On May 20, TMZ was the first to report that the professional wrestling icon, "Macho Man" Randy Savage had passed away at the age of 58. The report states that Savage was driving in his Jeep Wrangler with his wife, Lynn, when he had an apparent heart attack and crashed into a tree. He was pronounced dead at Largo Medical Center in Largo, Fla.
The death of the Macho Man is truly sad for all fans of professional wrestling. My Twitter page exploded with reactions from friends of mine who had grown up watching the legend with me. The death of the man who paved the way for some of the most charismatic stars of today is one that the world of wrestling will have problems dealing with.
Most non-wrestling fans will remember Savage as the spokesman for Slim-Jims. "Snap into a Slim-Jim—Ooh Yeah!" will forever be one of his most famous lines.
I still remember to this day the first time I had any real care for Savage. It was Summerslam 1992, from Wembley Stadium in London, England. It was the first pay-per-view I ever watched and Savage was on the card, facing the Ultimate Warrior for the Intercontinental Championship. He didn't win the belt that night, but his match is one of the three most memorable from that card for me.
Over the years, Savage has stayed away from the wrestling business, but the wrestling business wasn't staying away from him. Former TNA wrestling star, Jay Lethal, impersonated Savage for a long period. Lethal was known as "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal. He wore a ring outfit, similar to that of Savage's, including the trademark hat. He even used his trademark phrases, including "Ooh Yeah."
To me, it was the ultimate sign of respect for the man who had some of the greatest feuds in the history of the business with Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and the Ultimate Warrior.
In 2009, WWE released a DVD on the career of Savage and from what I heard; it was one of the most popular wrestling DVD releases in quite some time. The passing of the wrestling legend will certainly entice WWE to induct the former world champion into their Hall of Fame prior to next year's Wrestlemania. It's a shame he won't be around to see it happen.
The death of the Macho Man is truly sad for all fans of professional wrestling. My Twitter page exploded with reactions from friends of mine who had grown up watching the legend with me. The death of the man who paved the way for some of the most charismatic stars of today is one that the world of wrestling will have problems dealing with.
Most non-wrestling fans will remember Savage as the spokesman for Slim-Jims. "Snap into a Slim-Jim—Ooh Yeah!" will forever be one of his most famous lines.
I still remember to this day the first time I had any real care for Savage. It was Summerslam 1992, from Wembley Stadium in London, England. It was the first pay-per-view I ever watched and Savage was on the card, facing the Ultimate Warrior for the Intercontinental Championship. He didn't win the belt that night, but his match is one of the three most memorable from that card for me.
Over the years, Savage has stayed away from the wrestling business, but the wrestling business wasn't staying away from him. Former TNA wrestling star, Jay Lethal, impersonated Savage for a long period. Lethal was known as "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal. He wore a ring outfit, similar to that of Savage's, including the trademark hat. He even used his trademark phrases, including "Ooh Yeah."
To me, it was the ultimate sign of respect for the man who had some of the greatest feuds in the history of the business with Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and the Ultimate Warrior.
In 2009, WWE released a DVD on the career of Savage and from what I heard; it was one of the most popular wrestling DVD releases in quite some time. The passing of the wrestling legend will certainly entice WWE to induct the former world champion into their Hall of Fame prior to next year's Wrestlemania. It's a shame he won't be around to see it happen.
