4. Texas Death Match - Diamond Dallas Page vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage (Halloween Havoc 1997)
While the feud between Sting and Hulk Hogan is iconic in the annals of WCW history, it was the rivalry between Diamond Dallas Page and "Macho Man" Randy Savage that was intensely personal and as good, if not better. Born in Savage and Miss Elizabeth's disrespect and disgrace of Page's wife Kimberly following her Playboy magazine spread, the initial months of the rivalry featured two wild and chaotic bouts. After taking a break from each other, they reignited their rivalry just in time for Halloween Havoc. A Texas Death Match was booked with the idea being that it would bring a definitive end to the tension between the two mega-stars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgykvOS5Ndw The match was easily the best of the Page-Savage series and really put over the hatred between the two characters. That Kimberly and Elizabeth made their presences felt only added to the match, calling back to the inception of the rivalry. A referee bump late in the match ensured that Page's Diamond Cutter finish would not be capitalized on with a 10 count. By the time a fake Sting appeared (this time it was Hulk Hogan under the mask) and whacked Page's injured ribs with a ball bat, and Savage followed up with the diving elbow to the prone area, the official recovered and counted DDP down. Savage was awarded the match and, again, the New World Order triumphed.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
