Watch: VAN HALEN Bassist Dressed As Macho Man; Almost Wrestled Hulk Hogan on Stage

Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony just shared a classic rock-meets-wrestling story that’s almost too good to be true. In a new Instagram post, Anthony reminisced about the time he was supposed to confront Hulk Hogan on stage—until the Hulkster had to bail at the last minute.

Anthony posted a throwback clip sent to him by his brother Dennis, showing a younger version of himself donning full "Macho Man" Randy Savage gear. According to Anthony, fans used to tell him all the time that he looked just like legendary Slim Jim spokesperson. Word got back to Savage himself, and he decided to have a little fun with it.

As Anthony tells it, Randy Savage had Hulk Hogan bring one of his signature outfits to a Van Halen show in Irvine, CA, as a gift for Anthony. The plan was for Hogan to bring the gear on stage, and the two would goof around with a little wrestling segment in front of the crowd. Only problem? The Hulkster had to leave early, and Anthony ended up hitting the stage solo, decked out in full "Macho Man" gear.

A quick search turns up that the show in question happened on October 15, 1995 at the Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre, so this would be during Macho's WCW era. You can see the setlist here. This was during Hogan's brief dipping of his toes into a heel character before ultimately pulling the trigger in the summer of 1996 with the New World Order.

And the best part? Anthony says he still has the outfit somewhere, and he just might dust it off for Halloween. It's likely a priceless antique based on recent auction sales.

Former Van Halen bandmate Sammy Hagar, who introduced Anthony in the clip, jumped into the comments, backing up the epic story: "A moment I will never forget. Classic Matt Anthony right there, classic.😂🔥🔥🔥🔥 Good find, Dennis. @mad_anthony_bassman I say break it out for the residency. 👊"

Watch the hilarious video below.

The full set is available on Youtube. The Macho Man moment happens around 1:39:30:

Setlist
1. Right Now
2. Big Fat Money
3. Why Can't This Be Love
4. Top of the world
5. Not Enough
6. Bass Solo
7. Seventh Seal
8. Amsterdam
9. Mine All Mine
10. Alex Solo
11. Can't Stop Loving You
12. Feelin'
13. I Can't Drive 55 (short)
14. Eagles Fly
15. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
16. Eddie Solo
17. Jump
18. There's Only One Way to Rock
19. Dreams
20. Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
21. Panama