Randy Savage, whose real name was Randy Mario Poffo, was a wrestling legend and one of the most iconic figures in the world of professional wrestling. His flamboyant personality, distinctive raspy voice, and in-ring prowess made him a household name during the golden era of wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s.
Tragically, the world lost this beloved wrestling icon on May 20, 2011. In this article, we will explore the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of Randy Savage.
Who Is Randy Savage?
Randy Mario Poffo better known as “Macho Man” Randy Savage in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), was an American professional wrestler best remembered for his stint in the WWF and WWW. He was born on November 15, 1952.
Sportswriter Bill Simmons called Savage “one of the greatest pro wrestlers who ever lived,” a sentiment shared by numerous industry performers.
Wrestling fans recognized him for his distinctively flamboyant ring costume and raspy voice, energy displayed in and out of the ring, usage of Elgar's “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” as his entrance music, and famous catchphrase, “Oooh yeah!”
During his 32-year career, Savage held six world championships, including two as WWF World Heavyweight Champion and four as WCW World Heavyweight Champion. As WWF Champion, he had the same draw as Hulk Hogan.
He was a one-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, and WWE ranked him the greatest titleholder of all time, crediting him with giving “a higher level of credibility to the title through his amazing in-ring performances.”
Savage won the WWF King of the Ring in 1987 and the WCW World War 3 in 1995. Throughout his career, he headlined numerous pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania IV, V, and VIII (as part of a double main event at VIII), two of the first five SummerSlam concerts, and the 1995 Starrcade.
In 1996, he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame posthumously.
How Did Randy Savage Die?
On the morning of May 20, 2011, Savage was driving near his home in Seminole, Florida, in his Jeep Wrangler with his wife in the passenger seat when he fell unresponsive and slammed into a tree. Soon after, paramedics came and discovered him dead at the site, aged 58.
Both Savage and his wife were wearing seatbelts. The crash caused relatively minor physical harm to her. The medical examiner's office discovered that he had an enlarged heart and severe coronary artery disease (more than 90% narrowed), which had caused a heart attack. A prescription medication and a minor amount of alcohol were discovered in his system.
Savage had never been treated for heart problems, and no evidence suggested that he was aware of his illness. The official cause of death was determined to be atherosclerotic heart disease.
Read More: How Did ‘Minnesota Twins Coach” Mike Bell Die?
Savage was cremated five days after his death, and his ashes were scattered beneath a favorite tree on his property in Largo, Florida, near his mother's development.
Ten days before his death, he asked his brother to scatter his dog's ashes in the same location.
When Savage's brother inquired why, Savage explained that he wanted him to remember that area since his ashes would be poured there as well.
