Author: The Randy Savage and DDP match-up was memorable on-screen, but the story behind their feud will warm your heart and make your day.
The Story Behind the DDP and Randy Savage Feud in WCW
When the name Diamond Dallas Page comes up in conversation with fans or those who know him personally, it is usually followed up with a comment highlighting how he is genuinely one of the business’s nicest guys.
Each story we come across involving DDP has an element of respect and selflessness, which comes as no surprise given how many lives he has had a positive impact on through his DDP Yoga program.
In the wrestling world, too often, we as fans get jaded and caught up with negativity around storylines, the current product, etc.
We hope this story about these two true good guys in the business allows you to take a moment to step away from all that and provides you something to smile about and share with your friends.
In a tribute video shared on DiamondDallasPage.com, DDP tells a heartwarming Randy Savage Thanksgiving story:
"Two years before we actually worked together, he pulled me aside in a nightclub, and we talked ‘psychology’ and about the character Diamond Dallas Page having too many gimmicks with the sunglasses and the cigar and the gum…he was like, ‘Brother, ya need to knock it back…’
"And I did. It took me time, and I was lucky enough to get [the Diamond-Cutter hand sign] over, and next thing I know, Savage is talking to Eric Bischoff about wanting to work with me.
"So here we are in Florence, South Carolina… the place is sold out, people hanging from the rafters.
"Arn Anderson walks into the dressing room, and he says, ‘So Mach’…what do you wanna do for the finish tonight?’
"Randy controlled his own booking just like Hulk.
"He’s putting on his boots, he’s lacing them up, and I’ll never forget it…he stopped and looked up at Arn, and he goes, ‘Hmm… I think I wanna take the Diamond-Cutter tonight.’ And he went back to lacing his boots.
"Arn was shocked.
"‘Diamond…you realize what an honor this is?
"I’m like, ‘Uh, YEAH – are you kidding..?’
"We had a hell of a match. He shut me down, got some heat on me out of my comeback. Then he went to slam me, and – boom – I reversed it, spun him, and hit the Diamond-Cutter.
"The roof blew off! The ref slid down: One! Two! Three! And the place erupted.
"While we’re laying there, Randy said, ‘We got our finish for Spring Stampede…’
"When he put me over at Spring Stampede on April 5th, it was my 41st birthday.
"For Randy Savage to put me over in the middle with the Diamond Cutter in 1997, it made me not only a top guy but a main event PPV draw, which was mind-boggling to me.
"That November, on Thanksgiving, everybody was calling me and saying, ‘Thank you, DDP, I appreciate you helping me out…’ There were so many people I helped get jobs.
"I thought, ‘God, who am I thankful for – besides my family, besides Dusty Rhodes, who was my mentor, besides Jake Roberts and Jody Hamilton – who am I really thankful to?’
"I thought, ‘Fuck…I gotta call Savage.’
We have hundreds of great Pro Wrestling Stories, but of course, you can’t read them all today. Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!
"I never even HEARD of anyone getting a message like this from one of the boys…"
"So I picked up the phone, and I got his answer machine.
“I go, ‘Randy…I know you’re probably gonna think this is a little corny, but I just gotta tell you, man- without you, I’m not sitting in this spot in life right now. And I want you to know, for what it’s worth, I really appreciate it, man. I hope you have a really great Thanksgiving.’
"And that was it.
"Two weeks go by, I didn’t even see him, and I forgot about it.
"Next TV taping, he comes up to me. ‘DIAMOND!’ [Stomps over] ‘C’MERE!’
"He was just as intense behind the scenes, y’ know? He pulls me aside, and I’m like, ‘Oh man… what’d I do..?’
"He goes, ‘I got your message. And I gotta tell ya. I played it for my dad.
“I said, ‘Dad…did you ever get a message like this from one of the boys?’
He replied, ‘Randy…I never even HEARD of anyone getting a message like this from one of the boys…"
"Then Randy said, ‘I just want you to know…it meant everything to me.’ And he gave me this big bear hug, man…"
These stories may also interest you:
- Diamond Dallas Page on the Unlikely Legend Who Admired His Early Work
- Scott Hall | His Brush With Death Before Wrestling
- The Renegade – The Tragic Tale of Wrestling’s Richard Wilson
The transcription above was contributed by Matt Pender and shared here with thanks to our friends over at ‘Wrestling’s Glory Days’ Facebook page.
Can’t get enough pro wrestling history in your life? Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!
Want More? Choose another story!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Flipboard!
Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.
Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy!
