Macho Man Randy Savage Dies at 58
MAY 20, 2011 TAGS:
Macho Man Randy Savage, the legendary professional wrestler, suffered a heart attack while driving today in Los Angeles. He lost control of his vehicle and died after his Jeep Wrangler collided head-on with a tree. He was 58.
Savage joined the World Wrestling Federation (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment) in 1985. He rose to become one of the defining performers of his era, displaying wild fashions, acrobatic moves, a frenetic personality and a trademark, strained grizzled voice. He also battled drug addiction and depression throughout his career, but remains among a handful of iconic American wrestling performers.
While achievement in the WWF can be measured through "titles" won and rivalries developed and bankable, high-profile matches, Savage also made a mark on popular culture through a series of advertisements for the convenience store snack food Slim Jim. Unlike other stars of his era and beyond (Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, The Rock) Savage never "rose above the sport" that made him famous. But he was widely appreciated as a core performer during a period of great advancement for professional wrestling.
Born Randall Mario Poffo, in Columbus, Ohio in1952, Savage was a second generation pro wrestler. He first tried to make it as professional baseball player. According to baseball-reference.com, he played minor league baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox farm systems. He never made above the Single-A level and "retired" in 1974.
The next eleven years were spent rising through the farm system of professional wrestling, performing regional matches and developing the character that would bring him to the big-time. The stage name Randy Savage was modified first from spider-man based character. According to OnlineWorldofWrestling.com, former Georgia champion, Ole Andersen suggested the name after noting that Randy wrestled like a savage.
The "Macho Man" aspect of Randy Savage's persona grew from his first appearances in Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation. He was a crazed, jealous lover whose manager and paramour, a beautiful woman, would provoke his ire by flirting with other men and channel it upon his opponents.
The Macho Man's first pay-per-view event was a 16-man tournament in November of 1985 called The Wrestling Classic. Savage "made it" to the finals of the tournament, losing to "The Junkyard Dog," a long gone minor wrestling character.
The next 20 years of his life, Macho Man performed around the world with the WWF, and other pro wrestling organization. He battled a serious cocaine addiction, the effects of which were evident in numerous interviews and performances. He retired in 2005, white-bearded and road weary, but somehow ever-young.
A classic tag-team match against one-time partner Hulk Hogan, note the proto-gubernatorial announcing by Jesse Ventura
Savage joined the World Wrestling Federation (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment) in 1985. He rose to become one of the defining performers of his era, displaying wild fashions, acrobatic moves, a frenetic personality and a trademark, strained grizzled voice. He also battled drug addiction and depression throughout his career, but remains among a handful of iconic American wrestling performers.
While achievement in the WWF can be measured through "titles" won and rivalries developed and bankable, high-profile matches, Savage also made a mark on popular culture through a series of advertisements for the convenience store snack food Slim Jim. Unlike other stars of his era and beyond (Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, The Rock) Savage never "rose above the sport" that made him famous. But he was widely appreciated as a core performer during a period of great advancement for professional wrestling.Born Randall Mario Poffo, in Columbus, Ohio in1952, Savage was a second generation pro wrestler. He first tried to make it as professional baseball player. According to baseball-reference.com, he played minor league baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox farm systems. He never made above the Single-A level and "retired" in 1974.
The next eleven years were spent rising through the farm system of professional wrestling, performing regional matches and developing the character that would bring him to the big-time. The stage name Randy Savage was modified first from spider-man based character. According to OnlineWorldofWrestling.com, former Georgia champion, Ole Andersen suggested the name after noting that Randy wrestled like a savage.
The "Macho Man" aspect of Randy Savage's persona grew from his first appearances in Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation. He was a crazed, jealous lover whose manager and paramour, a beautiful woman, would provoke his ire by flirting with other men and channel it upon his opponents.
The Macho Man's first pay-per-view event was a 16-man tournament in November of 1985 called The Wrestling Classic. Savage "made it" to the finals of the tournament, losing to "The Junkyard Dog," a long gone minor wrestling character.
The next 20 years of his life, Macho Man performed around the world with the WWF, and other pro wrestling organization. He battled a serious cocaine addiction, the effects of which were evident in numerous interviews and performances. He retired in 2005, white-bearded and road weary, but somehow ever-young.
A classic tag-team match against one-time partner Hulk Hogan, note the proto-gubernatorial announcing by Jesse Ventura
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