Tribute To A Childhood Hero – Macho Man Randy Savage

I grew up watching wrestling.  Heck, I'm grown up and still watching, but one of the first stars to ever catch my attention was Randy "Macho Man" Savage.  His lavish ring gear and over-the-top interviews made him a hit with fans in the mid 80's.  Everyone back then knew Hulk Hogan, but after 4-5 years of leading the World Wrestling Federation, someone new had to step in, and that was the "Macho Man."  My first vivid memories of watching wrestling came from watching Randy come to the aid of his beloved, Miss Elizabeth and taking a wooden guitar over his head for his troubles from The Honky Tonk Man.  Shortly after that, he would capture the WWF title, winning a tournament at Wrestlemania 4.  Good or bad guy, Savage could do it all.  And as a kid, I loved it!  I was there in Indianapolis watching him tangle with Ric Flair in an intense match for the title, which he won.  It was even more fun to watch wrestling into my teens with Randy on commentary.  He always added a unique perspective, while getting his digs in on Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.  Now that I'm an adult, and I've had more time to study the "art" of the wrestling business, I understand why Randy Savage meant so much to it.  He had everything that makes a star in that business.  It's just a shame he was not properly recognized for his achievements before his untimely death last week .  I have a tape of me at the age of 12 doing my impersonation of the "Macho Man," and if I get brave you may hear that one some day.  This just seems to be a tragic story, but so far, not one of the typical self-inflicted tragic stories we often hear in the wrestling world.

I'm sure Randy waited for St. Peter to play Pomp and Circumstance, charged through the gates, with index finger pointed to the sky, twirled once to show off for the crowd, and ripped off the sunglasses as he met an applauding Miss Elizabeth halfway down the aisle.  Will he rest in peace?  OOOOH YEAH!  Thanks for the memories, Randy.