Wrestler Randy “Macho Man” Savage Dies in Car Crash

Wrestler was 58

Legendary pro-wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage died in a car accident in Florida.

Savage, one of the World Wrestling Federation's biggest star during the 1980s, was known for his garish outfits, "diving elbow drop" and jealous and misogynistic treatment of his beloved "Miss Elizabeth." He was 58.

The former wrestler, born Randy Mario Poffo, was driving a Jeep Wrangler when he lost control in Pinellas County around 9:25 a.m. The Jeep veered over the raised concrete median divider, crossed over the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a tree. The Florida Highway Patrol said he may have suffered "a medical event" prior to the crash.

Save's wife, Barbara Poffo, was in the Jeep and suffered minor injuries, according to Florida Highway Patrol official Steve Gaskins.

Fellow veteran wrestler Hulk Hogan tweeted Friday that he was "devastated" by the news, especially as he had "finally started to talk and communicate" with Savage after 10 years of "not talking."

"He had so much life in his eyes & in his spirit, I just pray that he's happy and in a better place and we miss him," Hogan wrote.

Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson tweeted, "RIP Randy "Macho Man" Savage – you were one of my childhood inspirations and heros [sic]."

Savage was born in Columbus , Ohio, the son of smalltime professional wrestler Angelo Poffo. He graduated from Southern Illinois University and became a wrestler in the 1970s. After joining Vince McMahon's WWF, Savage chose Miss Elizabeth as his manager. The woman, Elizabeth Hulette, became Savage's real-life wife in 1984. They divorced eight years later and she later died.

The husband and wife team had a successful gimmick, with him infuriating fans with his bullying of her and then attacking anyone who came to her aid.

Savage left the WWF and later bounced around with smaller promotions, most recently Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2005.

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