A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Mediocre
D – Avoid
Release Date: November 17th
2014
Price:
DVD £ 19.99
Blu-ray £ 22.99
Format Reviewed:
DVD (3 Discs)
(Also Available on Blu-ray (2 Discs)
What It’s About:
A
90 minute documentary which covers every important aspect of Randy Savage’s
life, including his relationship with Miss Elizabeth and subsequent divorce,
his real life rivalry with Hulk Hogan and the man behind the colourful attire.
The documentary is followed by a host of matches from his career, ranging from
1986 – 1997.
Strengths:
The
opening of the release is set against a spinning wheel of a jeep, whilst
current WWE stars give their opinion of Randy Savage. There’s nothing negative
or derogatory here, as everyone has only the nicest things to say about him
including ‘born to perform’ and ‘perfectionist’ before the pre-titles cut to
news reports of his death and show how widely covered it was in America. In the
UK we don’t get to see this stuff but it was huge in America. It’s a great
place to begin, knowing that we’ll arrive back here at the conclusion of the
release. From there, we flit to the town where Randy Savage died and more importantly
the tree which he crashed into and where it’s later revealed his ashes are
scattered. Standing by the tree is brother Lanny Poffo who wrestling fans will
know better as The Genius, looking at the heartfelt tributes left for his
brother as he reels of a lovely speech.
The
release begins properly in the small town outside Chicago where Randy Savage
lived after his wrestling days were done and eventually passed away. We’re
treated to a reel of pictures from his illustrious career as the voice over guy
rightly describes Savage with the line, “His unbridled charisma left an
indelible mark on legions of fans throughout the world.” From here, we go back
in time to the very beginning and Randy Savage’s childhood. WWE deserve credit
here for first spotlighting his father, Angelo Poffo and looking at his
triumphs as being in ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’ for the most consecutive sit
ups and then his wrestling career after baseball which is an identical path
Randy Savage took.
As
the segment goes on, WWE give us a family tree of the Poffo family whilst
interviewing Pat Patterson who tells us about Angelo Poffo and what sort of a
man he was. Whilst Patterson is talking, we’re provided with pictures and
videos from Poffo’s career in wrestling and Patterson tells us with a cheeky
grin that Poffo was great at saving money and that no matter how much he
earned, he’d never spend any of it if he didn’t have to. Jerry Lawler is on
hand throughout this release but fear not he’s on excellent form and reminisces
wrestling Angelo many times. Lawler’s stories are mostly enchanting and the
segment ends with Angelo Poffo’s motto of “It’s Better to be Rich and Dead,
than Poor and Alive!” It’s a lovely piece which we don’t get to see in depth on
any other release.
Continuing
Randy Savage’s background and childhood, the release interviews his mother
whose words are compiled along with old family photos. Stating that Randy was
different to other children, not too long is spent on his days growing up and
we switch directly to his baseball career. Usually, I’d gripe about this but
seeing as Randy Savage’s career is far more interesting than his younger years
it suits the release well to go straight to something that mattered. From here,
WWE deserve credit for including an unseen interview with Randy Savage from
1993 where he speaks candidly about life before wrestling. Telling us that he
loved and respected and played so many sports during his youth, Randy Savage
does seem a little sad that it didn’t all work out for him on the pitch.
When
delving through his baseball career, the release interviews those outside the
ring which include coaches and best friends from high school and college who
attest to Randy Savage’s athletic ability even at a young age. Though you may
get a sense these people are only saying these things because he’s dead, there
is a strong air of legitimacy when their comments are backed up by newspaper
reports of Randy Poffo’s achievements. One of his friends even goes as far as
to call him an ‘outstanding’ baseball player before his coach displays the
notion that even as a child he was a perfectionist and wanted everything to be
just right. His sheer effort in everything that he did is conveyed very well
and we get an insight into how hard he worked to make everything he wanted a
reality.
His
initiation into professional wrestling begins with a segment where Lanny Poffo
is interviewed at great length for the first real time. Still possessing that
wonderful voice which served him well when touting The Genius gimmick, Poffo
relays to us a story of tragedy within Randy’s early years when after all of
that hard work he failed to get drafted to a team in 1971. Those who have gone
through similar disappointments in life, working hard and not receiving your shot
when it was due will be able to relate to this moment though Poffo does a great
job of building up the story to a somewhat joyous climax when he says that
Randy went to a baseball game with his father and became involved in a free
agent camp. There’s an air punch moment as we find out that Randy was the only
man drafted out of 300 though still an air of sadness as we know that it didn’t
all work out for him.
His
failure as a baseball player is covered in depth and once again WWE deserve the
most credit for allowing this story to roll once we’re caught up in it and not
cutting it short. Had they wanted to trim this documentary down to one hour
then they could have easily cut all of this and just explained what happened in
several pictures and a small monologue from the voice over guy. Going nowhere
in baseball, the segment begins on a down note before ending on a high which
only serves to continue the rollercoaster of the journey we’re looking at here.
Telling a story of the moment Randy realized his career was over, Lanny Poffo
does another wonderful job of emphasizing every detail up to the poignant
moment Savage took his baseball bats up to an oak tree and shattered them as
his way of putting a full stop on that period and accepting it was over.
Switching
to another piece of the 1993 interview, Randy Savage himself tells us of his
entry into the wrestling business. Showing visible signs of regret that his
baseball career didn’t work out, you feel really sorry for Savage and get the
feeling that should he have removed his glasses then there may have been a
little tear. Notifying the audience of his humble beginnings in wrestling and
it being his first love because of his father, his time in Championship
Wrestling from Florida may be fleetingly covered but Lanny Poffo provides the
laughs when stating how Randy beat a stipulation in his contract which stated
that he couldn’t compete in any other sports, by wearing a mask and competing
as The Spider.
Randy
Savage’s transformation from weedy baseball player to professional wrestler is
a highlight as instead of a story anyone could tell, WWE use old footage of
Savage training to become a star. Relentless hours in the gym and what must
have been painful running through all weathers give this a Rocky Balboa feel
whilst you’ll feel a moment of joy when he makes the big time in WWE after his
career in his father’s International Wrestling Federation is looked at. Before
we get into Randy Savage’s actual time in the ring, more of the 1993 interview
sheds light on the name which carried him to stardom. Speaking on being donned
with ‘Macho Man’ during his baseball years, Randy then says that he decided to
christen himself with the surname Savage, just because he didn’t want to make
it on his father’s reputation.
One
of Randy Savage’s greatest traits was undoubtedly his microphone skills; I
think on that we can all agree. However, a tale from Lanny Poffo sheds light on
the fact that it wasn’t always like that for Randy, advising us that at the
beginning of his career Savage would have anxiety attacks about what to say.
The tale of where he got his ‘Ooooooh Yeah’ from and that it was used to cover
nerves as well as early promos filmed in his house and taken from the Poffo
family archive are excellent touches. They didn’t need to be shown or told but
give his story a much more completist feel.
Finally,
after being teased about his wrestling origins, we enter the world in which
Randy Savage became immortal. Beginning with his IWF career which lasted only a
small amount of time before he was poached by Vince McMahon, we get a more in
depth piece from Jerry Lawler after being told that IWF was created as direct
competition to his and Jerry Jarrett’s Mid-South Wrestling in Memphis. Jerry
Lawler looks like he’s having a ball when recounting the days Randy Savage
would openly challenge him without invitation, just looking to get some
coverage from the IWF before the companies went into business together and he
and Savage fought around the territories. This is the Jerry Lawler we want to
see on releases, not the drone who speaks only when WWE tell him to and says
what WWE want him to. The history lesson is also a commendable touch by WWE who
usually don’t like its audience to think life outside their own walls existed.
They’ve even taken to rebranding WCW and ECW material with the WWE logo on the
bottom of the screen.
If
you’re getting to this point in the release and waiting impatiently for his WWE
days to come into the picture, then I can promise you that all of that waiting won’t
have been for nothing. When the release finally does get to his association
with Vince McMahon, it’s a corker and there aren’t many releases you can say
that about. Speaking on his Savage’s induction into the company, Lanny Poffo
states that Howard Finkel and Jimmy Hart were instrumental in getting him to
the company and how the first thing he did was get his brother a job. Where
this segment thrives is in its introduction of Miss Elizabeth as Randy’s valet
and manager before Lanny gives us even more background on the pair’s
relationship, where they met and when they married. Dolph Ziggler correctly
states that it was a different way to stand out whilst Jake Roberts is a scream
as a talking head, claiming that her success was because she had better hair
than Randy because his looked like it had been dry cleaned. This is a brilliant
section, made all the more a highlight by the correct assertion that Miss
Elizabeth became as much a star than her husband did.
Knowing
that it’s coming, we finally get to the darker side of Randy Savage which kicks
off the best couple of segments of the entire release. Looking at his obsessive
behaviour with Miss Elizabeth and how it affected their relationship and
marriage, we get assertions from wrestlers who aren’t prone to exaggerating
about how he distrusted everyone around her. Ted Dibiase comes out with the
belief that even though the pair were madly in love he was very protective,
whilst Jerry Lawler leaves you in no doubt that right from the very beginning
there was an underlying obsession taking root. Dibiase comes back with the
notion that at some point, there has to be some trust there before Lex Luger,
who does not look well at all, pitches in with the comment that he would have
been the same way. Many people will see this as a character assassination but
that couldn’t have been further from the truth. This was a huge part of the man
in question and any release about him would have suffered without the truth
being told. It doesn’t make him a bad guy or wrestler.
Lifting
the mood before hitting us with the real life feud with Hulk Hogan and the
disintegration of his and Elizabeth’s marriage, we’re treated to an interview
with the man who used to make Randy Savage’s colourful entrance attire. Unseen
pictures are then brought forward of the pair together designing and styling
the garments in an interesting segment. The designer correctly states that the
clothes helped make the character whilst DDP has a good laugh trying to guess
Randy Savage’s real height but does enlighten with the correct assertion that
he exemplified the way this business should be done.
From
his anxiety attacks to the excellent promo man he was Randy Savage’s microphone
skills are taken into account in a sit down interview with Gene Okerlund who was
the recipient of most of his unforgettable tirades. Lex Luger kicks off with
the true claim that Savage had his own interview technique and fans adored him
for it, whilst Gene Okerlund says that he loved to interview Savage because it
wasn’t just normal back and forth stuff. This is backed up with some excellent
footage of his most wild interviews cut togethers. Dolph Ziggler brings out the
true Randy Savage fan within him, affirming that you can’t walk down the street
and not bump into someone who knows a Randy Savage impression or has done one
themselves with Lanny Poffo following that up with a comment that ‘When they’re
imitating you, you know you’re good!’ Gene Okerlund brings an upbeat segment to
a close by declaring that if he’d have known what Randy Savage was going to do,
it would have spoilt it.
After
some rare footage of Randy Savage backstage, preparing for an interview, the
release switches to Randy Savage’s Intercontinental Championship victory over
Tito Santana and his subsequent feud with Ricky Steamboat who takes over as the
talking head. Believing that he was blessed to have Savage as an opponent and a
three month build to their WrestleMania III bout, Steamboat is a high spot when
he details the intricate pages of planning which Randy Savage forced him to do
weeks before the bout to get it right, whilst he shows us the actual pages with
the eighty eight bullet points they knew that they must hit. Bret Hart relays
that match was the one he tried to emulate just to be the best, this is very high
praise indeed. You’ll need your handkerchief at the ready as the segment comes
to an end, as Ricky Steamboat is on the verge of tears to the point he can’t
even speak when trying to tell us that out of over 6,000 matches that one is
still the one that gets talked about. It’s very emotional and completely
gripping.
We’re
made to wait a little while, but we finally arrive at Randy Savage having to
share the spotlight with Hulk Hogan. This segment is a complete credit to the
release and is told in nothing but complete honesty beginning with Hulk Hogan
looking at their Mega Powers union and the bad blood behind it. Telling us that
it was a play on real life, thanks to Randy Savage’s ultra protective nature
over Elizabeth, Hulk Hogan is full of joy when he says that bringing that into
the storyline gave it some legitimacy. Kevin Nash looks genuinely regretful
when he says that Hulk Hogan was the face of the company and Randy Savage
wasn’t the ‘A Guy’, touching upon how much animosity Randy Savage felt towards
Hulk Hogan for that. We know Kevin Nash is usually kayfabe friendly so this is
a massive statement from the man.
The
above segment continues in fascinating style when Hulk Hogan decides that for
once in his life he will tell the truth and open up about what really happened.
Admitting that all the animosity spilt over on a personal level, Hulk makes
this segment stand out with an unheard story from behind the scenes of their
Saturday Night’s Main Event break up. During the commercial, Hulk tells us,
Randy Savage went off on Hogan for real, shouting and yelling at him for going
too close to Elizabeth’s breasts. This is a great story and deserves to be here
because it rounds out the Randy Savage legacy. After looking at Hogan taking
the belt back at WrestleMania V, Bret Hart seems genuine when stating that he
went to the locker room to thank Randy for being such a great champion.
The
best chapter on the entire release details the breakdown of Randy Savage and
Elizabeth’s marriage. It’s a sombre chapter but you won’t find a more gripping
one on any other release this year. It begins with Pat Patterson’s assertion
that Elizabeth used to get locked in the dressing room to stop her talking to
any other men, whilst Jimmy Hart is sure that the pair loved each other which
is backed up by some lovely family pictures of both of them. Pat Patterson
strikes again with a story of how Randy Savage confronted people in a
restaurant for staring at his wife. Everyone here really gets over how strongly
he felt for his wife but there’s also a great tragedy here as well, as his
behaviour is made to sound like it’s the sole cause of their split. Lanny Poffo
sticks up for his brother by stating that Randy was someone who didn’t take any
nonsense in a world full of it.
Carrying
on with Randy Savage’s over protectiveness, Jimmy Hart’s picks up the story by
relaying a tale to us that occurred whilst Randy Savage wasn’t travelling with
Elizabeth which means this probably happened whilst his was working with
Sensational Sherri. Swearing it to be true, Jimmy Hart says that Randy Savage
brought Miss Elizabeth twenty one television dinners because she wasn’t allowed
to leave the house. Whether this is true of not, the latter if you believe
Lanny Poffo, it’s still an unheard story which adds strength to the breakdown
of their marriage. Bret Hart rightly calls it a sensitive situation.
Digging
further into the break of their marriage, the release states that as the pair
were reconciling on television after WrestleMania VII they were about to go
their separate ways personally. The voice over guy calls them consummate
professionals for convincing the masses of their love when it was heading south
fast whilst their SummerSlam 1991 marriage is treated as legitimate when it
wasn’t. Kicking kayfabe out of the window once more, the release does highlight
the pressures both were under having to make public appearances as a loving
couple before their relationship finally ended when Elizabeth went to Florida
with Hulk Hogan’s wife. As the only man who knows what happened for sure, Hulk
Hogan sheds light on the situation when he says Randy Savage turned up in
Florida and he and his wife didn’t even know of the split before Randy Savage
accused them both of leading Elizabeth astray. Hogan says that Savage hated him
for nine years after that which takes the pair right up to the end of their WCW
tenure together. Once again, credit to WWE for showing the letter Randy Savage
wrote to WWE magazine readers detailing his divorce.
His
final stint in WWE from 1993 – 1994 provides some downtime for the release, as
Randy Savage sat on commentary for the majority of his final run. Ted Dibiase
says that he did a good job but it wasn’t a strength of his and its true,
Savage wanted to be in the ring as stated here but was seen as an old hand in a
new generation. This is one of the real reasons he left WWE for WCW but not
before his massive amount of charity work is looked at. Pat Patterson describes
Randy Savage’s 1994 career well with the line, “When you’re on top for a while,
eventually somebody has got to take your place”. This is a level headed look at
why Vince McMahon didn’t want Randy Savage on top anymore and why he vetoed a
plan by Randy Savage to have a two year feud with Shawn Michaels which would
have concluded at WrestleMania with Michaels beating Savage and ending his
career. The latter comes from Lanny Poffo who states that this is how Savage
wanted his career to end.
Leaving
behind WWE, Randy Savage’s WCW career begins with a piece of footage from
November 1994 which should have been left until last. It sees Vince McMahon
giving a somewhat humble thanks to Randy Savage for his years of dedication to
the promotion. It’s heartfelt and should have gone on last. Vince McMahon will
never say it again, but this could have been a bridge between McMahon and the
Poffo family for Randy Savage’s eventual induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
It’s
surprising how willing WWE are with this release to make Randy Savage out to be
the good guy when they could have done what they have so many times previous
and make him out to be the bad guy. Instead of making his switch look like it
was done for money, WWE make sure we’re left in doubt that Randy Savage moved
because he thought his career wasn’t over yet. Bret Hart says that out of
everyone that jumped ship, Randy Savage’s departure left him the most shook up
and that he gets the feeling having spoken to Randy in WCW that his exit wasn’t
a smooth one. Bret says that Randy felt that he’d been betrayed and I guess if
anyone is qualified to speak on that it’s Bret Hart. Lanny Poffo gives us an
insight as to how Randy Savage really hated WWE by the time it had finished
making fun of him and didn’t appreciate The Huckster vs The Nacho Man sketches
WWE did and believed WWE were trying to imply that Hulk was having an affair
with Elizabeth. From this, you get the feeling that WWE burned its bridges with
Savage and not the other way around.
Randy
Savage’s re-meeting with Hulk Hogan in WCW is mentioned with Ric Flair stating
that Savage was paranoid all the time. Maybe he had good reason to be. After
all, Hogan had stole his thunder once and would do so again before the company
closed its doors. Kevin Nash says that the pair had a love / hate relationship
whilst Gene Okerlund pulls no punches by saying that they simply didn’t get
along even though they had matured. Lex Luger sticks up for Randy Savage by
correctly underlining that he gave WCW some legitimacy and looks at how he made
Diamond Dallas Page a star. DDP appears as a talking head with a story about
Savage agreed to put him over without asking, but is on the verge of tears as
the segment closes remembering his friend.
WWE’s
purchase of WCW brought the end of Randy Savage’s career and not before time
either. Randy Savage had peaked at least four years before WCW closed its doors
with his final notable input being in making DDP a star. Voice over guy ponders
upon the question why Randy Savage didn’t return to the WWE when others did
before a 1992 interview with Gene Okerlund is shown in which Randy Savage says
that he never forgets and will take things with him to the grave. After Triple
H called Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan dinosaurs in a magazine around that time,
a video from Randy Savage’s website is show in which he unloads on Hulk Hogan
calling him a punk and then threatens to bitch slap Triple H and take Stephanie
McMahon. It’s an excellent piece of footage. Lanny Poffo rightly says that it
only threw gasoline on the fire. Randy Savage did the right thing by not
returning. He had nothing else to prove or offer wrestling and saved his legend
by stepping away.
Another
dark point in Randy Savage’s history covers Miss Elizabeth’s tragic death in
2003. Told with sensitivity, WWE once again step outside their comfort zone by
naming her cause of death, including video footage from the crime scene and
including Lex Luger’s 911 call to paramedics. Lex Luger is naturally the main
talking head here, stating that he was in a dark place for years after that and
he and Randy Savage had no contact with each other. Lanny says that Randy
Savage was crushed her passing but offered to do whatever he could for the
family but wouldn’t talk to anyone about it. Gene Okerlund is spot on by
pointing out that it was a tragic end.
Working
towards Randy Savage’s death, we receive a personal account from friends and
family about his post wrestling charity work and how good he was with children
before a friend’s child recounts all the times he babysat her and the fun they
used to have. It sheds a different light on Randy Savage even though it doesn’t
last very long.
The
release is given an uplifting feeling by focusing on his final marriage one
year before his death. Lanny Poffo tells us how happy Randy Savage was and
regales us with the story of how he re-met his first love who he left to become
a wrestler. Pictures of their marriage make Randy Savage look like a different
man, whilst Lanny Poffo reads us the poem he read at their wedding in tradition
Genius fashion. Everyone interviewed says that Randy Savage’s life had come
full circle. It makes you feel good to known that before he passed on, there
was a finality to his tale. That it didn’t just trail off like so many do. It’s
a wonderful moment as is Hulk Hogan’s tale that they both made up when meeting in
a doctor’s surgery.
Finally
reaching his inevitable death, like his life, Randy Savage’s final release
comes full circle. We’re shown more news reports whilst friends of Randy Savage
explain what a tragic day it was. Lanny Poffo says that as soon as he received
a phone call to say Randy was in critical condition he knew what was coming
next. Jake Roberts is genuinely sorrowful saying that it was tough and Ted
Dibiase offers up that his heart just sank. Screenshots from his Facebook page
are shown; with tributes flooding in before Jerry Lawler says that wrestling is
an extended family and no matter whom it is when they pass on it’s still a
blow. Hulk Hogan shocks us by saying that Randy Savage could have been saved,
when told by their doctor that had he accepted the heart scan he was offered
when he took his mother for one, the problem with his heart would have been
picked up and he wouldn’t have died. It’s a shocking admission, but we can’t
dwell on what could have been. His ashes being scattered around the same tree
as his dog is a fitting and tear jerking end to his tale.
The
final segment of the release is a trip down memory lane, with sentiments from
everyone who knew him and it’s a nice way to sign off on. Hulk Hogan says that
Randy Savage was what a WWE superstar should have been. Bret Hart recounts what
a hero Randy Savage was to him. Dusty Rhodes offers up his belief that young
kids getting into the industry should watch his matches and if they can pull
off something half as good then they’ll have done well. Ted Dibiase says that
Randy Savage has such a great legacy. Ric Flair offers up that Savage
established a character which will remain in the annual of wrestling forever.
Dolph Ziggler says that Randy Savage is on par with Hulk Hogan and the very best,
he was better. Lanny Poffo says that his brother blazed a trail and belongs up
there with the highest of the high and he certainly does. Surely a Hall of Fame
induction beckons. Hulk Hogan rounds out the release by saying that Randy
Savage will be remembered for the voice, the look and being a consummate
professional.
Randy
Savage vs Ricky Steamboat (WWE Superstars of Wrestling, November 1986) is the
bout which took place before the infamous angle of Randy Savage crushing Ricky
Steamboat’s larynx with the ring bell. It’s fast, lively and gripping to the
point that you’ll wonder where the time went when it’s over. It’s not long and
pails in comparison to their WrestleMania III bout, but given ten more minutes
it could have been an understated classic. There’s a great near fall on a Randy
Savage reverse bodypress whilst Ricky Steamboat’s selling is just excellent,
especially when Savage drives the ring bell into his throat.
Randy
Savage vs Bruno Sammartino (Boston Garden, February 1987) isn’t a thrilling
piece but is decent considering Sammartino’s age and that he was well past his
best by 1987. Though it looks like Randy Savage is fighting an old man, he
shows Sammartino the utmost respect by selling for him before going to work on
the man who preceded him as WWE Champion. Long enough to matter but short
enough to keep watchable, it’s Savage who excels here having to carry a tired
Sammartino right until the disastrous disqualification finish.
Randy
Savage and Strike Force vs The Honky Tonk Man and The Hart Foundation (Boston
Garden, March 19th 1988) is a respectable six man steel cage bout which proves
to be mildly exciting. The participants make a mockery of the ruling which
states once a team member has escaped the cage they must remain on the outside,
by constantly stopping escape attempts when it would have been far more logical
to allow two of their three opponents to escape so you can have a three on one
beat down and then simply walk from the cage. However, the best exchanges are
between Bret Hart and Randy Savage when the field narrows and even though it
comes to almost a complete halt when The Honky Tonk Man and Randy Savage are in
the cage alone, it does manage to pick up just in time for its finale.
Randy
Savage vs Bad News Brown (Maple Leaf Wrestling, January 1989) proves to be an
adequate street fight even if nothing truly startling happens as a result of
Brown’s inefficiency in the ring. Both men use the weapons at their disposal
well to build a tense nature and the referee going through a table was a
revolutionary spot in 1989 as it rarely happened. Randy Savage sells the ghetto
blaster well and makes it look like a deadly move but the commentators efforts
to build Brown as the next champion fire wide of the mark. No one believed he’d
ever attain that goal.
Randy
Savage vs Roddy Piper (Miami, Florida, January 1990) isn’t a gripping collision
but will entertain most people for the time it lasts. There’s nothing
outstanding to speak of here but Roddy Piper’s over the top nature manages to
keep fans glued whilst a heel Randy Savage helps his limited foe by first
throwing himself around the ring. The highlight is an excellent airplane spin
from Savage which goes on so long you’ll wonder how he kept his footing. Yet
another lousy disqualification ending brings down an otherwise entertaining
piece.
Randy
Savage vs Shawn Michaels (Munich, Germany, April 1992) proves to be a notable
occurrence in Shawn Michaels’ career even if it wouldn’t have done much for
Savage’s. Randy Savage plays the part of the injured champion to perfection
whilst Shawn Michaels is made to look a million dollars in his domination of
the man. You can appreciate what could have been had WWE allowed Randy Savage
to complete his plan to make Shawn Michaels a star but in the end it all worked
out for the best anyway. Randy Savage’s comeback is a little too fast and
coincidental, had WWE given this another five minutes it would have seemed more
natural, but that’s a minor gripe. The post match beat down is also done with
aplomb.
Randy
Savage vs The Ultimate Warrior (SummerSlam, August 29th 1992) is very good
indeed even though it fails to top their Wrestlemania 7 encounter. It is
evident that Savage carries the Warrior through the thirty five minutes thanks
to The Ultimate Warrior’s very poor physical condition which can attributed to
years of steroid abuse. The action is exciting and gripping whilst Ric Flair
and Mr. Perfect’s involvement at ringside helps the match to keep its edge,
even though the count out finish is very poor. What this illustrates is how
good Randy Savage was at making someone who wasn’t that gifted look like a
star.
Randy
Savage vs Ric Flair (Hershey, Pennsylvania, September 1992) sees the beginning
of Ric Flair’s second and final WWE Championship reign occur at the conclusion
of a very well crafted technical brawl. Utilizing his very best moments from
the eighties, Ric Flair tortures Randy Savage’s leg with every trick in the
book as Savage sells like there’s no tomorrow. Randy’s fight back is inspiring
but in the end he can’t beat off Ric Flair and passes out which hands Flair the
gold. It’s not a classic, but it’s still worth a look.
Randy
Savage vs Diamond Dallas Page (Halloween Havoc, October 26th 1997) is an
exciting Las Vegas death match fought under last man standing rules. The pair
let themselves go here and it shows how much fun they’re having. A fight
through the crowd gives this match a different feel to everything else on the
release and though the set is clearly made of plastic they make the most of their
surroundings and weapons battling through the set in a nice hardcore piece. DDP
counters a camera shot very well whilst Elizabeth and Kimberly’s cat fight will
please men no end.
Weaknesses:
Though
he’s an integral part of this release, Lanny Poffo sometimes doesn’t do himself
any favours with the comments he spouts. One such incident comes when Poffo is
explaining Randy Savage’s transition from baseball to wrestling. Poffo doesn’t
do his father justice by stating that Angelo Poffo trained both of his sons,
failing to realize that as The Genius and ‘Leaping’ Lanny Poffo he was a
terrible wrestler who couldn’t convey the story of a bout half as good as his
brother could. WWE should have edited this piece out of the documentary to save
Poffo making his father look like an inept teacher.
When
covering his ring entrance, WWE interviews a host of faces who were there at
the time but for some reason interview Dolph Ziggler as well in an attempt to
shed an opinion of a fan on the matter. Sadly, though he’s on form throughout
the release, Dolph Ziggler doesn’t quite hit the mark here and comes off
looking like a complete moron when he states that Randy Savage’s entrance theme
sounded like a graduation song. It’s obvious from his comment and the wide eyed
look that Dolph Ziggler has no idea what the song is called or is even used in
the UK as ‘Land of Hope and Glory’.
Going
straight into his WWE Championship reign, the release delves directly into
WrestleMania IV with Ted Dibiase looking back on their finals match with
complete honesty and no small amount of fondness. Without directly saying it,
Dibiase fires a shot at Hulk Hogan by stating that when the event came around
it was time for a change and a fresh look and is correct when he said that
Randy Savage on top just fit the picture. However, this segment misses a great
big opportunity by not interviewing those people who were around at the time
about how Randy Savage really felt about still being in Hulk Hogan’s shadow
even though he was WWE Champion. There must have been someone willing to speak
on it, enough people do eventually point out later in the release that Savage
and Hogan didn’t get along. There’s no reason to leave this out. It’s just
sloppy.
Following
on from his split with Hulk Hogan, WWE should have included a segment on his
time as ‘Macho King’ and his union ship with Sensational Sherri. Though she’s
seen in clips and matches, no one mentions her by name and this period in Randy
Savage’s life isn’t covered at all even though it was nearly two years long and
integral to his character. Also, we’ve heard of Randy Savage’s jealousy if
Elizabeth would talk to another male personality but I would have liked to have
known from those closest to her if Miss Elizabeth felt any jealousy when Randy
Savage travelled with another woman. It would have been an interesting look
into both sides of the marriage.
Not
an integral part of his career, WWE for some reason includes the Slim Jim
adverts that Randy Savage filmed when taking a break from WWE thanks to his
divorce from Elizabeth. Though it features some nice behind the scenes footage
from his time filming the commercials, this is a pointless inclusion as it
means nothing to the overall legacy of Randy Savage. More sentiment than
footage, WWE could have omitted this for something on Sensational Sherri.
Another
blatant admission WWE have made, which should have been left in is his time
with Miss Elizabeth in WCW. For anyone who witnessed the time, Randy Savage and
Elizabeth were divorced and had moved on but were forced back together for
entertainment sake. It was obviously an awkward time as Elizabeth had begun
dating Lex Luger, but no one bothers to mention it even though honesty prevails
throughout this release. Like the previous sections, this could have added
extra strength to the release had WWE interviewed Lex Luger and Ric Flair, who
are talking heads, about how difficult it was for both working together after a
failed relationship.
Team
Madness takes a fleeting look at Randy Savage’s return to WCW after major knee
surgery and realizing that he could no longer compete with the young stars.
Using the excuse that he surrounded himself by gimmicks to make it seem as if
he stands out, every sentiment here is wrong. Randy Savage didn’t have the same
intensity or skill when he returned and his blatant muscle addition isn’t even
mentioned when it appears to everyone looking on that he may have been on
steroids. The truth is that Randy Savage wasn’t the man we knew and loved when
he returned, he’d ruined himself and this should have been a truthful piece
instead of one trying to cover the obvious that he was well past his best.
Randy
Savage vs Ricky Steamboat (Maple Leaf Wrestling, February 1987) is a
disappointment from start to finish. Far from their WrestleMania III classic,
neither man seems like they’re in the mood to put on a fast paced stunner and
use rest holds to get through the time limit. The only notable pace comes right
at the very beginning and it steadily loses interest from there. There are
horrible red squiggles on one of the camera lenses which distract from what’s
going on and it’s best just to say this wasn’t either’s finest day in the sun
and the DQ ending is a joke. I guess not all bouts between stars are classics.
Randy
Savage vs Harley Race (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1987) is a
monotonous drag through what is meant to be a routine but just looks like moves
planned out one at a time. Thanks to Race’s advanced age and physical
condition, this bout has no flow to it and Randy Savage struggles to make
something of his opponent or match. I doubt even the most careful of planning
would have made this one to watch and its apparent that even fans in the arena
care little for such a card filler. Disjointed and slow, Harley Race walks
through this like a novice trying to remember his first steps.
Randy
Savage vs Ted Dibiase (Boston Garden, July 1988) is completely unspectacular
which just isn’t good enough for two men who could have done better. Because
this went out on one of the local television networks instead of WWE’s main
television programmes neither feel they have to try when the truth is this should
have been a highlight of Randy Savage’s first WWE Championship reign. Entering
the bout with a neck brace on, it’s merely a second thought to base the bout
around the injury and when they do it’s completely predictable and lazy. Ted
Dibiase should have known not to apply Chinlock when the bout needed some life
and the ending comes as a relief.
Randy
Savage vs Hulk Hogan (Madison Square Garden, April 1989) isn’t a patch on their
WrestleMania V bout and it’s clear that as opponents, the pair peaked at the
biggest event of the year. Constant stalling and very little interesting action
make for a completely dull encounter with no heat, no tension and very little
care from Randy Savage who we’re told always took great pride in his matches.
Together, both men managed to capture lightening in a bottle one time with the
rest of their singles bout being necessary evils.
Randy
Savage vs Arn Anderson (WCW Saturday Night, January 1995) is a languid attempt
to recapture Randy Savage’s glory days. Though he clearly wasn’t pas his best
here, Randy Savage had obviously lost his drive somewhat because this is a
slothful trawl through some of the worst imitation of eighties wrestling you’ll
find. I don’t doubt other magazines will tell you this is a great bout as are
all the others, just kiss WWE and WWEdvd.co.uk’s backsides as they usually do
but that’s never been me. Anderson stalls for what seems like an eternity
before the pair crawl through thirteen minutes of dire tedium, which resembles
two men fresh out of ideas and desperate for anything to happen. It comes alive
in the final three minutes but you’ll have lost the will to live by then.
Randy
Savage vs Ric Flair (Superbrawl VI, February 11th 1996) is a complete let down
as WCW attempted to recapture both men’s glory days. Fought inside a steel
cage, neither man can recapture the spark which made their WrestleMania VIII
bout a classic and instead plod from one lifeless exchange to another. Ric
Flair’s figure four goes on for what seems like an ice age whilst Randy Savage
sells it like near death which is commendable, but you won’t see that thanks to
shouting ‘Get on with it!’ at your television. It’s like every cage match
you’ve ever seen in your life only worse and to add to the ridiculousness, the
time keeper misses his cue and rings early when the match is still in progress.
Tony Schiavone on commentary says that he will remember this for a long time.
The rest of us will forget immediately.
On
the Blu-ray extras, WWE have included Randy Savage vs Jim Duggan in their ‘King
of Wrestling Match’ which saw Randy Savage transform into ‘Macho King’ Randy
Savage. However the date they give is widely incorrect. For those of you who
will purchase the quite brilliant wrestling tome which focuses on professional
wrestling’s story on pay-per view in 2015 (a review will appear here for it in
the near future as well as an exclusive interview with the author), will find
out that Randy Savage defeated Jim Duggan to become ‘Macho King’ on August 30th
1989 with his coronation happening on WWE television towards the end of
September 1989. WWE are way off the mark here.
Blu-ray Exclusive Extras:
Ambidextrous?
Card
shark
Fearing
The Savage
Getting
into the WWE
Snake
Fixed ?
A
Safety Net
Hundred
Dollar Bill Guy
Jerusalem
Highly
Competitive
No
Days Off
Cowboy
Hats
Part
of the Team
Shifting
Gears
Very
Generous
Thanksgiving
Call
Walking
Away
Michael
Schmidt
Macho
Tip
Madison Square Garden –
February 1986
WWE Championship Match
Lumberjack Match
Randy
Savage vs Hulk Hogan
Madison Square Garden –
October 1989
King of Wrestling Match
Randy
Savage vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan
WCW Saturday Night –
September 1995
Randy
Savage and Sting vs The Blue Bloods
WCW Nitro – December
1997
Randy
Savage vs Booker T
Conclusion:
‘Macho
Man: The Randy Savage Story’ is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated
releases of the year thanks not to the broad and honest look at his persona and
career, but thanks to the thought of what WWE may have put on a release about a
man Vince McMahon clearly disliked once he made the jump to WCW. We’ve seen in
the past what WWE are capable of with releases about wrestlers who they no
longer consider to be friends of the company and the result of those can be
summed up with ‘Self Destruction of The Ultimate Warrior’. Thankfully though,
WWE don’t disappoint us and give Randy Savage the release he deserved for a
colourful and watertight career.
Unusually,
this release doesn’t thrive alone on its high points. Yes, Randy Savage’s title
wins and considerable highs are included on this release before its eventual
finale which concludes with his death but it’s the darkness which provides the
most bang for your buck here, being as interesting as the light. You’ll be
thoroughly informed about Randy Savage’s beginnings in wrestling as well as his
end, not to mention his life coming full circle before his death and the many
talking heads who knew him best heaping nothing but praise onto one of the
greatest wrestlers of all time, however when the release turns to the darker
side of his personality such as his obsessive control over Miss Elizabeth, the
breakdown of their marriage, his real life feud with Hulk Hogan and the reason
he left WWE in the first place, it’s a much more gripping watch than it would
have been had WWE attempted to preserve kayfabe and make us believe that Randy
Savage’s life was a parade of highs.
The
credit really does have to go to WWE for such a forthright yet fitting tribute
to a man who provided a solid base for Hulk Hogan to work from in the eighties
and who helped revolutionize professional wrestling as we know it. For your
Wrestling God, this release says as much about Vince McMahon than it does Randy
Savage, because even though there was a clear hatred between both men during
their lives Vince McMahon has proved clever enough to spot when a wrestler
deserves a tribute instead of a burial. Maybe we will get a Chris Benoit
release in the future after all.
Clearly,
with its dark subject matter and plethora of footage from the seventies and
eighties, this isn’t a release for children. At least not for children who are
easily impressionable or easily bored. Whilst this release will thrill long
time fans and Randy Savage devotees with its stories, children will become
easily bored but that’s not a bad thing in an age where WWE release a majority
of its products for the younger generation. All the way through this, you’ll
feel like the entire release has been complied with adults in mind and it’s
make it that much more special. WWE need to release more for adults only and
rejuvenate their market.
The
talking heads are almost all of value, with the exception of one or two whilst
Lanny Poffo still retains those qualities which made The Genius an
unforgettable character in the promotion’s history. The impression you’ll get
from most here is that they really cared about Savage and even though he had
his temperaments, they just wanted the best for him. It’s a nice way to work
through a release but have your tissues ready because Ricky Steamboat and
Diamond Dallas Page’s tears will also bring a sizable lump to your throat. You
feel for them which is always a positive and really believe that Randy Savage
meant as much to them as he did to his fans.
The
only real downside to this release is the included matches which aren’t all
that much to shout about even when they’re good, with most of them featuring
terrible disqualification endings. The impression you get from watching the
included matches are that whoever complied this did such a good job with the
documentary section, they really couldn’t be bothered to sift through hours
worth of footage to compliment their hard work with some truly unforgettable
bouts. Some of the inclusions are even bewildering, making it seem as if WWE
wanted to use up all those hours of footage they recorded even though some were
no good at all. It’s as if WWE used up all the material they deemed superior on
Randy Savage’s first release and couldn’t find anymore for his second. The
overall impression here is that the documentary is the main feature whilst the
matches are just a good will gesture.
Though
some people will believe this is a missed opportunity for Vince McMahon to
finally come out and enlighten us on why he hated Randy Savage so much and
quash or confirm the rumours that Savage had an affair with Stephanie in 1994,
you’d have thought he’d have wanted to clear his daughter’s name or at least
add to the honesty on this release, this is the release that Randy Savage
deserves for a lifetime of entertainment. Funny, touching, triumphant in almost
every way the man deserves this and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
‘Macho
Man: The Randy Savage Story’ is amongst the greatest release’s WWE have ever
put out and for a wrestler who cut ties with the company ten years ago this year,
never to return, it’s a fitting and triumphant tribute which any wrestling fan
of the 1980’s and 1990’s must see. Ooooooh Yeah!
Rating:
A
Next Time in Review
Corner: WWE Night of Champions 2014 DVD and
Blu-ray
Onwards
and upwards...
