Community Corner

"Macho Man" Saved Us All

Did five elbow drops from the top rope finally put down the apocalypse?

One year ago today, WWE professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage died in a car accident. It was also the day before the supposed rapture by Harold Camping (Remember that?) Here, we re-run last year's opinion column by editor Tony Di Domizio

“The Matrix” had Neo. “Lost” had Jack Shepherd. “Independence Day” had Randy Quaid. “Donnie Darko” had Donnie Darko. “Star Trek” had Spock.

We had “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

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So, there was no rapture. Harold Camping hasn’t made a statement about his second inaccurate prediction.

Did “Macho Man” die to save us all?

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Did five elbow drops from the top rope finally put down the apocalypse?

I’d like to think so.

When I heard about the death of “Macho Man,” my heart sank. I felt like Bret Hart must have felt when he got screwed over by Vince McMahon.

I can’t believe he went the way he did: heart attack and colliding head-on with a tree. His new wife survived, but sadly we discovered that “Macho Man” is mortal.

And even in death, he leaves an aura of amazement. Medical examiners can't determine how he died. Although he hit a tree, his body had "no extensive trauma."

It’s a shame to think such a beloved American icon would pass on while so many of his peers continue to live life in their depraved, drug-addled way. I’m looking at you Jake “The Snake” Roberts.

“Macho Man” had a gift. He arguably had the best charisma and could make the crowd pop unlike any other wrestler. Yes, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena and The Rock can do that too, but there was something special, original and everlasting about “Macho Man.”

No doubt his charisma crossed over into popular culture with the Slim Jim commercials. “Art Thou Bored?” Not with Randy Savage around.

Of all the wrestlers, “Macho Man” was my favorite. Ultimate Warrior is a close second. For years, I have had a “Macho Man” LJN action figure at my desk. Recently, I added the new “Macho Man” action figure and three Ultimate Warrior figures.

I never understood his wrestling gimmick. Somehow flashy clothing with matching cowboy hat or bandana, taped-up fingers and awesome, giant shades was how a macho man dressed.

Yet Randy Savage fascinated those of us who watched WWF as youths. Then some of us grew up and stopped watching wrestling, but we always remembered him.

Anytime you do a wrestler impersonation, you do one of three people: Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan or Randy Savage.

He was one of the last American tough guys. He even wrote a rap about being a tough guy called “Be A Man.” Here’s proof.

“Macho Man” eventually left WWF and headed to WCW for another run, until his contract expired in 1999. He then headed to TNA Wrestling and left after a disagreement on a finish of a match.

He never returned to a major wrestling promotion. Some pro wrestling theorists say Vince McMahon hated Randy Savage, which is a reason why he hasn’t been inducted into its Hall of Fame.

We’ll see if there’s any tribute to him on this Monday’s Raw.

Wrestling fans finally rejoiced when he was made a playable character in the March 2011-released “WWE All Stars.” It would be the tenth – and last – time he was put in a video game.

Wrestling fans rejoiced again when he was made an action figure in the WWE Defining Moments series from his Wrestlemania VII appearance. His opponent in that championship match, Ultimate Warrior, was also made an action figure.

All the rejoicing was silenced on Friday. From now on, rejoice will be lament.

I’ve never felt sorrow over the loss of a wrestler before now. I wasn’t taken aback this much by Owen Hart’s death or Chris Benoit’s death, each certainly tragic in their own ways.

I don’t think it was Mach’s time yet. I hope he knew what he meant to all his fans.

Maybe his death was the rapture. Maybe his death prevented the rapture. I don’t want to play this like he was some kind of martyr. But I can’t help to think that on May 20, this event brought us all together again as Americans.

Thank you, Mach, for entertaining us. I hope you’re doing elbow drops in the big ring in the sky, with your beloved Miss Elizabeth and Sensational Sherri by your side, and Andre the Giant as your opponent.

And one more thing: Oooooooh yeahhhhhhhhhhhh! Dig it!


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