The Macho Hero

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!

Wrestlemania Predictions

The WWE presents their Super Bowl of Wrestling today, and as usual I am sucked in by the promise of spectacle. I really should be more cautious with my anticipation as the WWE has not been delivering a quality product worth the $65 pay-per-view price as of late. Last year’s 25^th anniversary should have been a classic to celebrate a quarter of century of Wrestlemania moments. Instead it was a lazy and predictable show with only one major highlight match.

Let’s start off with that match. Two of the WWE’s greatest performers met at Wrestlemania for the first time. Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker each have highlight reels full of notable and perhaps infamous moments. Both are reaching retirement age, but still managed to outshine every one else. The WWE was so happy with this match they decided to do it again. I guess my question is why? In my view, there is no good way for this to end. If Shawn Michaels wins, the hallowed WM winning streak of the Undertaker is over. If the Undertaker wins, then the Shawn Michaels legacy is perhaps damaged by not being able to achieve this goal. Does Michaels deserve the honor of ending the streak? I’m indifferent to it, because part of me feels he isn’t, but on the other hand he is the only one in the current locker room that deserves the honor. I’m not sure why the WWE has decided to paint itself into a corner with this one. I fear a trick ending that will not leave us feeling satisfied.

The one gimmick match that WWE needs to retire is the Money in the Bank Ladder Match – AKA “the full of wrestlers we don’t know what to do with but can’t leave them off the card” match. This match started years ago with only 6 performers, and it is now bloated to 10. This match has featured some incredible spots and bumps over the years, but one can only jump off the top of ladder so many different ways. Shelton Benjamin, Kane, Fat (Matt) Hardy, and MVP are all past their prime or push, and could all have been left off the card. Christian and Kofi Kingston deserve better matches. Let’s hope that the deserving young superstars making their first appearances can make this match memorable. Who wins? I still say Christian should win, and then challenge Edge at the end of his title match later in the evening. The WWE just isn’t brave enough for this bold of a move.

Edge came out of nowhere at the Royal Rumble, and that is possibly the best thing for this event. He takes on the current World Champion and WWE Most Valuable Player Chris Jericho. I have high hopes for these guys, and I hope they are given enough time to truly make an epic match. These two are in the prime of their careers, and this match could easily vault them into wrestling immortality. Edge will and should win.

The other title match could be John Cena’s first solid attempt at a decent WM moment. I’m not a big fan of Cena, and neither are a lot of older fans. We dislike him so much because we can’t seem to piece together why he is the most popular and recognizable star. For once though, he has a decent story going into the event against Batista. The WWE is picking up a storyline that is nearly 2 years old, which in today’s short-term memory booking is eons. Both Cena and Batista have never had a classic WM match, despite being in the main events on multiple occasions. They have a chance now to do something, but I certainly wouldn’t trust them to close the show. Cena will win to please the kids.

Every single past WM has had a special guest spot that is used to generate some press headlines. This year that person is Bret Hart. Hell froze over recently when Bret made a special appearance as the guest host of RAW. You have to hand it to Vince McMahon, he’ll bend over backwards for any angle to generate some attention for cash. These two old guys are slated to have a no-holds-barred match, but seeing as though they are both old men now, I’m guessing there is only going to be a lot of holding. Headlocks, punches, a few kicks to the gut, and a sharp shooter to end it all. This might actually be painful to watch. At least Bret gets one last strut down the ramp, which will make this whole match worth it.

I have to say I’m both shocked and maybe a little impressed that Triple H is not in the main event… AGAIN. Just before the Royal Rumble – it certainly seemed like we were headed down that road… AGAIN. Let’s just be honest – Triple H is a classic WWE performer, but he is no Hulk Hogan, Rick Flair, or even Shawn Michaels for that matter. He is a man who has played his political cards better than anyone, heck he even married the boss’s daughter. Is he a great wrestler? Yes? Does he deserve a spot on the card? Yes. He is exactly where he should be this year. Helping put over one of the WWE’s most impressive new products – Sheamus. HHH will win it - let’s just hope he has the generosity to elevate the Celtic Warrior some.

The rest of the matches are just filler. The Tag Team Title match features 4 guys with different speeds and styles – it may be uneven. CM Punk and Rey Mysterio are rehashing and old Rey/Eddie Guerro storyline. Randy Orton taking on Legacy is also a take on a classic “wrestling stable breaks apart” angle. The Divas may or may not be on the card to add a little jiggle to the event.

I expect to be surprised, so I am hoping that there is many a plan to swerve us well-informed fans. So please amaze us WWE. We know you have it in you.