"Macho Man" Randy Savage has been
posthumously inducted into the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame, being recognized for his flamboyant style, intensity and his support of Special Olympics.
Savage, whose real name was Randy Poffo, died in 2011. His induction was introduced by Hulk Hogan, the wrestler he defeated in 1985 twice in Madison Square Garden in matches that shot him to stardom in pro wrestling circles before winning the Intercontinental title,
according to Wrestlers Biographies.com.
"Randy made you a better performer," Hogan said of his one-time ring nemesis,
according to The Bleacher Report. "There wouldn't be Hulkamania without the Macho Madness."
Savage's brother, Lanny Poffo, who was also a wrestler, accepted the recognition in his late brother's honor.
"When the Mega Powers exploded, the storyline was real," Lanny Poffo said during the induction. "Life's too short to hold a grudge, it's time for us to heal. Randy loved the athletes of the Special Olympics like Mr. T loves his mother."
Lanny Poffo told the
Chicago Tribune that if their father Angelo Poffo, who was also a professional wrestler, had his way, they would have both been professional baseball players. In fact, Randy Poffo played in the minor league system of the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox for four years before turning to pro wrestling, noted the Tribune.
"My dad played baseball at DePaul University," said Lanny Poffo. "That was always his dream, but he settled for wrestling. He pushed baseball on us and we didn't resist. I thought it was fun, but I knew I wasn't as good as Randy."
John Guarnaccia, a childhood friend of the Poffos who himself was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, told the Tribune he knew early that Savage was destined for greatness regardless the sport.
"I got the chance to play against him in Little League and he was a beast," said Guarnaccia. "I'd heard about him and (wanted to pitch around him). The count was 3-0 and I threw (way outside). He swung on purpose to get another chance to hit me. The next pitch he hit a home run over the centerfield fence. He was a driven young man."
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