Macho Man Randy Savage: A Look Back at the Career of the Wrestling Legend
By Sean Farrell
This piece is a memorial tribute, as we here at RSR are remembering an all-time great in the entertainment world as well as professional wrestling’s Macho Man Randy Savage. Savage was killed last week after suffering what appeared to be a heart attack while driving, Savage lost control and hit a tree head on. Savage was rushed to the nearest hospital where he expired from his injuries, he was 58 years old.
Savage was one of the most iconic men in entertainment history, from his raspy deep voice that rumbled like thunder when he spoke, down to his flashy attire consisting of sunglasses, a jacket with tassels, and a cowboy hat. Savage was arguably the greatest professional wrestler that ever lived, his intensity and desire showed in his eyes in and out of the ring, and his signature catch phrase “Oooooh Yeah!” was like the Bat Signal, as everyone followed once they heard it. The WWE has said of Savage, “Few Superstars were as dynamic as “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
His style — perfectly punctuated by his entrance music, ‘Pomp and Circumstance’— was only outshined by his performances in the ring.” and that statement is nothing but the truth. Savage held 20 championships during his wrestling career, a very impressive accomplishment, as belts actually meant something back in that time and winning one alone meant the world. Savage was also part of the most iconic tag team in history called the Mega Powers which consisted of himself and Hulk Hogan, bringing the phrase “Larger than life” to reality.
Savage had his demons however like everyone else; Savage battled drug and alcohol abuse like many wrestlers do throughout their career. But, unlike many wrestlers Savage was able to overcome his demons and better himself as a person by finding peace with himself, something he longed to find. Savage had only two requests for his funeral, and they were quite touching…First, Savage didn’t want his theme music played at his funeral, as he thought he in all honesty, that he stole it from Gorgeous George and it was unethical to take it to the grave with him. Second, Savage didn’t want to be buried, instead he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread around his favorite tree. That tree is where Savage spread his best friend’s ashes many years prior, and that friend just so happened to be his dog who was the only constant in his life.
The legendary Macho Man inspired an entire generation to never give up and to persevere through anything. What he taught us is what he should be remembered for as well as his ability to entertain millions around the globe.
Our team at RSR would like to share our memories of Macho Man Randy Savage and what he meant to us:
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
“In the 1980’s I was a huge fan of wrestling and one of my favorites was Macho Man Randy Savage. MTV was huge and Cyndi Lauper tied in with CAPT Lou Albano, became hits in the WWF. Along with them, Hulk Hogan, Savage, Andre The Giant and so many others were a lot of fun to watch… Today, sadly in my opinion you don’t have the depth in characters as you did back then. Savage was a big part of that. With Elizabeth going in 2003 to the grave, Randy now joins his ex-wife and WWF star. I hope now wherever they are, they have found peace.. RIP Macho Man…..”
Geno McGahee
“I was around 13 when I went to the Springfield Civic Center to see Wrestlemania III closed circuit and watch the feud between Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and “Macho Man” Randy Savage get settled. It was such a memorable event and it became the match of the night and to many, the best match Wrestlemania has seen. Savage was a great performer, a character that was very memorable and fun to watch. He was great in SPIDERMAN and a lot of fun in both the WWE and WCW.”
The Masked Hernandez
“Brother, I tear up as I write this, thinking back to my good friend Macho Man. The wrestling community is a small one man, and we all know each other, and many aspire just to be 1 tenth of what Savage was, brother. He owned wrestling and was a professional in every way. He is now dropping the elbow on the angels and I’m looking up with a smile. God bless you brother!”
Michael Plunkett
“My memories of ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage date back to early 1987 during that period when he was the Intercontinental champion. I used to tune into Maple Leaf Wrestling on Saturday’s, if at first because of a passing childhood interest in wrestling, then later because I had developed a semi-serious interest in the ongoing storyline. The ‘Macho Man’ epitomized the WWF in those days; loud, brash, intimidating and completely over the top. His cohort, ‘Miss Elizabeth” was the added bonus. She underlined his persona and with her petite form, big-80’s hair and good looks, ‘Macho Man’ looked to have the back-end of his image locked away. I was saddened to learn of his untimely demise. He was a talented performer in his day, loved by the masses and a star at the pinnacle of his career. He will be greatly missed by those that remember his grand entrances and high flying ring antics. May God rest his soul and comfort those he has left behind.”
Siri Karri
” You know what? I was never into professional wrestling, but I think seeing Randy Savage on the tv for the first time exposed me to it. I won’t lie I didn’t even know what the hell a Slim Jim was until I saw that commercial. I mean when I was younger, I didn’t have a lot of exposure to American culture and I think I remember Randy vividly being a part of it.”
Sean Farrell
“The Macho Man, I think of a quote of his now that he is gone. “Best there is… past, present and future! Ohhhhh yeahhhh!” and well he was right. I remember as a kid getting my first wrestling action figure from my aunt, that action figure was Macho Man Randy Savage in his Wrestlemania III attire. I also always found myself snapping into a Slim Jim whenever I could and yelling “Oh Yeah!” in my “what I thought as a kid was manly” Macho Man voice while dropping elbows off my bunk bed onto my Randy Savage Wrestling Buddy. As I got older nothing really changed, the toys turned into videogames, DVDs and VHS’, but the memories never went away. Another tragic end to another amazing wrestler, but with Macho Man there is the one thing he should never be forgotten for, he was TRULY an amazing person. Rest in peace Macho Man as I rub my elbow and think “Ten thousand years as Intercontinental Champion, Oooooh yeeeah!!!!!!!!!!!”
Below is Randy Savage’s Obituary
The St. Petersburg Times posted the following obituary for Savage…
POFFO, Randy Mario 58, known better to many as professional wrestling legend “Macho Man” Randy Savage, passed away at Largo Medical Center on Friday May 20, 2011, following a motor vehicle accident in Seminole.
Randy was born Nov. 15, 1952 in Columbus, OH. He graduated from Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove, IL where he was a member of the National Honor Society. After high school Randy played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox organizations until 1975.
In 1985 he joined the World Westling Federation, where he earned international fame with his entertaining antics and quotable catchphrase “Oooohh Yeaahh”. Randy was a spokesperson for Slim Jim, popularizing the slogan “Snap into a Slim Jim!” He also played Bone Saw McGraw in the 2002 blockbuster hit movie “Spider Man.”
Randy was a generous supporter of charitable causes. For several years every holiday season, he visited All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg to deliver gifts to patients and participated in the George Steinbrenner Children’s Holiday Concert for underprivileged kids of Tampa. He also recently took part as a celebrity guest judge in a fundraiser benefiting Art for Autism.
Randy is survived by his wife, Lynn; his mother, Judy; his brother, Lanny; two stepdaughters, Noelle and Devon Anderson; and his niece, Magen Poffo. There are no public visitation hours or funeral services planned. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Moss Feaster Funeral Home Serenity Gardens Chapel in Largo.
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