"Macho Man" Randy Savage Tribute Thread
05-16-2014
, 06:16 PM
MSG House Show: WWF Title - Randy Savage (c) vs. Ted DiBiase
Date: April 25, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gav7Dz4w2o
Background: Savage beat DiBiase in the tournament finals at WrestleMania to win the vacant world title. DiBiase would proceed to be one of Savage's primary foils through SummerSlam. This is Macho's first-ever defense of the WWF Title.
The Match: Pomp and Circumstance doesn't loop and instead goes into its originally-penned end sequence during Savage's entrance. Well that was just amateur hour, MSG.
Savage goes straight out after Virgil before ever really engaging DiBiase, and pays for it when DiBiase attacks him from behind. He blocks Ted's attempt to post him though, and instead puts on the brakes and shoves the Million Dollar Man into the post instead. Stalks DiBiase back into the ring, Ted begs as he backs up into the corner, then tries to lay in a kick, but Savage catches his leg, flips him around, and executes an atomic drop that sends DiBiase over the top.
Following him out, Savage rams him into another post before returning him to the ring. Multiple arm-wringers on the shoulder that he has posted twice, and a hammerlock follows. Ted stands him up, but takes a shoulderblock and clothesline for his efforts. Finally a well-placed eye rake slows the Macho Man down, but only briefly as Savage sidesteps the Million Dollar Man's corner charge.
Back-and-forth we go, with Ted managing to backdrop Savage over the top to the outside. Goes out and rams him into the steel barricade, returns him inside and hits a measured axhandle on the champion from the second rope. DiBiase can't fully keep control for long, as he gets his share of offense in but Savage keeps fighting back at every turn.
After a double axhandle by Savage off the top, we get a ref bump when Ted goes behind him and then Savage inadvertently back elbows the referee. While the referee is down, Savage goes up top and Virgil blatantly knocks him off to the floor. The referee comes to and makes a count to 10. We have a countout.
Savage clears the ring; he keeps the title, but loses the match. He's pretty furious afterward. Both men cut strong backstage promos afterward that do a nice job of building up their continuing feud.
Result: Ted DiBiase via countout (11:58)
Rating: I can get behind the result, seems like decent booking especially when you consider getting Savage furious at DiBiase despite not dropping the strap, but I just don't know that Savage and DiBiase had great chemistry or the ability to put on great matches together. Watchable, solid, but nothing special. 2.5 stars out of 5.
Date: April 25, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gav7Dz4w2o
Background: Savage beat DiBiase in the tournament finals at WrestleMania to win the vacant world title. DiBiase would proceed to be one of Savage's primary foils through SummerSlam. This is Macho's first-ever defense of the WWF Title.
The Match: Pomp and Circumstance doesn't loop and instead goes into its originally-penned end sequence during Savage's entrance. Well that was just amateur hour, MSG.
Savage goes straight out after Virgil before ever really engaging DiBiase, and pays for it when DiBiase attacks him from behind. He blocks Ted's attempt to post him though, and instead puts on the brakes and shoves the Million Dollar Man into the post instead. Stalks DiBiase back into the ring, Ted begs as he backs up into the corner, then tries to lay in a kick, but Savage catches his leg, flips him around, and executes an atomic drop that sends DiBiase over the top.
Following him out, Savage rams him into another post before returning him to the ring. Multiple arm-wringers on the shoulder that he has posted twice, and a hammerlock follows. Ted stands him up, but takes a shoulderblock and clothesline for his efforts. Finally a well-placed eye rake slows the Macho Man down, but only briefly as Savage sidesteps the Million Dollar Man's corner charge.
Back-and-forth we go, with Ted managing to backdrop Savage over the top to the outside. Goes out and rams him into the steel barricade, returns him inside and hits a measured axhandle on the champion from the second rope. DiBiase can't fully keep control for long, as he gets his share of offense in but Savage keeps fighting back at every turn.
After a double axhandle by Savage off the top, we get a ref bump when Ted goes behind him and then Savage inadvertently back elbows the referee. While the referee is down, Savage goes up top and Virgil blatantly knocks him off to the floor. The referee comes to and makes a count to 10. We have a countout.
Savage clears the ring; he keeps the title, but loses the match. He's pretty furious afterward. Both men cut strong backstage promos afterward that do a nice job of building up their continuing feud.
Result: Ted DiBiase via countout (11:58)
Rating: I can get behind the result, seems like decent booking especially when you consider getting Savage furious at DiBiase despite not dropping the strap, but I just don't know that Savage and DiBiase had great chemistry or the ability to put on great matches together. Watchable, solid, but nothing special. 2.5 stars out of 5.
05-16-2014
, 06:42 PM
Saturday Night's Main Event XVI: WWF Title - Randy Savage (c) vs. One Man Gang
Date: April 30, 1988
Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkp...wf-title_sport
Background: None to speak of really, though Savage did beat him in the semifinals of the WrestleMania championship tournament.
The Match: Gang and Savage tie up and jockey for position. Gang finally gets the better of it and forces Savage into a corner, but Savage slips out and lays in some elbows and right hands. Gang reverses Savage's whip into the ropes, Savage attempts a cross-body, Gang catches him but then collapses under Savage. 1, 2, and then Savage gets thrown forcefully off to the outside. Savage back up lightning quick though, up to the top rope, slightly botched cross-body takes the Gang down and gets a two-count. Savage runs the Gang to the ropes and hangs him over the top, slides quickly back in, but the pin falls short at two again.
As Savage attempts to set up another move, Gang shoulder tackles him into the corner and then beats away on the champion. Holds him high in a choke and flings him away. Distracts the referee as Slick chokes Savage with a cane from the outside. Savage into the ropes, ducks Gang's clothesline and does a cool headfirst slide all the way out of the ring to go after Slick, finally chasing him back in after a half-lap around the ring, but Gang is there to drop an elbow on Savage once he re-enters the ring there.
Gang now in control, beats Macho down with punches, kicks and stomps. Big elbow drop gets two. Sends Savage into the corner, charges in after him and comes up empty. The champ launches the comeback again with elbow strikes and then actually clotheslines the Gang over the top rope after getting a running start. Axhandle from the top to the floor.
Big man comes back inside, Savage attempts a top rope axhandle there but gets caught with a blow to the stomach on the way down. The Gang heads up to the second rope for a big splash, but wastes a ton of time and makes it super obvious that Savage is rolling out of the way. As this happens, Slick starts threatening Elizabeth on the outside, Savage sees and runs over to confront the situation from the ring. This of course enables the challenger to attack from behind.
As the referee gets distracted by Liz, Gang holds Savage up for Slick to level him with a cane, but Savage ducks and Slick hits his own man. Macho goes up top, hits the flying elbow, and we have a three-count.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (6:03)
Rating: Surprisingly watchable after they had absolutely nothing going against each other at WrestleMania. Savage did a nice job of keeping up the right pace for a big vs. little match, and Gang being able to properly sell a move like a clothesline over the top is helpful too. 2.75 stars out of 5.
Date: April 30, 1988
Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkp...wf-title_sport
Background: None to speak of really, though Savage did beat him in the semifinals of the WrestleMania championship tournament.
The Match: Gang and Savage tie up and jockey for position. Gang finally gets the better of it and forces Savage into a corner, but Savage slips out and lays in some elbows and right hands. Gang reverses Savage's whip into the ropes, Savage attempts a cross-body, Gang catches him but then collapses under Savage. 1, 2, and then Savage gets thrown forcefully off to the outside. Savage back up lightning quick though, up to the top rope, slightly botched cross-body takes the Gang down and gets a two-count. Savage runs the Gang to the ropes and hangs him over the top, slides quickly back in, but the pin falls short at two again.
As Savage attempts to set up another move, Gang shoulder tackles him into the corner and then beats away on the champion. Holds him high in a choke and flings him away. Distracts the referee as Slick chokes Savage with a cane from the outside. Savage into the ropes, ducks Gang's clothesline and does a cool headfirst slide all the way out of the ring to go after Slick, finally chasing him back in after a half-lap around the ring, but Gang is there to drop an elbow on Savage once he re-enters the ring there.
Gang now in control, beats Macho down with punches, kicks and stomps. Big elbow drop gets two. Sends Savage into the corner, charges in after him and comes up empty. The champ launches the comeback again with elbow strikes and then actually clotheslines the Gang over the top rope after getting a running start. Axhandle from the top to the floor.
Big man comes back inside, Savage attempts a top rope axhandle there but gets caught with a blow to the stomach on the way down. The Gang heads up to the second rope for a big splash, but wastes a ton of time and makes it super obvious that Savage is rolling out of the way. As this happens, Slick starts threatening Elizabeth on the outside, Savage sees and runs over to confront the situation from the ring. This of course enables the challenger to attack from behind.
As the referee gets distracted by Liz, Gang holds Savage up for Slick to level him with a cane, but Savage ducks and Slick hits his own man. Macho goes up top, hits the flying elbow, and we have a three-count.
Result: Randy Savage via pinfall (6:03)
Rating: Surprisingly watchable after they had absolutely nothing going against each other at WrestleMania. Savage did a nice job of keeping up the right pace for a big vs. little match, and Gang being able to properly sell a move like a clothesline over the top is helpful too. 2.75 stars out of 5.
05-16-2014
, 06:48 PM
Superstars: Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase derail a Randy Savage promo
Date: July 9, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOUQYAfVGGM
Savage comes out and says that he's ready for any challenger that comes his way. Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan appear from the back, and while Savage is yelling at them, Ted DiBiase blindsides Savage from behind and knocks him off the interview platform. DiBiase and Andre double-team Savage and leave him laid out and needing help to the back.
Date: July 9, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOUQYAfVGGM
Savage comes out and says that he's ready for any challenger that comes his way. Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan appear from the back, and while Savage is yelling at them, Ted DiBiase blindsides Savage from behind and knocks him off the interview platform. DiBiase and Andre double-team Savage and leave him laid out and needing help to the back.
05-16-2014
, 07:43 PM
05-16-2014
, 08:31 PM
Los Angeles House Show: WWF Title - Randy Savage (c) vs. Andre the Giant
Date: August 13, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIsGytwEpBc
Background: Andre and Ted DiBiase were having a feud with Savage and Hulk Hogan, with the four set to square off in a tag team match to main event the first-ever SummerSlam. Here is Andre getting a title shot in advance of that match.
The Match: We're in the short period of time where they were giving Superstar Billy Graham a shot in the booth, announcing with Monsoon. Graham, for all of his promo-cutting ability, was a brutal color commentator. Referee Dave Hebner ejects Bobby Heenan from ringside before Heenan ever really does anything. Andre questions why Elizabeth doesn't have to leave too, and Billy Graham says, "Well, why can't she stay? She's helpless. We know she's not going to do anything. She's a lady." Okay then.
Savage locks right up with Andre, but obviously gets overpowered. Andre headbutts him, chops him, and Savage rolls out to gather himself. Savage back in and Andre does the choke/trapezius nerve hold. We're well past the point of Andre being able to really do anything; all of his matches were like this. Savage fights back here and there, but Andre always powers his way back over Savage and then reapplies some sort of resthold. Now we're in a bearhug.
Andre sends Savage into the ropes, attempts a big boot, Savage avoids it and then clotheslines the Giant into the ropes, where he gets tied up in the top and middle ropes. Referee Hebner eventually gets Andre loose, and Andre returns to slow, plodding, methodical offense. Savage is doing his best to sell for Andre, but to no real avail.
Andre undoes a turnbuckle pad. He slams Savage back-first into the exposed corner. He tries to follow with a headbutt, but ends up accidentally headbutting nothing but the steel corner himself. Savage follows and smashes Andre's head back into the exposed corner several more times. The Giant collapses in the middle of the ring, Savage goes up top and hits the flying elbow, but Andre kicks out strongly on two. Andre rolls outside to regroup. Savage follows and smashes Andre's head into the stairs, then returns to the ring. As the challenger gets up, he grabs Elizabeth's ankle, causing Macho to go out after him, and the bell rings. We have a double countout.
Result: Double countout (10:25)
Rating: Terrible; Andre was uncarryable in a singles match by 1988. The real story of this match is just how incredibly bad Billy Graham is on commentary. It almost added some trainwreck entertainment value. 0.5 stars out of 5 in any case.
Date: August 13, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIsGytwEpBc
Background: Andre and Ted DiBiase were having a feud with Savage and Hulk Hogan, with the four set to square off in a tag team match to main event the first-ever SummerSlam. Here is Andre getting a title shot in advance of that match.
The Match: We're in the short period of time where they were giving Superstar Billy Graham a shot in the booth, announcing with Monsoon. Graham, for all of his promo-cutting ability, was a brutal color commentator. Referee Dave Hebner ejects Bobby Heenan from ringside before Heenan ever really does anything. Andre questions why Elizabeth doesn't have to leave too, and Billy Graham says, "Well, why can't she stay? She's helpless. We know she's not going to do anything. She's a lady." Okay then.
Savage locks right up with Andre, but obviously gets overpowered. Andre headbutts him, chops him, and Savage rolls out to gather himself. Savage back in and Andre does the choke/trapezius nerve hold. We're well past the point of Andre being able to really do anything; all of his matches were like this. Savage fights back here and there, but Andre always powers his way back over Savage and then reapplies some sort of resthold. Now we're in a bearhug.
Andre sends Savage into the ropes, attempts a big boot, Savage avoids it and then clotheslines the Giant into the ropes, where he gets tied up in the top and middle ropes. Referee Hebner eventually gets Andre loose, and Andre returns to slow, plodding, methodical offense. Savage is doing his best to sell for Andre, but to no real avail.
Andre undoes a turnbuckle pad. He slams Savage back-first into the exposed corner. He tries to follow with a headbutt, but ends up accidentally headbutting nothing but the steel corner himself. Savage follows and smashes Andre's head back into the exposed corner several more times. The Giant collapses in the middle of the ring, Savage goes up top and hits the flying elbow, but Andre kicks out strongly on two. Andre rolls outside to regroup. Savage follows and smashes Andre's head into the stairs, then returns to the ring. As the challenger gets up, he grabs Elizabeth's ankle, causing Macho to go out after him, and the bell rings. We have a double countout.
Result: Double countout (10:25)
Rating: Terrible; Andre was uncarryable in a singles match by 1988. The real story of this match is just how incredibly bad Billy Graham is on commentary. It almost added some trainwreck entertainment value. 0.5 stars out of 5 in any case.
05-16-2014
, 09:24 PM
05-16-2014
, 11:59 PM
SummerSlam '88: Tag Match featuring Guest Referee Jesse Ventura - Mega Powers (Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan) vs. Megabucks (Ted DiBiase & Andre the Giant)
Date: August 29, 1988
Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3m...ucks-sum_sport
Background: The build for this match began at that July 9th promo I linked earlier, when DiBiase and Andre challenged Savage to a tag match, with Savage being allowed to select his own partner. It was obvious who this would be, but Hulk Hogan had been off filming a movie for several months, so fans didn't necessarily know that he would be back at this point. Savage introduced him at a Superstars taping shortly after the match was announced, so here we were.
The Match: I notice that they at least tended to give Savage enough respect to have him and Hogan come out to Savage's music more often than not.
Savage opens up against Andre. Andre gets the advantage quickly, but tags out within 30 seconds to DiBiase. As Savage and DiBiase are about to tangle, Ted calls out Hulk. Savage obliges and tags him in.
Hogan with an atomic drop on the Million Dollar Man, then he and Savage play ping pong with DiBiase as the two punch him and he staggers back and forth between them. Savage tags back in. Turnbuckle smashes from Savage get a collapse from Ted, and Hogan is back in. Frequent tags are always a good thing for the pace of a match. Hogan tags back out and holds Ted for Savage, and Savage enters with an axhandle off the top.
Hogan back in, the two send DiBiase off the ropes and hit him with a double big boot on the way back. Three elbow drops in a row from the Hulkster. Chaos ensues, with all four men fighting and guest referee Jesse Ventura starting to lose control of things. Andre and Hogan are the legal men, and Andre gets control, beginning to choke Hogan down. We have our heat segment, as DiBiase tags in and continues the weardown holds.
Hogan powers up to try to escape DiBiase, and temporarily gets free, but after coming off the ropes the two men clothesline each other and both are laid out. Hogan is up just in time though, and makes the hot tag to the champion. Savage in with a back bodydrop on DiBiase. Hangs him over the top rope. Up top for the axhandle to the middle of the ring. Comes up empty chasing Ted into the corner, but manages a cross-body for a two-count. DiBiase manages a tag to Andre though, and Macho is stuck dealing with the big guy.
Andre gets Savage down in a corner and sits on his head multiple times. It may not have had the sheer disgust factor that Rikishi brought, but it also looked painful, so there's that. DiBiase tags in and suplexes Savage. Backbreaker. Up to the second rope for that back elbow drop that DiBiase always, always missed. He does likewise here. Savage with the hot tag to Hogan.
Hogan clotheslines DiBiase in the corner, suplexes DiBiase, and Andre comes in after him. Hogan knocks Andre down. Savage heads up to the top rope and tries to attack Andre, but gets a big boot in the face. Hogan has a sleeper on Ted, but Andre goes and breaks that up. Andre tosses Hogan out, and has cleared the ring. Elizabeth up to the apron, and we get this magic moment:
This duly distracts the heels, the Mega Powers both re-enter, Hogan with a bodyslam on DiBiase, Savage follows with a flying elbow, and Hogan hits the legdrop. Jesse counts 1, 2, and hesitates before Savage forces his hand down for the three-count.
Hogan gets a bit affectionate with Liz after the match, and Savage gives him an evil eye, but that moment is completely subtle, not acknowledged by the announcers, and Savage shakes it off and goes into celebrating with his partner to close the show. I still sit in awe of how good the long-term booking plan for this angle was.
Result: Mega Powers via pinfall when Hogan pins DiBiase (13:57)
Rating: This match is all kinds of fun. Really good pacing, really well-worked, they have the one heat segment with wear-down holds on Hogan but they mostly keep the action moving throughout. Definitely an enjoyable main event for the first-ever SummerSlam. 3.5 stars out of 5.
Date: August 29, 1988
Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3m...ucks-sum_sport
Background: The build for this match began at that July 9th promo I linked earlier, when DiBiase and Andre challenged Savage to a tag match, with Savage being allowed to select his own partner. It was obvious who this would be, but Hulk Hogan had been off filming a movie for several months, so fans didn't necessarily know that he would be back at this point. Savage introduced him at a Superstars taping shortly after the match was announced, so here we were.
The Match: I notice that they at least tended to give Savage enough respect to have him and Hogan come out to Savage's music more often than not.
Savage opens up against Andre. Andre gets the advantage quickly, but tags out within 30 seconds to DiBiase. As Savage and DiBiase are about to tangle, Ted calls out Hulk. Savage obliges and tags him in.
Hogan with an atomic drop on the Million Dollar Man, then he and Savage play ping pong with DiBiase as the two punch him and he staggers back and forth between them. Savage tags back in. Turnbuckle smashes from Savage get a collapse from Ted, and Hogan is back in. Frequent tags are always a good thing for the pace of a match. Hogan tags back out and holds Ted for Savage, and Savage enters with an axhandle off the top.
Hogan back in, the two send DiBiase off the ropes and hit him with a double big boot on the way back. Three elbow drops in a row from the Hulkster. Chaos ensues, with all four men fighting and guest referee Jesse Ventura starting to lose control of things. Andre and Hogan are the legal men, and Andre gets control, beginning to choke Hogan down. We have our heat segment, as DiBiase tags in and continues the weardown holds.
Hogan powers up to try to escape DiBiase, and temporarily gets free, but after coming off the ropes the two men clothesline each other and both are laid out. Hogan is up just in time though, and makes the hot tag to the champion. Savage in with a back bodydrop on DiBiase. Hangs him over the top rope. Up top for the axhandle to the middle of the ring. Comes up empty chasing Ted into the corner, but manages a cross-body for a two-count. DiBiase manages a tag to Andre though, and Macho is stuck dealing with the big guy.
Andre gets Savage down in a corner and sits on his head multiple times. It may not have had the sheer disgust factor that Rikishi brought, but it also looked painful, so there's that. DiBiase tags in and suplexes Savage. Backbreaker. Up to the second rope for that back elbow drop that DiBiase always, always missed. He does likewise here. Savage with the hot tag to Hogan.
Hogan clotheslines DiBiase in the corner, suplexes DiBiase, and Andre comes in after him. Hogan knocks Andre down. Savage heads up to the top rope and tries to attack Andre, but gets a big boot in the face. Hogan has a sleeper on Ted, but Andre goes and breaks that up. Andre tosses Hogan out, and has cleared the ring. Elizabeth up to the apron, and we get this magic moment:
This duly distracts the heels, the Mega Powers both re-enter, Hogan with a bodyslam on DiBiase, Savage follows with a flying elbow, and Hogan hits the legdrop. Jesse counts 1, 2, and hesitates before Savage forces his hand down for the three-count.
Hogan gets a bit affectionate with Liz after the match, and Savage gives him an evil eye, but that moment is completely subtle, not acknowledged by the announcers, and Savage shakes it off and goes into celebrating with his partner to close the show. I still sit in awe of how good the long-term booking plan for this angle was.
Result: Mega Powers via pinfall when Hogan pins DiBiase (13:57)
Rating: This match is all kinds of fun. Really good pacing, really well-worked, they have the one heat segment with wear-down holds on Hogan but they mostly keep the action moving throughout. Definitely an enjoyable main event for the first-ever SummerSlam. 3.5 stars out of 5.
05-17-2014
, 01:40 AM
Boston Garden House Show: WWF Title - Randy Savage (c) vs. Bad News Brown
Date: October 10, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h2OYAq81Dg
Background: None.
The Match: Bad News didn't have the most impressive physique, but he was a decent hand in the ring. Hopefully he and Savage cranked out a good match here. There's some dude on play-by-play who sounds polished at the announcing thing, but I have no idea who it is. Lord Alfred Hayes is on color.
Bad News bails out of the ring early, hassles Elizabeth a bit on the outside, but of course this causes Savage to go after him, and Savage forces him back into the ring. Bad News with an uppercut on Savage inside, but then finds himself on the receiving end of a cross-body by Savage that gets an early two-count.
Brown sends the champ into the corner, then measures in a hard punch to Macho's stomach that doubles him over on the mat. We devolve into some brawling early here, with Savage breaking out an eye rake and going with a fair bit of punch-kick offense to match what Brown is doing. Brown sends Savage into the ropes, lowers his head and seems to execute sort of a headbutt on his opponent running back at him. He remains in firm control, again sending Savage into the ropes and hitting a hiptoss on the way back.
Macho tries fighting out of the corner, but Bad News puts out the rally with an eye rake. The challenger sets Savage upright in the middle of the ring, then goes for the Ghetto Blaster (an enziguri), but Savage ducks it and then back bodydrops Brown to the floor. Axhandle from the top rope to the floor.
End sequence occurs when Savage and Bad News brawl on the floor, and as Savage stalks after Bad News, Brown grabs Elizabeth and holds her in the way. As Savage demands he let her go, Brown throws her back at him and then slips into the ring in time to win by countout. Sigh, another one?
Result: Bad News Brown via countout (8:52)
Rating: Not impressed. Enough with all of the countout decisions. Come on. 1.5 stars out of 5.
Date: October 10, 1988
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h2OYAq81Dg
Background: None.
The Match: Bad News didn't have the most impressive physique, but he was a decent hand in the ring. Hopefully he and Savage cranked out a good match here. There's some dude on play-by-play who sounds polished at the announcing thing, but I have no idea who it is. Lord Alfred Hayes is on color.
Bad News bails out of the ring early, hassles Elizabeth a bit on the outside, but of course this causes Savage to go after him, and Savage forces him back into the ring. Bad News with an uppercut on Savage inside, but then finds himself on the receiving end of a cross-body by Savage that gets an early two-count.
Brown sends the champ into the corner, then measures in a hard punch to Macho's stomach that doubles him over on the mat. We devolve into some brawling early here, with Savage breaking out an eye rake and going with a fair bit of punch-kick offense to match what Brown is doing. Brown sends Savage into the ropes, lowers his head and seems to execute sort of a headbutt on his opponent running back at him. He remains in firm control, again sending Savage into the ropes and hitting a hiptoss on the way back.
Macho tries fighting out of the corner, but Bad News puts out the rally with an eye rake. The challenger sets Savage upright in the middle of the ring, then goes for the Ghetto Blaster (an enziguri), but Savage ducks it and then back bodydrops Brown to the floor. Axhandle from the top rope to the floor.
End sequence occurs when Savage and Bad News brawl on the floor, and as Savage stalks after Bad News, Brown grabs Elizabeth and holds her in the way. As Savage demands he let her go, Brown throws her back at him and then slips into the ring in time to win by countout. Sigh, another one?
Result: Bad News Brown via countout (8:52)
Rating: Not impressed. Enough with all of the countout decisions. Come on. 1.5 stars out of 5.
05-17-2014
, 08:10 AM
05-17-2014
, 08:43 AM
05-17-2014
, 11:11 AM
MSG House Show: WWF Title Cage Match - Randy Savage (c) vs. Ted DiBiase
Date: June 25, 1988
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2BEcA3L5WM
Background: DiBiase had continued to get title shots at house shows throughout much of the rest of 1988, continuing past SummerSlam. This one was before SummerSlam though.
The Match: DiBiase ambushes Savage right upon his entry to the cage. The two men go back and forth pretty aggressively early. DiBiase floors the champ and attempts an escape, but it's far too early and Savage pulls him down, following with repeated turnbuckle smashes. Still, it's mostly the Million Dollar Man getting the offense in early, laying in a backbreaker and a fistdrop among other moves. Another attempted escape, and he gets higher up the cage this time, but Savage manages to pull him down again. There's no official in the ring, so this has to be an escape-only finish stipulation.
As DiBiase attempts his third escape, Savage not only catches him, but pulls him down and has a shot to get out himself. Virgil climbs up from the other side though, and knocks the champ back into the ring. Ted goes to work on offense again, and attempts to slam Savage face-first into the cage, but Savage slips out and it's the Million Dollar Man who tastes steel. Again Savage attempts to capitalize, and again Virgil climbs up and stops him.
Savage and DiBiase attempt to escape off of opposite sides. Virgil blocks Savage again, at which point DiBiase…drops down back into the ring and goes and attacks Savage? Makes sense. He briefly has the advantage, but Macho Man manages an atomic drop that sends DiBiase jumping into the cage. Savage tries to go out through the door, but Virgil slams it on him. DiBiase gets quite a ways out, but Savage grabs hold just in time to save the match and the title.
Savage once more attempts to get out over the top, Virgil goes up and blocks him, and umm some ringside fan jumps up and climbs the cage and tries to stop Virgil. They manage to get the kid down from there since he's ruining the end sequence, and Savage knocks Virgil and Ted's heads together. This creates enough of a window to go ahead and climb out unhindered, and he makes it to the floor.
Result: Randy Savage via cage escape (12:18)
Rating: Decent and reasonably dramatic at times, but the "Virgil blocks 60 different escape attempts" thing grew rather thin after a while. 2.75 stars out of 5.
Date: June 25, 1988
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2BEcA3L5WM
Background: DiBiase had continued to get title shots at house shows throughout much of the rest of 1988, continuing past SummerSlam. This one was before SummerSlam though.
The Match: DiBiase ambushes Savage right upon his entry to the cage. The two men go back and forth pretty aggressively early. DiBiase floors the champ and attempts an escape, but it's far too early and Savage pulls him down, following with repeated turnbuckle smashes. Still, it's mostly the Million Dollar Man getting the offense in early, laying in a backbreaker and a fistdrop among other moves. Another attempted escape, and he gets higher up the cage this time, but Savage manages to pull him down again. There's no official in the ring, so this has to be an escape-only finish stipulation.
As DiBiase attempts his third escape, Savage not only catches him, but pulls him down and has a shot to get out himself. Virgil climbs up from the other side though, and knocks the champ back into the ring. Ted goes to work on offense again, and attempts to slam Savage face-first into the cage, but Savage slips out and it's the Million Dollar Man who tastes steel. Again Savage attempts to capitalize, and again Virgil climbs up and stops him.
Savage and DiBiase attempt to escape off of opposite sides. Virgil blocks Savage again, at which point DiBiase…drops down back into the ring and goes and attacks Savage? Makes sense. He briefly has the advantage, but Macho Man manages an atomic drop that sends DiBiase jumping into the cage. Savage tries to go out through the door, but Virgil slams it on him. DiBiase gets quite a ways out, but Savage grabs hold just in time to save the match and the title.
Savage once more attempts to get out over the top, Virgil goes up and blocks him, and umm some ringside fan jumps up and climbs the cage and tries to stop Virgil. They manage to get the kid down from there since he's ruining the end sequence, and Savage knocks Virgil and Ted's heads together. This creates enough of a window to go ahead and climb out unhindered, and he makes it to the floor.
Result: Randy Savage via cage escape (12:18)
Rating: Decent and reasonably dramatic at times, but the "Virgil blocks 60 different escape attempts" thing grew rather thin after a while. 2.75 stars out of 5.
05-17-2014
, 06:10 PM
05-18-2014
, 01:02 PM
