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On the latest episode of Wrestling with History, former WWE and AWA broadcaster Ken Resnick recounts how protective Randy Savage was of Elizabeth, how important it was to have a babyface as the centerpiece of the company in order to go national and break the territory system, the importance of theme music, and much more. Here are some highlights:
On the importance of the WWF centerpiece being a babyface: “Vince would not have quit his idea of going national (if) Hulk wouldn’t (have) come, but Hulk was his greatest vehicle… Macho Man (Randy Savage) as far as (being) muscular was great, but Hulk had everything… Ric (Flair) was much better as a heel than he was as a face (although) when he did wrestle as a face he was still very, very good. But whoever Vince would have knighted to be the (face) of the company, it would have needed to have been a babyface. Even on TNT (not the network, but the former WWE talk show on USA Network) when the heels would come on the show, other than Bobby Heenan, just by the nature of their character they couldn’t be as engaging as a babyface (could have)… Whoever took that lead in taking WWF national and international would have needed to have been a babyface so that when they went on local talk shows (and) national talk shows, as a babyface you can ingratiate yourself with the host to the audience. As a heel you really can’t do that.”
On the WWF schedule in the 80s, and Andre the Giant not being able to meet those demands: (Hogan as the face of the company had to) work night after night after night, a different city every night working, and certainly Andre couldn’t have come close to working that kind of schedule.
On Ric Flair: “Because his interviews were so great, a lot of times people forget that Flair was one of the best in ring workers of his time. You needed someone that had the passion for convincing people to go to the arena to buy a ticket, and where Ric didn’t have the physical size of Hulk, he had that wow factor in the ring as well… Ric had that persona (that) when they first came out from that curtain, they didn’t have to do anything and they still grabbed the crowd long before (he) even made it to the ring. (He had) that ‘it’ factor.”
On the importance of theme music: “If you think about it, in the 80s we had the Cold War with Russia, the Olympic boycott, problems in the middle east; even the presentation when Hulk would come out to Real American, what fan could not immediately relate to that? At the same time I think it was just an awesome choice when the Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth would come out to Pomp and Circumstance. What person and what parent didn’t immediately relate to their graduation (or) their child’s graduation? Even back in the 80s, Vince McMahon and the production team at WWF; they dotted every I and crossed every T. As soon as that music played, not only did everyone know who was coming out, but subconsciously they immediately related to the song they were hearing… Their marketing and presentation and production was then and is now second to none. You can argue with the philosophy, the style, the storylines, but you can’t argue with WWE’s production.”
On Randy Savage being very protective of Elizabeth: “I never had any problem working with Randy. We weren’t close friends and didn’t hang out at all away from the business… I never ever had any sort of problem with the Macho Man. He was overly protective, almost obsessed with keeping Liz separated from almost everyone… I was flying from some show and connecting through to Omaha on to the next city which I think was St Louis. It was early in the morning because they always put us on the first flight, so I was kind of tired and got off and made my way to the connecting gate. I got there and checked in; back in those days you still had to check in with the gate agent. I looked around and glanced over and there was Liz sitting there. So I didn’t know if she was by herself so I went over and (talked to her). All of the sudden this hand kind of grabs me and spins me around. (Savage) didn’t know that it was me, but it was (in his mind) just somebody talking to Liz. And he was angry. I said ‘Randy it’s me, I’m just on my way to the same place you’re going.’ And then he kind of relaxed a bit. But he was extremely obsessed with keeping Liz hidden away. Other than that, working with him I personally never had a problem.”
On Savage feeling that he should have been the top guy: “I always felt that deep down there was pressure or resentment that Randy felt that he should have been top dog. I don’t think anyone would argue, in terms of in ring work, Randy Savage was a much better worker in the ring than Hulk Hogan. I think Randy always felt that he should have been the guy… He is still iconic to this day years and years after his death. If he had been a face and not have had the pressure internally of trying to be the top dog, I think he would have been fine (in that role).”
Wrestling with History features former AWA and WWF announcer Ken Resnick and drops every Wednesday on VOC Nation. Ken looks back at the 80s and early 90s and tells stories from his time in the business.
Link to the episode here:
http://vocnation.com
VOC Nation provides daily, interactive talk radio, geared toward the professional wrestling community.
Other notable show hosts include former WWE/TNA star Shelly Martinez (Shelly LIVE – Tuesdays), former WCW performer The Maestro (WCW Retro – Thursdays), former TNA Impact talent Wes Brisco (Brisco and Big Ace), Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Brady Hicks, and more!
Since 2010, VOC Nation has brought listeners into the minds of the biggest stars in pro wrestling and entertainment. Subscribe to the podcasts for free, and visit vocnation.com for live programming.
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