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|birth_name=Randy Mario Poffo<!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS TO RANDALL. Birth name was Randy per NYT obituary given. --><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Elizabeth A. |title=Randy Savage, Pro Wrestling's Macho Man, Dies at 58 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/sports/randy-savage-58-pro-wrestlings-macho-man-dies.html |access-date=March 27, 2020 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327174455/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/sports/randy-savage-58-pro-wrestlings-macho-man-dies.html|archive-date=March 27, 2020|date=May 20, 2011}}</ref>
|spouse={{unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Elizabeth Ann Hulette]]|1984|1992|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Lynn Payne|2010}}}}
|image= Randy Savage,
|caption= Savage in
|names=Randy Poffo<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>Randy Savage<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>The Spider<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=wwebio/><ref name="pwhfbio"/><br/>The Big Geno<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="pwhfbio"/><br/>Mr. Madness<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>Destroyer<ref name="OWOW"/><br/>Executioner<ref name="OWOW"/>
|height=6 ft 2 in<ref name=wwebio>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/randysavage|title=Randy Savage's alumni profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008161655/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/randysavage|archive-date=October 8, 2013|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref>
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|death_date={{Death date and age|2011|5|20|1952|11|15}}
|death_place=[[Seminole, Florida]], U.S.<ref name="St. Petersburg Times">{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/former-wrestler-randy-macho-man-savage-reported-dead-in-seminole-wreck/1170774|title=Former wrestler Randy 'Macho Man' Savage killed in Seminole car wreck|date=May 20, 2011|last1=Meacham|first1=Andrew|last2=Pittman|first2=Craig|work=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|access-date=May 23, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523074629/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/former-wrestler-randy-macho-man-savage-reported-dead-in-seminole-wreck/1170774|archive-date=May 23, 2011}}</ref>
|billed=[[Sarasota, Florida]]<ref name=wwebio/>
|parents= [[Angelo Poffo]] (father)
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}}
'''Randy<!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS TO RANDALL. Birth name was Randy per NYT obituary given. --> Mario Poffo''' (November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011),<ref name="OWOW"/> better known by his [[ring name]] "'''Macho Man'''" '''Randy Savage''', was an American [[professional wrestler]]
Savage was described by sportswriter [[Bill Simmons]] as "one of the greatest pro wrestlers who ever lived"{{snd}}a statement echoed by multiple industry performers.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Remembering 'Macho Man' Randy Savage on Twitter |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/savage-tribute/macho-man-randy-savage-twitter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312201203/https://www.wwe.com/inside/savage-tribute/macho-man-randy-savage-twitter |archive-date=March 12, 2015 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> He was recognizable by wrestling fans for his distinctively flamboyant ring attire and raspy voice, intensity exhibited in and out of the ring, use of the finale from "[[Pomp and Circumstance March no. 1]]" by [[Edward Elgar|Elgar]] as his entrance music, and signature catchphrase, "Oooh yeah!"<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web |title=Randy Savage's Profile |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/r/randy-savage/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114191754/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/r/randy-savage/ |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name=wwebio/><ref name="poffofamily" /> For most of his tenures in the WWF and WCW, Savage was managed by his [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#legit|real-life]] wife, [[Miss Elizabeth]].
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Savage had ten world championship reigns during his 32-year career, including [[List of WWE Champions|two]] as [[WWF World Heavyweight Champion]] and [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|four]] as [[WCW World Heavyweight Champion]]. As WWF Champion, he held similar [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#draw|drawing]] power as [[Hulk Hogan]].<ref>{{cite AV media|year=2014|title=Macho Man: The Randy Savage Story|medium=Blu-ray|time=41 minutes|publisher=[[WWE Home Video]]}}</ref> A one-time [[WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion]], he was named by WWE as the greatest titleholder of all time and credited for bringing "a higher level of credibility to the title through his amazing in-ring performances".<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2013 |title=The 25 best Intercontinental Champions |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/top-25-intercontinental-champions/page-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901034251/https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/top-25-intercontinental-champions/page-26 |archive-date=September 1, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
Savage was the [[1987 WWF King of the Ring]] and the [[1995 WCW World War 3]] winner. He headlined many [[pay-per-view]] events throughout his career, including [[WrestleMania]]s [[WrestleMania IV|IV]]
==Early life==
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|access-date=May 1, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415195622/http://www.gerweck.net/randysavage.htm|archive-date=April 15, 2008}}</ref> the eldest son of Judith ({{nee}} Sverdlin) and [[Angelo Poffo]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guzzo |first1=Paul |date=June 6, 2017 |title=The Macho Mom: Judy Poffo, mother of wrestlers Randy Savage and Lanny Poffo, dead at 90 |language=en |work=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/the-macho-mom-judy-poffo-mother-of-wrestlers-randy-savage-and-lanny-poffo/2326147/ |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808204643/https://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/the-macho-mom-judy-poffo-mother-of-wrestlers-randy-savage-and-lanny-poffo/2326147/ |archive-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref> His father was [[Italian American]] and his mother was [[American Jews|Jewish American]];<ref name="poffofamily" /> Poffo was raised [[Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref name="poffofamily">{{Cite web |last=Scheiber |first=Dave |date=December 27, 2001 |title=Floridian: A wrestling dynasty |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/122701/Floridian/A_wrestling_dynasty.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120015/http://www.sptimes.com/News/122701/Floridian/A_wrestling_dynasty.shtml |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=December 21, 2019 |website=[[Tampa Bay Times|St. Petersburg Times]]}}</ref> Randy's father was a well-known wrestler in the 1950s and 1960s, and his younger brother [[Lanny Poffo]] also went into wrestling.<ref name="poffofamily"/>
The Poffo family lived in [[Zanesville, Ohio]], where Randy attended [[
== Baseball career ==
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Savage first broke into the wrestling business in 1973 during the fall and winter of the baseball off season.<ref name= OWOW /> His first wrestling character, The Spider, was similar to [[Spider-Man]].<ref name= OWOW /><ref name="wwebio" /> He later took the [[ring name]] Randy Savage at the suggestion of his longtime friend and trainer Terry "The Goose" Stephens and [[Georgia Championship Wrestling]] (GCW) booker [[Ole Anderson]], who said that the name Poffo did not fit someone who "wrestled like a savage".<ref name="OWOW"/> Savage eventually decided to end his stalled baseball career and join his father and brother to wrestle full time.<ref name= OWOW /> He wrestled his first match against Midwest Territory wrestler "Golden Boy" [[Paul Christy]]. Savage worked with his father and brother in Michigan, the Carolinas, Georgia, the Maritimes, and the eastern Tennessee territory run by [[Nick Gulas]].<ref name= gerweckbio />
After a while, his father felt that his sons were not getting the [[Push (professional wrestling)|pushes]] they deserved so he started the "outlaw" [[International Championship Wrestling]] (ICW) promotion in the mid-American states.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> Eventually, ICW disbanded and Randy and Lanny entered the Memphis scene, joining [[Jerry Lawler]]'s [[Continental Wrestling Association]] (their former competitors).<ref name=":2" /> While there, Savage [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with Lawler over the [[Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship|AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship]]. He also teamed with Lanny to battle [[The Rock 'n' Roll Express]]; this feud included a match on June 25, 1984, in Memphis, where [[Kayfabe|in the storyline]], Savage injured [[Ricky Morton]] by [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|piledriving]] him through the timekeeper's table, leading to the Express winning by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web |last=Oliver |first=Greg |date=September 15, 2011 |title=Lanny Poffo Q&A: Part 2 |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/02/18632471.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717071305/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/02/18632471.html |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2011 |work=SLAM! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]] |quote=First off all, he wasn't injured, and I never thought that he would be injured because, I've wrestled Randy a thousand times, and Randy cannot possibly hurt you
=== World Wrestling Federation (1985–1994) ===
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Savage's feud with Steele began on the January 4 episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event IV]]'', when Steele developed a crush on Miss Elizabeth.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – January 4, 1986 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan041986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221200005/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan041986 |archive-date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Brian |date=March 2, 2017 |title=WrestleMania 3: An oral history of Randy Savage and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/18802068/oral-history-wrestlemania-3-randy-savage-vs-ricky-dragon-steamboat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427030329/https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/18802068/oral-history-wrestlemania-3-randy-savage-vs-ricky-dragon-steamboat |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 2]] on April 7, 1986, Savage defeated Steele in a match to retain his Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania II official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029102035/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results/ |archive-date=October 29, 2005 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> He resumed his feud with Steele in early 1987, culminating in two Intercontinental Heavyweight title matches, both won by Savage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – January 3, 1987 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan031987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030041947/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan031987 |archive-date=October 30, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – March 14, 1987 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/march141987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618100932/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/march141987 |archive-date=June 18, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
His next feud was with Ricky Steamboat, where in October, Savage crushed Steamboat's throat against a guardrail.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burkholder |first=Denny |date=August 16, 2018 |title=The Summer of Savage: Inside the Macho Man's explosive run to the top of WWE, 30 years later |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/the-summer-of-savage-inside-the-macho-mans-explosive-run-to-the-top-of-wwe-30-years-later/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205041349/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/the-summer-of-savage-inside-the-macho-mans-explosive-run-to-the-top-of-wwe-30-years-later/ |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=[[CBSSports.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=John |title=Steamboat – Savage rule WrestleMania 3 |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html#selection-2061.66-2061.125 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629102306/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=SLAM! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On March 29, 1987, Savage wrestled Steamboat at [[WrestleMania III]] in the [[Pontiac Silverdome]]. After 19 two-counts, Steamboat pinned Savage (with help from George Steele, who pushed Savage from the top rope seconds before he was pinned) to end his near 14-month reign as Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania III official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm3/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030220921/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm3/results/ |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania III facts/stats |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm3/factsstats/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227131106/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm3/factsstats/ |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> The match was extremely choreographed, as opposed to the "on the fly" nature of most wrestling matches at the time; Savage was a stickler for detail, and he and Steamboat laid out and rehearsed every spot in the match prior to WrestleMania.<ref name=":4" /> The match was named 1987's Match of the Year by both ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' and the ''[[Dave Meltzer#Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer]]''. Steamboat and Savage were seen cheering with and hugging other wrestlers after the match.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="gerweckbio"/> The two continued to feud on house shows, including in steel cage matches.<ref name=":4" /> During this part of his career, he became known for his stage costumes, which were created by Florida designer Michael Braun.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guzzo |first=Paul |date=July 22, 2020 |title=Tampa mansion that once doubled as a fashion factory for stars is for sale |url=https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2020/07/22/tampa-mansion-that-once-doubled-as-a-fashion-factory-for-stars-is-for-sale/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725005550/https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2020/07/22/tampa-mansion-that-once-doubled-as-a-fashion-factory-for-stars-is-for-sale/ |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=[[Tampa Bay Times]]}}</ref>
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Savage won the [[King of the Ring tournament]] later in [[King of the Ring (1987)|1987]].<ref name="kotr">{{cite web |title=WWE King of the Ring Winners |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/info/kotr.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005093731/http://www.wrestleview.com/info/kotr.shtml |archive-date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=May 4, 2008 |publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> His popularity was rising to the point that he was being cheered by a majority of the fans despite being a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]], so he became less hostile towards the fans and Miss Elizabeth.<ref name=":5" /> When [[The Honky Tonk Man]] declared himself "the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time", Savage began a feud with him to get the title back, becoming a fan favorite in the process. On the October 3 episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XII]]'', he got his shot at The Honky Tonk Man and the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, but lost out on the title when [[The Hart Foundation]] ([[Bret Hart|Bret "Hitman" Hart]] and [[Jim Neidhart|Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart]]), who along with Honky were managed by [[Jimmy Hart|"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart]], interrupted the match, getting Honky disqualified. In the ensuing beatdown, Miss Elizabeth ran back to the locker room and brought [[Hulk Hogan]] out to the ring to save Savage, leading to the formation of "[[Mega Powers|The Mega Powers]]".<ref>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – October 3, 1987 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct031987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009163518/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct031987 |archive-date=October 9, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> Savage would lead a team of five against Honky's team of five at the first annual [[Survivor Series (1987)|Survivor Series]] on November 26, where Savage's team was victorious, avenging Elizabeth's honor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Survivor Series 1987 results |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1987/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224064656/https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1987/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> His feud with Honky continued into early 1988, where in their last high-profile matchup (aired as the undercard to [[Andre the Giant]] vs. [[Hulk Hogan]] on the February 5 episode of ''[[The Main Event I]]''), Savage defeated Honky by count-out after he shoved Honky away from Elizabeth and into the ring post.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – February 5, 1988 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb051988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114033453/https://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb051988 |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
At [[WrestleMania IV]] on March 27, 1988, he participated in the [[WrestleMania IV#Tournament back|14-man tournament]] for the vacant [[WWE World Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]]. During the tournament held at the [[Boardwalk Hall]] in [[Atlantic City]], Savage defeated [[Butch Reed|"The Natural" Butch Reed]], [[Greg Valentine|Greg "The Hammer" Valentine]] and the [[One Man Gang]] on his way to the finals, where he defeated [[Ted DiBiase|"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase]] (who had his bodyguard [[Virgil (wrestler)|Virgil]] and André the Giant in his corner), pinning him with the help of Hogan.<ref name="wrestlemania4">{{cite web |title=WrestleMania IV official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525165317/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/ |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania – Savage vs DiBiase">{{cite web |date= |title=Randy
The Mega Powers' first feud was against [[The Mega Bucks]] (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant), whom they defeated on August 29 in the main event of the [[SummerSlam (1988)|first ever SummerSlam]] pay-per-view. The match, refereed by [[Jesse Ventura]], was famous for Miss Elizabeth jumping up on the apron of the ring late in the match and removing her skirt to show red panties.<ref name=":5" /> This allowed both Savage and Hogan (who had been knocked to the outside) to get back in the ring and get the pin on DiBiase with Savage pushing a reluctant Ventura to the 3-count.<ref>{{cite web |title=SummerSlam 1988 official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1988/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331193455/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1988/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 31, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Hulk Hogan & "Macho Man" Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth vs.
[[File:WWF Champion Randy Savage running.jpg|thumb|right|Savage on March 7, 1989, almost one year after winning his first [[WWE World Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] in a 14-man tournament at [[WrestleMania IV]]]]
Problems between Savage and Hogan developed in early 1989 after Hogan also took Elizabeth as his manager. On January 15, 1989, at the [[Royal Rumble (1989)|Royal Rumble]], Hogan accidentally eliminated Savage from the Royal Rumble match and they started to fight until Elizabeth separated them.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Big John Studd (spot No. 27) wins the Royal Rumble Match |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988115/mainevent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005232941/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988115/mainevent |archive-date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> During the February 3 episode of ''[[The Main Event II]]'', Savage and Hogan faced the Twin Towers, but Elizabeth accidentally got injured at ringside. Hogan carried her to the back, which enraged Savage to the point that he abandoned Hogan later in the match. Savage and Hogan got into a heated argument with Savage declaring that Hogan was an inferior wrestler to him and that he wanted to steal Elizabeth from him. He then proceeded to attack his partner and attacked Hogan's friend [[Brutus Beefcake|Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake]] as he tried to intervene, before being separated by security, turning Savage heel for the first time since 1987.<ref name="wwebio" /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Main Event results – February 3, 1989 |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/890203.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225075116/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/890203.html |archive-date=December 25, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
On April 2 at [[WrestleMania V]], Savage [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Drop|dropped]] the WWF World Heavyweight Championship to Hogan after a reign of [[List of WWE World Champions#Reigns|371 days]]. Prior to the match, Savage had actually been hospitalized with an infected elbow but checked himself out of the hospital in order to wrestle Hogan and despite wearing a heavy bandage over the elbow and being sick as a result of the infection, still managed to put on a high quality showing.<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania V official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319101108/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/results/ |archive-date=March 19, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Hulk Hogan vs. Randy
==== Macho King and retirement (1989–1991) ====
Meanwhile, as all of this was going on, Savage decided to challenge [[Jim Duggan]] for the ''[[King of the Ring]]'' title in September 1989, defeating him; Savage began referring to himself as "The Macho King" going forward, with Sherri becoming known as "Sensational Queen Sherri".<ref name="OWOW" /><ref name="wwebio" />
Savage and Hogan met one final time on February 23, 1990, at ''[[The Main Event III]]'', with Hogan once again putting the WWF Championship on the line.<ref name=":7">{{cite web |title=The Main Event results – February 23, 1990 |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/900223.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502205318/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/900223.html |archive-date=May 2, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The pinfall was counted by new heavyweight boxing champion [[Buster Douglas]] despite Savage kicking out at two, Douglas then punched Savage in the face after Savage confronted and then slapped Douglas.<ref name=":7" />
[[File:Randy Savage vs Ultimate Warrior.jpg|thumb|Savage wrestling [[The Ultimate Warrior]] on March 7, 1989, at the El Paso Civic Center. The Ultimate Warrior would go on to retire him at [[WrestleMania VII]].|left|198x198px]]
Savage then began feuding with the "Common Man" [[Dusty Rhodes]], losing a [[Mixed tag team match|mixed tag match]] (along with Sherri) to Rhodes and [[Sapphire (wrestler)|Sapphire]] on April 1 at [[WrestleMania VI]]<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania VI official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm6/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222191510/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm6/results/ |archive-date=February 22, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> but beating him in a singles match on August 27 at [[SummerSlam (1990)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web |title=SummerSlam 1990 official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1990/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327053056/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1990/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
After this, Savage started a feud with [[The Ultimate Warrior]], who had defeated Hogan to win the WWF Championship at [[WrestleMania VI]]. Warrior repeatedly refused to give Savage a title shot, instead choosing to defend the championship against [[Sgt. Slaughter]] at the [[Royal Rumble (1991)|Royal Rumble]] in January
Warrior responded by challenging Savage to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|career-ending match]] at [[WrestleMania VII]] on March 24, where the loser of the contest would be forced to retire from professional wrestling. Savage lost the match,
Despite his retirement from active wrestling, Savage stayed in the WWF in a non-wrestling capacity while The Ultimate Warrior was fired by [[Vince McMahon]] after [[SummerSlam (1991)|SummerSlam]] later that year.<ref name="OWOW" /> Savage wrestled a number of times following WrestleMania VII and the WWF's official story was that out of respect, Warrior generously allowed him to see out the final months of his contract before he was forced to retire. His last match was on April 1 in Kobe, Japan at a joint card between the WWF and Super World Sports, where he was defeated by [[Genichiro Tenryu]].<ref name="thehistoryofwwe.com">{{cite web |title=WWF Results 1991 |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/91.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221022530/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/91.htm |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |website= |publisher=The History of WWE}}</ref> He also made an initial, untelevised return to the ring on July 30 in [[Portland, Maine]], at a ''[[WWF Wrestling Challenge]]'' taping when he substituted for The Ultimate Warrior and pinned [[The Undertaker]]. Following this, Savage subbed for Warrior on house shows in early August against Undertaker.<ref name="thehistoryofwwe.com" />
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==== Color commentator, reinstatement and departure (1991–1994) ====
[[File:Miss Elizabeth.jpg|thumb|[[Miss Elizabeth]], Savage's first wife]]
The storyline with Miss Elizabeth continued, culminating with Savage proposing to her in the ring leading to an on-air wedding on August
In the post-SummerSlam wedding reception, Roberts and his new ally, [[The Undertaker]], made their presence known by hiding a live snake in one of the newly married couple's wedding presents; Elizabeth was frightened when she opened the gift box, and the Undertaker blindsided Savage by knocking him out with the urn while Roberts pulled the snake from the box and menaced Elizabeth with it. [[Sid Eudy|Sid Justice]] ran off both Roberts and The Undertaker. Savage, still unable to compete due to his WrestleMania VII loss to The Ultimate Warrior, immediately began a public campaign to have himself reinstated as an active wrestler to gain revenge on Roberts; however, WWF President [[Jack Tunney]] refused. During a television taping for ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling]]'' on November 23, Roberts cut an in-ring promo to goad Savage into the ring. After he was lured into the ring, Roberts attacked Savage, eventually tying Savage into the ropes before getting a live [[king cobra]] to bite his arm.<ref name="OWOW" /><ref name=":2" /> According to Hulk Hogan and Jake Roberts on the Pick Your Poison DVD, the snake was holding on with the fangs and Jake had a hard time getting the snake off Randy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayhurst |first=Leonard |date=November 22, 2005 |title=From The Back Of My Closet: Jake "the Snake" Roberts
Savage then began an on-screen feud with WWF Champion [[Ric Flair]], who claimed that he had been in a prior relationship with Savage's wife Miss Elizabeth, going as far as presenting pictures of Elizabeth and Flair together.<ref name="wwebio" /> This culminated in a title match between the two on April 5 at [[WrestleMania VIII]]; Savage won the match and his second WWF Championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania VIII official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329175945/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/results/ |archive-date=March 29, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair – WWE Championship |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/mainevent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024102931/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/mainevent/ |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> During this time, Savage and Elizabeth [[Legal separation|separated]] in real life, however, the Savage-Flair feud continued, and ''[[WWE Magazine|WWF Magazine]]'' published photos of Savage and Elizabeth, which were identical to those featuring Elizabeth and Flair; it was revealed that Flair had doctored the Savage-Elizabeth pictures. The former couple were divorced on September 18, and a statement announcing the divorce appeared in ''WWF Magazine'' at about the same time, a rare break of [[kayfabe]] for the WWF at the time.
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He then formed a tag team with Warrior known as the "Ultimate Maniacs", and after his title loss shortly after, an injured Savage backed Warrior to dethrone Flair. On the November 8, 1992 episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI]]'', they took on [[Money Inc.]] (Ted DiBiase and [[Irwin R. Schyster]]) for the [[WWF Tag Team Championship]]. Money Inc. lost by countout but retained their titles.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – November 8, 1992 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov081992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601165421/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov081992 |archive-date=June 1, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Savage and Warrior were to face Flair and Ramon at [[Survivor Series (1992)|Survivor Series]] on November 25. Warrior was fired from the WWF weeks before the event, so Savage chose Mr. Perfect, executive consultant to Flair, as his partner to replace Warrior. Perfect initially laughed off the suggestion, but was angered by [[Bobby Heenan]] and his insinuations that he could never again wrestle at his previous level, and accepted the match. The duo defeated Flair and Ramon via disqualification.<ref>{{cite web |title=Survivor Series 1992 official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1992/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010001602/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1992/results/ |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>
When ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' began in January 1993, Savage served primarily as a color commentator.<ref name="wwebio" /> On January 24, he was the runner up in the [[Royal Rumble match]] at [[Royal Rumble (1993)|Royal Rumble]], where he was eliminated by [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Rumble 1993 official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012094213/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/results/ |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 24, 1993 |title=Yokozuna (spot No. 27) wins the Royal Rumble Match |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/mainevent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012030346/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/mainevent/ |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Savage returned to pay-per-view on November 24 at [[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series]] as a substitute for Mr. Perfect.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Survivor Series 1993 results |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/results |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022141802/https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/results |archive-date=October 22, 2006 |access-date=May 17, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> He also competed in the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994 Royal Rumble match]] on January 22, but was eliminated by [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Rumble 1994 results |url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/royalrumble/royalrumble94/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826051159/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/royalrumble/royalrumble94/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2023 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> leading to a [[professional wrestling match types#Falls Count Anywhere match|Falls Count Anywhere match]] on March 20 at [[WrestleMania X]], where Savage defeated Crush.<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania X official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm10/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116115201/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm10/results/ |archive-date=November 16, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Savage also made periodic appearances in [[Jim Cornette]]'s [[Smoky Mountain Wrestling]] promotion in May and made his final WWF pay-per-view appearance on August 29 at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]], where he served as the master of ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Steve |date=July 28, 2022 |title=Cook's WWF SummerSlam 1994 Review |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/cooks-wwf-summerslam-1994-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728040405/https://411mania.com/wrestling/cooks-wwf-summerslam-1994-review/ |archive-date=July 28, 2022 |access-date=May 17, 2023 |publisher=411Mania}}</ref> Savage's final WWF match was a tour in Germany when he teamed with [[Bret Hart]] to defeat [[Owen Hart]] and [[Jim Neidhart]] on September 13, 1994, in
=== World Championship Wrestling (1994–2000) ===
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|''[[Baywatch]]''
|Himself
||Episode: "Bash at the Beach"
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|''[[Phillips Top 10]]''
|Himself
|Episode: ""
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== Death ==
On the morning of May 20, 2011, Savage was driving his [[Jeep Wrangler]] near his home in [[Seminole, Florida]], with his wife in the passenger seat when he became unresponsive and crashed into a tree. [[Paramedic]]s arrived soon after and found him dead at the scene,
Five days after his death, Savage was cremated, and his ashes were placed under a favorite tree on his property in [[Largo, Florida]], near his mother's development.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2011 |title=Ashes spread of 'Macho Man' Randy Savage |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2011/05/26/ashes_spread_of_macho_man_randy_savage.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916225333/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2011/05/26/ashes_spread_of_macho_man_randy_savage.html |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref> Ten days before his death, he had asked his brother to pour the ashes of his dog in the same spot.<ref name=":3">{{cite news |author=Elliot Greenberg |first=Keith |date=May 19, 2013 |title=The Final Days of Randy 'Macho Man' Savage |work=[[Bleacher Report]] |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1643969-the-final-days-of-randy-macho-man-savage |access-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225144701/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1643969-the-final-days-of-randy-macho-man-savage |archive-date=December 25, 2014}}</ref> When Savage's brother asked why, Savage stated that it was because he wanted him to remember that spot, since he wanted his ashes to be poured there as well.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Macho Man To Be With Beloved Dog For Eternity |url=https://www.tmz.com/2011/05/23/macho-man-randy-savage-dead-dies-car-accident-heart-attack-wrestler-tampa-florida-private-service-cremated/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719161123/https://www.tmz.com/2011/05/23/macho-man-randy-savage-dead-dies-car-accident-heart-attack-wrestler-tampa-florida-private-service-cremated/ |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=[[TMZ]]}}</ref>
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== Championships and accomplishments ==
[[File:Randy Savage WWC North American Heavyweight Championship.png|thumb|Savage was a one-time [[WWC North American Heavyweight Championship|WWC North American Heavyweight Champion]]]]
* '''[[NWA Mid-America]] / [[Continental Wrestling Association]]'''
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{{baseballstats|brm=poffo-001ran}}
* {{IMDb name}}
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