The If Factor: ‘The Macho Man’ Randy Savage Negotiated a Possible WWF Return in 1996

Brian Damage

The ‘If Factor’ are a series of articles that takes a look at real scenarios in pro wrestling that at one point or another were suggested, planned, considered…but did not get the green light to continue. What would the landscape of professional wrestling look like if these ideas came to fruition?

The If: Randy Savage Returns to the WWF in 1996

In the Fall of 1994, ‘The Macho Man’ Randy Savage shockingly left the WWF. He ended up signing a contract with the WWF’s rival…World Championship Wrestling. What fans didn’t know at the time, Savage’s WCW contract was just a short term deal. According to WWE executive Bruce Prichard, once his contract was ready to expire, both the Macho Man and the Vince McMahon expressed interest in him returning to the WWF.

Prichard said that the negotiations between Savage and McMahon were not that extensive. Randy threw out a financial number that he wanted to return and Vince looked willing to match the money. What made the talks hit a roadblock, was the amount of dates Savage was expected and willing to work. Prichard said that Savage wanted a guarantee that he would only work a limited amount of dates per year. At the time, Vince McMahon expected all wrestlers working for him to work a full schedule.

WCW, on the other hand, were willing to give in to Savage’s demands. Bruce Prichard said that killed any chance of Savage returning and was the person that had to tell Randy Savage…”Thanks, but no thanks.” The Macho Man never returned to the WWF after that opportunity shut down. What if Vince agreed to Savage’s terms? How would The Macho Man fare in the Attitude Era?

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