The near constant news stream of people dying is now just a simple reality of living. A stable of the trivial question “Where were you when X happened” is often associated to when you learned of someone’s passing. I remember my grandparents brining the newspaper into the house and immediately turning to the obituaries. People have death lists where they list notable people and wager for who passes next. Major news outlets actually have archives of articles prepared to run immediately when the report of death is confirmed. Seems like there is at least one report a day that jumps out and makes me think “ah, that’s too bad.” Other times I might be surprised that someone was still alive.
Then there are those times where this type of news just freezes the moment. It is especially odd when you don’t even know the person. I remember my Mom crying when Elvis died. I clearly visualize the place and situation I was in upon hearing of Jim Henson’s death. I didn’t particularly pay much attention at all to Princess Diana, but I do know I was watching Saturday Night Live with a group of friends when the news of her accident broke. And there is the news of former WWF Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage passing today. I find myself affected.
I never take the news of wrestlers passing very well. The reason being is that these guys were my heroes growing up. Sure, my childhood was filled with Superman, Batman, Han Solo, and a host of other larger than life examples of heroism… but wrestlers were real. Now stop yourself right now, I KNOW wrestling is fake. I know that these characters are manufactured no different than those that fill the Halls of Justice. I also know that when I hear of their passing, that I am usually quite saddened. I even surprise myself when I reflect on how much I look up to them. I’m hit a little harder today than most, because Randy Savage stands out as one of the ones I respected most.
The Macho Man was a despicable character. He was all male id. Wearing sunglasses, a flashy robe, and stars on your tights wasn’t anything new at all in the wrestling world. Still, he had IT. The way he spoke, the way he carried himself, and the way he moved about the ring was completely unique to him, and matched by no other. Equally loved and hated, he commanded your attention. Even when he wasn’t a part of the main event, he was stealing the show from the undercard. Many consider his match with Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3 to be the best of all time.
Randy Savage was key to one of my favorite childhood memories. In 1987, the WWF held the the very first Survivor Series at Richfield Coliseum on Thanksgiving Day. When it was announced that this event was taking place, I shrewdly suggested to my Dad that this would be a perfect gift for my older brother’s birthday. David was impossible to buy things for, as he never really cared much for material possessions. Wrestling tickets would be a perfect thing for this life-long fan. The biggest issue was that we’d always have Thanksgiving at my Grandparents house near Columbus. We would have to go to the event on the way back up to Cleveland, which meant my Mom would have to go with us as well. She was less than thrilled with this arrangement, but she understood how rare an opportunity this was for David. One thing led to another, however, and we ended up not going to Columbus. Mom was off the hook, and we had an extra ticket. A ticket that would be offered to my pal Danny.
Danny McHale was my truest friend growing up, and he was a just as big a wrestling nut as us Ireland boys had become. I couldn’t imagine bringing a better person to share this evening with. Just about every major 80s wrestler was scheduled for this event: Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Honky Tonk Man, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Tito Santana, The Hart Foundation, The British Bulldogs, Ricky Steamboat, Bobby Heenan, Demolition, Ravishing Rick Rude, One Man Gang, Bam Bam Bigelow, The Fabulous Moolah, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake... and of course Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Savage was coming into the event hot off a recent face turn as a crowd favorite. We went bananas for his match, and spent the larger part of the evening imitating his gravely voice catchphrases. He truly was the highlight of an evening of highlights. To this day it is the greatest wrestling event I’ve ever seen live.
I’ve always respected Savage, despite some of the decisions he may have been forced to make. Like many wrestlers of the time, he felt the need (or felt pressure) to enhance his physique with steroids. That only lasted a short time though, and I think he was off of them well before some of the others. He never needed them in the first place, as his wrestling style called for a more wiry frame. He never had to be the top guy, his place in the company was all his own. His act could have easily gone stale, but he allowed himself to evolve over the course of his career. He was a true sports entertainer. He knew how to make you laugh He knew how to frighten you. He knew how to tell a story in the ring. By the time he climbed up to the top rope to deliver his flying elbow drop, he had whipped you into a frenzy of excitment. Pomp and Circumstance would blare throughout the arena announcing his victory. I will always associate that tune with satisfying success. He walked away from wrestling before his skills diminished, a wise decision that some wrestlers fail to make. He’s been largely out of the public eye for almost a decade.
Many of these wrestlers have been dying young, and it continues to be sobbering news to hear how their bodies have failed them after years of abuse. Still, I wasn’t expecting Savage to pass for some time. I’d been holding out hope for a possible appearance at some point, perhaps induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Maybe a TV role. Who knows.
Another hero has passed. Thank you Macho Man. I dig it. Oh yeah!
Then there are those times where this type of news just freezes the moment. It is especially odd when you don’t even know the person. I remember my Mom crying when Elvis died. I clearly visualize the place and situation I was in upon hearing of Jim Henson’s death. I didn’t particularly pay much attention at all to Princess Diana, but I do know I was watching Saturday Night Live with a group of friends when the news of her accident broke. And there is the news of former WWF Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage passing today. I find myself affected.
I never take the news of wrestlers passing very well. The reason being is that these guys were my heroes growing up. Sure, my childhood was filled with Superman, Batman, Han Solo, and a host of other larger than life examples of heroism… but wrestlers were real. Now stop yourself right now, I KNOW wrestling is fake. I know that these characters are manufactured no different than those that fill the Halls of Justice. I also know that when I hear of their passing, that I am usually quite saddened. I even surprise myself when I reflect on how much I look up to them. I’m hit a little harder today than most, because Randy Savage stands out as one of the ones I respected most.
The Macho Man was a despicable character. He was all male id. Wearing sunglasses, a flashy robe, and stars on your tights wasn’t anything new at all in the wrestling world. Still, he had IT. The way he spoke, the way he carried himself, and the way he moved about the ring was completely unique to him, and matched by no other. Equally loved and hated, he commanded your attention. Even when he wasn’t a part of the main event, he was stealing the show from the undercard. Many consider his match with Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3 to be the best of all time.
Randy Savage was key to one of my favorite childhood memories. In 1987, the WWF held the the very first Survivor Series at Richfield Coliseum on Thanksgiving Day. When it was announced that this event was taking place, I shrewdly suggested to my Dad that this would be a perfect gift for my older brother’s birthday. David was impossible to buy things for, as he never really cared much for material possessions. Wrestling tickets would be a perfect thing for this life-long fan. The biggest issue was that we’d always have Thanksgiving at my Grandparents house near Columbus. We would have to go to the event on the way back up to Cleveland, which meant my Mom would have to go with us as well. She was less than thrilled with this arrangement, but she understood how rare an opportunity this was for David. One thing led to another, however, and we ended up not going to Columbus. Mom was off the hook, and we had an extra ticket. A ticket that would be offered to my pal Danny.
Danny McHale was my truest friend growing up, and he was a just as big a wrestling nut as us Ireland boys had become. I couldn’t imagine bringing a better person to share this evening with. Just about every major 80s wrestler was scheduled for this event: Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Honky Tonk Man, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Tito Santana, The Hart Foundation, The British Bulldogs, Ricky Steamboat, Bobby Heenan, Demolition, Ravishing Rick Rude, One Man Gang, Bam Bam Bigelow, The Fabulous Moolah, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake... and of course Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Savage was coming into the event hot off a recent face turn as a crowd favorite. We went bananas for his match, and spent the larger part of the evening imitating his gravely voice catchphrases. He truly was the highlight of an evening of highlights. To this day it is the greatest wrestling event I’ve ever seen live.
I’ve always respected Savage, despite some of the decisions he may have been forced to make. Like many wrestlers of the time, he felt the need (or felt pressure) to enhance his physique with steroids. That only lasted a short time though, and I think he was off of them well before some of the others. He never needed them in the first place, as his wrestling style called for a more wiry frame. He never had to be the top guy, his place in the company was all his own. His act could have easily gone stale, but he allowed himself to evolve over the course of his career. He was a true sports entertainer. He knew how to make you laugh He knew how to frighten you. He knew how to tell a story in the ring. By the time he climbed up to the top rope to deliver his flying elbow drop, he had whipped you into a frenzy of excitment. Pomp and Circumstance would blare throughout the arena announcing his victory. I will always associate that tune with satisfying success. He walked away from wrestling before his skills diminished, a wise decision that some wrestlers fail to make. He’s been largely out of the public eye for almost a decade.
Many of these wrestlers have been dying young, and it continues to be sobbering news to hear how their bodies have failed them after years of abuse. Still, I wasn’t expecting Savage to pass for some time. I’d been holding out hope for a possible appearance at some point, perhaps induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Maybe a TV role. Who knows.
Another hero has passed. Thank you Macho Man. I dig it. Oh yeah!
