The greatest faces in WWE history

Randy Savage

As a kid growing up, professional wrestling was a huge part of my childhood, and is the same case with millions of others around the world, especially in the United States, where the fathers would take their children to the ‘circus’ whenever it came into town.

All of us were spellbound by these behemoths; these larger than life characters, lifting other big men at will and throwing them around in a spectacular show of strength and brawns.

Back in the 80s, everyone was familiar with Hulk Hogan, as Hulkamania was taking shape. All the kids used to listen to him as he told them to ‘take their vitamins, say their prayers and drink their milk’. But when Hogan became too boring, there was one other individual slowly climbing the ranks in the World Wrestling Federation.

“He’s the only guy we could pass the belt to, and we wouldn’t lose money…things would stay the same, or get better.” – Hulk Hogan on Randy Savage.

This certain individual stood out from the rest of the pack. For the first time, you had a character donning bright colours, coming out to an outlandish theme song, and having a completely different aura about himself. He was none other than ‘The Macho Man’, Randy Savage.

Savage was a unique individual, and it is safe to assume that he brought a completely new dimension to the world of professional wrestling. When everyone was tired of the same monotonous storylines and gimmick of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage gave the fans an alternative, and more than that, he was one of the best workers in the company. Randy Savage was destined for greatness, and that soon became evident to the WWF management and the fans.

Randy Savage’s career wouldn’t have been as impactful if it wasn’t for the ‘First Lady of wrestling’, Miss Elizabeth. Elizabeth personified everything good about professional wrestling, and when she became a valet of Randy Savage, he was destined for greater things.

Randy started out in the WWF as the hottest free agent in the wrestling circuit, and soon won the prestigious WWF Intercontinental championship, and lost it to Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat at WrestleMania 3, at the Pontiac Silverdome in a match which is acclaimed as one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time! The match was voted as the Match of the Year by Wrestling Observer, and fans and his peers alike witnessed the class of “The Macho Man”.

“Savage is the greatest WWF Intercontinental champion of all time, bringing a higher level of credibility to the title through his amazing in-ring performances.” – WWE

Savage then won the King of the Ring tournament in ’87, and then won the WWF championship for the first time in his career during a 14 man battle royal at WrestleMania 4. This was the beginning of the ‘Mega Powers’, a union between two of the biggest names in professional wrestling, Savage and Hogan. The team disbanded at WrestleMania 5 when Savage dropped the title to Hogan, and was then involved in other top tier feuds.

Macho Man Randy Savage

Savage won the King of the Ring tournament again in ’89, and dubbed himself as “The Macho King”. Savage would later get into a feud with Warrior, leading to a ‘loser must retire’ match which Savage lost. Post match, Savage was attacked by Sherri, but Elizabeth came to his rescue, thus getting back with Savage.

Savage became an on – air personality, being involved in the ‘Match made in Heaven’ segment at SummerSlam ’91. Savage came out of retirement and got into a feud with Jake Roberts, and then with Ric Flair for the WWF championship. Savage defeated Flair to become the new WWF champion, but dropped the title back to Flair after a few months.

Savage would then become a color commentator for the rest of his tenure in the WWF, and then signed with WCW. Savage traded the world title with his old nemesis, Ric Flair before leaving the organization. Savage would later return and win the world title on a couple of occasions, while also being one of the members facing the Outsiders during the infamous Bash at the Beach ’96.

Savage would then join the New World Order, and was involved in mediocre feuds, getting lost in the shuffle. Randy Savage left the WCW for good in 2000.

There are very few people in the business who are remembered long after they retire, and Randy Savage is one of them. Unfortunately, Savage passed away in 2011, and since then, the fans and critics alike have remembered Savage for the outstanding performer that he was. Savage was one of a kind character, bringing excitement to the WWF at a time when it was needed the most. For all the fans who were fortunate enough to watch Savage, the “Oooh Yeaaahh” will continue to ring in our ears for a long time to come.