Wrestling superstar “Macho Man” Randy Savage died on Friday in a car accident, according to TMZ.
His brother, Lanny Poffo, told TMZ that the world champion wrestler suffered a heart attack while driving in Tampa, Florida. His real name was Randall Mario Paffo.
He was 58.
The Florida Highway Patrol told the website that Savage was driving his Jeep Wrangler, lost control, and crashed into a tree.
His wife was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident, but survived, according to TMZ.
As the “Macho Man,” Savage was famous for his energy in the ring, and for screaming out “Ooooooohhhhhh Yeahhhhh” during back stage interviews and in the ring.
The WWE said in a statement : They are “saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest Superstars of his time, Randy Poffo, aka Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Poffo was under contract with WWE from 1985 to 1993 and held both the WWE and Intercontinental Championships. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. We wish a speedy recovery to his wife Lynn. Poffo will be greatly missed by WWE and his fans.”
Savage was known for walking into the ring with his over-the-top outfits—wearing colorful glasses and a bandana or hat on almost every occasion.
And in the ring, Savage is considered one of the best wrestlers of all-time. His signature move to finish off opponents was the elbow drop from the top ropes.
He joined the WWE (when it was the WWF) in 1985, and was managed by Miss Elizabeth, who at Savage’s side became the “First Lady of Wrestling.”
Savage made his first WrestleMania appearance—WWE’s Super Bowl—at WrestleMania 2, where he successfully defended his Intercontinental Title.
He became the WWE Champion for the first time in 1988 when he won the King of the Ring tournament, and later joined up with another wrestling legend—Hulk Hogan.
For those who didn’t know the “Macho Man” as a wrestler, he was also famous for being the spokesperson for Slim Jim.
“Need a little excitement,” Savage would say, “snap into a Slim Jim!”
