Post by koreygunz on Jul 7, 2011 12:11:04 GMT -5
Someone posted a similar topic to this about Warrior a month or so ago, and it got me thinking about the WWF Title reigns of Randy Savage, one of my all time faves.
For me, his first title run after WM 4 was a mixed bag for me. For the purpose of this topic, Im not going to take into consideration that Ted Dibiase was originally supposed to win the title, etc, etc. While some may see his title win as diluted a bit because of Hogan's interference, I still think it was a great moment for Savage, and was a big moment because it was really the first time in nearly five years that Vince had trusted the title with someone other than Hogan.
However, similarly to Warrior, Savage's title run was watered down because of his association with Hogan in the Mega Powers. Though the feud with Dibiase and Andre made sense, it took the focus off of the WWF Title itself, and thus the champion. Savage never even headlined a PPV with a one on one matchup for the title until the next YEAR, at Mania 5 (against Hogan of course). Most of his one on one matches with Dibiase were held on Main Event or other broadcasts. But, I will admit that his heel turn and feud with Hogan was VERY well done, and I think the heel run with Hogan may have even done more to elevate him in the eyes of fans than his initial title win did. So again, a mixed bag for me.
Savage's second title run was solid overall I thought, but came to an abrupt and strange end. His feud with Flair was great, and his title win at Mania 8 was a good moment. He then went on to have a good feud with Warrior for the summer, which was probably the most star studded match the WWF could have had at the time. However, I thought his title reign really came to a strange end by having him drop the title to Flair in a TV broadast and not a PPV. Add to the fact that Flair then dropped the title to Bret a month later, and the Savage feud with Razor Ramon that was seemingly being built towards never got off the ground, made it even more strange.
I understand Vince wanted to go with Bret and the "New Generation," and maybe he was reluctant to go with a face vs face fued, and thus used Flair as a transitional champ, but in my opinon it would have been awesome to see Savage and Hart headline Mania 9, or even have had Savage drop the title to Flair at Survivor Series or the Rumble, and have Flair/Hart headline Mania.
Savage will always be a legend and one of my all time favorites, but I always felt his title runs left a little to be desired and he deserved a bit better. What are your thoughts?
For me, his first title run after WM 4 was a mixed bag for me. For the purpose of this topic, Im not going to take into consideration that Ted Dibiase was originally supposed to win the title, etc, etc. While some may see his title win as diluted a bit because of Hogan's interference, I still think it was a great moment for Savage, and was a big moment because it was really the first time in nearly five years that Vince had trusted the title with someone other than Hogan.
However, similarly to Warrior, Savage's title run was watered down because of his association with Hogan in the Mega Powers. Though the feud with Dibiase and Andre made sense, it took the focus off of the WWF Title itself, and thus the champion. Savage never even headlined a PPV with a one on one matchup for the title until the next YEAR, at Mania 5 (against Hogan of course). Most of his one on one matches with Dibiase were held on Main Event or other broadcasts. But, I will admit that his heel turn and feud with Hogan was VERY well done, and I think the heel run with Hogan may have even done more to elevate him in the eyes of fans than his initial title win did. So again, a mixed bag for me.
Savage's second title run was solid overall I thought, but came to an abrupt and strange end. His feud with Flair was great, and his title win at Mania 8 was a good moment. He then went on to have a good feud with Warrior for the summer, which was probably the most star studded match the WWF could have had at the time. However, I thought his title reign really came to a strange end by having him drop the title to Flair in a TV broadast and not a PPV. Add to the fact that Flair then dropped the title to Bret a month later, and the Savage feud with Razor Ramon that was seemingly being built towards never got off the ground, made it even more strange.
I understand Vince wanted to go with Bret and the "New Generation," and maybe he was reluctant to go with a face vs face fued, and thus used Flair as a transitional champ, but in my opinon it would have been awesome to see Savage and Hart headline Mania 9, or even have had Savage drop the title to Flair at Survivor Series or the Rumble, and have Flair/Hart headline Mania.
Savage will always be a legend and one of my all time favorites, but I always felt his title runs left a little to be desired and he deserved a bit better. What are your thoughts?
