked Savage out of the ring, forcing him to climb back inside and continue fighting. After the final tackle, Warrior placed one foot on Savage’s chest and received the three-count. The image made the result clear: Savage had given everything he had, but Warrior remained standing.

Warrior’s victory officially ended Savage’s career under the match stipulation. Savage later worked as a commentator before WWE eventually allowed him to return to the ring, but on this night, the retirement condition was treated as final. The closing sequence worked because Warrior had nearly accepted defeat moments earlier. Savage’s decision to attack him prevented the count-out and gave Warrior another opportunity to fight. That choice ultimately cost Savage the match and his career.

No. 1 — Randy Savage Reunites With Miss Elizabeth

Warrior put on his entrance coat, celebrated his victory and left the ringside area. Savage remained in the ring as he attempted to recover from the match and understand what the loss meant for his future. Queen Sherri did not comfort him. She blamed Savage for losing and began kicking him while he was still down.

Miss Elizabeth had watched the match from the audience. After seeing Sherri attack Savage, Elizabeth climbed over the barricade, entered the ring and threw Sherri to the floor. Savage initially did not know who had saved him. When he finally saw Elizabeth standing behind him, his expression changed. The two embraced as people in the arena reacted to their reunion.

Savage and Elizabeth had been separated in WWE’s storyline after Sherri replaced her as his manager. Their reunion brought that story back to the center of the show without requiring a championship or another match. Elizabeth opened the ropes for Savage as they prepared to leave. Savage stopped her and held the ropes open so she could exit first, repeating a gesture associated with their earlier relationship. He then lifted Elizabeth onto his shoulder as they acknowledged the audience together.

WWE has described the reunion as the emotional highlight of WrestleMania VII. Savage lost his career in the match, but the ending allowed him to leave with Elizabeth by his side. Ultimate Warrior defeated Randy Savage, but the match is remembered for more than its winner. Savage’s five elbow drops, Warrior’s recovery and the reunion with Elizabeth gave the Retirement Match three scenes that remain connected to WrestleMania VII decades later.