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The 411 Wrestling Top 5 9.05.12: Week 187 – Top 5 Randy Savage Dream Opponents

September 5, 2012 | Posted by Larry Csonka

Hello everyone and welcome to 411 Wrestling’s Top 5 List. What we are going to is take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 wrestling will have the ability to give us their Top 5 on said topic, plus up to three honorable mentions.

So, on to this week’s topic…

TOP 5 RANDY SAVAGE DREAM OPPONENTS

Who from this generation would you like face off with an in his prime Randy Savage?

Jake St-Pierre
HM: The Rock – I didn’t put this on the main list because Rocky isn’t full-time, but this match would sell like gangbusters.
HM: Bray Wyatt – I just have a feeling the exchanges between a healthy Wyatt and a prime Savage would be absolutely spectacular.
HM: Austin Aries – As a match, this would arguably be better than some on my list…I just don’t think I’d be as excited for it.

5. AJ Styles – While Macho Man didn’t exactly do the Spiral Tap or a Fosbury Flop, he did a lot of things in his day that you didn’t see many do in North America. And while AJ isn’t the most innovative high-flyer to ever do it, he certainly has the distinction of being one of the more recognizable and one of the more exciting high-flyers around the world. Both were amazing for their time, and while Savage couldn’t do insane flips off of random shit, they could really mix it up and mesh in a spectacular match.

4. Kurt Angle – At one time, Kurt Angle was one of the best to ever do it. He had a good grasp on psychology, selling, and moveset that it was impossible to have a bad match with him. The same thing goes for the Macho Man in his prime; Savage carried a piece of garbage like Ultimate Warrior to a phenomenal match while he carried a below-average Hulk Hogan to a satisfying main event at Wrestlemania V. Put two of the best carriers in wrestling together and you’re getting a treat.

3. Brock Lesnar – If there’s one thing Randy Savage did, it was make a big man look like an absolute killer. And if there’s one thing Lesnar can do, it’s killing the smaller guys. It would be an interesting dynamic for sure, but I would be very confident in their abilities to steal whatever show they were on.

2. CM Punk – Punk is a beast on the mic and in the ring, as is the Macho Man. They both have an aura around them that would give off a big match feel and make every move seem important. The exchanges that could happen–whether verbally or physically–would be off the charts, as they’re nearly the best of their respective generations. However, if there’s one person that Savage could be even BETTER with, it would be…

1. Daniel Bryan – In my not-so-humble opinion, I believe Daniel Bryan has been one of the best wrestlers in the past 10 years. He’s a one-of-a-kind talent that can carry opponents like only Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and the Macho Man could. He has some matches that are as good as (maybe better) the aforementioned three’s classics as well. That’s why a prime Randy Savage vs. a prime Daniel Bryan would be one of the most phenomenal matches of all time. Not to mention the fact that it could be a potentially hilarious character clash, as both play their respective characters so well that their charisma could carry the match by itself. So really, this was a simple answer for me; the best wrestler of the past 5-10 years against arguably the best wrestler of the 1980’s…who wouldn’t want to see it?

Robert S. Leighty Jr
HM: Jay Lethal – Mainly because Lethal would treat it as biggest match of his life, and I am sure Savage would have a ball with it as well.
HM: Steve Austin – This is a cheat since he isn’t still active, but I would pay a shit load of money to see this match. If Austin was still active he would be #1 on this list.
HM: John Cena – Dude is the face of the WWE, and would be a perfect “Hogan” for Savage in today’s generation.

5. HHH – The story writes itself with this one due to all the rumors, and what people think they know. Outside of that I do think it would be one hell of match because HHH is truly a wrestling historian and he would go balls out in a match with Savage.

4. The Undertaker – They may have crossed paths at one point, but Savage taking his turn at a Mania to stop the streak would be awesome. He had great magic with Warrior at WrestleMania VII and I am sure he and Taker would tear the house down at a large stadium show.

3. The Rock – I know I am running through some Attitude Era guys, but they are all still active so I am using them. The Rock has a deep sense of history in regards to the wrestling business, and much like he was with Hogan and then Flair, he would be geeked to the max to be in the ring with Savage. I suspect the chemistry would be great. The build and promos leading to the match would be mind blowing as well.

2. Kurt Angle – Kurt Angle’s name comes up a lot in dream match scenarios and for good reason as the man doesn’t have a bad match with anyone it seems. In regards to Savage I think their 2 styles would mesh perfectly and create quite possibly the best pure match on my list.

1. CM Punk – This match would have to be done at some point and even the WWE is aware as they listed this as one of the top 10 dream matches. Punk’s tribute to Savage with his ring gear after Macho passed was one of the classier things I have ever seen, and he continues to pay tribute with the flying elbow. I think they would do everything in their power to try to top Savage/Steamboat at WrestleMania III and while I don’t know if they could, it would be fun to see them try.

Gavin Napier
HM: Sheamus – I just think this would be fun. Not sure why.
HM: Brock Lesnar – Like Savage vs. Warrior, only with more Jimmy Johns sponsorships.
HM: CM Punk – The idea of Savage taking exception to Punk using the flying elbow isn’t inconceivable

5. Austin Aries – Savage always excelled against smaller, scientific wrestlers – Ricky Steamboat, Tito Santana, and Ric Flair spring to mind – and Aries excels against pretty much everyone. Macho’s sheer insanity would suffice as a reason for them to square off, then the magic could happen.

4. John Cena – For all of the hate thrown his way by “s”marks, Cena has had great matches with Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Booker T, Umaga, and others. His occasionally smartass raps, persistent self-deprecation, and position as the face of the company makes him a natural foil for Macho Man. I can easily envision another “If Cena wins, we riot” situation here.

3. Robert Roode – Roode is arrogant and condescending, and has been maybe the best booked talent in the industry over the last year. He’s shown a remarkable ability to tweak his style to adapt to all sorts of different workers. Savage did his best work as a heel, but a face Savage against a relatively young guy with no respect and a chip on his shoulder would be a fun build and a great match.

2. Chris Jericho – This works best with Jericho as a goofy face that gets under the skin of an absolutely irate Savage. The match would be fast paced and remarkably entertaining with two polar opposite personalities colliding. Jericho knows how to deliver in big spots, and has done so with great matches recently against Punk, Ziggler, and HBK a little further back. After seeing he and Steamboat work so well together, Y2J and Macho would be a natural fit.

1. Kurt Angle – There are a handful of people in wrestling history that could match Macho’s combination of intensity and ability. Kurt Angle is among those wrestlers. Seeing these two nose to nose in the middle of a ring, with Angle grinning around his mouthpiece while a wide eyed Savage nods slowly would be goosebump inducing. There’s no way the match could disappoint, especially if we’re talking about the 1988-1992 version of Savage.

Francisco Ramirez
5. Cody Rhodes – Macho Man Randy Savage had a pretty good feud with Dusty Rhodes back in the day. While Cody still doesn’t reach Dusty as far as charisma is concerned, he has it in him. Yet, Cody can work his ass off, surpassing Dusty. What better way to elevate Cody, then putting him in the ring with one of the greatest workers, yet more charismatic than 80 percent of what was out there at the time. Cody would improve, and easily be elevated to main event status.

4. Eddie Edwards – This would just be a wrestling clinic. Sit back, get the popcorn ready and bust open a cold one, we would be in for a show! Eddie Edwards beyond a doubt, is one of the better indy workers. Eddie Edwards is more grounded in reality as far as an indy worker is concerned. We don’t see too much over the top moves and “fighting spirit”. With that said The Macho Man and one half of the American Wolves could easily bring down the house.

3. Dolph Ziggler – This would be Dolph Zigglers biggest test. Can he hang with the Macho Man? Cocky, and charismatic, Dolph characterwise can draw comparisons to the young heel Savage. So in essence it might be like facing off with a mirror image. Macho Man versus Macho Man, who wouldn’t pay to see that? All I can guarantee, it’ll be better than Undertaker versus Undertaker at Summerslam!

2. Chris Jericho – Jericho is a legend in his own right. He crafted his skills worldwide, he’s great on the mic, and can bring out the best in anyone. Same can be said for Savage. What reasoning can I have to want to see these two face off? It comes down to this, Savage and Steamboat put on a classic. Jericho and a way past his prime Steamboat amazed everybody. So can you imagine what these two can do together?

1. Undertaker – Put them in Wrestlemania and watch Vinces pockets fill with money. Sure, Taker is past his prime, yet there is something about Wrestlemania that revitalizes that man. You don’t need to go any further than a cocky, arrogant late 80’s Macho Man, a shot at ending the streak, and a match that will be timeless!