‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage Killed in Car Accident

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Legendary professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage died today due to injuries sustained in a car accident in Tampa, Florida.

Often regarded as one of the greatest pro-wrestlers ever, the 58-year-old Savage (real name: Randall Poffo) was reportedly driving his 2009 Jeep Wrangler at around 10 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle, crossed a concrete median, careened through oncoming traffic and hit a tree head-on. Randy was transported to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. His wife, Lynn – who Savage married just one year ago – was a passenger in the car, but sustained only minor injuries. Both were wearing seatbelts.

Randy's brother, former pro-wrestler Lanny Poffo, told TMZ that his brother suffered a heart attack behind the wheel, causing the deadly crash. No official cause has been given and an investigation is underway.

"Macho Man" rose to fame in the mid '80s as a part of Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation. Savage claimed many of the organization's top honors, including the WWF World Championship, Intercontinental Championship and "King of the Ring" title. Randy's televised marriage to wrestling manager Miss Elizabeth, as well as his feuds with Hulk Hogan and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat are legendary among wrestling fans.

Savage's success carried over to Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW)  organization, where he was instrumental in the company's ratings dominance through the mid-'90s.

As of late, the former Slim Jim spokesman has been somewhat of a recluse, retiring from wrestling and enjoying a short stint as a rap artist and actor ("Spider-Man"). Though the WWF (now WWE) has often – and inexplicably – ignored Savage's contributions to pro-wrestling, he was just recently featured in a DVD collection and included in the "WWE All-Stars" video game. Many assumed he would soon be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

[BigAl]

Hate to hear that, always enjoyed that Macho Man.

He made me realize all that Wrestling Stuff is Real.

LOL

He will be missed by Wrestling Fans and ALL That would step into a Slim Jim.

AL

[..]

Thassa shame, he was entertaining.

[Grumpy]

He was a neat guy, met him a couple years ago. He showed a lot of support for kids in the area.

[Karmacursed]

Yup, wrasslin fans lost a legend. No doubt about it.

[fordmano]

Grew up watching him and imitating his voice and his tag line " Oooohh Yaaaaaahhhhh".


Sorry to see you go out this way Macho Man.

[Tundra]

The accident was about 1 mile from my home, he lived about two miles away. I've seen him out many times over the years. Grocery store, Home Depot, fund raisers and at the gym. I've never approached him or spoke with him, but did observe him and he was always pleasant and treated strangers with respect.

[MP]

Just reported.  He died of a heart attack.  Not the crash.  The heart attack caused the crash.  Thankfully, his wife was not seriously injured.

MP

[R J]

I always liked to see him do those off the top rope flips and land on a head or chest.   You know, the fake stuff.    But, he was well trained in doing them.

I don't think I could of ever stood on the top rope, but, never tried it so don't know.

[Spirited-6]

Randy was a great guy out of the ring. Would not think of him as a BAD GUY. I sold Randy a truck many years ago and you would not ask for a better customer.