AMSTERDAM, NY-- There's an air of excitement in Amsterdam this weekend, as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling held a house show Friday night and the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame is inducting its 2011 Class on Saturday. But, that excitement is coupled with the loss of a true legend in the industry.
Randy "Macho Man" Savage died in a car accident Friday morning in Florida, at the age of 58. He's believed to have suffered a heart attack before losing control of his car.
Savage got the customary ten-bell salute in front of the hundreds of fans who packed the TNA show at Amsterdam High School. His closest friends and colleagues are still shaken up at the news.
"I met Randy when I was 11 years old," said TNA Founder and wrestler Jeff Jarrett. "He was a one of a kind guy."
A one-of-a-kind guy and a one-of-a-kind wrestler. The fans are choosing to remember what the "Macho Man" was known for best.
"Oh, the flying elbow drop. His "Pomp and Circumstance" entrance. The ‘Oh yeah' and all the pageantry that went with him," said Brett Williams of Wynantskill.
Twelve-year-old Cooper Maney says his favorite memories of Savage are when he won the WWF Championship at WrestleMania IV. "He definitely pushed the bar, with high-flying and showmanship." Maney said.
Amsterdam's Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted savage back in 2009. But, it might be a while before someone as talented ever enters the squared circle.
"I think there are three things that go into making a professional wrestler," said Jarrett. "What you can do in the ring with your athletic ability. And then your verbal skills, your persona—how you craft that. And then the "It Factor." I think randy was an absolute 10 on all three."
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