My World w/ Jeff Jarrett - Randy Savage [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Our topic today is one of the men who ended up being one of the biggest stars in all of professional wrestling for close to two decades - Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Jeff - when I say the Macho Man - what’s the first thing you think of?

Randy’s family has a long legacy in this business - between his father Angelo and his brother Lanny - when did you first hear of the Poffos?

Randy was a baseball player, and got to even spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals one summer - he was an athlete through and through was he not?

When the Poffos started the ICW in Kentucky - it was with Randy & Leaping Lanny as the two top stars and they would go on TV and challenge the likes of Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee - top draws for your father at the time - to matches. They would even take out ads in the newspaper putting $100,000 on the line if Dundee, Tojo Yamamoto & your father Jerry Jarrett to appear. When did you first hear of the war that was brewing?

Meltzer said A lot of the Memphis wrestlers wanted to respond on television, but Jarrett forbid it. He would constantly tell them, ignore them, because eventually they are going to go away. He said spending any time talking about them would take away from the angles they are doing and trying to draw money with. Jarrett impressed on Jimmy Hart that advice.

What's your memories of that?

Things threatened to become physical. Jimmy Hart notes about a night he’ll never remember. Lawler had just broken his leg playing touch football, and was out of action, but in those days, word traveled slowly. A few days later, the Jarrett crew went to Lexington for their regular show. As they pulled up, Savage, in front of fans, saw Hart and started talking about how tonight, he’s taking out Lawler, and apparently he really meant it. Hart told him that Lawler broke his leg and wasn’t going to be there.

Savage paused, collected his thoughts, and told Hart, “Okay, tonight, I’m taking out Dundee.”

Talk about the fight at the Waffle House parking lot

Not just Savage, but the entire ICW roster bought tickets and came into the building, apparently waiting to cause a scene in the main event that involved Dundee. However, in the semifinal, a fan attacked Hart and a riot started, not involving the ICW crew, and the police had to come to quell things down. The show continued, but with officers everywhere, the ICW guys never made a move.

I mean - this is a real life situation in not the “realest” of worlds. Jeff - you’re 10 at the time. Was this a big burden on your family?

Did you & Randy ever discuss this later on?

Eventually they would come together…and this is written in the Observer

Fast forward to 1983, Savage wrote a letter to Lawler apologizing for everything he had said and was looking to work together to do business. Years later, when Savage was on top, he called Watts, by this point out of the business, to thank him for the advice, noting that if he had stayed independent and not gone to Memphis and never gotten the opportunity. Realistically, at some point, the opportunity would have come. It’s also possible it may have come at a different time where he may not have gotten the same opportunity.

Jimmy Hart remembered Lawler calling him up and telling him about the letter and asking him for advice. Hart told him it would be great.

“Lawler said to me, `What if it turns into a real fight.'” said Hart. “I told him, `Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.'”

When they finally got together - 8,000 fans were at the Rupp Arena - and it was a cold match - no angle and no television. That’s how much everyone knew the feud could make money right? That’s the point of these things…

From the Observer

“With the trust issue seemingly put to bed, Savage and Angelo Poffo showed up on Memphis television, acting like they were barging in on a live television show. Savage demanded Lawler. Eddie Marlin, who played the role of promoter, tried to reason with Savage about leaving during the live show. Eventually Lawler said he was tired with all the talk for all those years and wanted the match.

The match took place on December 5, 1983, at the Mid South Coliseum, with Lawler retaining his Southern title and winning via DQ, before 8,012 fans, about double what they had been doing. 

It wasn’t a sellout, but it was the fourth largest crowd of the year for the promotion that ran every Monday night, trailing two appearances by Andy Kaufman in handicap matches against Lawler, and a Lawler challenge of Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA title. Week two, a cage match with Lawler once again winning via DQ, was down to 4,500 fans, just above normal. “

This is one of the bigger selling angles in the beginning but like everything it ran its course. What do you remember of these matches and Randy in the ring?

Did you know - or did anyone know - just how big he was going to become?

In 1985 Savage & Lawler would have their last feud drawing close to 9000 fans but it was time for Randy to move on and he put Lawler over in a 30 minute loser leaves town match. What did you think of Randy going to the WWF?

When he went there, he'd be managed by his real life wife, Elizabeth. Did you know her personally in Memphis?

Randy went on to have an amazingly legendary career in the WWF. Did you ever keep up with what he was doing there over the years?

His epic run with Hulk Hogan, his intercontinental title match with Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3, Ric Flair in 92, Jake Roberts…the list goes on and on. What are your favorite Randy Savage moments in the WWF?

Randy would briefly return to Memphis for the USWA in 1993, where he defeated Jerry Lawler on October 11, 1993 in Memphis to win the USWA World Title. He vacated the title, when WWF and USWA business relationship ended November 1993. What was it like having Randy back in Memphis at this time?

I couldn’t find any record of you working with him - did you ever get a chance to wrestle him one on one?

He eliminated you in the 1994 Royal Rumble after 90 seconds…that was something right?

In one of his last moments - or angles in the WWF - Fast forward to March of 1994, you just defeated Koko B. Ware on Raw. Randy was doing commentary with Vince at the time, and you go to the table and say some things to Randy and go back into the ring, and challenge him to come in. He does, you guys brawl into the corner and he whips you across the ring and Koko hits you from the top rope and Randy throws you out of the ring. Getting to do that with Randy - what did that mean for you?

Were you hoping this woud’ve turned into something?

Was an angle planned to come out of this, or was this just a 1-off?

Did Randy ever talk to you about his frustrations during that time about having to do commentary when he still wanted to wrestle?

Randy shockingly left the WWF in late 94, to go to WCW. Were you surprised when that happened?

Randy going to WCW was a game changer that I don’t think gets mentioned enough - what say you?

When you joined WCW - did you reconnect with him? Was he different in WCW compared to the WWF?

There’s always been the rumor & innuendo of Randy being wound tight so to speak - was that something you ever saw or dealt with?

Randy was a big part of the nWo angle…and when you were kind of a Horsemen - it seemed like it could’ve been in a fit. That would’ve been something you would’ve loved to have gotten to do right?

You did in fact get to be in the ring with him at Uncensored 1997 - when you were Team Piper - as de facto Horsemen of yourself, Chris Benoit, Piper & Steve McMichael taking on Team WCW of Lex Luger, Scott Steiner & the Giant and also Team nWo of Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash & Randy. When you look around that lineup - there’s a hell of a lot of hall of FAMERS there wasn’t there?

You wouldn’t share a ring with him again until he made his last one-time appearance in WCW on May 2nd, 2000 - as we discussed recently - on a Thunder battle royal. 41 men…Randy Savage, Bret Hart - all put in there randomly…what was Randy like towards the end of his run in WCW there?

How many conversations & discussions did you or your Dad had with him about coming into TNA?

How close did you ever get before it finally happened in 2004?

From the Observer:

“There was certainly speculation, and being wrestling, there would be, that the Hogan-Savage thing was a work on their part, without letting the company in on it. I don’t think it was. I’d go so far as to say I’m pretty sure on this one. The idea that Savage would walk out just a few hours before show time, causing them to have to rewrite the entire show, which Savage was prominently figured into, makes me think that isn’t the case, although if it is, nobody believes the company was part of it. Also, if it was, they’d have gone at it in public to try and fool people like DDP and Buff Bagwell in WCW, as opposed to Savage quitting and making himself look so bad. Savage and TNA officials were back talking on 11/10, after Savage had no-showed, and came to terms a few days later that Savage would return, and when the 11/16 TV show was over, they had officially announced Savage & Jeff Hardy & A.J. Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett & Kevin Nash & Scott Hall as the main event for the 12/5 Turning Point PPV, which will also be from Universal Studios in Orlando. Savage had demanded that Jimmy Hart stay away from him the entire time he’s there or he wouldn’t come, being that Hart is such an intimidating guy I guess. Hart had a nasty confrontation a year or so back on the Mancow radio show with Savage when they argued about Hogan.”

That was what Meltzer reported at the time…what say you?

Also from the Observer that week: “Brian Adams, who is Savage’s current running buddy, was on the Cowhead radio show in Tampa and criticized how the Jarretts treated Savage. He said they had snuck Savage into the building to keep his appearance a secret, but then Hogan walked in where fans could see he was there, and everyone made a big deal about Hogan being there when they knew Savage hated him. He said the Jarretts knew it was unprofessional. I guess Savage felt that if he was there, that nobody he doesn’t like should be allowed to be there or it’s unprofessional

Hogan was very popular with all the guys, and was telling people that he’s been talking with Vince, but Vince wants him to just put guys over and he doesn’t want to do that. Hogan was told that for the first time, because Vince’s business is so bad, and because TNA is more high profile on FSN right now, that the ball is more in his court than Vince’s

Savage was also nice to everyone. Some were concerned about his mentally because people he knew from the past and had worked with he didn’t seem to remember. He was friendly to everyone and did say, for the sake of business, if Hogan came in, he’d work now at getting along with him and would do a feud with him if asked”

What can you tell us about this whole situation with Savage, Hogan, Jimmy Hart, Brian Adams, Brutus the fucking Barber Beefcake supposedly to?

How big an issue was this if Savage didn’t come to play ball?

The angle to close the show was this:

“Jarrett, Hall and Nash came out and beat up on all three faces as well as Shark Boy, leading to Styles and Hardy coming out with Savage. Savage, who never took off his big coat again, punched Jarrett and the heels left but continued to taunt Savage from the ramp.”

This was not the Randy you were expecting right?

Was Hogan a piece of this conversation with Randy?

How tenuous was the deal that even just having Brutus Beefcake in the back scared him off to speak?

Did you have to go into survival mode just to get him to the building for the Turning Point pay-per-view?

From the Observer

“Randy Savage’s deal is for eight dates. His demands to return, which TNA acquiesced to (against the wishes of some in management thinking they were ridiculous) were limo service from his home in Tampa to Orlando for every show, two security guards at $1,000 per night (Ron Harris and Brian Adams), which is more than all but the top wrestlers in the group are earning; and that Jimmy Hart could not only be nowhere near him, but also couldn’t be in the truck or on the headsets when he was on television. Hart doesn’t work in the truck to begin with. When Savage was out, he had Harris watching the Gorilla position to make sure Hart wasn’t there. In 85 degree weather, Savage only took his jacket off once. Those who saw him said his arms looked shriveled up and that either he’s going to work with a long sleeve shirt or have to make some very quick changes if he’s actually going to wrestle. Savage also demanded his own private dressing room, I guess, to make sure nobody saw the physical changes we just wrote about”

I mean wow Jeff. How much is true and how much is fiction?

Now at Turning Point…

“7. Jeff Hardy & A.J. Styles & Randy Savage beat Kevin Nash & Scott Hall & Jeff Jarrett in 17:52. Nash & Hall & Jarrett before the show, being that they’re the Kings of Wrestling, dressed up like Elvis in jumpsuits and Elvis wigs. They also did this angle where a car drove away, and they acted as if they had beaten up Savage, threw him in a car and he was kidnapped. It was actually because Savage couldn’t wrestle and they were trying to hide the fact. So when the match began, it was a 2-on-3. Hall & Nash wore the jumpsuits, so they looked like giant clowns. The jumpsuits were to hide their physiques (although Nash is in great cosmetic shape for his age), but it couldn’t hide their faces, as both, particularly Hall, have aged greatly. Hall looked like an aging wino, which is what he is. Nash, because of his gray hair, looked like a 55-year-old former NBA player like Phil Jackson or someone. They even came out to the old Flying Elvises theme music. Hall tried, but it was like an out of shape guy trying to keep up. Jarrett and Styles were there to carry the match. Styles worked for five people, but that wasn’t enough, although the match was more than decent when he was in, and that was most of the way. He made a cold tag to Hardy and the match fell apart from there. Hardy had Hall pinned when Nash pulled ref Andrew Thomas out of the ring. Hall hit Hardy with a guitar shot. Savage finally showed up and he made Hall & Nash look youthful. Backstage I was told Savage looked 100 years old. I thought on TV he didn’t look more than a day over 60, although he did look older then Lou Thesz did when I saw him at a show in 1996 when Lou was 80. Savage threw a few punches and put Jarrett in a sleeper. Jarrett tried a sunset flip, Savage blocked it, punched Jarrett to the head, and got the pin. *”

“To anyone who saw the show, even with Mike Tenay emphasizing that he pinned the champ and deserved the next shot, the idea of a Jarrett vs. Savage main event (which Jarrett himself was originally in favor of, for obvious reasons, since in his eyes, he gets a win over Savage provided Savage is agreeable to that finish) is nothing anyone would want to see., and the thought of Jarrett having to carry him to a credible world title match is a scary thought. Jarrett vs. DDP has no box office either, but at least it would be a good match. Of course, what ended up happening made it a moot point, as Savage once again walked out of the tapings on 12/7 in Orlando, where an angle was scheduled with Jarrett, Savage and Rhodes where Rhodes would announce the main event. The word was, when talking over the idea of the 1/16 title match, Savage refused to do the job when he found out that was the plan, and left again. Quite frankly, it serves them right because the result of the title match should have been told to Savage, and they should have something on paper with him so they could take legal recourse for screwing up their storylines, before they ever put him over on the show. Savage is not the bad guy here because he made it clear when he first was coming in that he wasn’t going to put Jarrett over. Then, they booked his win knowing he’d already made that clear, and then were mad when he said it again. Instead, Jarrett and Rhodes did a confrontation, but Savage’s name was never mentioned, nor was a main event announced, probably to avoid them committing to something in case Savage had a change of heart like the last time he walked out of a taping, and was back in the fold a few days later.”

I mean what a mess this is Jeff. What are we doing here?

Did anyone warn you that this is what Randy would be like to deal with?

From the Observer

“A few we’ve talked to in the company shared the viewpoint on Savage we mentioned here, although it’s more the problem of how the company handled it and not any defense of Savage. The belief is when you are talking with a guy like Savage, at that level, you should lay out the entire program, and get a contract signature and agreement, before even starting the program. Savage should have never pinned Jarrett on the assumption he would do the job back in a singles match, without it being agreed to. Another aspect not talked about is the longstanding lack of trust stemming from one of the most bitter promotional wars in history between the Poffo family and Jerry Jarrett, even though they made peace when it was over and did business together, and in a sense, it was by Randy becoming a star in the Jarrett territory against Jerry Lawler, that gave him the exposure that led to WWF having interest in him. Dusty Rhodes and Jerry Jarrett both talked with Savage for 15 minutes on 12/7 to lay out the scenario of Savage losing at the PPV and Savage turned them down, and that was it. This all happened about 15-20 minutes before the taping started, which threw a monkey wrench into everything since Savage was booked all over the show. One of the funniest lines came from Bobby Heenan, when someone noted to him that the Poffos don’t trust the Jarretts, saying, “The Jarretts don’t even trust the Jarretts.”

Was this how it all happened? How much of a disappointment was this for you?

Did you think you’d ever see Randy back in a wrestling ring like this again?

Why do you think Randy never went back to the WWE?

Sadly - on May 20th, 2011 - Randy Savage would have a heart attack and pass away while driving. Where were you when you heard the news?

How saddened were you by it?

What do you think Randy’s legacy in the business is?