Randy Savage Then and Now

Randy Savage Then

Randy Savage, born Randy Mario Poffo on November 15, 1952, in Columbus, Ohio, was a celebrated professional wrestler known for his charismatic persona and intense wrestling style. 

As the eldest son of Judith (née Sverdlin) and Angelo Poffo, Savage was born into a family with a rich wrestling heritage. 

His father, Angelo Poffo, had made a name for himself in the wrestling world during the 1950s and 1960s, which set the stage for Randy’s future in the sport. 

The Poffo family had a diverse cultural background, with Angelo being of Italian American descent and Judith of Jewish-American descent, though Randy was raised Catholic.

The family’s journey took them from Columbus to Zanesville, Ohio, where Randy attended Grover Cleveland Middle School. 

He later moved to the Chicago area, graduating from Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove, Illinois. 

After high school, Poffo continued his education at Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. 

His early years in Ohio and Illinois laid the foundation for his later success, both academically and athletically.

Randy Savage’s wrestling career took him from his early days in Ohio to various parts of the country. 

After his time in Ohio and Illinois, he moved to Staten Island, New York, and eventually settled in Lexington, Kentucky. 

His career and personal life were deeply influenced by these locations, which provided him with the opportunities and environment to refine his wrestling skills and build his legendary career.

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Randy Savage Wrestling Career

Randy Savage, who began his professional wrestling career in 1973, initially took on the persona of “The Spider,” a character inspired by Spider-Man. 

His early wrestling days saw him working under this gimmick before transitioning to the iconic name “Randy Savage.” 

This change was recommended by his friend and trainer Terry “The Goose” Stephens and Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) booker Ole Anderson, who felt that the surname Poffo did not suit the intense, fierce style that Randy embodied. 

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Ultimately, Savage chose to leave behind his stalled baseball career and join his father and brother in the wrestling world full-time, making his debut against “Golden Boy” Paul Christy in the Midwest Territory. 

Over time, Savage wrestled in various regions, including Michigan, the Carolinas, Georgia, and eastern Tennessee, alongside his father and brother.

Savage’s career took a significant turn when his father, dissatisfied with the lack of push his sons were receiving, founded the “outlaw” International Championship Wrestling (ICW) promotion. 

Despite its eventual dissolution, this move allowed Savage and his brother Lanny to make a name for themselves. 

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They later entered the Memphis wrestling scene, joining Jerry Lawler’s Continental Wrestling Association. 

During this period, Savage engaged in notable feuds, including one with Lawler over the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship and another with The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. 

The storyline involving a piledriver through a table led to a memorable disqualification match in June 1984.

Savage’s transition to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in June 1985 marked the beginning of his rise to prominence on a larger stage. 

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His debut match on July 6, 1985, showcased his prowess, and his subsequent appearances on Tuesday Night Titans involved several top managers vying for his services. 

Ultimately, Savage chose Miss Elizabeth as his manager, and his persona evolved into a flamboyant and egocentric character who mistreated Elizabeth. 

His first major pay-per-view appearance came at The Wrestling Classic in November 1985, where he reached the finals but lost to Junkyard Dog.

In late 1985, Savage began a heated rivalry with Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Tito Santana. 

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Their feud culminated in a February 1986 match where Savage, using an illegal object, won the title. 

Savage also engaged in high-profile feuds with notable wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino, and George “The Animal” Steele, building a reputation for intense and memorable matches. 

His feud with Steele, which began in January 1986, included a notable WrestleMania 2 match where Savage retained his Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. One of Savage’s most celebrated rivalries was with Ricky Steamboat. 

Their bout at WrestleMania III on March 29, 1987, was highly anticipated and praised for its meticulous choreography, ultimately earning Match of the Year honors. 

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The bout ended Savage’s 14-month reign as Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and was a testament to both wrestlers’ commitment to delivering a high-quality performance.

Savage’s career continued to soar as he won the King of the Ring tournament in 1987 and evolved into a fan favorite. 

His feud with The Honky Tonk Man, who had declared himself the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, led to the formation of “The Mega Powers” with Hulk Hogan. 

This alliance, initially successful, faced internal strife as Hogan’s involvement with Elizabeth caused tension between the two. Their feud culminated in Savage’s heel turn and subsequent rivalry with Hogan.

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At WrestleMania V on April 2, 1989, Savage lost the WWF World Heavyweight Championship to Hogan after a lengthy reign. 

Despite battling an infected elbow, Savage delivered a compelling performance. 

Following this, he replaced Elizabeth with Sensational Sherri as his manager and continued to be a prominent figure in the WWF. 

His feud with Hogan and the Mega-Maniacs, culminating in matches with Zeus and further high-profile events, highlighted Savage’s enduring impact on the wrestling world.

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Randy Savage Wrestling Competition

• Midwest Territory
• Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW)
• International Championship Wrestling (ICW)
• Continental Wrestling Association (CWA)
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
• World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
• TNA Wrestling

Randy Savage Wfie 

Randy Savage met Elizabeth Hulette, known professionally as Miss Elizabeth, at a gym in Lexington in 1982, and they married in 1984. 

Their relationship was a significant part of his wrestling persona, but they divorced in 1992. Later, on May 10, 2010, Savage married Barbara Lynn Payne, a former girlfriend from the early 1970s. 

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Throughout his career, Savage had a tumultuous but sometimes reconciled relationship with fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan. 

He also had a German Shepherd named Hercules, a gift from wrestler Hercules Hernandez.

Randy Savage Now

Randy Savage, also known by his iconic ring name “Macho Man,” tragically passed away in a car crash on May 20, 2011, at the age of 58. 

The accident occurred in Seminole, Florida, where he had been residing. Savage’s death was a significant loss to the world of professional wrestling and beyond.

Savage’s legacy as a professional wrestler is firmly cemented in both the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he became renowned for his charismatic persona, high-energy performances, and memorable rivalries. 

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His impact extended beyond the ring, as he also made appearances in acting and rap music, showcasing his versatility. 

Despite his passing, Savage’s influence continues to be celebrated by fans and fellow wrestlers alike, and he remains a beloved and legendary figure in the history of professional wrestling.

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