Randy Savage: Difference between revisions

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|caption= Savage in 1988 1986

'''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]], actor,and rapper and professional baseball player. He is, best known for his time in the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, later WWE) and [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW).

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]], and [[WrestleMania V|V]], and [[WrestleMania VIII|VIII]] (being part of a [[Card (sports)#Multiple main events|double main event]] at VIII),<ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania VIII main event |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/mainevent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512044843/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/mainevent |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |access-date=January 23, 2014 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> two of the first five [[SummerSlam]] shows, and [[Starrcade 1995]]. He was inducted into the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' Hall of Fame]] upon its inception in 1996, with a posthumous [[WWE Hall of Fame]] induction following in 2015.

The Poffo family lived in [[Zanesville, Ohio]], where Randy attended [[GroverMaysville Cleveland MiddleHigh School (Zanesville, Ohio)|Grover Cleveland Middle School]]. He graduated from [[Downers Grove North High School]] in the [[Chicago]] suburb of [[Downers Grove, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/downersgrove/features/x31865968/-Macho-Man-dies-in-highway-accident|title='Macho Man' Randy Savage made mark in Downers Grove before hitting big time|publisher=GateHouse Media|work=mysuburbanlife.com|last=Vogel|first=Nick|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327093224/http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/downersgrove/features/x31865968/-Macho-Man-dies-in-highway-accident|archive-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref> Poffo later moved to [[Staten Island, New York]], before moving to [[Lexington, Kentucky]], where he lived for many years.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNay |first=Don |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Memories of the Macho Man |work=[[HuffPost|Huffington Post]] |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-mcnay/memories-of-the-macho-man_b_864837.html |access-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129022259/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-mcnay/memories-of-the-macho-man_b_864837.html |archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> He was an alumnus of [[Southern Illinois University–Carbondale]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=#558 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/94/colleges-09_Southern-Illinois-University-Carbondale_94356.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810183956/https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/94/colleges-09_Southern-Illinois-University-Carbondale_94356.html |archive-date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |website=[[Forbes|Forbes.com]]}}</ref>

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 --– he was too good.}}</ref> Later in 1984, Savage turned [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] and allied with Lawler against [[Jimmy Hart]]'s First Family alliance, only to turn [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] on Lawler again in early 1985 and resume the feud with him over the title.<ref name= OWOW /> This ended when Lawler beat Savage in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Loser Leaves Town match|Loser Leaves Town match]] on June 7 in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], [[Tennessee]].<ref name="OWOW"/>

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 "'Macho Man"' Savage vs. "'Million Dollar Man"' Ted DiBiase – WWE Championship Tournament Finals |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/mainevent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629052528/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/mainevent/ |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |access-date=May 1, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Savage retained the WWF World Heavyweight Title for a little over a year, defending it against the likes of One Man Gang, [[Big Boss Man (wrestler)|Big Boss Man]]<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – April 30, 1988 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/april301988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604041005/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/april301988 |archive-date=June 4, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> and André the Giant.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – November 26, 1988 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov261988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604040954/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov261988 |archive-date=June 4, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref>

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. "'Million Dollar Man"' Ted DiBiase & Andre the Giant w/ Virgil & Bobby "'The Brain"' Heenan |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1988/mainevent1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327053048/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1988/mainevent1/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> The Mega Powers then began feuding with [[The Twin Towers (professional wrestling)|The Twin Towers]] (Big Boss Man and Akeem who was formerly the One Man Gang). In the case of the latter feud, Savage frequently became involved in Hogan's matches involving one of the two villains (and vice versa); the two rival factions captained opposing teams in the main event of the [[Survivor Series (1988)|Survivor Series]] on November 24, which was won by the Mega Powers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hulk Hogan, "'Macho Man"' Randy Savage, Koko B. Ware, Hillbilly Jim and Hercules def. Haku, Ted DiBiase, Akeem, The Red Rooster and Big Boss Man |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1988/mainevent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021035209/https://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1988/mainevent/ |archive-date=October 21, 2007 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</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 Man"' Savage – WWE Championship |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/mainevent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127201536/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/mainevent/ |archive-date=November 27, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Later that month, he replaced Elizabeth (who stayed with Hogan) as his manager with former WWF Women's Champion [[Sherri Martel|Sensational Sherri]].<ref>Dethroned and demoralised! Can Randy Savage Recover From Wrestlemania V? - The Wrestler August 1989</ref> Savage co-main evented [[SummerSlam (1989)|SummerSlam]] on August 28, teaming with "The Human Wrecking Machine" [[Tom Lister, Jr.|Zeus]] (actor [[Tom Lister, Jr.|Tiny Lister]] in character as his role from Hulk Hogan's movie, ''[[No Holds Barred (1989 film)|No Holds Barred]]''), against [[The Mega-Maniacs]] (Hogan and Brutus Beefcake), with the Mega-Maniacs winning after Hogan hit Zeus with Sherri's loaded purse to get the win.<ref>{{cite web |title=SummerSlam 1989 official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1989/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325075420/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1989/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 25, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Hulk Hogan & Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake w/ Elizabeth vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Zeus w/ Sensational Sherri |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1989/mainevent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331124826/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1989/mainevent/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 31, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Savage and Zeus faced Hogan and Beefcake in a rematch contested in a [[steel cage]] at [[No Holds Barred (1989 film)#The match|No Holds Barred]] on December 27, but were again defeated.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1980s.html#nhb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011104234/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1980s.html |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>

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 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 of 1991. Savage attacked Warrior as he was making his entrance, and then later in the match knocked him unconscious by breaking his royal scepter over Warrior's head, costing him the championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE Royal Rumble 1991 |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble91/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523221343/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble91/ |archive-date=May 23, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2009 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

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, <ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania VII official results |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315000210/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/results/ |archive-date=March 15, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> and was then attacked by Sherri as he lay dejected in the ring.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/> This was too much for Miss Elizabeth, who happened to be in the audience, rushing to Savage's aid, fighting off Sherri and reuniting with her one-time love to huge crowd appreciation, with Savage becoming a fan favorite once again for the first time since 1989.<ref name="OWOW"/>

The storyline with Miss Elizabeth continued, culminating with Savage proposing to her in the ring leading to an on-air wedding on August 2726 at [[SummerSlam (1991)|SummerSlam]] dubbed ''The Match Made in Heaven''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Steve |date=July 13, 2022 |title=Cook's WWF SummerSlam 1991 Review |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/cooks-wwf-summerslam-1991-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713083811/https://411mania.com/wrestling/cooks-wwf-summerslam-1991-review/ |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=411Mania}}</ref> It was at this time that Savage was targeted by the now-villain [[Jake Roberts|Jake "The Snake" Roberts]]. On an episode of ''[[WWF Prime Time Wrestling|Prime Time Wrestling]]'' prior to SummerSlam, the announcers and several wrestlers threw a "bachelor party" for Savage, with Roberts' arrival deemed unwelcome by the rest of the contingent.<ref name="primetime">{{cite web |title=WWF Prime Time Wrestling Results (1985–1993) |url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/primetime.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415004642/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/primetime.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=April 15, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2008 }}</ref>

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- – Pick Your Poison DVD |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/from-the-back-of-my-closet-jake-the-snake-roberts-pick-your-poison-dvd/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517045820/https://411mania.com/wrestling/from-the-back-of-my-closet-jake-the-snake-roberts-pick-your-poison-dvd/ |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=411Mania}}</ref> With help from the fans, Savage was later reinstated by Tunney,<ref name="OWOW" /> who announced a match between Savage and Roberts for [[This Tuesday in Texas]] on December 3, where Savage defeated Roberts, however, Roberts performed the ''DDT'' on Savage three times after the match, and things came to a head when Roberts slapped Miss Elizabeth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pantoja |first=Kevin |date=December 13, 2015 |title=Random Network Reviews: This Tuesday in Texas |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/random-network-reviews-this-tuesday-in-texas/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407150746/https://411mania.com/wrestling/random-network-reviews-this-tuesday-in-texas/ |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |access-date=May 17, 2023 |publisher=411Mania}}</ref> The feud continued throughout the winter, ending after a match on the February 8, 1992 episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XXX]]'', which Savage won.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night's Main Event results – February 8, 1992 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb081992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618100922/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb081992 |archive-date=June 18, 2008 |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 Rosstock[[Rostock]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Events Database - WWF|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=38940|website=Cage Match |access-date=June 4, 2023 |quote=13.9.1994}}</ref> At the end of October 1994, Savage's WWF contract expired and he left to sign with rival [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW).<ref name="gerweckbio" />

||Episode: "Bash at the Beach"

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, ageaged 58.<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><ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |last1=Krueger |first1=Curtis |last2=Perez |first2=Luis |date=July 1, 2011 |title=Medical Examiner: Randy "Macho Man" Savage died of heart disease |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article1178121.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703090643/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article1178121.ece |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |access-date=December 21, 2019 |website=[[St. Petersburg Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kirk |first=Jason |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Randy Savage Car Crash Scene Shows Jeep Damaged By Tree |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2011/5/20/2181725/macho-man-randy-savage-dead-car-crash-jeep-wrangler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609042306/https://www.sbnation.com/2011/5/20/2181725/macho-man-randy-savage-dead-car-crash-jeep-wrangler |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |access-date=August 7, 2018 |work=[[SB Nation]] |publisher=[[Vox Media, Inc.]]}}</ref> Savage and his wife had been wearing seatbelts. She suffered only minor physical injuries in the crash.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> An autopsy performed by the medical examiner's office found that he had an [[Cardiomegaly|enlarged heart]] and advanced [[coronary artery disease]] (more than 90% narrowed) which had resulted in a sudden [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]]. The drugs found in his system included a prescription painkiller and a small amount of alcohol. Savage had never been treated for heart problems and there was no evidence that he was aware of his heart condition. The cause of death was officially ruled as [[atherosclerotic heart disease]].<ref name=autogenerated2 /><ref>{{cite news |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Report: Macho Man autopsy unveiled |work=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/Report-Autopsy-on-Macho-Man-Randy-Savage-inconclusive-052311 |access-date=May 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811201102/http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/Report-Autopsy-on-Macho-Man-Randy-Savage-inconclusive-052311 |archive-date=August 11, 2011}}</ref>