André the Giant came to the ring accompanied by Ted DiBiase and Virgil, having recently aligned with the Million Dollar Man after DiBiase purchased his contract from Bobby Heenan. Hulk Hogan entered as the reigning WWF World Heavyweight Champion in the fourth year of his title reign.
André controlled the majority of the match, working over Hogan with bearhugs, headbutts, and an extended choke using the strap of his singlet. Hogan mounted occasional flurries of offense, including chops and forearms in the corner, but could not sustain momentum against André’s size.
The finish came after André dropped Hogan with a sloppy underhook suplex and rolled into a cover. Hogan visibly raised his left shoulder well before the count of two, but referee Dave Hebner’s hand continued downward and slapped the mat for a third time. André was awarded the championship, ending Hogan’s reign at 1,474 days.
Mean Gene Okerlund climbed into the ring to interview the new champion, and during the interview, André announced he was giving the title to DiBiase before handing the belt over. Moments later, a second Dave Hebner walked out from the back. The crowd, the announcers, and Hogan himself reacted in stunned disbelief at the sight of two identical referees in the ring.
Hogan grabbed both Hebners by the collar, unsure which man had counted the pin, before the two referees turned on each other and scuffled. When one Hebner got the better of the other, Hogan singled him out as the imposter, pressed him overhead, and tossed him out of the ring onto DiBiase and his entourage.
WWF President Jack Tunney later ruled that championships could not be transferred as gifts, vacated the title, and announced a fourteen-man tournament at WrestleMania IV to crown a new champion.
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