Scott--
As a followup to my recent Wrestlemania VII question, suppose Gulf War I never took place (or, if you REALLY want to chart a course for Fantasyland, Vince executed a modicum of discretion), thereby nullifying the Slaughter-as-Iraqi-turncoat angle. In that case, who keeps the belt warm for Hogan in the run up to 'Mania? Do you keep it on Warrior and take your chances with a foregone rematch? Pass it off to Savage for a couple months and somehow convince him to lay down for Hogan yet again? (Thereby robbing WM7 of its show-stealer and Warrior of what is arguably the best match of his career). Pull the trigger on a reliable mid-card heel like Mr. Perfect or throw money at Rick Rude until he comes back?
Yeah, it’s a toughie. Deep down I think they could have done something with Savage as a transitional champion if they really needed to, like basically putting Savage into the Slaughter spot at Rumble without the traitor angle. He had pretty good heat for the whole deal and really Slaughter felt pretty shoe-horned into the Warrior feud anyway.