Post by warriorlynx on Aug 23, 2018 18:38:41 GMT -5
Case Description:
In the Attitude Era, Randy Savage retaliated against Triple H and Stephanie in a video promoting his website, after Triple H called WCW stars like Randy Savage "dinosaurs". Randy would remark "Triple H you already know I'm going to bitc# slap you, and take your girl Stephanie McMahon, get on my back, I could take the pressure yes I can". See video proof below (0:42-0:50)
A rumour that continues till this day emerged that Randy Savage had slept with Stephanie when she was a minor and was the reason for his departure from the WWF in 1994. The delay for the Hall of Fame further fueled the rumour. Further rumours were spread that Stephanie was pregnant and Linda McMahon hid it from Vince for years.
Timeframe of Sexual Encounter:
The timeframe is usually sometime in the second-half of 1994, prior to Randy finishing his WWF contract on October 31st. Stephanie turned 18 in September, if the incident did occur near this time period, Stephanie may have been an adult. If she was still 17, depending on State law, if there was consent, it may not have been considered illegal. There is a lack of information if it occured before 1994 or whether there was a real relationship.
Proponents of the Claim:
Several individuals in the wrestling business allege of it being a possibility. Lanny Poffo (Randy's brother), Hulk Hogan and Bruce Prichard are some known to have speculated, though there is no definitive proof to the claims.
Timeline post 1994:
1. Scott Hall spoke about how Randy Savage was not much of a "ladies man" and that he was "shy" (post-divorce) at the time.
2. Lanny Poffo discussed Randy's displeasure in being a commentator (and the storyline with HBK that was turned down) and made the decision to join WCW.
3. Vince was notified that Randy wasn't going to come in the morning on the day he left and Vince was very straight forward about Randy leaving according to Bruce Prichard. Vince didn't like talking about Randy thereafter.
4. Sean Waltman mentions that Vince had seen Randy as his "Babe Ruth" and was emotionally hurt the day when Randy had quit.
5. Vince McMahon on the November 7th, 1994 edition of RAW discussed a contract dispute and wished Randy Savage the best of luck in the future. This was very unorthodox as Vince rarely ever wished performers who left him the best of luck on national TV.
6. Sometime in early 1995, Randy Savage was in financial trouble (due to the divorce in 92) and negotiated with the producers of Slim Jim to become their spokesperson for a second time. Slim Jim was a major sponsor of the WWF and broke their relationship to keep Randy Savage as their spokesperson. Thereafter Slim Jim would sponsor WCW PPV's that year.
7. In early 1996, the WWF made parody skits that involved the "Nacho Man", who was considered "old". Although Randy Savage would later say it was "just jokes" in a shoot, it likely hurt further relations. Randy has always been sensitive to his look, image and body, he wore his cowboy hat to cover his baldness in 91, and didn't want to wrestle in TNA because of how old he looked.
8. Sometime in 1997, the WWF was interested in Randy Savage again (Bret Hart was leaving for WCW), however they were unable to reach an agreement as Randy wanted more money. However the interest was limited to the idea that Hulk Hogan would've accepted a deal from Vince first, which naturally Hulk might've wanted Randy with him.
9. In an AOL interview in 1998, Vince was asked about bringing back Randy Savage, and Vince replied that he would bring him back in 2032, but believed it would be too late.
10. In 2000, Randy was willing to work with the WWF again if there was interest and they could work a program. Rumours had it that Randy asked too much, and Vince had no interest in him any longer. Even in 2002, Vince had no interest in bringing back Hulk Hogan, but was convinced of the NWO idea and brought him back.
11. In 2003, Smackdown magazine interviewed Randy Savage.
12. Randy Savage refused to join the Hall of Fame based on the idea that the Poffo family including his father and brother should all join in at the same time. Randy was very sensitive when it came to his father, as he held a grudge since the 1980s when the WWF didn't let his father join in on a Legend's Battle Royal at a house show.
13. Randy Savage took part in a promo for a WWE video game before his death, but there is no indication of whether Vince and Randy buried the hatchet.
Conclusion:
There is a strong possibility that it never occured. Rumours that are big enough can make people believe in it. No one has ever spoken about it in the 1990s (unless there is evidence), and it was likely sparked when Randy retaliated against being called a "dinosaur", which likely angered Stephanie and Triple H and therefore was blacklisted in the WWF.
Vince took Randy leaving personally. He just had the trial of his life earlier in 1994 and his one time biggest star testified in court (Hulk Hogan) and left for WCW. By Randy taking Slim Jim, it was likely that Vince was angered greatly by this. In the Fiscal Period ending April 30th 1995, the WWF suffered a loss of $4,431,000, so it was clear that when Slim Jim left as a sponsor earlier that year, it hurt the company significantly. In the years to come the WWF couldn't afford Randy and didn't see enough value to pay him as much as WCW would.
It's true that Vince has forgiven many wrestlers, like the Ultimate Warrior, however he always saw value with the Warrior compared to Randy. Even in 1997, Vince offered Warrior a contract, but Warrior refused. But it's also possible for Vince to hold long-term grudges, like he did with Bruno Sammartino (until the Hall of Fame) or Ted Turner.
Vince likely didn't bury the hatchet with Randy due to a combination of issues, his remarks about Stephanie getting on "his back", and with Randy's timely death, they weren't able too.
In the Attitude Era, Randy Savage retaliated against Triple H and Stephanie in a video promoting his website, after Triple H called WCW stars like Randy Savage "dinosaurs". Randy would remark "Triple H you already know I'm going to bitc# slap you, and take your girl Stephanie McMahon, get on my back, I could take the pressure yes I can". See video proof below (0:42-0:50)
A rumour that continues till this day emerged that Randy Savage had slept with Stephanie when she was a minor and was the reason for his departure from the WWF in 1994. The delay for the Hall of Fame further fueled the rumour. Further rumours were spread that Stephanie was pregnant and Linda McMahon hid it from Vince for years.
Timeframe of Sexual Encounter:
The timeframe is usually sometime in the second-half of 1994, prior to Randy finishing his WWF contract on October 31st. Stephanie turned 18 in September, if the incident did occur near this time period, Stephanie may have been an adult. If she was still 17, depending on State law, if there was consent, it may not have been considered illegal. There is a lack of information if it occured before 1994 or whether there was a real relationship.
Proponents of the Claim:
Several individuals in the wrestling business allege of it being a possibility. Lanny Poffo (Randy's brother), Hulk Hogan and Bruce Prichard are some known to have speculated, though there is no definitive proof to the claims.
Timeline post 1994:
1. Scott Hall spoke about how Randy Savage was not much of a "ladies man" and that he was "shy" (post-divorce) at the time.
2. Lanny Poffo discussed Randy's displeasure in being a commentator (and the storyline with HBK that was turned down) and made the decision to join WCW.
3. Vince was notified that Randy wasn't going to come in the morning on the day he left and Vince was very straight forward about Randy leaving according to Bruce Prichard. Vince didn't like talking about Randy thereafter.
4. Sean Waltman mentions that Vince had seen Randy as his "Babe Ruth" and was emotionally hurt the day when Randy had quit.
5. Vince McMahon on the November 7th, 1994 edition of RAW discussed a contract dispute and wished Randy Savage the best of luck in the future. This was very unorthodox as Vince rarely ever wished performers who left him the best of luck on national TV.
6. Sometime in early 1995, Randy Savage was in financial trouble (due to the divorce in 92) and negotiated with the producers of Slim Jim to become their spokesperson for a second time. Slim Jim was a major sponsor of the WWF and broke their relationship to keep Randy Savage as their spokesperson. Thereafter Slim Jim would sponsor WCW PPV's that year.
7. In early 1996, the WWF made parody skits that involved the "Nacho Man", who was considered "old". Although Randy Savage would later say it was "just jokes" in a shoot, it likely hurt further relations. Randy has always been sensitive to his look, image and body, he wore his cowboy hat to cover his baldness in 91, and didn't want to wrestle in TNA because of how old he looked.
8. Sometime in 1997, the WWF was interested in Randy Savage again (Bret Hart was leaving for WCW), however they were unable to reach an agreement as Randy wanted more money. However the interest was limited to the idea that Hulk Hogan would've accepted a deal from Vince first, which naturally Hulk might've wanted Randy with him.
9. In an AOL interview in 1998, Vince was asked about bringing back Randy Savage, and Vince replied that he would bring him back in 2032, but believed it would be too late.
10. In 2000, Randy was willing to work with the WWF again if there was interest and they could work a program. Rumours had it that Randy asked too much, and Vince had no interest in him any longer. Even in 2002, Vince had no interest in bringing back Hulk Hogan, but was convinced of the NWO idea and brought him back.
11. In 2003, Smackdown magazine interviewed Randy Savage.
12. Randy Savage refused to join the Hall of Fame based on the idea that the Poffo family including his father and brother should all join in at the same time. Randy was very sensitive when it came to his father, as he held a grudge since the 1980s when the WWF didn't let his father join in on a Legend's Battle Royal at a house show.
13. Randy Savage took part in a promo for a WWE video game before his death, but there is no indication of whether Vince and Randy buried the hatchet.
Conclusion:
There is a strong possibility that it never occured. Rumours that are big enough can make people believe in it. No one has ever spoken about it in the 1990s (unless there is evidence), and it was likely sparked when Randy retaliated against being called a "dinosaur", which likely angered Stephanie and Triple H and therefore was blacklisted in the WWF.
Vince took Randy leaving personally. He just had the trial of his life earlier in 1994 and his one time biggest star testified in court (Hulk Hogan) and left for WCW. By Randy taking Slim Jim, it was likely that Vince was angered greatly by this. In the Fiscal Period ending April 30th 1995, the WWF suffered a loss of $4,431,000, so it was clear that when Slim Jim left as a sponsor earlier that year, it hurt the company significantly. In the years to come the WWF couldn't afford Randy and didn't see enough value to pay him as much as WCW would.
It's true that Vince has forgiven many wrestlers, like the Ultimate Warrior, however he always saw value with the Warrior compared to Randy. Even in 1997, Vince offered Warrior a contract, but Warrior refused. But it's also possible for Vince to hold long-term grudges, like he did with Bruno Sammartino (until the Hall of Fame) or Ted Turner.
Vince likely didn't bury the hatchet with Randy due to a combination of issues, his remarks about Stephanie getting on "his back", and with Randy's timely death, they weren't able too.
