'Macho Man' Randy Savage dead after car crash
"Macho Man" Randy Savage at the 2003 movie awards.
May 20th, 2011
02:39 PM ET

'Macho Man' Randy Savage dead after car crash

[Updated at 2:39 p.m.] Pro wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage, 58, was killed Friday morning in Florida when the Jeep he was driving jumped a median and hit a tree, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Savage, whose real name is Randy Poffo, and his wife, 56, who lived in Seminole, Florida, were both in the car, officials said.

An investigation is under way, but a Highway Patrol report said that Ralph Poffo "lost control" of his 2009 Jeep Wrangler for "unknown reasons" as it was traveling westbound on Florida State Route 694 near 113th Street North in Pinellas County. His vehicle "traveled over the raised concrete median divider, crossed the eastbound lanes of SR-694, over the outside curb and collided head-on with a tree," the report said.

His wife was in the passenger seat and was injured, officials said. Officials could not confirm the cause of Poffo's death.

"WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest Superstars of his time, Randy Poffo, aka Randy “Macho Man” Savage," the wrestling federation said in a statement. "Poffo was under contract with WWE from 1985 to 1993 and held both the WWE and Intercontinental Championships. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. We wish a speedy recovery to his wife Lynn. Poffo will be greatly missed by WWE and his fans."

Savage was known for his flashy entertainment in and out of the ring - including his catchphrases "Ooooooh Yeaahhhhh," "Can you dig it?" and his Slim Jim commercials.

"We’re saddened by the loss," ConAgra Foods, who oversees the Slim Jim brand said in a statement. "Randy was a beloved ambassador for the Slim Jim brand for many years and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."

Bay News 9: 'Macho Man' dies in car crash

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soundoff (532 Responses)
  1. mike sparks

    REST IN PIECE MY BROTHER.....................

    May 20, 2011 at 2:45 pm | Report abuse |
  2. tattoo

    Dammmnn u tree and jeep, can u dig it, ooooooohhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhh, R.I.P macho man kick some ass where ever u are, u where a favorite in my child hood.

    May 20, 2011 at 2:46 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Paul Hall

    Prayers and condolences to the family. Randy taught people things on a day to day basis. All they had to do was listen and learn.
    Thanks "Macho Man" Godspeed .

    May 20, 2011 at 2:46 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Joe

    CNN you need editors! Or writers capable of proof reading. You state his name is Randy Poffo and then later say "Ralph Poffo" in the 3rd paragraph. Lazy!

    May 20, 2011 at 2:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • ironic

      O.K. nit-picker! It's the "2nd" paragraph and it's Friday! Stop trying to confuse us!

      May 20, 2011 at 2:58 pm | Report abuse |
  5. john

    dui

    May 20, 2011 at 2:46 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Osama bin Laden

    I guess he was out of cash ... driving a 2009 jeep ..... he died from shame in driving a cr*ppy car.

    May 20, 2011 at 2:47 pm | Report abuse |
    • meh

      stfu....

      May 20, 2011 at 2:51 pm | Report abuse |
    • boo

      you probably don't even have a car!

      May 20, 2011 at 2:59 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Ironic

    Strange that this would happen on the same day that the Con-Agra "Slim Jim" plant shuts down and lays off over 200 employees!

    May 20, 2011 at 2:47 pm | Report abuse |
  8. RG

    I guess he can figure out what "mechanically seperated chicken" is now

    May 20, 2011 at 2:48 pm | Report abuse |
  9. ron

    r.i.p

    May 20, 2011 at 2:48 pm | Report abuse |
  10. What's in a name?

    I like the quality of reporting that CNN does. In the first paragraph they call him "Randy". While in the 2nd paragraph they call him "Ralph" ...Wassssup with that?

    May 20, 2011 at 2:49 pm | Report abuse |
  11. VOLKSMANIAC

    He was one of the great pretenders of pro wrestling . maybe this is a publicity stunt . Hell , paulie shore did it !

    May 20, 2011 at 2:49 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Osama bin Laden

    durka durka

    May 20, 2011 at 2:49 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Maverick

    Let's not forget he was a St. Louis Cardinal for a short time before he became the Macho Man. Goodbye, Randy.

    May 20, 2011 at 2:49 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Bill

    Randy was in the top 5 as far as talented, athletic, and very funny wrestlers go. My college roommate met him once in a hotel lobby and got his autograph for me on the back of a deposit slip, and said he was a real nice guy. Very sad indeed – Randy, you always made me laugh out loud, I still have loads of your bits on videotape.

    May 20, 2011 at 2:50 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Macho Fan

    RIP Macho Man. Never Forget Tshirts – machomanisdead .com

    May 20, 2011 at 2:50 pm | Report abuse |
    • Craig

      The Karate Kid died too? haha..get it? Because...see what I did there...Macho man and Ralph Machio–the Karate Kid. Oh, mercy! I crack myself up.

      May 20, 2011 at 2:51 pm | Report abuse |
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