In a tragic turn of events, Randy Poffo died as a result of what is reported as a heart attack while driving a car. The injuries sustained in a subsequent crash cost the former champion and beloved “Macho Man” Randy Savage his life. He was 58 years old. The following is both further information and a tribute to a man who contributed far beyond the norm in the world of professional wrestling, and pop culture through out the 1980’s to the present.

The following comes to us courtesy of the Bored Wrestling Fan author, ThinkSoJoE:

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TMZ reports:

Florida Highway Patrol tells TMZ … Savage was driving his 2009 Jeep Wrangler when he veered across a concrete median … through oncoming traffic … and “collided head-on with a tree.”

Savage was transported to Largo Medical center, where he died from his injuries.

Savage’s wife was a passenger in the vehicle during the collision — but survived with “minor injuries.” She was transported to a different local hospital where she was treated.

I grew up watching “Macho Man” Randy Savage on television each and every week.  I started to become a fan during Savage’s initial WWE Championship run, culminating with his match at WrestleMania V with Hulk Hogan.  When I woke up this afternoon and saw that TMZ was reporting Savage passed, I refused to believe it, but the news is spreading like wildfire and I can’t pretend forever.

Randy Savage, for me, was the premiere architect of what a professional wrestler should be.  Detail oriented in the ring, and entertaining as hell outside of it.  When “Pomp & Circumstance” came through the PA at a wrestling event, you knew you were in for something special.

I’m at a complete loss for words, so I’ll leave you with one of my favorite Macho Man quotes.

“The camera is that way, yeah. Sense of direction I’ve always had, but a little help along the way, just like a good quick shove, is somethin’ nice to have, yeah!”

Please feel free to leave your Macho Man memories in the comments below!

RIP Randy “Macho Man” Savage

May you two be reunited...

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Shortly after the news broke, Bruce of our Wonderpod Online website noticed the following tribute video. It’s worth a watch as we mourn and remember all the fun times and contributions of Randy Macho Man Savage:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXHlO_f_Uqc[/youtube]

G’s thoughts: I sit here in disbelief. I realize that accidents happen to people of all walks of life, regardless of fame. This is one that is a terrible thing to comprehend. As a child of the 1980’s (and like many of our webpage’s visitors), I grew up watching Randy Savage grace my television screen. He was a class act, a face who respected his fans and more importantly, Miss Elizabeth his valet and on air flame. While Hulkamania was running wild, Macho Man remained humble while excelling at the top of the card. Eventually, Randy would go on to greatness out of the shadow as the World Heavyweight Champion. He would become a King of the Ring, an announcer, and a figure of speculation who left the then WWF to the WCW. Later, Macho Man would become involved in the nWo faction amidst the Monday Night Wars between Vince McMahon and Ted Turner’s ongoing competition for wrestling ratings. Regardless, within it all, his fans stayed stalwart as Poffo’s star rose beyond the realm of wrestling, and into that of mainstream entertainment and pop culture. Rest in Peace Mr. Randy Macho Man Savage.

Bruce’s Thoughts: As some of you may know I don’t really watch wrestling much these days. Still the news of Randy Savage’s passing hit me pretty hard. Which is a rare thing for me as I am not prone to getting emotional over someone I never met. The WWF in the 80’s holds a special place in my heart and one of my favorite wrestlers back then was Savage. I rooted hard for him to win each match as I thought they were real. Which is part of why I remember that era so fondly. I was a small child and hadn’t been clued into wrestling being pre-determined. I still recall vividly the cobra angle between him and Jake the Snake Roberts. I was deathly afraid of snakes then so I hated Roberts. His match with Ricky the Dragon Steamboat in 1987 is one I have watched often. He was hard to root against whether he was a face or a heel. In fact I even watched WCW when he was with the promotion. Bottom line Savage was one of the all time greats and will be sadly missed by me and anyone who followed wrestling closely. RIP Randy Savage, thanks for the memories.

Here is a list of memories by WWE employess via twitter: Click here.

G endorses the fine work by Live Audio Wrestling. And he was pleased to see them get on top of the story right away. They are a good group. Here is a podcast tribute to Randy Savage.