There’s only one thing I like more than unearthing old footage of guys who would become big names in the wrestling business earning their stripes by staring at the ceiling lights for the 1-2-3, and that would be “Macho Man” Randy Savage dropping the big elbow on them in the process. OH YEAH! DIG IT!
Today’s victim would be Troy Martin, or as he would be best known in the years to come “The Franchise” Shane Douglas. In fact, it would be a less than ten years later he would make history by taking the NWA title and throwing it on the ground and explaining that ECW was about to become Extreme. But that was not going to be the case today as he would be taking on…
…the Macho Man himself, accompanied to the ring by Miss Elizabeth. I should note that this is my favorite era of Savage ever, namely his early WWF heel run with the Intercontinental title. He was always great, but it was during this period that he was at his best on the national stage, just being a total mad man who looked like the best wrestler on planet earth.
And when I say “wrestler”, I mean it – seriously, check out that tackle going straight into a chancery going straight into a series of roll overs. Dude was fast as lightning and just a total pleasure to watch.
Here he even gives young Shane a bit of offense, including a quick small package as former IC champ Pedro Morales blah blahs in the background. Your day is over old man!
So Randy does what Randy does best, tossing Shane out of the ring like a bag of garbage. He climbs to the top rope and comes crashing down to the floor with a double axe-handle. Now you may see that today and think, “that’s not big deal” but believe me in 1986 (and especially 1986 WWF!!!) this was crazy to see.
I should also note that Randy lives up to the Savage part of his name as well, tossing Shane over the barricade and into the crowd. Maybe this is where young Troy got the idea that maybe being extreme could lead somewhere.
Macho tosses him back into the ring with more top rope brutality…
…before slamming him (almost power slamming him!) and heading to the top rope to leap high into the air with the elbow drop. Holy crap no wonder his hip was toast over the years. But for that run there wasn’t nobody better. Note to self: more Randy Savage squashes are needed!!! If you have a favorite one, leave it in the comments section below!