Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 96: Randy Savage vs. Roddy Piper (Nitro 3/23/98)

Even though age and WCW/NWO booking will play a negative factor in the eventual outcome of this match, I’m excited for this one. Two of my favorite old 80s WWF wrestlers in a match against one another. I’m excited. Why wouldn’t I be? I had these two in my top five picks for my favorite Royal Rumble in 1992 – and they made it. And thankfully Sid Justice saved us from a Hogan win, and Hogan saved us from a Sid win. Flair rules. Let’s go to the match.

Right away these two bring the intensity and sense of purpose that good matches need to exist in our memories. Piper shakes off Liz interference and whips Savage with his belt. It’s payback for something Savage did recently the announcers don’t go into full detail. They fight outside, tease a pile driver on the floor, and Liz breaks it up. Piper of course then forces himself on her (wrestling makes no sense), and Macho hits Piper from behind. It’s okay though, Piper gets his big sleeper on – and then runs right into Liz. It’s already over booked. I’ll save you the rest. DQ finish because of Hogan. A bunch of NWO drama ensues. The live crowd popped for some of it, but week to week this got way to goofy. The red and Black was coming soon, which I remember liking but that’s irrelevant for now. A fun walk through of what could have been a surprising match. It wasn’t though. 2 and 4/10.