'Macho Man' Randy Savage is unquestionably one of the most entertaining professional wrestlers of all time. Having made a name for himself in WWE throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, 'Macho Man' was part of some of the biggest matches during the Golden Era.
Randy Savage's Definitive 10 Best WWE Matches, Ranked
'Macho Man' Randy Savage is one of the most charismatic and intense wrestlers in WWE history. Here are Savage's ten best matches in WWE, ranked.Many of those bouts took place at the biggest shows WWE had to offer, most notably WrestleMania. From stealing the show in one of the greatest Intercontinental Title matches of all time to winning an entire tournament for the WWE Championship to even losing his career, Savage did it all at the Show of Shows. But what was Macho Man's best 'Mania match? Let's find out!
To learn more about how we rank wrestling matches on TheSportster, please check out our match ranking criteria guide here.
Randy Savage Vs. One Man Gang - Tournament Semi Final Match (WrestleMania 4)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 2.75/10
|
Storytelling |
0.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
0.5/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
0.5/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
1.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 0.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: N/R
WrestleMania 4 was probably the best night of Randy Savage's iconic WWE career, winning 4 matches in the same night as part of the tournament for the vacant WWE Championship. However, not all tournament bouts were great, with Savage's worst match of the night happening against One Man Gang.
The future Akeem dominated right from the start, having received a bye in the previous round. Savage was overpowered by One Man Gang rather easily since he was tired, but for some weird reason the big man got intentionally disqualified by using a cane in front of the referee.
Why would he want to win anyway, the winner was just going to wrestle for the WWE Title in the main event of WrestleMania...
Randy Savage Vs. Butch Reed - Tournament First Round Match (WrestleMania 4)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 3.25/10
|
Storytelling |
0.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
1/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
0.75/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
1.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 1 Star
- Cagematch.net Rating: 3.76
Earlier that night, Savage faced 'The Natural' Butch Reed in the first round of the tournament. While it was better than Savage's semi final clash against One Man Gang, it was a basic five-minute TV level match - as were most tournament bouts.
Reed dominated most of the matchup, with the future member of Doom using his impressive power to his advantage. However, Reed was distracted by the presence of Miss Elizabeth, allowing Savage to finish him off with the Flying Elbow Drop and advance to the next round.
Randy Savage Vs. George Steele - WWE Intercontinental Championship (WrestleMania 2)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 4.5/10
|
Storytelling |
1.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
0.25/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
1.25/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
1.75/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 1 Star
- Cagematch.net Rating: 3.14
Randy Savage missed the first WrestleMania having signed with WWE in June 1985. Macho Man quickly established himself as a top star in WWE, and he was already the Intercontinental Champion heading into the second WrestleMania. There, Savage put his title on the line against George 'The Animal' Steele.
Steele developed feelings for Miss Elizabeth over time, and while the feud was meant to be relatively short and decisive, fans loved it so much that it lasted over a year. Steele got to kick out of the Elbow Drop which was quite surprising, but Savage won with a cheap heel pin a few moments later.
Randy Savage & Sensational Sherri Vs. Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire - Mixed Tag Team Match (WrestleMania 6)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 4.5/10
|
Storytelling |
1/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
0.25/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
1.25/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 1.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 4.02
Savage slowly left the main event scene after having main evented WrestleMania 5 against Hulk Hogan in 1989. By the time WrestleMania 6 arrived, Macho Man was now the 'Macho King' after winning the King's crown from Jim Duggan and was accompanied to the ring by Sensational Queen Sherri.
The Truth Behind Dusty Rhodes' Polka Dots In WWE, Explained
Dusty Rhodes underwent a strange transformation when he joined WWE. Here’s why Vince McMahon put him in polka dots.The two had great chemistry together and feuded with Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire heading into 'Mania. While this was far from a classic, fans had a great time since Dusty was one of the most popular faces in WWE at the time. In the end, Sapphire rolled up Sherri to get the win for her team.
Randy Savage Vs. Greg Valentine - Tournament Quarter Final Match (WrestleMania 4)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 5/10
|
Storytelling |
0.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
1.5/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
1.75/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
1.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 2.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 5.00
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine was the most underrated performer of the WWE Championship tournament at WrestleMania 4. After defeating Ricky Steamboat in arguably the best match from the tournament's first round, Valentine met Macho Man in the quarter finals.
Their match was solid and featured strong psychology, with Valentine targeting Savage's legs to soften him up for the Figure Four. Savage made a comeback but Valentine avoided the Flying Elbow Drop, only for Savage to block the Figure Four and score the victory with a quick inside cradle.
Randy Savage vs. Crush - Falls Count Anywhere Match (WrestleMania 10)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 5.25/10
|
Storytelling |
1.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
0.75/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
1.25/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
1.75/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 2.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 4.26
Macho Man stepped away from regular in-ring competition in his last couple of years in WWE, becoming a commentator instead. One of the wrestlers Savage always supported on commentary was Crush, who was struggling to get over as a face in 1993.
After getting injured by Yokozuna, Crush returned and shockingly turned heel by attacking Savage. This brought Macho Man back inside the ring as he battled Crush in a unique Falls Count Anywhere Match. While the bout was confusing since it was actually more like a Last Man Standing Match, it was still fun.
This turned out to be Savage's last match on a WWE pay-per-view.
Randy Savage Vs. Ted DiBiase - Tournament Final Match, WWE Championship (WrestleMania 4)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 6.5/10
|
Storytelling |
1.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
1.5/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
1.5/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
2/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 2.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 5.36
After a very long night, the tournament at WrestleMania 4 culminated with Randy Savage battling 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase in the finals. The in-ring action was good with both men having perhaps the best match of that year's 'Mania.
All odds were against Savage at first, with Andre the Giant constantly interfering in DiBiase's favor. Eventually, Hulk Hogan came down to stop the heels from cheating, opening the door for Macho Man's iconic WWE Championship win.
Randy Savage Vs. Hulk Hogan - WWE Championship (WrestleMania 5)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 8.5/10
|
Storytelling |
2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
1.5/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
2/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 2.75 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 7.09
One year after standing tall at the end of WrestleMania 4, the Mega Powers famously exploded as they collided over Savage's WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania 5. Savage felt Hogan had been trying to steal the spotlight and Miss Elizabeth from him, with the two men finally facing each other at Trump Plaza.
It was an emotional contest between the former partners, with Miss Elizabeth getting involved after Macho Man tried to use her as a shield. She was eventually sent to the back by the referee, with Hogan beating Savage a few moments later with the Leg Drop.
Randy Savage Vs. Ric Flair - WWE Championship (WrestleMania 8)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9/10
|
Storytelling |
2.25/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
2.25/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
2.25/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
2.25/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 4.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.52
WrestleMania 5 wouldn't be the last time Savage held the WWE Championship, though. Three years later, Savage walked into 'Mania 8 as the challenger for Ric Flair's WWE Title, who infamously claimed he'd been in a relationship with Miss Elizabeth before she met Savage.
Why Vince McMahon Once Stopped A Ric Flair Vs Randy Savage Match, Explained
A 1992 WWE Championship match between Randy Savage and Ric Flair became so chaotic that Vince McMahon brought it to a halt.Needless to say, Savage was beyond furious. He went right after 'The Nature Boy' as soon as the bell rang, with Flair eventually using Savage's own anger against him. While Flair had Savage's number psychologically, he spent too much time showboating and that allowed Savage to roll him up and win the title for a second time.
Randy Savage Vs. The Ultimate Warrior - Retirement Match (WrestleMania 7)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 9.25/10
|
Storytelling |
2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
1.75/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
2.5/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 4.25 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 8.35
Despite his successful WWE run, The Ultimate Warrior wasn't known for having spectacular matches. Not many wrestlers had awesome matches with The Warrior, but Randy Savage managed to do it on more than one occasion. Their most famous match happened at WrestleMania 7, with the loser being forced to retire.
They told a brilliant story that night and delivered a brilliant contest. Warrior beat Savage and temporarily ended his in-ring career. However, things got even better after the final bell, with Savage & Miss Elizabeth reuniting after Sensational Sherri attacked Savage since she'd just lost her meal ticket. It it still one of the most emotional moments in WrestleMania history.
Randy Savage Vs. Ricky Steamboat - WWE Intercontinental Championship (WrestleMania 3)
Overall Rating From TheSportster: 10/10
|
Storytelling |
2.5/2.5 |
|---|---|
|
Technical Ability |
2.5/2.5 |
|
Character Work/Psychology |
2.5/2.5 |
|
Crowd Reaction |
2.5/2.5 |
- Dave Meltzer's Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Cagematch.net Rating: 9.01
This classic for the Intercontinental Championship is not only one of the greatest matches in both men's careers, but one of the greatest matches in the entire history of WrestleMania. Wrestling fans still discuss this battle nearly four decades later, and will continue to do so for years to come.
Savage and Steamboat went toe-to-toe in a breathtaking match that many consider to be the very first WrestleMania ever. After nearly 15 minutes of greatness, Steamboat found a way to counter Savage's bodyslam attempt into a cradle and captured the Intercontinental Title. No one will ever forget this masterpiece.