World Championship Titles: 6
Finishing Moves: Savage Elbow Drop, Diving Double Axe Handle
“Macho Man” Randy Savage had an impressive career as a wrestler being active for 32 years and 20 championship titles to his name. Savage made a name for himself for being the ultimate demonstration of masculinity both in ring as well as off ring. Savage is also famous for his Slim Jim commercial, shot in 1996.
Early career and “Macho” titles
Here’s a “Macho Man” with a keen desire to please some managers at his WWE debut:
At the beginning of his wrestling career in WWF (now called WWE), after winning the WWF Intercontinental title against Tito Santana, Savage’s career aspirations grew higher. His new goal, the WWF Championship (now called WWE World Heavyweight Championship). Savage took part in a 14-man tournament in WrestleMania IV, climbing his way into the final versus “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. He managed to win the title with the help of Hulk Hogan.
Savage, together with Hogan and managed by Miss Elizabeth formed the tag team “Mega Powers”. However, due to Savage’s jealousy towards Hogan’s relationship with Miss Elizabeth, the two of them turned from allies and tag team partners to rivals on both the ring and outside of it.
At the following WrestleMania event, WrestleMania V, Savage lost his WWF Championship title reign of 371 days in favor of Hulk Hogan. Soon after his loss, Savage replaced Miss Elizabeth as his manager with Sensational Sherri. Prior to this title match, Miss Elizabeth became Hogan’s manager as well.
Throughout his time as a wrestler, Savage managed to win the WWF Championship twice (in March 1988 and April 1992) and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship four times (in November 1995, January 1996, April 1998 and July 1999).
The loss of a macho man…
Unfortunately, a tragic car accident ended Randy Savage’s life on the 20th of May, 2011. Savage was driving with his second wife Barbara Lynn Payne when he started having cardiac arrhythmia, after which he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. He was 58 years at that time.
However, this doesn’t mean that Savage left us with nothing to talk about. His showmanship is world famous, making him a major attraction in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Savage was also acknowledged by fellow wrestler, Hulk Hogan, as one of the most influential performers there were at that time.
During his time as a wrestler, Randy Savage was managed by his first wife, Miss Elizabeth. Savage’s entrance music was Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 in D followed by an “OH YEAHH”. His scenic presence was perfect for his ring name: deep voice, intensity in actions, everything about him was macho.
Homages to one of wrestling’s greatests
According to Vince McMahon, Savage was “one of wrestling’s all-time greats” and an “extremely charismatic” person. Although Savage isn’t featured on the Hall of Fame, many wrestlers paid tribute to him after his death. CM Punk did something special than the others, he incorporated Savage’s famous move “Diving Elbow Drop” into his own moveset as a homage.
Other ventures of Randy Savage
Randy Savage was also part of the 2002 Spider-Man movie, where he played Bonesaw McGraw, the wrestler with whom Spidey first tried his powers against. In 2008, Savage lent his voice to “The Thug” character from the Disney movie “Bolt”. This was the last movie appearance for Randy Savage.