Goddamnit, Miami. Here I am preaching your Good Word and you make me look like a tool. Come on, Bron Bron and D-Wade, time to prove Love does conquer all, right? Right? RIGHT?
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| Bcuz we are just Too SWEEEEEET! |
Savage was instantly programmed into a hot feud with top babyface, Jerry “the King” Lawler and the fans were out for his blood. The Macho Man and The King battled inside a steel cage in a match rated as highly as ****3/4, but I have only seen clipped version. Only in Memphis would a cage match end in DQ as another heel (Josh Le Duc) scaled this rickety cage to attack Lawler. Savage would team up with his brother Lanny to feud with the good ‘ol Southern boys, the Rock N Roll Express. Savage, apparently got nuclear heat when he piledrove the loveable Ricky Morton through a table. This was in 1984 and was among the first table spots and it was before people thought to pre-cut tables. Savage turned face at some point and feuded with likes of Rick Rude, before he was ravishing. By the time, summer of 1985 came around, Mr. McMahon came knocking at his doorstep to make him a top superstar in his great nationalization project for his WWF. Savage, again a heel, lost a Loser Leaves Town match against Lawler with a thrilling finish (they feigned a Savage victory and the place went nuclear). Savage’s Wildman character-work was recognized quickly by McMahon as ground-breaking and within 6 months he was programmed to work with biggest superstar in the history of wrestling: Hulk Hogan.
Yes, explosion of the Mega-Powers and the love triangle with Elizabeth is the most memorable chapter of wrestling’s greatest frenemies, but 1985 marked the beginning. The Mecca of the WWF has always been Madison Square Garden (the WWF started off as the Northeast territory) and Hogan worked all the big names in the main event. For two years, McMahon plucked the greatest wrestlers across the world and fed them to his indestructible hero, The Immortal One. Savage proved an interesting threat to the reign of the Hulkster smaller than Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, bigger than the incendiary “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, crazier than “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, and more aerial than fellow crazy fucker Terry Funk. Plus he had someone in his corner that none of these competitors as he had the charming, lovely Miss Elizabeth. The incredible, volatile, yet productive relationship between these two revolutionized pro wrestling as Elizabeth essentially created a niche for women personalities in the product. So with that introduction we take a look at the first trilogy between the Macho Man and the Hulkster.
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| Look at those million dollar smiles |
WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Macho Man Randy Savage
December 1985 Madison Square Garden
Savage and Elizabeth are in matching blue and white sequins, but Savage throws it off with a pair of yellow shield sunglasses. I guess that foreshadows his wacky color combinations in the mid-90s. Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes are on commentary. Real American hits and the crowd goes bananas. Hogan is the epitome of the 80s so cheesy, so shameless, just fun. This version of the WWF title looks like just another title, McMahon would a better job making his main title look unique on all iteration. Yes that is my nice way of complimenting the stupid-ass spinner belt. Savage jaws at Hogan because he is MACHO and FEARS NO MAN! Savage with an early posedown and Lord Alfred doesn’t get humor. Early establishment that Hogan is stronger than Savage. He blows a kiss at Liz. LOOK AT THOSE EYES AND SEE HOW THEY LUST!!!!
Savage in full Memphis heel mode looks to stall early on with lots of powdering out to the floor. Savage throws some furniture in the ring looking to psych out Hogan, but Lord Alfred doesn’t grasp this bit of psychology because he sucks. Savage gets his first bit of offense thanks to a thumb to the eye, but he misses a straddle on the ropes. Hogan pummels Savage with some power moves, an atomic drops catapults Savage out to the floor. Macho Man, living up to his name, hides behind Elizabeth and Hogan being the Paragon of Virtue he is returns to the ring. Hogan catches Savage off the top rop in mid-air and Lord Alfred is besides himself. Backbreaker and Savage goes back to the tried and true strategy of hiding behind Elizabeth. Savage gets caught jawing with a fan and Hogan attacks him from behind, but Savage gains control with a pair of double axe-handles, one onto the floor. Savage now has total control using hit and run tactics. Savage, in Memphis heel form, plays a lot to the crowd. Hogan presses Savage off him and here comes the HULK-UP!!! HE FEELS NO PAIN!!! Big boot and Savage takes a powder, smart move. Hogan picks up Elizabeth and gently puts her down to get at the Macho Man. Hogan telegraphs the back body drop and Savage gets the adavantage to hit the big elbow. Macho Man is pissed because he got a close two. Hogan runs over the ref by accident and a high-knee to the back of Hogan’s head sends him crashing to the outside. So Savage gets the World Title and climbs to the top and smashes it over Hogan’s head. He revives the ref and helps him countout Hogan. The commentary team brow-beat the listener that Savage has not won the title because it a victory by countout. Savage decks the ref for trying to take belt from him. So he leaves the Garden with Hogan’s belt and Elizabeth over his shoulder like a true Macho Man.
This by the way is one of the ultra-rare Savage victories over the Hulkster as he would never beat Hogan by pinfall or submission. I liked this match a lot as an 80s match with lots of classic heap heel work by Savage. Hogan played his role well as the powerful champion trying to contend with Savage’s distractions and cheap-shots. Not enough action to make it a must-watch, but it is the first match between these two legends so I would give it a look-see. ***1/2
December 1985 Madison Square Garden
Savage and Elizabeth are in matching blue and white sequins, but Savage throws it off with a pair of yellow shield sunglasses. I guess that foreshadows his wacky color combinations in the mid-90s. Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes are on commentary. Real American hits and the crowd goes bananas. Hogan is the epitome of the 80s so cheesy, so shameless, just fun. This version of the WWF title looks like just another title, McMahon would a better job making his main title look unique on all iteration. Yes that is my nice way of complimenting the stupid-ass spinner belt. Savage jaws at Hogan because he is MACHO and FEARS NO MAN! Savage with an early posedown and Lord Alfred doesn’t get humor. Early establishment that Hogan is stronger than Savage. He blows a kiss at Liz. LOOK AT THOSE EYES AND SEE HOW THEY LUST!!!!
Savage in full Memphis heel mode looks to stall early on with lots of powdering out to the floor. Savage throws some furniture in the ring looking to psych out Hogan, but Lord Alfred doesn’t grasp this bit of psychology because he sucks. Savage gets his first bit of offense thanks to a thumb to the eye, but he misses a straddle on the ropes. Hogan pummels Savage with some power moves, an atomic drops catapults Savage out to the floor. Macho Man, living up to his name, hides behind Elizabeth and Hogan being the Paragon of Virtue he is returns to the ring. Hogan catches Savage off the top rop in mid-air and Lord Alfred is besides himself. Backbreaker and Savage goes back to the tried and true strategy of hiding behind Elizabeth. Savage gets caught jawing with a fan and Hogan attacks him from behind, but Savage gains control with a pair of double axe-handles, one onto the floor. Savage now has total control using hit and run tactics. Savage, in Memphis heel form, plays a lot to the crowd. Hogan presses Savage off him and here comes the HULK-UP!!! HE FEELS NO PAIN!!! Big boot and Savage takes a powder, smart move. Hogan picks up Elizabeth and gently puts her down to get at the Macho Man. Hogan telegraphs the back body drop and Savage gets the adavantage to hit the big elbow. Macho Man is pissed because he got a close two. Hogan runs over the ref by accident and a high-knee to the back of Hogan’s head sends him crashing to the outside. So Savage gets the World Title and climbs to the top and smashes it over Hogan’s head. He revives the ref and helps him countout Hogan. The commentary team brow-beat the listener that Savage has not won the title because it a victory by countout. Savage decks the ref for trying to take belt from him. So he leaves the Garden with Hogan’s belt and Elizabeth over his shoulder like a true Macho Man.
This by the way is one of the ultra-rare Savage victories over the Hulkster as he would never beat Hogan by pinfall or submission. I liked this match a lot as an 80s match with lots of classic heap heel work by Savage. Hogan played his role well as the powerful champion trying to contend with Savage’s distractions and cheap-shots. Not enough action to make it a must-watch, but it is the first match between these two legends so I would give it a look-see. ***1/2
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| Classsic Picture of the Hulkster from 1986. |
WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage
January 1986 Madison Square Garden
We hit the ground running as soon as Hogan slides into the ring Savage is on the attack laying the boots on him. Hidden highlight, Savage keeps on his impressive, blue sequined robe so as not to telegraph it to the Hulkster. Little things, people. A much smarter start to the match for Savage than the cocky posedown start, O God he is learning. Mean Gene believes that Savage is Hogan’s toughest opponent yet. O THANK THE COMMENTATING GODS!!! JESSE THE BODY VENTURA IS HERE! After listening to Lord Alfred’s vapid musings this will be like water to my ears having spent a night in the desert.
Savage clobbers Hogan with a double axe-handle. Hogan still has belt on and Savage still has his shades on. Savage chokes Hogan with his own shirt, and now has the belt and beating the living hell out of Hogan. Gorilla and I are amazed at the incompetence of the ref, while Ventura is wringing his hands at the prospect of Hogan losing. Liz thinks Savage is going overboard, which causes him to measure her with his hand on her chin. The crowd has been bonkers. Hogan gets his energy back and takes over on Savage with power moves and a “sucker-puncher” according to Jesse. Hogan is now wearing the Macho Man’s shades and mocking Savage’s crazy antics to the delight of the crowd. After an oversell of the atomic drop onto the outside, Hogan rams Savage head-first into the steel ring post and Jesse demands a disqualification. Savage is busted wide open. Gorilla points out the earlier leniency of the ref and now he should be fair. Gorilla and Jesse were so good together plus I love how Jesse says “Gorilla”. All Hulkster with punches on the outside to the Macho Man and throws him back in. Savage’s selling is a thing of beauty. His bumping for Hogan makes Hogan look like a Superman. We have a five-alarm bladejob as Savage’s blood is all over Hogan’s chest. Ventura is pissy about Hogan’s choking. Elizabeth distracts Hogan long enough for Savage to take control. He sends Hogan shoulder first into the ringpost and then comes off the top onto Hogan with a double axe-handle. Now another but inside the ring and follows it up with a big elbow. RUH ROH!!! HULK-UP!!!! HE FEELS NO PAIN!!!! Hogan clobbers Savage with a huge clothesline in the corner and Savage is on spaghetti legs. BIG BOOT! Ventura wants a ref stoppage and Gorilla notes that this ref blows because he has not insomuch as checked on Savage’s cut.
Hogan hoists Savage up onto his shoulder to attempt another
head-first ram into the steel ring post. This time Elizabeth is there to stop
him from doing. He turns around and Liz makes haste to the other post. Savage
is able to slide down his back and send him into the post. Savage beats out the
ref’s count and declares Macho Man the winner, which was confusing because this
was the suckiest ref ever and no one heard or saw a count.
Hogan, a sore loser, attacks Savage after the match with a bear-hug slam. Ventura points out the hypocrisy of Hogan abusing Savage after the bell. While the wrestlers are separating the, Savage gets a cheap-shot in, which Ventura rightfully defends. Ventura points out this is two victories in a row for the Macho Man albeit by countout, which just demonstrates that Hogan has a yellow-streak a mile wide and was afraid of losing his title to Savage. Loved this match, a bit on the short side. Savage’s bladejob was brutal and his bumping made Hogan look like a million bucks No wonder Hogan preferred working with him rather than the immobile Bundy. Hogan had his working boots on tonight, too short to be truly spectacular. ***1/2.
Next up is the big blowoff match between the Hulkster and the Macho Man at Madison Square Garden for the WWF World Title in a lumberjack match. Hogan you will have nowhere to run and hide now. In the meantime, Savage has won the Intercontinental Championship from Tito Santana more on that later.
Hogan, a sore loser, attacks Savage after the match with a bear-hug slam. Ventura points out the hypocrisy of Hogan abusing Savage after the bell. While the wrestlers are separating the, Savage gets a cheap-shot in, which Ventura rightfully defends. Ventura points out this is two victories in a row for the Macho Man albeit by countout, which just demonstrates that Hogan has a yellow-streak a mile wide and was afraid of losing his title to Savage. Loved this match, a bit on the short side. Savage’s bladejob was brutal and his bumping made Hogan look like a million bucks No wonder Hogan preferred working with him rather than the immobile Bundy. Hogan had his working boots on tonight, too short to be truly spectacular. ***1/2.
Next up is the big blowoff match between the Hulkster and the Macho Man at Madison Square Garden for the WWF World Title in a lumberjack match. Hogan you will have nowhere to run and hide now. In the meantime, Savage has won the Intercontinental Championship from Tito Santana more on that later.
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| See always told everyone that animal-print is MACHO~! Haters bite me! |
WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage – Lumberjack Match
February 1986 Madison Square Garden
The quality sucks a bit on this one, but beggars cant be choosers. Savage and Liz are celebrating Halloween early with matching orange and black outfits. Fuck. Lord Alfred is on commentary. Gorilla mentions he stole the title from Tito. Hogan busts out his alternate blue/white uniform for this special blowoff match. The commenters mention that Bundy had injured his ribs the previous week. This time around, Hogan is the one who attack from behind. We get a slugfest to start and Hogan wins. Now he is cracking the belt over the Savage’s head blatantly in front of the ref, this time not drawing the ire of Gorilla. Hypocrite. Hogan goes for the usual atomic drop spot, but surprises me with a belly-to-back suplex. You are a sly bear, Hulkster. Hogan sends Savage to be among the lumberjacks. Hogan goes out to beat on Savage running the point of the match. Now Hogan lifts him up by the throat choking him and now we hit the bearhug. He sends him crashing into the corner. It has been all Hogan and we get the atomic drop. A heel trips Hogan and he goes out there and gives them the business. The commentators puts over his guts going into the lion’s den. This affords Savage the opportunity to recover and a double axe-handle onto the ribs garners Macho Man a two-count. Savage wisely sends Hogan to the wolves and they attack Hogan punctuated by Bundy crushing Hogan against the steel ring post. Savage is like fuck it, why don’t you guys just finish him. Bundy does it again for Savage with pleasure. Macho Man connects with another double axe-handle on the ribs and a sitout clothesline by Savage. However, Macho Man can only get two-counts. Now, Savage exposes the ribs and hits him with another double axe-handle and another two-count. The crowd is coming alive for Hogan as they sense his desperate situation. Yet another double axe-handle onto the exposed ribs and Savage cant control Hogan to gain the pinfall. THE BIG ELBOW~! HIUGE KICK-OUT!!! THE COCAINE IS KICKING IN NOW!!! HULK-UP!!! Hogan no-sells an eye-rake. A fucking douchebag babyface (that idiot George "The Animal" Steele) trips Savage into the leg drop and Hogan gets the win. Hogan was such a spaz.
Great match again, but instead of a violent bloody brawl, they did an excellent Hogan match where he had to overcome tremendous odd. However, Savage needed to vary his offense and do more interesting character work on his heat segment. I am going with ***.
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| Sorry HonkyTonk Man, this guy was a greater I-C Champion. |
While Savage lost his big blowoff, he did win the Intercontinental title (the secondary title in the WWF, a sort of stepping stone to the World Title) from Tito Santana at the Boston Garden (hometown pop). Here we go:
WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage
February 1986 Boston Garden
DVD Quality and Jesse Ventura on commentary, I am halfway to Heaven. I love the old-school setup on the parquet floor with no paddings. Savage and Liz are met by catcalls and boos. Santana was pretty over with the Boston crowd. Tito, who had been pissed at Savage, throws his shirt at the Macho Man. Savage does have an amazing ability to get under someone’s skin. Ventura says he would pay to see this match. I have watched this many a time and I do love it. Away we go as Savage designates where Liz should stand.
Tito wins the first lock-up. The collar elbow tie-up is a stalemate. They do some standing amateur wrestling, Savage gets to the ropes and do some cheap heat tactics with the front row. Gorilla puts over Savage’s character as a jealous boyfriend. Savage gets the first strike in on Tito, Gorilla suspects a thumb to the eye. Savage jaws with some more fans and Chico (Jesse’s name for Tito) seeks out Savage. Big shot off the top for Santana, Savage turns it into a track meet, but as Chico gives chase, Savage has the opportunity to waffle him. Big atomic drop for Tito, but Savage’s foot was in the ropes. Eye-rake gives Savage the advantage and Gorilla reminds us that Savage has to beat Tito. Sitout clothesline gets only a two-count and Savage is shocked and frustrated. Savage perched up high connects with a double axe-handle. Gorilla critiques Savage’s cover and the fans gets behind Santana with Tito chants. Savage delivers a double axe-handle onto the floor onto Santana. Ventura is worried that Savage may turn to get himself intentionally disqualified to preserve his belt. Santana takes advantage with strikes and gets his a second-rope flying elbow to the head of Macho Man. Savage’s foot was on the rope. Ventura sends “Unbelievable”, which always makes me giggle. Seriously when he says “Unbelievable “ it is the coolest thing ever. I tweeted about it once. No retweets. Bo. *tear*
Tito runs into a knee into the corner and Savage only gets a two-count, but he presses Savage onto the ref. Santana gets a small package on Savage, but the ref is groggy. Savage wrecks his knee on a missed knee-drop. Chico is going after the leg like a shark says Jesse and Tito slaps on the figure 4 leglock in the center of the ring. Savage reverses the pressure and makes the ropes. Gorilla commends Savage on his intestinal fortitude. Savage looks for something in his tights, but Chico suplexes him back into the ring. Santana looks for the Figure 4, but Macho Man kicks him off. Savage back on the apron fishes in his tights for a foreign object. He swings and misses and as Chico belly-to-back suplexes into the ring, Savage WAFFLE-LEGS HIM!!! The pin is academic and Savage is your NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION!!!
“You gotta call it brilliant, Gorilla” – Jesse. Great, athletic encounter from two of the workhorses of this era. I think more near falls for Tito would have helped the drama of this match, maybe more work on Savage’s leg. I never really popped out of my seat thinking “Oh damn, I thought for sure that was the finish.” Add some false finishes and a better heat segment and you have a classic. As it stands, ***1/2.
Next we look at the matches that made the Macho Man one of the greatest I-C Champions of all-time during his over one-year title reign. The climax will of course be against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat at Wrestlemania III in front of 93,000 people in what some herald as the greatest match in history.
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