Born Randy Mario Poffo, Savage's connection to wrestling came from his father Angelo Poffo, a successful wrestler throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Randy did not immediately leap into wrestling, though. Gifted with natural athletic ability, Savage was a successful baseball player -- making it to the minor leagues, playing for multiple teams -- before finally deciding to pursue professional wrestling.
His first matches came in the Fall and Winter of 1973, under his father's watchful eye. He wrestled as "The Spider" and "Randy Poffo," before changing his name to "Randy Savage," as suggested by booker and friend, Ole Anderson. Savage continued to wrestle throughout Georgia and Florida, having moderate success wrestling alongside his brother Lanny Poffo, until he jumped ship to International Championship Wrestling, run by his father.
He would go on to win the ICW World Heavyweight Championship and have some moderate success, but ICW mostly served as a stepping stone to Memphis for Savage. ICW was embroiled in a vicious rivalry with the Memphis-based CWA, so Savage made the jump rather seamlessly. There, he would have the most memorable moments of the early part of his career, tagging with his brother Lanny against the Rock 'N' Roll Express and feuding with Memphis' king, Jerry Lawler. His feud with Lawler very well may be one of the most brutal feuds in Memphis' history, as the men would face off in cage matches, barbed wire matches, no DQ matches, until it all finally culminated in a loser-leaves-town match. Though both men had each had their fair share of championship reigns, nothing was on the line here -- save for bragging rights and the final say on who was the better man. Savage would end up losing to Lawler, but this would only serve as a way to open the door for Savage's greatest success.
Upon leaving Memphis, Savage was signed by Vince McMahon's WWF, beginning on his path to legendary status. His debut on Tuesday Night Titans would mark the beginning of a bidding war between WWF's managers for a chance to work with Savage. Everybody from Bobby Heenan, Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Hart, and "Classy" Freddy Blassie would offer to manage Savage, but they were all turned down. Finally, on July 30th, 1985 Savage would choose to side with -- the then unknown -- Miss Elizabeth, his real-life wife. Thus began one of the WWE's all-time greatest and most dynamic on-screen relationships. The gorgeous Elizabeth captured the attention of viewers and competitors alike, drawing the ire of the protective Savage. This would be a recurring theme for years to come.
Savage would begin to work his way up the ladder in the WWF, making it to the finals of the Wrestling Classic tournament, where he would lose to Junkyard Dog. From there, Savage began to get his first interactions with a champion, embarking on a feud with Tito Santana for the Intercontinental Championship. After losing to the champion, Savage would resort to cheating to defeat Santana to obtain the Intercontinental Championship, on February 6th, 1986. Regardless, it was evident that Savage was now a major player in the WWF. He would rub elbows with the WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, before beginning his next feud with George "The Animal" Steele.
Steele's affection towards Miss Elizabeth would send Savage into a jealous rage, culminating in a match at WrestleMania 2, which Savage would prevail in and retain his Intercontinental Championship. This was the first of many "WrestleMania Moments," with the next coming up against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat at WrestleMania 3. Savage's feud with Steamboat began when Savage crushed Steamboat's throat with the timekeeper's bell, as he jumped off the top rope. At the time, this was a stunning display of brutality and would be a shock to fans of the WWF.
Though unsuccessful in retaining his Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 3, Savage's match with Steamboat would go down in history as one of the greatest matches of all time -- even if it was overshadowed by the legendary Hogan/Andre encounter later on in the night. Savage and Steamboat would put on a clinic, with both men giving the match their all. The match had fans on the edge of their seats, with near-falls coming left and right. Randy would attempt to once again injure Steamboat with the ring bell, but Savage's last WrestleMania opponent, George "The Animal" Steele (who Savage had continued to feud with past WrestleMania 2) came to the ring and prevented Savage from using the bell. Steamboat would later capitalize, reversing a scoop slam into a small package and pin the champion.
Savage's 14-month reign as Intercontinental Champion showed his readiness to move up the card, so he would go on to win the King of the Ring tournament after his loss at WrestleMania 3. The "Macho Man" would begin the transition to being a face, from here on out. He would go on to face the Honky Tonk Man (Intercontinental Champion) at Saturday Night's Main Event, but he was viciously attacked by Honky Tonk and the Hart Foundation. Honky Tonk would set up for a guitar shot to Savage, until Hulk Hogan (who came after being urged by Miss Elizabeth, who had tried to intervene herself, but gotten pushed by Honky Tonk) made the save. This led to the creation of the WWF's most feared partnership, the Mega Powers.
This would be the final push needed for Randy, as he would go on to win the WWF Championship tournament at WrestleMania 4, prevailing over Ted DiBiase (who had Andre the Giant in his corner) in the finals with Hogan's help. Randy Savage was now "the man" in the WWF and a superstar, in the truest sense of the word.
The Mega Powers would go on to defeat the Mega Bucks (DiBiase and Andre) at SummerSlam, after Elizabeth ripped off her skirt as a distraction. They would once again prevail against a DiBiase-led team at Survivor Series, as the sole survivors on their team. They would then go on to face the Twin Towers (Big Bossman and Akeem).
Everything wasn't well between Hogan and Savage, though. Savage was becoming increasingly frustrated with Hogan -- jealous, even -- as Hogan would take on Elizabeth as his own manager, among other things. The relationship would endure, but the end was near. Hogan would accidentally eliminate Savage from the Royal Rumble, which would nearly lead to a brawl between the two men, which was prevented by Miss Elizabeth.
This would finally boil over on February 3rd, 1989 on the Main Event show in a match against the Twin Towers. Savage would be thrown into Elizabeth, rendering her unconscious -- Hogan would rush to her side and carry her backstage, leaving Savage alone. Hogan would return, only to be slapped by Randy and abandoned to battle the Twin Towers alone. Hogan would win, but the relationship was destroyed. The two men would continue to argue at Elizabeth's bedside, until Savage finally attacked Hogan with the title belt. Savage couldn't bear Hogan's affection for Elizabeth and it had finally boiled over.
At WrestleMania 5, the two men would face off, with Hogan defeating "Macho Man" for the WWF Championship. Furthermore, Elizabeth would officially abandon Savage and side with Hogan. Savage would rebound, as he took on Sensational Sherri as his new manager. He would continue battling Hogan, teaming with Zeus to face Hogan and Brutus Beefcake, though they would lose. Savage would then start pursuing Jim Duggan, to decide the ultimate "king of wrestling." Savage would be victorious, dubbing himself the "Macho King."
Alongside Queen Sherri, Savage would successfully do battle with Dusty Rhodes, then move on to Ultimate Warrior. Savage would interfere in Warrior's match against Sgt. Slaughter, costing him his title. The two men would go on to face off at WrestleMania 7, which Savage would lose, forcing Savage to "retire." Sherri would attack Savage post-match, but Elizabeth would come to Savage's aid, culminating in one of the most emotional moments in WWE history, as Elizabeth and Savage would reunite.
They would go on to get married on WWF television, but the wedding would be spoiled by Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Savage would be reinstated for matches against Roberts, who continually used real snakes against Savage. Savage would defeat Roberts and move on.
His next feud came against WWF Champion Ric Flair, who was making claims of an affair with Miss Elizabeth. At WrestleMania 8, Savage would defeat Flair and regain the WWF Championship. They would continue feuding until September 1st, 1992, where an injured "Macho Man" would lose his championship to Flair.
His next major WWF highlight came at WrestleMania 10, as Savage would defeat Crush in a falls count anywhere match. Later that year, his WWF contract would expire as he would join Hogan in WCW. In WCW, Randy would experience more success as he would win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship 4 times, win the World War Three match, and be a member of the NWO. Even so, Savage's career was on the downturn and he would never again reach the heights of his success in the WWF.
Savage will go down in history as one of wrestling's most colorful characters and one of its most brilliant performers. His raspy voice and unique delivery on the mic will forever ring through the ears of those who encountered him. He truly is the cream of the crop. OOOOOOHHHH YEEEEAAAAHH!
Did you know?
Upon retiring, Savage pursued many interests outside of wrestling, including acting (his most notable role came in Spiderman as wrestler Bonesaw McGraw) and rapping (he released an album called "Be a Man").
He received an award from Harvard University in 1988, being named "Man of the Year" by the Harvard Lampoon.
Savage's relationship with Hogan was nearly as tumultuous off screen as it was on, with the men going years without speaking to each other.
Savage was the celebrity spokesperson for Slim Jim throughout the 1980s. His catchphrase ("Snap into a Slim Jim! Ooooh Yeeeeeah!") is still associated with Slim Jim.
-Writing credit belongs to "The Crock"
