5 WCW Wrestlers Randy Savage Loved (& 5 He Had Backstage Heat With)

One of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Macho Man Randy Savage is an icon whose persona is still in demand today, despite his death in 2011. For nearly 30 years, Savage entertained millions of fans all over the world, electrifying crowds in a way that very few can.

As a wrestler, Savage's final appearance was in TNA Wrestling back in 2004. But his last major run in a promotion was in WCW. A consummate professional, Savage had many memorable confrontations and moments in WCW, both inside the ring and out. Here now are five WCW wrestlers that Savage loved, and five he had heat with.

10 Had Heat With: Gorgeous George

After sitting out most of 1998 recovering from an injury, Savage returned to WCW in the spring of 1999, but he wasn't alone. Savage brought with him his then-girlfriend Stephanie Bellars, better known as Gorgeous George. But according to Bellars, their relationship soured not long after her debut.

Bellars describes their relationship as being contentious in its waning days. She claims that Savage got her fired from WCW and even tried to have her blackballed from wrestling. In 2000, a Los Angeles Times article reported that Savage was suing Bellars over the use of the name Gorgeous George, claiming he owned the rights to the name.

9 Had Love For: Kevin Nash

When asked about his opinion of the nWo Wolfpac, Savage had nothing but glowing things to say about the group. Savage was complimentary of Scott Hall and Sean Waltman, but he saved his highest praise for Kevin Nash.

Savage described Nash as being a good friend and as having a brilliant mind. Savage also expressed joy working with Nash saying, "...it wasn't just a one-sided deal. He was concerned about entertaining the people like I was, so we got along good."

8 Had Heat With: Kanyon

In his 2011 autobiography, Kanyon said that Savage wanted to kill him. During a piece that aired on Good Morning America, Kanyon, in character, referred to Savage as a has-been. When word got back to Savage, Diamond Dallas Page warned Kanyon that the Macho Man was coming for him.

Savage thought the comments hurt him at a time when Slim Jim was trying to faze him out as their spokesperson. Ultimately, Kanyon apologized and Savage remained with Slim Jim. But Kanyon says Savage told him that had the Slim Jim deal gone bad, Kanyon would've received a "million-dollar ass beating."

7 Had Love For: Curt Hennig

Curt Hennig worked with Randy Savage several times throughout their time together in WWE and WCW. But few people realized how much Savage cared for Hennig until the man also known as Mr. Perfect passed away in 2003.

While many remember Savage's 2003 rap album Be A Man for its dis track on Hulk Hogan, the final song, MyPerfectFriend, was Macho's homage to Hennig. As the hook goes, "Can't explain this pain, never felt like this. Mr. Perfect, don't you know, that you'll be truly missed."

6 Had Heat With: Buff Bagwell

According to Buff Bagwell, Buff's stuff was more than enough to push the Macho Man over the edge in 1999. Bagwell says that Savage was furious with him over comments Bagwell made about him during a scripted promo.

According to Bagwell, the match they had at WCW Thunder a week later was "three-quarters shoot." Bagwell says he went up to Savage after the match and showed him the script saying, "They told me to say it."

5 Had Love For: Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman and Randy Savage had one of the wildest matches WCW ever saw at RoadWild in 1999. Though the match appeared stiff at times, they had rehearsed every spot in the match. Rodman even agreed to being slam-dunked and overturned in a porta-potty.

Years later, Savage credited Rodman for having a great attitude. And according to Eric Bischoff on his podcast 83 Weeks, Savage loved working with Rodman. He says they got along fine, and that Savage saw it as a great opportunity despite lack of buzz around Rodman.

4 Had Heat With: Road Warrior Hawk

In the summer of 1996, Hawk sucker-punched Savage at a New Japan Pro Wrestling event in Japan. Hawk believed Savage had made a pass at his wife. Though the timing of the incident is unknown, Savage's brother Lanny Poffo denies this ever happened.

Three years later, the two ran into each other at a Kid Rock concert. According to Poffo, Savage evened the score with Hawk. Hawk later tried to sue Savage, but the case went nowhere after Hawk's death in 2003.

3 Had Love For: Diamond Dallas Page

Diamond Dallas Page was swirling around the mid-card when Savage pulled him aside and gave DDP some career advice. Taking the Macho Man's words to heart, Page began to simplify his character. Soon after, Savage would take DDP to the next level.

In 1997, Savage put Page over on two occasions clean with Page's finish, the Diamond Cutter. The bigger of the two moments occurred at SpringStampede, which solidified Page as a star. Page called Savage on Thanksgiving to express his appreciation, but the call went to Savage's voicemail. According to Page, Savage later expressed his gratitude for the call by sharing the message with his father and by giving Page a big old hug.

2 Had Heat With: Ric Flair

In a 2017 interview with Title Match Wrestling, Stevie Ray recalled a time when Savage wanted to maim Ric Flair. In a tag team match against Savage and Sting, Ray's brother Booker T was instructed to kick out of Savage's finish, the flying elbow drop.

Savage felt that Flair, the booker at the time, was trying to hurt his gimmick. Feeling that they were also being messed with, Ray and Booker changed the finish to protect Savage. Of that moment Ray said, "I just remember Randy Savage wanted to beat the shit out of f***ing Ric Flair."

1 Had Love For/Heat With: Hulk Hogan

The relationship between the Mega Powers is one of the most complicated in wrestling history. Savage felt that Hogan and his wife Linda played a role in Elizabeth in wanting out of her marriage to Savage. But by 1994, Savage and Hogan had patched things up.

In fact, Hogan helped facilitate a conversation between Savage and Eric Bischoff about the possibility of Savage coming into WCW. Over the next five years, Savage and Hogan worked together numerous times to headline multiple pay-per-views and episodes of Nitro, both as partners and rivals.

Next: Ranking All Of The Macho Man's WrestleMania Matches