Last week one of the most charismatic pro-wrestlers from the late 80′s World Wrestling Federation died in a car crash after suffering a heart attack. “Macho Man” Randy Savage was 58 and pretty much out of wrestling for the last decade.
I always loved Savage’s character, energy and talent. At WrestleMania III, his match against Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat just blew me away and is deemed one of the all time classics in pro-wrestling.
In early 2000 I worked with Savage and his management on the business opportunity for a dot com company. It was everything for me not to “mark out” (be star struck) by Savage. I mean, here he was! Looking, sounding and acting pretty much like I remember when I was in high school.
The fact that he called me “sir” a few times left an impression on me.
This is why today I was moved by this touching tribute by another one of my favourite wrestlers – the Ultimate Warrior.
In this social media era, Warrior posted his tribute in two parts on Youtube. The two 10 minute segments are pretty much a stream of conscious sharing of thoughts, stories and highlights.
What a great way to lay tribute to a friend. Anyone can send out a 140 character Tweet with a “rest in peace” message but video is more. Video involves real effort. True (or at least more genuine) sharing.
To see the hurt, laughter, concern, confusion and joy on one’s face when retelling a short history of a friend who has passed on is something that can be shared with family and friends and seems to have more feeling. More meaning.
For the first time I am thinking of “social media” in this way. Very interesting.
Have you ever made such a video tribute? How would you feel about a public (in that Youtube is open to the world) video tribute made for you?
Here are the two Warrior videos:
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It moved me when The Warrior started talking about shaking hands with Randy. He felt the life force in him. That was such a great statement.