MFT: Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage - Breathing Match

Here's a little video that shows how transformation and recontextualization makes the case for a new concept forged out of an old thing in a completely unintentional manner. The video depicts a bizarre sighting - two acclaimed professional wrestlers Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage doing nothing but intensely breathing. Why? Because this video is an edit of a the pair of back to back promos following the break-up of their tag team Mega Powers prior to the feud culmination at Wrestlemania V in 1989.

It is strangely affectionate piece. Here's what is going on. First The Hulkster breathes hard as if his life depended on in (just don't think about it too hard). He breathes and breathes and breathes in leaps and bounds. He is red, he is sweaty, he is trembling. Then Randy Savage does the same thing and he breathes so intensely he takes off his glasses and breathes even harder, because he wants to come on top or something like that (just don't think too hard about it). His veins pop up, his eyes are bugged out huge - one thing for sure, this man is on the edge.

In the end - it is fair to say that Randy Savage had decisively outbreahed Hulk Hogan in a recontextualized promo standoff. Even though it doesn't really mean a thing - it is a feel good moment for whatever reason nevertheless (maybe because Hulk Hogan kinda sucks). Sure, if this thing was edited as back and forth - it would have been much more effective showcase. But even like that it is enough to establish the concept.

With all the words edited out - this segment is a completely different thing. While the video is loving mocking overly exaggerated promo delivery that was a dominant aesthetic of WWF in the late 80s - it also unintentionally presents a novel concept - a breathing match. The one where competitors should outbreath each other. And the more i think about it - the more i like it.

Just imagine how it might work - you have to outbreath your opponent. How to do it? What is counted as outbreathing? Probably, it depends on who is judging or physical condition of the opponent over the course of the match. Or stumbles and stutters in the breathing bouts. Either way - this video is one of those magical moments when the bliss of nonsense sparks excitement.