A Moment In Time: Bruno Sammartino Attacks ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage

Posted on February 25, 2020 by bdamage1

Brian Damage

In November of 1986, during a taping of WWF Superstars…The Macho Man Randy Savage defended his Intercontinental Title against Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat. During the course of the match, Savage snapped and brutally attacked Steamboat. First, Savage dropped a double ax handle from the top rope onto the back of Steamboat’s head while draped over the metal barricade. Then Savage dragged an obviously injured Steamboat into the ring and grabbed the time keepers bell. Savage then climbed the top rope and drove the bell into Steamboat’s throat.

Ricky Steamboat was shown gasping for air as WWF officials and medical staff attended to the fallen star. We then saw Steamboat getting stretchered to the back with concerned and frightened fans looking on. It was the beginning of one of the WWF’s most realistic angles that culminated with arguably one of the greatest matches in Wrestlemania history at Wrestlemania III. It was revealed that Steamboat had suffered a “Crushed Larynx” due to the actions of Savage.

As good as that angle already was, the WWF added another layer to it. Later on in the show, former wrestling great turned color commentator Bruno Sammartino was sent backstage to get a medical update on Ricky Steamboat. Sammartino was shown obviously concerned about Steamboat’s condition, He was also angered by the actions of one Randy Savage.

While Sammartino was giving viewers an update on Steamboat’s status…the Macho Man rudely interrupted Bruno. Savage was asking Bruno about how Steamboat was. He then began bragging about what he did to Steamboat. This led the former WWWF champion Sammartino to snap!

Shocked and appalled that Savage would be proud of his heinous actions, Sammartino looked Savage in his eyes and angrily said…”You Piece Of Slime!” Bruno then grabbed Savage by his neck and began choking the reigning Intercontinental champion. The two men scuffled a bit and fell to the floor, when several wrestlers like Hillbilly Jim and SD Jones came and broke up the altercation.

The video cut out and returned to ringside where Jesse Ventura voiced his disgust with Bruno for putting his hands on Randy Savage. Ventura berated Sammartino for doing such a thing while supposedly being an unbiased announcer. Vince McMahon defended Sammartino’s actions and then the show went off the air. The entire storyline was done to perfection.

The Macho Man came off as a true heel, while Steamboat completely sold the injury as being real. The final segment with Bruno attacking Savage added a great deal of spice to the angle. Bruno did what many WWF fans in attendance and watching on television wanted to do to Savage at that time. It was all well done.

With Bruno attacking Savage, it opened up a mini feud between the two while Steamboat was at home selling the “devastating injury” to his throat. Bruno would challenge the Macho Man for the Intercontinental title in a series of house show matches. Usually the matches ended in DQ finishes with Savage retaining the IC belt and Bruno still looking strong as a ‘living legend.’