© 2026 WEKU
Lexington's Choice for NPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The 1850 campaign is replacing lost federal funds one supporter at a time. Thanks to our listeners and supporters, we are now just 280 away from reaching this goal of 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month. Click here to join the campaign!

Pro Wrestler 'Macho Man' Randy Savage Has Died

"Macho Man" Randy Savage in 2003.
Frank Micelotta
/
Getty Images
"Macho Man" Randy Savage in 2003.

Fox News says it has confirmed that pro wrestling superstar "Macho Man" Randy Savage "died after having a heart attack while driving his Jeep Wrangler," the in Tampa Bay area.

The local Bay News 9 adds that:

"According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Savage was driving west on Park Boulevard near 113th Street North when his 2009 Jeep Wrangler went out of control just before 9:30 a.m.

"The vehicle went over the raised median in the road, crossed the eastbound lanes, jumped the curb and smashed head on into a tree. Savage was taken to Largo Medical Center where he later died."

The news was broken over at TMZ.com.

As Fox says:

"Savage helped put WWF wrestling on the map in the 1980s and '90s, becoming, along with Hulk Hogan, one of its biggest draws. His outrageous outfits and bellowing voice made him a fan favorite."

His WWE Superstar bio says no wrestler was ever "more colorful. ... His style — perfectly punctuated by his entrance music, Pomp and Circumstance — has only been outshined by his performance in the ring, which helped him to capture two WWE Championships, two World Heavyweight Championships, and a 14-month reign as Intercontinental Champion."

Bay News 9 says he "began wrestling in the World Wrestling Federation in 1985 ... [and] starred as a wrestler for over two decades on the WWE, WCW and TNA wrestling programs. ... He became a superstar for his exploits in the ring, his trademark catchphrase 'Ooooooh Yeaahhhhh.' He was also well known for his Slim Jim commercial."

"Macho Man" (born Randy Poffo) was also known for his feuds with Hogan, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant and others. He was 58.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Mark Memmott is NPR's supervising senior editor for Standards & Practices. In that role, he's a resource for NPR's journalists – helping them raise the right questions as they do their work and uphold the organization's standards.
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content