Police said he may have had a “medical event’’ before the accident, but the report did not elaborate. It said officials would need to order an autopsy to know for sure.
The report said a woman in the vehicle, identified as Barbara L. Poffo, 56, had minor injuries. A statement from Stamford, Conn.-based World Wrestling Entertainment said the passenger was the wrestler’s wife. Both were wearing their seatbelts, according to the police report.
“Poffo will be greatly missed by WWE and his fans,’’ the statement said.
Mr. Savage was a charismatic wrestler made famous for his “Macho Man’’ nickname and his “Oooh Yeah!’’ catchphrase. He was a champion in Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation and later Ted Turner’s now-defunct World Championship Wrestling.
Mr. Poffo was under contract with World Wrestling Entertainment from 1985 to 1993 and held both the World Wrestling Entertainment and Intercontinental Championships.
“Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends,’’ World Wrestling Entertainment said. “We wish a speedy recovery to his wife.’’
Mr. Savage defined the larger-than-life personalities of the 1980s World Wrestling Federation. He wore sequined robes bejeweled with “Macho Man’’ on the back, rainbow-colored cowboy hats, and oversized sunglasses, part of a unique look that helped build the federation, now World Wrestling Entertainment, into a mainstream phenomenon.
For most of his career, his valet, Miss Elizabeth, was by his side. The woman, Elizabeth Hulette, was his wife at the time. They later divorced, and Hulette died in 2003 at age 42 in what was later ruled a prescription drug overdose. She was among many performers in the sport to die young.
Others include Curt “Mr. Perfect’’ Hennig, who died of a cocaine overdose in 2003 at 44, and Chris Benoit, who killed his wife and son and then committed suicide in their Georgia home in 2007. Benoit was 40.
The federation made Mr. Savage its champion after a win over Ted DiBiase in the main event at WrestleMania in 1988.
Mr. Savage had not appeared for a major wrestling organization since 2004, when he performed for Total Nonstop Action.
