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| Macho Man Randy Savage and Mean Gene Okerlund in 1987 |
By the summer of 1987, Randy “Macho Man” Savage had become one of the most fascinating performers in the WWF. At WrestleMania III, his unforgettable battle with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat had helped elevate Savage’s reputation as one of the company’s most exciting in-ring performers. He was still an intense, unpredictable heel, but something was beginning to change. The fans were responding to him differently.
That change became even more noticeable after Honky Tonk Man defeated Steamboat for the Intercontinental Championship in June. While Savage remained focused on Hulk Hogan and the WWF Championship, his growing popularity was becoming impossible to ignore. Throughout the summer, Savage continued to work against some of the WWF’s most recognizable villains, including King Harley Race and Butch Reed, while his charisma and remarkable work rate continued to win over audiences.
There was no dramatic night when Randy Savage suddenly became a good guy. Instead, his transformation unfolded gradually, almost naturally. By September, he had won the King of the Ring tournament, defeating one fan favorite and three established heels along the way. His promos with Mean Gene Okerlund became must-see television, with Savage's larger-than-life personality making it increasingly difficult to place him neatly on either side of the good-versus-evil divide.
As Mean Gene would soon observe, Randy Savage had entered what could only be described as a “no man's land.”
One week, he was challenging the enormously popular Hulk Hogan. The next, he was standing across the ring from the newly crowned—and deeply despised—Intercontinental Champion, Honky Tonk Man. And somewhere in between, the Macho Man was slowly becoming a hero.
Through four memorable interviews with Mean Gene Okerlund, we can watch that transformation take place in real time—from the summer of 1987 through the fall, when the direction of Savage's career, and his relationship with the WWF audience, had clearly changed forever. OOOOOOH YEEAAAHHHH!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
All right, there are so many things happening here in the World Wrestling Federation, including the crowning of a new Intercontinental Champion, the Honky Tonk Man. And Jimmy Hart and him, are really delighted. They are partying it up. I don't know if the gal Betty Lou is involved with the party or not.
Come on in, if you would please, "Macho Man" Randy Savage. I don't know if you could be happy about this or not. Honky Tonk becoming the new Intercontinental Champion, and all of a sudden Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is not.
Randy Savage:
I'm delighted about it. Oh yeah, congratulations. Let me throw my hand right through the videoscope. Yeah, go on, do your reign, do your thing.
But the Macho Man Randy Savage, yeah, understand that I got things in proper perspective now.
Yeah, you're looking at the future of professional wrestling right now. You're looking at the future of the World Wrestling Federation. You're looking at the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Let me repeat myself right there.
I ain't repeating myself! Go ahead. Tell me something right now. Yeah!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
Wait a minute. You're telling me, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, that you're going to be the new Heavyweight Champion of the World?
Don't you think Hulk Hogan has got a little to say about that?
I don't hear nothing, no. I don't hear nothing.
In fact, I don't think there's nothing that he can say.
I don't believe he's here...
Mean Gene Okerlund:
You know, over the many, many years that I've covered professional wrestling, I have seen a lot of changes. A lot of changes in this great sport. And a lot of changes in a number of individuals in professional wrestling.
In the World Wrestling Federation, here is a man that has not only turned it around 180 degrees...
Randy Savage:
180 degrees!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
But he's gone another 360...
Randy Savage:
another 360!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
And then another 180.
"Macho Man" Randy Savage, you have changed over the past couple of months like I cannot believe, sir.
Randy Savage:
I'm a chameleon, yeah!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
A chameleon?
Randy Savage:
Uh huh, yeah! I'm talking about the beat goes on, yeah. And the beat goes on, yeah. And the beat goes on!
In the videoscope, yeah, I am looking right into you right now. Macho Madness right now. Sugar is sweet and so is honey. Macho Madness is on a roll and it can't be stopped, no.
Elizabeth understands what I'm talking about, yeah. Ah ha!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
Why is it, Macho Man, when I sit and talk to you... stand and talk to you, for that matter... that I think of old Sonny and Cher hits? Why is that?
Randy Savage:
Unbelievable. Time distortion. Space is the place, Mean Gene Okerlund.
Go down that lonesome highway, yeah. But don't be hypnotized, no.
Reincarnation doesn't have to be.
You can concentrate and you can, uh...
Mental telepathy, yeah!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
But the beat goes on.
Randy Savage:
But the beat goes on.
Mean Gene Okerlund:
That beat in particular has got to include maybe the Honky Tonk Man, the Intercontinental Champion of the World.
I know you're not getting along real well with members of the Bobby Heenan Family, "Macho Man." Not at all.
Randy Savage:
Let me tell you something right now. Talking about the greatest Intercontinental Champion that ever lived, the Honky Tonk Man is out of line, yeah!
'Cause I am the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion that ever lived. And I am the greatest professional wrestler that ever lived. And I'm living now, yeah! Right now, uh huh.
Mean Gene Okerlund:
A man that, well actually he's been operating out of no man's land, over the past few months, "Macho Man" Randy Savage. From the Bobby Heenan Family here at the Boston Garden, October the third, Saturday night, the "Mighty" Hercules.
Randy Savage:
OOH YEAH! I'm talking Yeah! Boston Gardens, and I remember it well, historically, yeah, for the Boston Celtics, but also for the Macho Man Randy Savage. Elizabeth realizes it, yeah, cause a victory celebration at a party one time, yeah! When I took the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Belt a long time ago, and now October the third, in Boston, yeah, IN BOSTON, 28 DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN! Yeah, uh huh.
Mean Gene Okerlund:
I, I never thought of that, that's a good thought...28 days...
Randy Savage:
you haven't thought of that, and you haven't thought of what I am thinking right now, have you?!
Mean Gene Okerlund:
What are you thinking right now?
Randy Savage:
(whispers in Mean Gene's ear)
