"Macho Man" Randy Savage Tribute Thread
05-11-2014
, 02:15 PM
Randy Poffo (eventual stage name "Macho Man" Randy Savage) was born in 1952, a talented baseball player, and someone who we would discover to be an even more talented wrestler. He went on to become a true legend of the industry, and as of this writing has a very strong case for having the best wrestling career that has not yet been rewarded with a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
ITT we will enjoy the good work that he accomplished in his career, and there sure isn't a shortage of good work by the Macho Man out there. This project will doubtlessly take longer than prior tribute threads given that I'll be covering nearly 15 years just from the point of his WWF debut, but obviously there's no rush; I'll complete it as I complete it.
Happily, as with prior threads, I've already gotten a start on things with a fair bit of unpublished material ready to go up, so I'm going to start posting that now.
05-11-2014
, 02:15 PM
The Pre-Wrestling Years
Randy was born in Ohio, and ended up playing baseball at and graduating from Downers Grove High School, which was located in a suburb of Chicago, IL. Actress Denise Richards also went to that school, though unfortunately for Randy she was just born a few months before he graduated from high school so there wasn't exactly a ton of overlap.
Poffo was signed into the St. Louis Cardinals organization out of high school. He had been a catcher to that point, but mostly played outfield once he got to the minor leagues. He bounced around, from the Cards' minor league system to that of the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox.
Randy was born in Ohio, and ended up playing baseball at and graduating from Downers Grove High School, which was located in a suburb of Chicago, IL. Actress Denise Richards also went to that school, though unfortunately for Randy she was just born a few months before he graduated from high school so there wasn't exactly a ton of overlap.
Poffo was signed into the St. Louis Cardinals organization out of high school. He had been a catcher to that point, but mostly played outfield once he got to the minor leagues. He bounced around, from the Cards' minor league system to that of the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox.
05-11-2014
, 02:16 PM
Randy Savage heads to newly-founded International Championship Wrestling - 1978
Randy's father Angelo Poffo founded his own wrestling company, International Championship Wrestling (ICW), and naturally both Randy and his brother Lanny went to work for him there. In 1979, Randy defeated his brother Lanny for ICW's World Title.
I couldn't find any footage of his early work in Florida and Georgia, and honestly this ICW footage is really sparse too, but this video is a fun little time capsule from during Randy's World Title reign.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xy4...restling_sport
Near the end of the match, Savage drops an axhandle off the top rope to the floor on his opponent. The announcer comments that there's a rule against jumping off the top rope onto your opponent (WTF) but that it doesn't apply to jumping on your opponent when they're on the floor. So it was only legal if you dropped down on them from a longer and more dangerous distance? Seems legit.
Randy's father Angelo Poffo founded his own wrestling company, International Championship Wrestling (ICW), and naturally both Randy and his brother Lanny went to work for him there. In 1979, Randy defeated his brother Lanny for ICW's World Title.
I couldn't find any footage of his early work in Florida and Georgia, and honestly this ICW footage is really sparse too, but this video is a fun little time capsule from during Randy's World Title reign.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xy4...restling_sport
Near the end of the match, Savage drops an axhandle off the top rope to the floor on his opponent. The announcer comments that there's a rule against jumping off the top rope onto your opponent (WTF) but that it doesn't apply to jumping on your opponent when they're on the floor. So it was only legal if you dropped down on them from a longer and more dangerous distance? Seems legit.
05-11-2014
, 02:18 PM
AWA Southern Title (Loser Leaves Town): Randy Savage (c) vs. Jerry Lawler
Date: June 3, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWzuCvcaDk
Background: As noted in the post above, these two had grown to hate each other's guts, and a "Loser Leaves Town" match was the only way to settle the feud. That and the fact that Savage was heading to the WWF and needed to have the title and his AWA career written off, of course.
The Match: The video on this match isn't of the greatest quality, but the build to the match and the workers involved are good enough that I decided to give it a go with a full watch and writeup rather than just doing a skim and a summary.
Savage, a heel, does a bit of stalling and playing to the ringside fans. Once in the ring, he gets the worse of some punch/block/punch sequences with Lawler. He heads out to ringside, grabs a chair, and tosses it in. The commentator mentions that it's no DQ. So naturally Lawler politely has the chair disposed of. Umm, okay. There's SO MUCH stalling to open this, I'm second-guessing my decision to watch it and write it up.
Savage whipped into the corner, but Savage bounces out of it with a painful-looking necktie clothesline where he really wrapped his arm around Lawler's neck. Lawler with the low blow on Savage to cut him down to size, then he lays in a few punches. Savage goes for another walk. Kill me.
Savage sends the King to the outside; the King hits his head on a table outside and I think blades at this point. Macho Man goes up to the top and hits an axhandle to the floor from there. He proceeds to see the wound and punch directly at it to capitalize. The referee checks in on Lawler to see if he should stop things, but Savage keeps getting the referee out of the way and continuing the assault. Okay, the early part of the match sucked but this is getting good. Macho is really laying it in brutally on the babyface Lawler.
The referee finally pulls Macho off and declares the match over, saying that Lawler can't continue. He calls the match in Savage's favor. Lawler gets a mic and demands that they let the match continue. He says he's fine to go. Video gets garbled for a bit while this goes on, but the short story is that Lawler is successful in getting the match restarted.
The bell rings, and the match restarts. Savage right back on the attack, punching at the wound and then ramming Lawler's face into the turnbuckle. Lays in a couple of punches, but Lawler no-sells and kind of hulks up. He hits Savage, drops his strap, then continues to lay it in on Savage, wailing away on him on the mat. He goes up to the second rope twice and drops his fist on Savage both times. Picks him up, jumping piledriver. 1-2-3, Lawler wins. New champion, and Savage is sent packing. The climax here is pretty great.
Result: Jerry Lawler via pinfall (30:22)
Rating: Unforgivably slow to start, but from the point that Lawler bladed, the rest of the match was excellent. This clip cuts like 10 minutes out too, so it's a bit difficult to judge. I'm going to give 3 stars out of 5, though it might have been better than that.
Date: June 3, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWzuCvcaDk
Background: As noted in the post above, these two had grown to hate each other's guts, and a "Loser Leaves Town" match was the only way to settle the feud. That and the fact that Savage was heading to the WWF and needed to have the title and his AWA career written off, of course.
The Match: The video on this match isn't of the greatest quality, but the build to the match and the workers involved are good enough that I decided to give it a go with a full watch and writeup rather than just doing a skim and a summary.
Savage, a heel, does a bit of stalling and playing to the ringside fans. Once in the ring, he gets the worse of some punch/block/punch sequences with Lawler. He heads out to ringside, grabs a chair, and tosses it in. The commentator mentions that it's no DQ. So naturally Lawler politely has the chair disposed of. Umm, okay. There's SO MUCH stalling to open this, I'm second-guessing my decision to watch it and write it up.
Savage whipped into the corner, but Savage bounces out of it with a painful-looking necktie clothesline where he really wrapped his arm around Lawler's neck. Lawler with the low blow on Savage to cut him down to size, then he lays in a few punches. Savage goes for another walk. Kill me.
Savage sends the King to the outside; the King hits his head on a table outside and I think blades at this point. Macho Man goes up to the top and hits an axhandle to the floor from there. He proceeds to see the wound and punch directly at it to capitalize. The referee checks in on Lawler to see if he should stop things, but Savage keeps getting the referee out of the way and continuing the assault. Okay, the early part of the match sucked but this is getting good. Macho is really laying it in brutally on the babyface Lawler.
The referee finally pulls Macho off and declares the match over, saying that Lawler can't continue. He calls the match in Savage's favor. Lawler gets a mic and demands that they let the match continue. He says he's fine to go. Video gets garbled for a bit while this goes on, but the short story is that Lawler is successful in getting the match restarted.
The bell rings, and the match restarts. Savage right back on the attack, punching at the wound and then ramming Lawler's face into the turnbuckle. Lays in a couple of punches, but Lawler no-sells and kind of hulks up. He hits Savage, drops his strap, then continues to lay it in on Savage, wailing away on him on the mat. He goes up to the second rope twice and drops his fist on Savage both times. Picks him up, jumping piledriver. 1-2-3, Lawler wins. New champion, and Savage is sent packing. The climax here is pretty great.
Result: Jerry Lawler via pinfall (30:22)
Rating: Unforgivably slow to start, but from the point that Lawler bladed, the rest of the match was excellent. This clip cuts like 10 minutes out too, so it's a bit difficult to judge. I'm going to give 3 stars out of 5, though it might have been better than that.
Last edited by LKJ; 05-11-2014 at 02:23 PM.
05-11-2014
, 02:19 PM
Championship Wrestling: Randy Savage vs. Aldo Marino (jobber)
Date: July 6, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBIXztSSNr0
Background: This was his debut with the company. I'm unsure whether there were any vignettes or the like leading into it.
The Match: Classic jobber squash, but during the match, all of the prominent heel managers of the company came out to ringside: Bobby Heenan, Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Hart, Freddie Blassie, and Johnny Valiant all came to get a closer look.
Savage lands two flying elbows off the top rope before pinning the jobber and registering his first WWF win.
All of the heel managers then descended on the ring, congratulated Savage on his win, and were all clearly trying to nuzzle up to him to convince him to go with them.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (2:45)
Rating: N/A. Having all of the managers come out drooling over the thought of managing him was a pretty cool way of putting him over big from the start though.
Date: July 6, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBIXztSSNr0
Background: This was his debut with the company. I'm unsure whether there were any vignettes or the like leading into it.
The Match: Classic jobber squash, but during the match, all of the prominent heel managers of the company came out to ringside: Bobby Heenan, Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Hart, Freddie Blassie, and Johnny Valiant all came to get a closer look.
Savage lands two flying elbows off the top rope before pinning the jobber and registering his first WWF win.
All of the heel managers then descended on the ring, congratulated Savage on his win, and were all clearly trying to nuzzle up to him to convince him to go with them.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (2:45)
Rating: N/A. Having all of the managers come out drooling over the thought of managing him was a pretty cool way of putting him over big from the start though.
05-11-2014
, 02:20 PM
Savage continues as the hot free agent, with every manager wanting to sign him
During the weekly shows after his debut, several of the heel managers who came to ringside during his debut formally offered him to come join them. The hot question was who Savage would pick. That leads us to…
Randy Savage introduces Miss Elizabeth as his manager on Piper's Pit
Date: August 31, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu0JkRONjYQ
This is the first appearance Miss Elizabeth made in the WWF. It's short and sweet and there's not a lot to it, but this was still the surprising conclusion to who Savage would pick for a manager.
During the weekly shows after his debut, several of the heel managers who came to ringside during his debut formally offered him to come join them. The hot question was who Savage would pick. That leads us to…
Randy Savage introduces Miss Elizabeth as his manager on Piper's Pit
Date: August 31, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu0JkRONjYQ
This is the first appearance Miss Elizabeth made in the WWF. It's short and sweet and there's not a lot to it, but this was still the surprising conclusion to who Savage would pick for a manager.
05-11-2014
, 02:21 PM
Randy Savage promo w/ Mean Gene
Date: September 7, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBLzCypJBzQ
I'll include a whole ton of promos in this thread. It would be a waste not to, as awesome as Savage was on the mic throughout his career.
This started Savage's character as being verbally abusive and rude toward Elizabeth, as she responds to a compliment Mean Gene pays her and Savage gets pissed and demands that she leaves.
Mean Gene: "Randy Savage, with all due respect, that is pretty tough!"
Savage: "No it isn't, in fact that is super low-key, that wasn't nothing."
For some reason that made me laugh pretty hard. Mean Gene briefly responds and then seems to start corpsing a bit too before collecting himself.
Date: September 7, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBLzCypJBzQ
I'll include a whole ton of promos in this thread. It would be a waste not to, as awesome as Savage was on the mic throughout his career.
This started Savage's character as being verbally abusive and rude toward Elizabeth, as she responds to a compliment Mean Gene pays her and Savage gets pissed and demands that she leaves.
Mean Gene: "Randy Savage, with all due respect, that is pretty tough!"
Savage: "No it isn't, in fact that is super low-key, that wasn't nothing."
For some reason that made me laugh pretty hard. Mean Gene briefly responds and then seems to start corpsing a bit too before collecting himself.
05-11-2014
, 02:22 PM
MSG House Show: Randy Savage vs. Paul Roma
Date: September 23, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3bRHc5r9CU
Background: None.
The Match: Savage cuts a quick backstage promo before going out, saying that he doesn't care about Paul Roma and is here to take down Hulk Hogan and win the WWF Title.
Roma is new to the company here and doesn't have much of a name; he hadn't yet joined with Jim Powers for The Young Stallions or anything. The "Macho Man controls Elizabeth" stuff before the match goes on for several minutes before they finally get down to action.
Roma gets the first offense in with an armdrag, but Macho is back up with one of his own, then quickly runs Roma across the ring, leaps over the top rope, and hangs Roma on the top rope as he brings him down. That would go on to be one of the fun signature spots Savage used throughout his career; I'm going to need to learn a shorter name of it.
Back in with a kneedrop. Savage controls until Roma catches him in a small package for two, and Roma quickly follows with a bodyslam. He heads up top and surprisingly hits with a sunset flip off the top, but again only gets two. Savage tosses Roma outside twice into the steel barricade, and after the second he follows him outside by heading to the top and dropping an axhandle onto Roma.
Back inside, a delayed suplex by Macho, after which he heads to the top and hits the flying elbow…but picks him up after a two-count. Back up top for one more elbow, and this time he holds him down for three.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (~5:00)
Rating: N/A, this was basically a squash match even if Roma got a tad bit more offense in than Mike Bell would have. Still, I found it enjoyable to watch Savage work his offense against a guy who can take all of the bumps properly.
Date: September 23, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3bRHc5r9CU
Background: None.
The Match: Savage cuts a quick backstage promo before going out, saying that he doesn't care about Paul Roma and is here to take down Hulk Hogan and win the WWF Title.
Roma is new to the company here and doesn't have much of a name; he hadn't yet joined with Jim Powers for The Young Stallions or anything. The "Macho Man controls Elizabeth" stuff before the match goes on for several minutes before they finally get down to action.
Roma gets the first offense in with an armdrag, but Macho is back up with one of his own, then quickly runs Roma across the ring, leaps over the top rope, and hangs Roma on the top rope as he brings him down. That would go on to be one of the fun signature spots Savage used throughout his career; I'm going to need to learn a shorter name of it.
Back in with a kneedrop. Savage controls until Roma catches him in a small package for two, and Roma quickly follows with a bodyslam. He heads up top and surprisingly hits with a sunset flip off the top, but again only gets two. Savage tosses Roma outside twice into the steel barricade, and after the second he follows him outside by heading to the top and dropping an axhandle onto Roma.
Back inside, a delayed suplex by Macho, after which he heads to the top and hits the flying elbow…but picks him up after a two-count. Back up top for one more elbow, and this time he holds him down for three.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (~5:00)
Rating: N/A, this was basically a squash match even if Roma got a tad bit more offense in than Mike Bell would have. Still, I found it enjoyable to watch Savage work his offense against a guy who can take all of the bumps properly.
05-11-2014
, 02:23 PM
Maple Leaf Gardens House Show: WWF Title - Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Randy Savage
Date: October 13, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmY6QhW6Ge4
Background: Ever since debuting in the company, Savage has been talking about winning the title from Hulk Hogan. Just over three months in, he's already getting a title shot. Hogan is at the 1.5 year mark of his first reign as champion.
The Match: Hulk Hogan, wearing white instead of the red and yellow that would become his brand, comes out to music that isn't "Real American." And while it's muffled I don't think it's "Eye of the Tiger" either? Huh.
Hogan knocks Savage outside early, then tries to follow him out but Savage pulls Liz into his way. Jesse: "Isn't that despicable? Hogan is threatening a woman!" Savage continues circling the ring and avoiding a bit, playing to the crowd, etc. Goes on for too long. Finally back in and ready for action, and as he closes in Hogan spits at him and then slides out of the ring himself. WTF?
With both back in the ring, Savage takes advantage with an eye rake, then heads to the top for a cross-body, but Hogan catches him and turns it into a backbreaker. Savage back out and hiding behind Liz again? Holy **** this amount of stalling is awful.
Savage finally sets Hogan in the middle with a bodyslam, comes off with the flying elbow off the top, but Hogan kicks out on two. Jesse rails on about how that should have been a three-count; it was close.
Savage goes back up, heads to the top for another elbow, this time Hogan gets a boot up in Savage's face on the way down, rolls over and pins him, Savage clearly kicks out on two this time…and the referee counts to three anyway? Stellar ending, everyone.
Result: Hulk Hogan via incompetent officiating/botched ending (10:45)
Rating: This was a mess. I liked almost none of it. Seemingly botched ending just made it even dumber. 0.5 stars out of 5.
Date: October 13, 1985
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmY6QhW6Ge4
Background: Ever since debuting in the company, Savage has been talking about winning the title from Hulk Hogan. Just over three months in, he's already getting a title shot. Hogan is at the 1.5 year mark of his first reign as champion.
The Match: Hulk Hogan, wearing white instead of the red and yellow that would become his brand, comes out to music that isn't "Real American." And while it's muffled I don't think it's "Eye of the Tiger" either? Huh.
Hogan knocks Savage outside early, then tries to follow him out but Savage pulls Liz into his way. Jesse: "Isn't that despicable? Hogan is threatening a woman!" Savage continues circling the ring and avoiding a bit, playing to the crowd, etc. Goes on for too long. Finally back in and ready for action, and as he closes in Hogan spits at him and then slides out of the ring himself. WTF?
With both back in the ring, Savage takes advantage with an eye rake, then heads to the top for a cross-body, but Hogan catches him and turns it into a backbreaker. Savage back out and hiding behind Liz again? Holy **** this amount of stalling is awful.
Savage finally sets Hogan in the middle with a bodyslam, comes off with the flying elbow off the top, but Hogan kicks out on two. Jesse rails on about how that should have been a three-count; it was close.
Savage goes back up, heads to the top for another elbow, this time Hogan gets a boot up in Savage's face on the way down, rolls over and pins him, Savage clearly kicks out on two this time…and the referee counts to three anyway? Stellar ending, everyone.
Result: Hulk Hogan via incompetent officiating/botched ending (10:45)
Rating: This was a mess. I liked almost none of it. Seemingly botched ending just made it even dumber. 0.5 stars out of 5.
05-11-2014
, 02:24 PM
Saturday Night's Main Event III: Intercontinental Title - Tito Santana (c) vs. Randy Savage
Date: November 2, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mum2j6yCDrI
Background: While Savage did get that one shot at Hogan, he had also mentioned Santana in prior promos as another champion he would go after. This kicked off a series of matches in Savage chasing down the IC Title.
The Match: The two men grapples in a collar-and-elbow tieup, with both gaining brief advantages but unable to fully capitalize. Savage with a right hand takes control, but control flips back and forth often in this one as the two men establish a quick pace for the first couple of minutes before Savage cinches in a side headlock in the middle of the ring. Tito works his way back to his feet before long, but Savage puts him down with a bodyslam. Heads to the top, but Tito stands up. Savage for the axhandle, but Santana catches him in the gut on the way down.
The two fight to the outside, with Savage hitting a right hand and then setting Tito up for a piledriver on the floor but not able to get him up. As Santana reverses, the bell rings, and both men have been counted out. Mehhh. Like I get this ending somewhat since they wanted to have a pursuit of the belt that took a bit, but at least let them build a story for 10 minutes or something. They started off with what looked like a good match and then got stopped before they could ever hit full gear.
Result: Double Countout (4:10)
Rating: Seems like I should give it an Incomplete or something. 1.5 stars out of 5 just for clipping it so hard and then ending in a draw, but they did show in their limited time that they could work well together.
Date: November 2, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mum2j6yCDrI
Background: While Savage did get that one shot at Hogan, he had also mentioned Santana in prior promos as another champion he would go after. This kicked off a series of matches in Savage chasing down the IC Title.
The Match: The two men grapples in a collar-and-elbow tieup, with both gaining brief advantages but unable to fully capitalize. Savage with a right hand takes control, but control flips back and forth often in this one as the two men establish a quick pace for the first couple of minutes before Savage cinches in a side headlock in the middle of the ring. Tito works his way back to his feet before long, but Savage puts him down with a bodyslam. Heads to the top, but Tito stands up. Savage for the axhandle, but Santana catches him in the gut on the way down.
The two fight to the outside, with Savage hitting a right hand and then setting Tito up for a piledriver on the floor but not able to get him up. As Santana reverses, the bell rings, and both men have been counted out. Mehhh. Like I get this ending somewhat since they wanted to have a pursuit of the belt that took a bit, but at least let them build a story for 10 minutes or something. They started off with what looked like a good match and then got stopped before they could ever hit full gear.
Result: Double Countout (4:10)
Rating: Seems like I should give it an Incomplete or something. 1.5 stars out of 5 just for clipping it so hard and then ending in a draw, but they did show in their limited time that they could work well together.
05-11-2014
, 02:26 PM
Boston Garden House Show: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat
Date: December 7, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjon3w9ScF8
Background: None yet, these two hadn't started feuding yet.
The Match: Savage hides behind Liz to open the match, then as Steamboat backs up and turns his back Savage runs and attacks him in the back. Steamboat recovers quickly, tosses Randy outside, then puts him in a hammerlock out there and runs him shoulder-first into the post.
Armdrag by the Dragon, then repeated strikes to the same arm he just posted. Armbar as he continues to work that limb over. Steamboat controls all of the early attack, with Savage unable to get anything going for solidly five minutes to start the match. Savage finally clotheslines him over the top, Steamboat skins the cat and tries to flip back in, but Savage is alert and knocks him back over, this time causing him to hit the floor. Up to the top, axhandle off the top to the floor. As Steamboat comes to, Savage chases him down from behind and drives him hard into the barricade outside.
The heat segment is on as Savage catapults Steamboat into the ring from the apron. Steamboat briefly catches him and tries to bodyslam, but Savage kicks his legs wildly and kills the Dragon's leverage enough to collapse him for a pinfall attempt for two. Goes up to the top for the flying elbow, but Steamboat dodges.
Steamboat now with a hard atomic drop, went up high but Savage is on the ball and catches him before he can accomplish anything, throwing him off the top rope. Savage attempts an axhandle off the top but Steamboat pummels him in the gut on the way down. Nice back-and-forth. Suplex by Steamboat; two-count. Series of chops by Steamboat. Savage finally gets into the ropes, and the referee physically forces Steamboat to break and back up.
As the referee backs up, Savage pulls brass knuckles out of his trunks and applies them. Steamboat tries to back suplex him into the ring, and before being dropped Savage punches Steamboat in the head with the brass knucks to put him out, and he pins him for three. Not the greatest ending, but whatever.
Result: Savage via pinfall (11:14)
Rating: Certainly solid, they kept up a nice pace and I can't even criticize anything too harshly, but it just didn't do that much for me. Obviously they would blow this out of the water a year and a half later. 3 stars out of 5.
Date: December 7, 1985
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjon3w9ScF8
Background: None yet, these two hadn't started feuding yet.
The Match: Savage hides behind Liz to open the match, then as Steamboat backs up and turns his back Savage runs and attacks him in the back. Steamboat recovers quickly, tosses Randy outside, then puts him in a hammerlock out there and runs him shoulder-first into the post.
Armdrag by the Dragon, then repeated strikes to the same arm he just posted. Armbar as he continues to work that limb over. Steamboat controls all of the early attack, with Savage unable to get anything going for solidly five minutes to start the match. Savage finally clotheslines him over the top, Steamboat skins the cat and tries to flip back in, but Savage is alert and knocks him back over, this time causing him to hit the floor. Up to the top, axhandle off the top to the floor. As Steamboat comes to, Savage chases him down from behind and drives him hard into the barricade outside.
The heat segment is on as Savage catapults Steamboat into the ring from the apron. Steamboat briefly catches him and tries to bodyslam, but Savage kicks his legs wildly and kills the Dragon's leverage enough to collapse him for a pinfall attempt for two. Goes up to the top for the flying elbow, but Steamboat dodges.
Steamboat now with a hard atomic drop, went up high but Savage is on the ball and catches him before he can accomplish anything, throwing him off the top rope. Savage attempts an axhandle off the top but Steamboat pummels him in the gut on the way down. Nice back-and-forth. Suplex by Steamboat; two-count. Series of chops by Steamboat. Savage finally gets into the ropes, and the referee physically forces Steamboat to break and back up.
As the referee backs up, Savage pulls brass knuckles out of his trunks and applies them. Steamboat tries to back suplex him into the ring, and before being dropped Savage punches Steamboat in the head with the brass knucks to put him out, and he pins him for three. Not the greatest ending, but whatever.
Result: Savage via pinfall (11:14)
Rating: Certainly solid, they kept up a nice pace and I can't even criticize anything too harshly, but it just didn't do that much for me. Obviously they would blow this out of the water a year and a half later. 3 stars out of 5.
05-11-2014
, 02:27 PM
Saturday Night's Main Event IV: Randy Savage vs. George "The Animal" Steele w/ Captain Lou Albano
Date: January 4, 1986
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpTjRG0x_cI#t=33m10s
Background: None.
The Match: Savage delays on his way to the ring, Liz is waiting at the rope when Steele walks over and starts affectionately pawing at her, very obviously smitten by her. Captain Lou backs Steele down, then Savage sees what's going on and is obviously furious about the whole thing. In any case, the match gets going.
Steele throws Savage over the top early, follows him out, then quickly gets distracted by Elizabeth. Savage is able to ambush Steele on his way back in and attacks him in the corner. The two brawl back to the outside and trade blows. Savage runs from Steele and then does the hide-behind-Liz thing, though Animal only stops momentarily and then creepily reaches out at her. Savage moves her out of the way, then the two return to the ring.
The Animal knocks Savage over and then tears one of the top turnbuckle pads apart. As he does this, he again gets distracted by Elizabeth, allowing Savage to go up top, drop an axhandle on him, and make the pin.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (4:06)
Rating: This match was a joke. Except without the humor value. 0 stars out of 5.
Date: January 4, 1986
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpTjRG0x_cI#t=33m10s
Background: None.
The Match: Savage delays on his way to the ring, Liz is waiting at the rope when Steele walks over and starts affectionately pawing at her, very obviously smitten by her. Captain Lou backs Steele down, then Savage sees what's going on and is obviously furious about the whole thing. In any case, the match gets going.
Steele throws Savage over the top early, follows him out, then quickly gets distracted by Elizabeth. Savage is able to ambush Steele on his way back in and attacks him in the corner. The two brawl back to the outside and trade blows. Savage runs from Steele and then does the hide-behind-Liz thing, though Animal only stops momentarily and then creepily reaches out at her. Savage moves her out of the way, then the two return to the ring.
The Animal knocks Savage over and then tears one of the top turnbuckle pads apart. As he does this, he again gets distracted by Elizabeth, allowing Savage to go up top, drop an axhandle on him, and make the pin.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (4:06)
Rating: This match was a joke. Except without the humor value. 0 stars out of 5.
05-11-2014
, 02:29 PM
Boston Garden House Show: Intercontinental Title - Tito Santana (c) vs. Randy Savage
Date: January 7, 1986
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt3LTatH6vE
Background: Savage has been chasing the Intercontinental Title, but his title shot on Saturday Night's Main Event in November ended quickly in a double countout, so he still remains the unspoken #1 contender for the belt.
The Match: Gorilla and Jesse on the call. As the pre-match introductions take place, they put over just how great of a matchup this is.
Some early lockups between Savage and Santana result in little consequence. Finally Savage lands a thumb to the eye, and while Tito cries to the referee about it Savage goes out and jaws with a ringside fan. Tito follows him out to hit him, the two brawl, Macho gets the better of it before sliding him in, going up top, and going for an axhandle that fails because Tito catches him with a punch on the way down.
Savage pretends to go for a walk, but when Santana follows him out, Savage slips back into the ring and then attacks Tito on his way back in. Tito blocks a punch, executes an atomic drop, pinfall attempt is met with an immediate foot on a rope. Savage clotheslines Santana off the ropes, attempts a pin and hooks both legs, actually getting a near-fall. Follows with an axhandle off the top rope that hits, another two-count follows.
Macho dumps Tito outside, goes to the top rope and hits an axhandle to Tito on the floor. As Santana tries to re-enter, Savage attacks him from inside the ring and the two trade blows. Tito manages to get the better of him, knocks him over, and re-enters. Santana drops a standing elbow on Savage off the top. Can't get three due to Savage getting another rope break. Sends Macho into the buckle but eats his boot as he follows him in. Savage goes for a cover, but Santana pushes him off into referee Danny Davis which disorients him. Tito with a small package, but Davis is slow on the count and it's only a two.
Tito kicks Savage's leg out and proceeds to work it pretty hard. He drags him to the middle and cinches in the figure-four, which was one of Tito's two finishers. Savage appears to be on the verge of submitting, but musters enough strength to roll over to the ropes and force a break. While on the apron, Savage seems to go for a foreign object. Santana suplexes him into the ring. Macho appears to have come up empty in going for the foreign object; his hands are empty.
Tito tries to reapply the figure-four, but Savage kicks him off. Out of the referee's sight, he goes back into his tights, this time successfully producing the foreign object. He swings at Tito when Tito approaches, but Santana ducks, grabs him, and tries to back suplex him into the ring. On his way down though, Macho hits him with the foreign object, seemingly knocking him out, and pins him for three. Much the same ending as that match with Steamboat in the same arena a month prior. This time, we have a new Intercontinental Champion.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall, new Intercontinental Champion (10:30)
Rating: Good match. Good pacing, both guys over, I don't completely love this as a finish but I think it's aided by Savage showing heart and managing to fight his way to the ropes on the face's finishing submission hold. 3.25 stars out of 5.
Date: January 7, 1986
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt3LTatH6vE
Background: Savage has been chasing the Intercontinental Title, but his title shot on Saturday Night's Main Event in November ended quickly in a double countout, so he still remains the unspoken #1 contender for the belt.
The Match: Gorilla and Jesse on the call. As the pre-match introductions take place, they put over just how great of a matchup this is.
Some early lockups between Savage and Santana result in little consequence. Finally Savage lands a thumb to the eye, and while Tito cries to the referee about it Savage goes out and jaws with a ringside fan. Tito follows him out to hit him, the two brawl, Macho gets the better of it before sliding him in, going up top, and going for an axhandle that fails because Tito catches him with a punch on the way down.
Savage pretends to go for a walk, but when Santana follows him out, Savage slips back into the ring and then attacks Tito on his way back in. Tito blocks a punch, executes an atomic drop, pinfall attempt is met with an immediate foot on a rope. Savage clotheslines Santana off the ropes, attempts a pin and hooks both legs, actually getting a near-fall. Follows with an axhandle off the top rope that hits, another two-count follows.
Macho dumps Tito outside, goes to the top rope and hits an axhandle to Tito on the floor. As Santana tries to re-enter, Savage attacks him from inside the ring and the two trade blows. Tito manages to get the better of him, knocks him over, and re-enters. Santana drops a standing elbow on Savage off the top. Can't get three due to Savage getting another rope break. Sends Macho into the buckle but eats his boot as he follows him in. Savage goes for a cover, but Santana pushes him off into referee Danny Davis which disorients him. Tito with a small package, but Davis is slow on the count and it's only a two.
Tito kicks Savage's leg out and proceeds to work it pretty hard. He drags him to the middle and cinches in the figure-four, which was one of Tito's two finishers. Savage appears to be on the verge of submitting, but musters enough strength to roll over to the ropes and force a break. While on the apron, Savage seems to go for a foreign object. Santana suplexes him into the ring. Macho appears to have come up empty in going for the foreign object; his hands are empty.
Tito tries to reapply the figure-four, but Savage kicks him off. Out of the referee's sight, he goes back into his tights, this time successfully producing the foreign object. He swings at Tito when Tito approaches, but Santana ducks, grabs him, and tries to back suplex him into the ring. On his way down though, Macho hits him with the foreign object, seemingly knocking him out, and pins him for three. Much the same ending as that match with Steamboat in the same arena a month prior. This time, we have a new Intercontinental Champion.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall, new Intercontinental Champion (10:30)
Rating: Good match. Good pacing, both guys over, I don't completely love this as a finish but I think it's aided by Savage showing heart and managing to fight his way to the ropes on the face's finishing submission hold. 3.25 stars out of 5.
05-11-2014
, 02:30 PM
WrestleMania 2: Intercontinental Title - Randy Savage (c) vs. George "The Animal" Steele
Date: April 7, 1986
Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14...mania-ii_sport
Background: George Steele, who had apparently never seen a beautiful woman previously, became obsessed with Miss Elizabeth at first sight. It was all quite creepy, but WWF pushed him as the babyface of the feud and said how nice it was for him to stalk her and give her flowers and ****. And apparently that got him a WrestleMania title shot.
The Match: Vince McMahon and random actress Susan Saint James are on the call from the New York portion of this silly idea of having Mania split in three different locations across the country.
Steele chases Savage out of the ring a couple of times. I get the sense that Steele wasn't much of a worker, but it seemed like Savage hardly tried with him. Steele bites Savage's ankle, then lifts him up by his neck and slams him down. He gets distracted by Liz as usual, Savage knocks him into the ropes so that he gets tied up in them, and gets some licks in. Savage up top, and sort of botches a cross-body at the Animal.
Steele throws the Macho Man outside, and Savage gets down and crawls under the ring all the way through to the other side, and is able to attack a confused Steele from behind. Steele bites Savage again. Savage gets a bouquet of flowers from ringside and attacks Steele with them. Steele gets the flowers and stuffs them in Savage's face. God I wish I was making this up. Then he goes and gets distracted by his desire to rip up a turnbuckle pad.
I don't even know what this is. Anyway, Steele gets distracted by Elizabeth one more time, Savage attacks, bodyslams, and hits the flying elbow off the top rope…and Steele kicks out on two? WTF. Savage gets the pin a minute later by performing a double-leg takedown on Steele near a corner and pinning him with his feet up on the second ropes for leverage.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (5:10)
Rating: This **** is awful. And somehow they didn't just let go of this feud here. 0 stars out of 5.
Date: April 7, 1986
Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14...mania-ii_sport
Background: George Steele, who had apparently never seen a beautiful woman previously, became obsessed with Miss Elizabeth at first sight. It was all quite creepy, but WWF pushed him as the babyface of the feud and said how nice it was for him to stalk her and give her flowers and ****. And apparently that got him a WrestleMania title shot.
The Match: Vince McMahon and random actress Susan Saint James are on the call from the New York portion of this silly idea of having Mania split in three different locations across the country.
Steele chases Savage out of the ring a couple of times. I get the sense that Steele wasn't much of a worker, but it seemed like Savage hardly tried with him. Steele bites Savage's ankle, then lifts him up by his neck and slams him down. He gets distracted by Liz as usual, Savage knocks him into the ropes so that he gets tied up in them, and gets some licks in. Savage up top, and sort of botches a cross-body at the Animal.
Steele throws the Macho Man outside, and Savage gets down and crawls under the ring all the way through to the other side, and is able to attack a confused Steele from behind. Steele bites Savage again. Savage gets a bouquet of flowers from ringside and attacks Steele with them. Steele gets the flowers and stuffs them in Savage's face. God I wish I was making this up. Then he goes and gets distracted by his desire to rip up a turnbuckle pad.
I don't even know what this is. Anyway, Steele gets distracted by Elizabeth one more time, Savage attacks, bodyslams, and hits the flying elbow off the top rope…and Steele kicks out on two? WTF. Savage gets the pin a minute later by performing a double-leg takedown on Steele near a corner and pinning him with his feet up on the second ropes for leverage.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (5:10)
Rating: This **** is awful. And somehow they didn't just let go of this feud here. 0 stars out of 5.
05-11-2014
, 02:31 PM
Randy Savage promo w/ Mean Gene
Date: April 21, 1986
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH3LYWtzB6g#t=00m14s
I just love all of these promos that involve Mean Gene. Gene was a master of his craft, and he and Savage had great chemistry, particularly during this early heel run. Savage drops a Godfather reference here, saying, "A man in my position can't afford to be made to look ridiculous." As if Savage could be any more likable, he clearly shared an affinity for my favorite movie too.
None of these are too important from a story perspective, but Savage was unquestionably one of the GOAT on the mic and it's just fun to watch him go.
Date: April 21, 1986
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH3LYWtzB6g#t=00m14s
I just love all of these promos that involve Mean Gene. Gene was a master of his craft, and he and Savage had great chemistry, particularly during this early heel run. Savage drops a Godfather reference here, saying, "A man in my position can't afford to be made to look ridiculous." As if Savage could be any more likable, he clearly shared an affinity for my favorite movie too.
None of these are too important from a story perspective, but Savage was unquestionably one of the GOAT on the mic and it's just fun to watch him go.
05-11-2014
, 02:32 PM
Maple Leaf Gardens House Show: Intercontinental Title, No DQ: Randy Savage (c) vs. Tito Santana
Date: May 4, 1986
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJhHH_2GPl4
Background: Savage had recently gotten disqualified on purpose while being trapped in the figure-four in the middle of the ring by Santana, and in doing so had saved his title.
The Match: We have a Gorilla and Heenan match! This has to be one of the earlier ones they ever worked together; Brain didn't do much broadcasting at this point. This is also the first time I've seen Savage come out to Pomp and Circumstance. He didn't seem to use any music for nearly the first year that he was in the company.
Savage baits Tito in, uses Liz as a shield and cheap shots Santana over top of her as things kick off. Quick pace early as Savage heads straight up for an axhandle off the top rope. The two brawl outside, and Santana sends Savage over the steel barricade and punches away at him in the crowd before sending him back in. Up to the second rope, and Tito drops the hammer on Macho's head before continuing to stomp away. Loud "Tito" chant; this crowd is hot.
Savage rakes Tito's eyes to finally slow him down, then runs him across the ring and sends him over the top. Pulls him back in, Santana lays in some shoulder blocks to get free, but after sending Macho into the corner he eats a boot on the follow-through. Axhandle by Savage off the top, then he measures him and drops the knee on Tito's face. Really good stuff so far. Santana into the ropes, clobbered by a clothesline on the way back. Two-count. Bodyslam by Savage and another kneedrop attempt, but Tito dodges this one and Savage hurts his knee. Tito is hurt and can't follow though, so Macho remains on offense.
Surprise small package by Tito gets two, the two bounce back up but Savage retains control by laying in an elbow smash and then throwing him outside. Axhandle off the top to the floor. Savage tries to level him with a chair, but Tito ducks. Relentless, Savage sends him over the steel barricade, grabs a new chair and tosses it over, then climbs up on the barricade and drops an axhandle off it. Then he just leaves the chair with Tito as he goes up top for another axhandle, and Tito predictably grabs the chair and hits Savage on the way down. Well that was incredibly stupidly telegraphed.
Maple Leaf Gardens had an elevated ramp that met the ring at the ring's level. Savage tries to crawl off, but Tito follows, and the two brawl on the ramp before Tito forcibly returns him to the ring. Gets him in the middle, goes for the figure-four, but a desperate eyerake by Savage stops Tito in his tracks.
The two go back outside. Savage tries to post Tito, but Tito blocks and posts Savage instead. Savage is busted open, and I think that one could be hardway. There was no real delay where he obviously bladed, so if it was a blade job it was masterful.
Back in the ring, Tito and Savage fight in the corner, the referee tries to horn in and Savage nails him. No DQ, remember. Right after the ref bump, Tito hits his flying forearm and seems to have Savage pinned, but there's nobody there to count. Tito tries reviving the referee, then bodyslams Savage and has him pinned for another 10-count. Wow, transitional moves sure are powerful when the referee is unconscious.
As the referee finally comes to, Macho knees Santana in the back, but Tito gets behind him, runs him into the ropes, pulls him back in a roll-up, but Savage rolls through and, with a fistful of tights gets the pin.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (13:58)
Rating: Good stuff. Tito was one worker the WWF had at this time who would work his ass off and keep up with Savage. Watching this shows me just what an absolute joke it was that they didn't have Savage-Santana at WrestleMania, and instead rolled with that stupid George Steele feud. 3.5 stars out of 5.
Date: May 4, 1986
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJhHH_2GPl4
Background: Savage had recently gotten disqualified on purpose while being trapped in the figure-four in the middle of the ring by Santana, and in doing so had saved his title.
The Match: We have a Gorilla and Heenan match! This has to be one of the earlier ones they ever worked together; Brain didn't do much broadcasting at this point. This is also the first time I've seen Savage come out to Pomp and Circumstance. He didn't seem to use any music for nearly the first year that he was in the company.
Savage baits Tito in, uses Liz as a shield and cheap shots Santana over top of her as things kick off. Quick pace early as Savage heads straight up for an axhandle off the top rope. The two brawl outside, and Santana sends Savage over the steel barricade and punches away at him in the crowd before sending him back in. Up to the second rope, and Tito drops the hammer on Macho's head before continuing to stomp away. Loud "Tito" chant; this crowd is hot.
Savage rakes Tito's eyes to finally slow him down, then runs him across the ring and sends him over the top. Pulls him back in, Santana lays in some shoulder blocks to get free, but after sending Macho into the corner he eats a boot on the follow-through. Axhandle by Savage off the top, then he measures him and drops the knee on Tito's face. Really good stuff so far. Santana into the ropes, clobbered by a clothesline on the way back. Two-count. Bodyslam by Savage and another kneedrop attempt, but Tito dodges this one and Savage hurts his knee. Tito is hurt and can't follow though, so Macho remains on offense.
Surprise small package by Tito gets two, the two bounce back up but Savage retains control by laying in an elbow smash and then throwing him outside. Axhandle off the top to the floor. Savage tries to level him with a chair, but Tito ducks. Relentless, Savage sends him over the steel barricade, grabs a new chair and tosses it over, then climbs up on the barricade and drops an axhandle off it. Then he just leaves the chair with Tito as he goes up top for another axhandle, and Tito predictably grabs the chair and hits Savage on the way down. Well that was incredibly stupidly telegraphed.
Maple Leaf Gardens had an elevated ramp that met the ring at the ring's level. Savage tries to crawl off, but Tito follows, and the two brawl on the ramp before Tito forcibly returns him to the ring. Gets him in the middle, goes for the figure-four, but a desperate eyerake by Savage stops Tito in his tracks.
The two go back outside. Savage tries to post Tito, but Tito blocks and posts Savage instead. Savage is busted open, and I think that one could be hardway. There was no real delay where he obviously bladed, so if it was a blade job it was masterful.
Back in the ring, Tito and Savage fight in the corner, the referee tries to horn in and Savage nails him. No DQ, remember. Right after the ref bump, Tito hits his flying forearm and seems to have Savage pinned, but there's nobody there to count. Tito tries reviving the referee, then bodyslams Savage and has him pinned for another 10-count. Wow, transitional moves sure are powerful when the referee is unconscious.
As the referee finally comes to, Macho knees Santana in the back, but Tito gets behind him, runs him into the ropes, pulls him back in a roll-up, but Savage rolls through and, with a fistful of tights gets the pin.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (13:58)
Rating: Good stuff. Tito was one worker the WWF had at this time who would work his ass off and keep up with Savage. Watching this shows me just what an absolute joke it was that they didn't have Savage-Santana at WrestleMania, and instead rolled with that stupid George Steele feud. 3.5 stars out of 5.
05-11-2014
, 02:35 PM
Boston Garden House Show: WWF Title - Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Randy Savage
Date: May 24, 1986
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEDVRoHJUkY
Background: Savage was the Intercontinental Champion now, and had continued to work his way up, but his promos continually took aim at Hulk Hogan. He wanted the WWF Title.
The Match: Side headlock by Savage, Hulk forces him off into the ropes, shoulderblock on the way back. Savage spits at Hogan and then slithers out of the ring. Once he's back in, Hogan does the exact same thing back to him, spitting and then sliding out. Hogan returns, Savage leaves and walks around the ring. Dammit. When Savage is in there with a more limited worker he sure spends a lot of time stalling as a heel.
We finally get down to some action, with Hogan clotheslining Macho off the ropes then dropping three different elbows. Picks Savage up, atomic drop, and that sends Savage outside the ring. Hogan follows him out but Randy hides behind Elizabeth. Savage back in, throws Hogan through the ropes but pulls him back in. Hogan attacks, hitting a modified chokeslam and then whipping him into the corner and following with a hard clothesline. Suplex by Hogan. Savage sells really well for Hogan's power offense.
With a thumb to the eye Savage reverses the momentum again. Double axhandle off the top rope…pin attempt, but Hogan kicks out before two. Savage sends him outside, axhandle from the top rope to the floor. Macho sends the Hulkster into the barricade, which collapses the barricade. Savage quickly goes back in and breaks up the referee's count to prevent a countout, then retrieves Hogan and sends him into the ring. Another double axhandle off the top onto Hogan. Two-count.
Savage with a clothesline off the ropes, and a very close near-fall follows. Up to the top, Savage hits the flying elbow, but on two Hogan throws Savage off violently, and the hulk-up is on. Savage at least manages to bail as he gets sent into the ropes for the big boot, and he heads outside the ring. Hogan follows, but Elizabeth actually voluntarily stands in Hogan's way this time and backs him down. Hogan picks her up and moves her out of the way, then sends Macho back in.
Savage into the ropes, Hogan drops his head, Savage kicks him in the face. Savage throws Hogan into the ropes, Hogan attempts a clothesline on the way back, but Savage ducks it and Hogan catches referee Danny Davis flush with the full brunt of the clothesline for a ref bump. As Hogan attends to the referee, Savage knees him in the back. He heads to ringside, grabs the world title, then goes to the top rope and clocks Hogan with the belt all the way up from there.
Savage rolls back in and helps revive Danny Davis, then for some stupid reason encourages him to count Hogan out. Davis counts Hogan out, and Savage wins the match but not the title. Then Savage acts all shocked that the title doesn't change hands on a countout. Sigh. Hogan comes to, bloodied after the belt shot, and clears the ring.
Result: Randy Savage via countout (11:52)
Rating: This was actually really damn good until the dumb ending. Way, way better than their first matchup back in October '85. It was dramatic, good storytelling, good bumping by Savage, etc. Ending brings it down, but I liked this match quite a bit anyway. 3.5 stars out of 5.
Date: May 24, 1986
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEDVRoHJUkY
Background: Savage was the Intercontinental Champion now, and had continued to work his way up, but his promos continually took aim at Hulk Hogan. He wanted the WWF Title.
The Match: Side headlock by Savage, Hulk forces him off into the ropes, shoulderblock on the way back. Savage spits at Hogan and then slithers out of the ring. Once he's back in, Hogan does the exact same thing back to him, spitting and then sliding out. Hogan returns, Savage leaves and walks around the ring. Dammit. When Savage is in there with a more limited worker he sure spends a lot of time stalling as a heel.
We finally get down to some action, with Hogan clotheslining Macho off the ropes then dropping three different elbows. Picks Savage up, atomic drop, and that sends Savage outside the ring. Hogan follows him out but Randy hides behind Elizabeth. Savage back in, throws Hogan through the ropes but pulls him back in. Hogan attacks, hitting a modified chokeslam and then whipping him into the corner and following with a hard clothesline. Suplex by Hogan. Savage sells really well for Hogan's power offense.
With a thumb to the eye Savage reverses the momentum again. Double axhandle off the top rope…pin attempt, but Hogan kicks out before two. Savage sends him outside, axhandle from the top rope to the floor. Macho sends the Hulkster into the barricade, which collapses the barricade. Savage quickly goes back in and breaks up the referee's count to prevent a countout, then retrieves Hogan and sends him into the ring. Another double axhandle off the top onto Hogan. Two-count.
Savage with a clothesline off the ropes, and a very close near-fall follows. Up to the top, Savage hits the flying elbow, but on two Hogan throws Savage off violently, and the hulk-up is on. Savage at least manages to bail as he gets sent into the ropes for the big boot, and he heads outside the ring. Hogan follows, but Elizabeth actually voluntarily stands in Hogan's way this time and backs him down. Hogan picks her up and moves her out of the way, then sends Macho back in.
Savage into the ropes, Hogan drops his head, Savage kicks him in the face. Savage throws Hogan into the ropes, Hogan attempts a clothesline on the way back, but Savage ducks it and Hogan catches referee Danny Davis flush with the full brunt of the clothesline for a ref bump. As Hogan attends to the referee, Savage knees him in the back. He heads to ringside, grabs the world title, then goes to the top rope and clocks Hogan with the belt all the way up from there.
Savage rolls back in and helps revive Danny Davis, then for some stupid reason encourages him to count Hogan out. Davis counts Hogan out, and Savage wins the match but not the title. Then Savage acts all shocked that the title doesn't change hands on a countout. Sigh. Hogan comes to, bloodied after the belt shot, and clears the ring.
Result: Randy Savage via countout (11:52)
Rating: This was actually really damn good until the dumb ending. Way, way better than their first matchup back in October '85. It was dramatic, good storytelling, good bumping by Savage, etc. Ending brings it down, but I liked this match quite a bit anyway. 3.5 stars out of 5.