How An Ultimate Warrior Tantrum Resulted In A 10 Second Match
A WWE Hall of Famer has explained how a tantrum thrown by The Ultimate Warrior resulted in a ten-second title match featuring the star.
At the inaugural SummerSlam event in 1988, The Ultimate Warrior was an unexpected surprise as he challenged The Honky Tonk Man for the Intercontinental Championship. Warrior made short work of his opponent, ending Honky Tonk’s reign at 454 days – a record that still stands today.
Speaking on Wrestling Shoot Interviews the man who was originally set to defeat Honky Tonk Man at the event, Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake explained how he was removed from the match and The Ultimate Warrior brought in after he threw a tantrum:
“Honky knew I was getting the belt. Honky also knew that once he dropped the belt to me we were gonna get another four, five-month run around the territory with him chasing the belt. So what it meant for both of us, main events semi-mains, whatever. Good money. Real good money. And by changing it at the last second because Warrior, whatever, threw a tantrum and said he was gonna quit if he didn’t get the belt. Honky was so mad. That’s why he dropped the belt in ten seconds.”
The Ultimate Warrior held the Intercontinental Championship until WrestleMania 5 when he was dethroned by Rick Rude, with more than a little help from a meddling Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan at ringside.