Over the next few days, Randy brought me to meet his family, and this was a moment in time that has stayed with me to this day. When Savage introduced me to the great Angelo Poffo, his father, Randy was absolutely GLOWING. He loved his dad beyond words; was just absolutely humbled to be in his presence. I remember being so deeply touched. I had never seen a son have that kind of unconditional love for his father. Just a beautiful thing.
Trying to interview the “Macho Man” was a much different story. Savage was guarded, there was no doubt about that. Wrestlers tend to have deeply rooted trust issues that come with the territory of the other independent contractors just waiting to put the knife in so they can take their spot, it just gets nasty at times. But, as Randy and I talked longer and longer, he began to open up a bit. Yes, the beer was really helping to. It was during this time that Randy let some things out that perhaps he really didn’t want to, or, actually did.
Randy made it clear to me that he did not like Hulk Hogan, and I could clearly read on his face that the feeling was extremely deep rooted. I knew that this issue was there, because both the former editor and the assistant editor of the WWF Magazine had solid relationships with Savage, and he had opened up to them a time, or two, concerning his feelings towards Hulk. But, Randy never got into the specifics, and I never asked. Quite frankly, it was none of my business, and if Randy wanted me to know, then he would have gone into detail. But, even without the “dirt”, the animosity was clearly there.
And, that’s why I personally took offense to the picture that I felt Hulk Hogan attempted to paint between himself and the “Macho Man” at Saturday’s Hall of Fame ceremony. As Hulk was talking about his “friend”, my mind just kept going back to that time of 20 years ago, when Randy wasn’t exactly putting the “Hulkster” in that same light. Sitting there it bothered me. I’m not going to lie to you. Hulk tells the story that the two made amends later on in their lives, and there’s really no reason not to believe him, but unicorns, rainbows and dancing Smurfs? Not so sure.
Man, I miss Savage, as do I the Warrior, Owen, and every other sports-entertainer who made the business what it was yesterday. No, that’s not a typo. To me, WrestleMania used to be once a week, not once a year.
