Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 98: Hollywood Hogan vs. Randy Savage (Nitro 4/20/98)

What can you say about two mega-stars getting it on one more time? Past their primes? Sure. Could it be fun? Definitely. Will it be good? Macho gives a lot of effort and Hogan seems to have his perfectly decent match boots on whenever he makes it on this list. I’m game.

Hogan is trying way too hard to involve the Disciple (Beefcake Ed Leslie) in his career and in this match. Poor Macho comes out with the belt and the look of a placeholder. Twice WCW gave him the belt so he could job to Hogan the next night. Macho looks like he’s still got something though as he heads to the ring. He always had a good look and decent gear (okay, maybe the late WWF in WCW run was a bit much).

I’m just not in the mood for short punches and eye gouges tonight. Oh yeah, can’t forget bad chokes where Hogan moves his head around like he’s choking Macho real hard. Even the Disciple gets in the act of crappy offensive heel work. I’m bored out of my mind, and the live crowd struggles to stay engaged and boo (the heel, not the match).

Macho takes to average chair shots that were not really necessary to the story (though in fairness it is no DQ), and the offense of Hogan slowly continues. Macho’s come backs are okay, but his selling is the only thing keeping more sort of in the match. Hogan works on the knee and Macho really tries to make it matter. It doesn’t, but I appreciate the gutsy performance. Christ, Hogan gets out the weight belt and whips and chokes Macho. This is horribly bad stuff now.

One of the few highlights is Macho coming back, whipping Hogan with the belt, and doing the big elbow. Of course he sells the knee right after, which would be awesome in a match with someone else who had a flow. Not old man Hogan though. Shock of the century: Hogan pulls out a spinning toe hold and figure four. How odd. Match has gotten above 2 star range though.

The Disciple comes in and wipes out ref Patrick. Boring walking around beatings ensue. Nash is out. He power bombs Hogan. Bret Hart out. He puts Hogan on Macho for the pin in 16 minutes. Bret’s a douche. Piper can’t believe the heel turn. I yawn remembering I hated this the first time. 2 ¼ and 4/10.