May 20th, 2011, the world said “Goodbye” to one of the most popular and influential wrestlers of all time! The “Macho Man” Randy Savage (Ohhh YEAHHH) was one of the biggest stars in the “Golden Era” of wrestling. Back in the 1980s, if you watched the then World Wrestling Federation, if you weren’t a Hulkamaniac, you were probably “feeling the Madness, dig it?” The vibrant gear added with the short-tempered tendencies made Savage a larger-than-life character. Then you add Miss Elizabeth, and you have one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, regardless of the era.
Macho Man’s Influence on Wrestling
If you asked anyone around the age of 40, who were the first few wrestlers they knew by name when they were kids? “Macho Man” Randy Savage (Ohhh YEAHHH) has a damn good chance of being either number one or two on that list. Savage became a household name with Hulk Hogan after WrestleMania III. It was in front of over 90,000 screaming fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, where Savage and Ricky Steamboat put on an absolute clinic! Some consider this match still to be the greatest in the history of WrestleMania.
He and his wife, Miss Elizabeth, would have one of the greatest on-screen wrestling romances of all time. The couple would capture the fans’ emotions on their roller coaster of love. An iconic storyline between Randy and Liz with the Hulkster would make and break the MegaPowers headlining WrestleMania V. Hogan and Savage would be one, two as far as popularity and stardom in both WWF and WCW. Not only were they the two largest names in wrestling in the ’80s, but they were also able to reinvent themselves in a ’90s angle.
The creation of the New World Order changed the wrestling game! Both Hogan and Savage battled and later teamed up during some of the hottest years in wrestling history! While Hogan may have had the bigger name, “Macho Man” (Ohhh YEAHHHH) was as good on the mic and much better in the ring! Whether there was “lust in his eyes,” “the cream of the crop,” or the “snap into a Slim Jim,” Savage’s intensity level was always full throttle. The “Madness” was running as wild as the “Hulkamaniacs.”
“Macho Man” Randy Savage’s Career Highlights
1987 seemed to be “Macho Man” Randy Savage’s (Ohhh YEAHHHH) breakout year! Savage would steal the show at WrestleMania III, winning the Wrestling Observer’s Match of the Year. He then became the “Macho King,” winning the King of the Ring Tournament in the same year. He never looked back! The following year won both Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Most Popular Wrestler and Wrestler of the Year Awards. And what happened next made Randy who he was. A year after he won Most Popular Wrestler in ’88, he won Most Hated Wrestler in ’89! In the World Wrestling Federation, he won two WWF World Championships and one Intercontinental Championship.
The Macho Man (Ohhh YEAHHHH) would then jump ship, joining Hulk Hogan once again in World Championship Wrestling. Savage would become a 4-time WCW World Champion. He would also play a huge role as an antagonist and protagonist to the NWO. Savage would prove that he still had it in ’97, winning Feud of the Year with Diamond Dallas Page. The “Madness” was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, four years after his untimely death.
Final Thoughts
The “Macho Man” Randy Savage is one of the most iconic wrestling superstars of all time! I remember as a 6-year-old kid, taping streamers to my jacket, putting on sunglasses, and either a do-rag or cowboy hat on, and doing my best “OHHHHH YEAHHHHH!” impression. If Hulk Hogan didn’t tickle your fancy, the “Macho Man” was probably your guy! His emotions and larger-than-life persona gave fans a character that would live on forever in wrestling history! Savage once said, “All I care about is that people are being entertained. It’s not about being World Champion, it’s about exciting the people.” Well, as we’re on the turnbuckle pointing to the sky, thank you for entertaining us for all those years!
