Friday, May 20, 2011

"Macho Man" Randy Savage (1952-2011)

My Long Island pen pal tipped me via e-mail earlier today. Since said pen pal is factually challenged a large amount of the time, I had to do some fact checking myself, and got the proof from Yahoo!.

Wrestling icon "Macho Man" Randy Savage passed away earlier today as the result of a heart attack while driving with his new wife, Lynn. Savage lost control of the car as a result of the heart attack, and crashed into a tree. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow, which may reveal a lot more than just the heart attack.

Savage, nee Randall Poffo, went into pro wrestling after a shoulder injury cut short his baseball career. Savage was a catcher in the minor league chains for the Cincinnati Reds & Chicago White Sox, among others, during the 70's. His big break came when he signed with the then-World Wrestling Federation in 1985, where he won the Intercontinental title and 3 WWF titles, the last coming in 1992. He also wrestled for TNA and World Championship Wrestling.

Aside from the ring, Savage ventured into acting, appearing in "Spider-Man" and a number of cartoons, including guest appearances on Family Guy, Dial M For Monkey, & Space Ghost Coast-to Coast. However, most people will remember him as a long-time pitchman for Slim Jim beef snacks. Here, in tribute to the "Macho Man", is a classic Slim Jim commercial:



Savage also took a chance on music, and cut a rap album in the 90's, largely because he couldn't sing. Then again, long-time rival/frenemy Hulk Hogan can't carry a tune, either, but that's another story for another time, brother.

Rest in peace, Randy.

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