Randy 'Macho Man' Savage dies after Pinellas crash

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/randy-savage-killed-in-crash-052011


Randy "Macho Man" Savage Killed in Car Accident‎






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Randy 'Macho Man' Savage dies after Pinellas crash
Updated: Friday, 20 May 2011, 2:02 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 20 May 2011, 1:06 PM EDT

A MyFoxTampaBay.com staff report

SEMINOLE - World-famous wrestler Randy 'Macho Man' Savage, known for his "Ohh yeah" catch phrase, died after a car accident today in Seminole.

Savage was behind the wheel of his Jeep Wrangler, heading west on State Road 694, around 9:30 this morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jeep veered out of control, went over a concrete median, crossed over the eastbound lanes, and collided head-on with a tree near the intersection with 113th St. N.

Savage was rushed to Largo Medical Center, where he died. His 56-year-old wife Lynn was also in the car and suffered minor injuries.

The 58-year-old may have suffered a "medical event" before the crash, according to the accident report. TMZ.com, which broke the story, reported that Savage lost control of the Jeep because he had a heart attack.

Savage, whose real name was Randall Mario Poffo, began wrestling with the WWF back in 1985. He became one of the league's most popular stars and was known for his catch phrase: the deep-throated, raspy, over-the-top "Ohhh yeah."

Even non-wrestling fans would likely recognize the line thanks to Savage's frequent appearances in television commercials for Slim Jim beef jerky snacks.

Before his wrestling days, the Ohio native played minor league baseball for several teams. He ended his baseball career with the Tampa Tarpons in 1974.

Savage had just celebrated his one-year anniversary with Lynn, his second wife.

His fellow wrestlers, many of whom also live in the Tampa area, sent their condolences via Twitter. Hulk Hogan had just ended a decade-long feud with Savage and said he was "devastated."

"He had so much life in his eyes & in his spirit, I just pray that he's happy and in a better place and we miss him," tweeted Hogan.

"You were one of my childhood inspirations and heros [sic]. Strength, love and prayers to the Savage/Poffo family," added Dwayne Johnson, better known as 'The Rock.'

LINK: Read more from TMZ.com .
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Macho Man Randy Savage killed in car accident at the age of 58
5/20/2011
TheCelebrityCafe.com Staff

Savage suffered a heart attack behind the wheel and died in a car wreck

“Macho Man” Randy Savage, a legendary professional wrestler who was best known as one of the faces of Vince McMahon’s WWF in the late 1980s and early 1990s, died early Friday at the age of 58 after suffering a heart attack behind the wheel and getting in a car accident in Tampa, Florida.

Savage lost control of his 2009 Jeep Wrangler while suffering a heart attack at roughly 9:25 a.m. Friday morning. A representative from the Florida Highway Patrol tells TMZ that Savage veered into oncoming traffic after crossing a concrete median and “collided head-on with a tree.”

The late wrestler’s death was confirmed by his brother, Lanny Poffo, who tells The New York Daily News that he was pronounced dead shortly after he was transported to the Largo Medical Center.

Savage began his career with the World Wrestling Federation in June 1985. Less than one year after his debut with the company, he won the Intercontinental title and kept the belt for 13 months.

Savage went on to become a two-time WWF Champion before joining Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling and becoming a four-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion.

To go along with his accomplishments in pro wrestling, he also became a spokesman for Slim Jim and made a cameo in 2002’s Spider-Man.