History of Randy Savage in Timeline
Randy Poffo, known as "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was a prominent figure in professional wrestling, notably in WWF and WCW. He also played professional baseball. His flamboyant ring attire and persona contributed to his popularity, along with his signature catchphrase, "Oooh yeah!" and gravelly voice. Savage held multiple championships, including the WWF Championship and WCW World Heavyweight Championship. His wrestling career spanned over three decades, marked by memorable rivalries and iconic matches.
November 15, 1952: Birth of Randy Savage
Randy Mario Poffo, later known as "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was born on November 15, 1952.
1971: Minor League Baseball Career
In 1971, Randy Savage began playing minor league baseball as an 18-year-old. He played alongside Larry Herndon for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.
1973: Entry into Professional Wrestling
Randy Savage started his professional wrestling career in 1973, adopting the ring name "The Spider".
1974: End of Baseball Career
Randy Savage's final season in professional baseball was 1974 when he played for the Class A Tampa Tarpons. This marked the end of his four-year minor league run with the Cincinnati Reds organization.
1982: Meeting Miss Elizabeth
Savage met Elizabeth Hulette (Miss Elizabeth) in 1982.
June 25, 1984: Match with Rock 'n' Roll Express
On June 25, 1984, Randy Savage and his brother Lanny wrestled against The Rock 'n' Roll Express in Memphis, where Savage (in storyline) injured Ricky Morton.
1984: Marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Savage and Miss Elizabeth married in 1984.
June 1985: Signing with WWF
In June 1985, Randy Savage signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), marking a significant turning point in his career.
July 6, 1985: WWF Television Debut
Randy Savage made his WWF television debut on July 6, 1985.
1985: Feud with Jerry Lawler
In 1985, Randy Savage reignited his feud with Jerry Lawler for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, ultimately losing in a Loser Leaves Town match in Memphis, Tennessee on June 7.
1985: Early WWF Feuds
In late 1985, Randy Savage began feuding with Tito Santana and had several matches with Hulk Hogan.
February 8, 1986: Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Win
On February 8, 1986, Randy Savage won the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship from Tito Santana at the Boston Garden.
April 7, 1986: WrestleMania 2 Victory
Randy Savage successfully defended his Intercontinental Heavyweight Title against George "The Animal" Steele at WrestleMania 2 on April 7, 1986.
March 29, 1987: WrestleMania III Loss
On March 29, 1987, at WrestleMania III, Randy Savage lost the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship to Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, ending his 14-month reign.
1987: King of the Ring Victory and Feud with Honky Tonk Man
In 1987, Randy Savage won the King of the Ring tournament and began a feud with The Honky Tonk Man for the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. Despite initially being a heel, Savage's popularity grew, leading him to become a fan favorite.
1987: Return to Heel Persona
In 1987, Randy Savage returned to his heel persona after the dissolution of The Mega Powers. He began to display more aggressive and self-serving behavior, marking a shift in his character.
1987: WWF King of the Ring
In 1987, Randy Savage won the WWF King of the Ring tournament.
March 27, 1988: WrestleMania IV Victory and WWF Championship Win
On March 27, 1988, at WrestleMania IV, Randy Savage won the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Championship after defeating "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase in the tournament finals.
1988: Feud with Honky Tonk Man and Formation of The Mega Powers
In early 1988, Randy Savage's feud with Honky Tonk Man continued, culminating in a match where Savage won by count-out. This period also marked the formation of "The Mega Powers" with Hulk Hogan after Hogan saved Savage and Miss Elizabeth from an attack by The Hart Foundation.
January 15, 1989: Royal Rumble Incident and Dissolution of The Mega Powers
On January 15, 1989, at the Royal Rumble, tensions between Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan surfaced after Hogan accidentally eliminated Savage from the match. This event, along with a subsequent incident involving Miss Elizabeth's injury, led to the dissolution of "The Mega Powers" and Savage turning heel.
September 1989: King of the Ring Title Win and "The Macho King"
In September 1989, Randy Savage defeated Jim Duggan to win the King of the Ring title and adopted the moniker "The Macho King", with Sherri Martel becoming "Sensational Queen Sherri".
February 23, 1990: Final Encounter with Hulk Hogan
On February 23, 1990, Randy Savage faced Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship at The Main Event III. The match ended controversially with Buster Douglas counting the pinfall for Hogan, despite Savage kicking out.
January 1991: Feud with The Ultimate Warrior Begins
In January 1991, at the Royal Rumble, Randy Savage interfered in The Ultimate Warrior's match against Sgt. Slaughter, costing Warrior the WWF Championship and initiating a feud between the two.
February 8, 1992: Conclusion of Feud with Jake Roberts
On February 8, 1992, Randy Savage's feud with Jake Roberts concluded after a match on Saturday Night's Main Event XXX, which Savage won. This feud involved several intense moments, including a snake bite incident and Roberts' attacks on Savage and Miss Elizabeth.
November 8, 1992: Ultimate Maniacs vs. Money Inc.
On November 8, 1992, Randy Savage and Warrior, known as the Ultimate Maniacs, challenged Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster) for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Money Inc. lost by countout, retaining their titles.
1992: Divorce from Miss Elizabeth
Savage and Miss Elizabeth divorced in 1992.
January 1993: Savage as Color Commentator
In January 1993, Randy Savage transitioned to a role as a color commentator on the newly launched Monday Night Raw.
1993: WrestleMania: The Album
Savage contributed vocals to the song "Speaking from the Heart" on the 1993 album WrestleMania: The Album.
September 13, 1994: Savage's Last WWF Match
On September 13, 1994, Randy Savage teamed with Bret Hart in Rostock, Germany, defeating Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart in what would be Savage's final WWF match.
October 1994: Departure from WWF
Randy Savage's contract with the WWF expired at the end of October 1994, marking the end of his tenure with the company. He would later sign with WCW.
December 3, 1994: WCW Debut
On December 3, 1994, Randy Savage made his first appearance for WCW, hinting at a complex relationship with Hulk Hogan and expressing his ambition to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
1994: Last Appearance in WWE-Licensed Games (Until 2011)
Savage's last appearance in a WWE-licensed game was in 1994's WWF Raw until 2011's WWE All Stars.
February 19, 1995: SuperBrawl V
Randy Savage and Sting emerged victorious against Avalanche and Big Bubba Rogers at SuperBrawl V on February 19, 1995.
1995: WCW World War 3 Winner
Randy Savage emerged victorious in the 1995 WCW World War 3 event.
January 22, 1996: Second WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Randy Savage reclaimed the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Ric Flair on January 22, 1996, marking his second reign with the title.
1996: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Induction
Upon its inception in 1996, Randy Savage was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
1996: Baywatch Appearance
In 1996, Savage appeared on a wrestling-themed episode of Baywatch alongside other WCW wrestlers.
January 20, 1997: Return and nWo Alliance
On January 20, 1997, Randy Savage returned to WCW, claiming to have been "blackballed". He later joined the New World Order (nWo) at SuperBrawl VII.
January 24, 1998: Loss to Lex Luger
Randy Savage faced defeat against Lex Luger at WCW Souled Out on January 24, 1998.
1998: Harvard Lampoon Man of the Year
In 1998, Randy Savage was awarded Harvard Lampoon's Man of the Year.
1998: Hiatus and Return
Randy Savage took a hiatus from WCW in 1998 to recover from knee surgeries. He made a brief return at the end of the year, aiding Ric Flair against Eric Bischoff.
April 1999: Return with New Look
In April 1999, Randy Savage returned to WCW with a revamped appearance and a new valet, Gorgeous George. He served as the guest referee at Spring Stampede.
October 25, 1999: Appearance on Nitro
On October 25, 1999, Randy Savage appeared on WCW Nitro with Gorgeous George, discussing the future of wrestling.
1999: Television Appearances
During 1999, Savage made appearances on the television shows Walker, Texas Ranger and Mad About You.
May 3, 2000: Return to WCW
On May 3, 2000, Savage returned to WCW, joining The Millionaire's Club in a 41-man battle royal.
2000: Ready to Rumble
In 2000, Savage appeared as his Macho Man persona in the film Ready to Rumble.
2002: Spider-Man Role
Randy Savage played the wrestler Bonesaw McGraw in the 2002 film Spider-Man.
October 7, 2003: Be a Man Release
On October 7, 2003, Savage released his debut rap album, Be a Man.
November 7, 2004: Return to Professional Wrestling
On November 7, 2004, Randy Savage returned to professional wrestling at TNA's Victory Road pay-per-view, confronting Jeff Jarrett.
2008: Voice Acting in Bolt
Savage voiced "The Thug" in the 2008 Disney film Bolt.
2009: Voice Acting in Super Rhino
In 2009, Savage reprised his role as "The Thug" in the Bolt spin-off short, Super Rhino.
May 10, 2010: Marriage to Barbara Lynn Payne
On May 10, 2010, Savage married Barbara Lynn Payne.
2010: Vince McMahon's Hall of Fame Offer
Vince McMahon offered Savage a solo Hall of Fame induction in 2010, but Savage declined.
February 2, 2011: Epic Rap Battles of History
A rap battle featuring Savage, Hulk Hogan, and Kim Jong-Il was released by Epic Rap Battles of History just three months before Savage's death on February 2, 2011.
May 20, 2011: Death of Randy Savage
Randy Savage passed away on May 20, 2011.
August 2011: Praise from Kevin Eck
In August 2011, Kevin Eck praised Savage's wrestling abilities in The Baltimore Sun.
2011: Return to WWE-Licensed Games
Savage returned to WWE-licensed games with WWE All Stars in 2011.
January 24, 2014: Randy Savage Mixtape Release
Rapper Don Trip released a mixtape titled Randy Savage on January 24, 2014.
November 2014: Macho Man: The Randy Savage Story
WWE released the documentary Macho Man: The Randy Savage Story in November 2014.
January 12, 2015: WWE Hall of Fame Induction Announced
On January 12, 2015, WWE announced Savage's induction into the Hall of Fame.
January 2015: Be a Man Remixes
DJ Cummerbund released a series of remixes using samples from Savage's Be a Man album in January 2015.
2015: Guinness World Record
In 2015, Guinness World Records recognized Savage's long absence from WWE games.
2015: WWE Hall of Fame Induction
Randy Savage was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.
September 1, 2018: Tribute at All In
Jay Lethal paid tribute to Savage at All In on September 1, 2018.
April 10, 2019: Dark Side of the Ring Episode
An episode of Dark Side of the Ring about Savage aired on April 10, 2019.
July 28, 2023: "Macho Man" Randy Savage Day
On July 28, 2023, Dutchess County, NY declared July 6 as "Macho Man" Randy Savage Day.
September 26, 2023: Overpass Renaming
A train overpass in Zanesville, Ohio was renamed in honor of Randy Savage on September 26, 2023.