Perhaps nothing spoke more to her character than her longtime allegiance to one of WWE's most memorable Superstars. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); No spam. She played a pivotal role in one of the most dramatic storylines in WWE history – the late 80s magic that was the Mega Powers.
On May 1, 2003, Lex placed a frantic call to emergency services in Marietta, Georgia, saying that Elizabeth was not breathing. Miss Elizabeth joined WCW toward the end of her career. It was one of the first times up to that point in WWE history where personalities’ off-screen lives were acknowledged. Ric Flair proclaimed that he had dated Miss Elizabeth before she knew Randy. Luger was arrested for striking her, released on bond and arrested again two days later for getting into an accident while driving under the influence. Miss Elizabeth’s grave is located at the Frankfort Cemetery in Frankfort, KY. Miss Elizabeth’s grave in Frankfort, KY. photo: wwe.com. Elizabeth’s father owned a local television station, and it seems she had intentions of working for him even from a young age. Have a comment about the legacy of Miss Elizabeth? In June 1985, Randy Savage became one of the WWF’s new stars. The two filed for divorce and public statements were issued about the break-up to share the news with fans. Liz and Lex were both married, having an affair together at the time of her death in 2003. photo: wwe.com. Elizabeth showed her true spirit when she threw Sherri from the ring to protect "Macho Man." A 2015 WWE.com ranking of the 50 most beautiful performers of all time put Liz in the #1 spot. A mainstay in the 1980s, Elizabeth's elegance is what set her apart from all of her female predecessors, and her patience, poise and kindness made our fans fall … The alliance ended in 1989, during a live NBC broadcast of “The Main Event” (an occasional spin off of the more recognized Saturday Night’s Main Event). Honky Tonk shoved Elizabeth aside and she ran backstage to ask the mighty Hulk Hogan for help. The two could not have been any more different; Savage was loud, in-your-face and cocky, while Elizabeth rarely spoke a word. Their contracts were voided in August 2000, and the two would never again appear ringside. This may be a stretch, but without Miss Elizabeth, WWE wrestling may not be what it is today. By 1996 she was back in the world of wrestling with WCW.
ICW was airing on Elizabeth’s father’s station and by December 1984, Randy and Elizabeth were married. Sound off in the comments section below! Miss Elizabeth landed the job. Off the screen, Elizabeth and Randy Savage had already separated. She would also branch out and enjoy time alongside the Four Horsemen, but would spend most of her WCW days as a member of the nWo, aligned once more with "Macho Man" and Hulk Hogan. Elizabeth truly was the "First Lady of Wrestling" -- she wore extravagant gowns to the ring; she was classy, sophisticated and independent; and she left big shoes for every female who followed to fill. Due to the history of domestic violence, Lex was questioned, but there was no evidence that he was at fault. Reunited with Elizabeth, "Macho Man" would come out of retirement and once again capture the WWE Championship, this time at WrestleMania VIII. While Miss Elizabeth’s death tragically came much too soon, it’s certain she will live on through her legacy in the world of professional wrestling, and not her post-wrestling struggles with substance abuse.
In October 1987, The Mega Powers were formed. The Mega Powers were born.
For the next few months, a feud between babyfaced Randy and Jake kept WWF fans glued to their screens. The two battled at WrestleMania V, but not before drama ensued over whose corner Miss Elizabeth would be in. Well, everything except the fact that she was in Lex Luger’s home at the time. At the University of Kentucky she studied communications, and after receiving her bachelor’s degree, she took a job operating the camera at the station. We didn’t know what we were playing Russian roulette with.”, “One minute she was there… realizing she’s not breathing, panicking, calling 911. No BS.
On a February 2017 episode of Eric Bishoff’s podcast, Luger recounts details of the night when Elizabeth overdosed. But it was her loyalty to "Macho Man" that showed just how incredible a woman Elizabeth truly was. The Mega Powers were a major story line in the WWF for nearly two years. Elizabeth suffered from a drug overdose at the home of Lex Luger in Marietta, GA. photo: wwe.com.
12 years before her death: Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth have a kayfabe wedding at SummerSlam, 1991. He is sober now, and heavily involved in his faith, though he appears half (generously) the physical size as he did at the height of his wrestling days. While working, Elizabeth met Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Our fans will never forget the image from WrestleMania VII when a concerned Elizabeth jumped the railing and ran to the ring to defend Savage -- who was being attacked by Sensational Sherri after losing a Retirement Match.
photo: wwe.com.
Lex was a well documented drug user at the time, but we’ll get to that toward the end of the article. Although she is gone, Miss Elizabeth’s career in wrestling is still well remembered by fans of the WWF’s golden era… and perhaps even a few who were watching Monday Nitro in the late 90s.
During a match for the IC title, Liz stepped into the ring to try and stop the Honky Tonk Man from assaulting Randy with his guitar.
The tragedy of that – to witness that first hand.”, “Talk about a low point when I’m in jail that night when I’m trying to… take in what had just happened, then they told me Elizabeth had just passed – I thought she was going to make it. Their in-ring personalities were reunited again though, and in 1991, they had a kayfabe wedding at SummerSlam. You can't make mention of the women of sports-entertainment without bringing to the tip of your tongue the beautiful, soft-spoken Miss Elizabeth. photo: wwe.com. Elizabeth was involved in a number of WCW story lines and eventually became one of Ric Flair’s managers.
Despite Savage's rule-breaking ways, Elizabeth remained faithful.
His entry into the story lines involved a competition to see who would be his manager.
Luger continues, mentioning his thoughts of committing suicide while in jail. Lex frantically called 911 when he discovered Liz wasn’t breathing.
He was however, still arrested – the police finding over 1,700 prescription pills in his home, along with steroids and growth hormones. Although Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth parted ways on screen, they remained married behind the scenes. Minutes prior to her falling into unconsciousness, everything appeared normal. In the fall of 1987, Miss Elizabeth became a pivotal part in Randy Savage’s story line. Wrestling fans around the world were shocked on May 1, 2003.
An investigation was launched to determine Miss Elizabeth’s cause of death. Get the occasional email with the latest wrestling tributes and memorials, Search by ring name, real name, cause of death, organization, time period (2000s, etc) or specific year, WWE Hall of Famer “Ravishing” Rick Rude was an amazing individual in and out of the ring.
Luger would end up divorced from his wife, and suffered serious health problems in 2007. The coroner would rule that Miss Elizabeth’s cause of death was toxicity due to a combination of pain pills and vodka. Miss Elizabeth – Dead at 42 from drug overdose. The tag team was on fire, but bouts of jealousy were emerging from Randy whenever Miss Elizabeth would pay attention to Hulk Hogan. It was that devotion that eventually paid off for the duo professionally, as she became a calming influence to Savage, eventually guiding "Macho Man" to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania IV. A mainstay in the 1980s, Elizabeth's elegance is what set her apart from all of her female predecessors, and her patience, poise and kindness made our fans fall in love with her. Paramedics rushed her to Kennestone Hospital, and Miss Elizabeth’s death was confirmed at 5:45AM. Shocked by her reemergence, Savage hoisted Miss Elizabeth high on his shoulder as those in attendance wept at the emotional moment. photo: wwe.com. Miss Elizabeth's mark on the world of sports-entertainment stretches far beyond how many championships she led "Macho Man" Randy Savage to or how many times she put herself in harm's way to protect "Macho Man." Even when he crushed the larynx of Ricky Steamboat, she stood by her man. When WCW was bought by WWE, Elizabeth quietly retired from sports-entertainment. Pictured: Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Ultimately, Lex and Miss Elizabeth were terminated from WCW, although not because of their affair.
In April 1992 at WrestleMania VIII, Miss Elizabeth and Randy’s on screen love story once again became a vehicle to bring conflict to the ring.
Lex Luger recounts the events surrounding the death of Elizabeth on a February 2017 episode of Eric Bischoff’s podcast, showing remorse: Pictured here, a much smaller Lex Luger with Scott Hall. Randy Savage shows signs of jealousy over Hulk Hogan’s involvement with Miss Elizabeth. When she first returned, Miss Elizabeth once again played the part of Randy Savage’s manager. By 1999, Liz had become linked with wrestler Lex Luger. Here she is with Ric Flair and the late Nancy Benoit. Lex and Liz, both married at the time, were involved in a secret affair.
Miss Elizabeth was born Elizabeth Ann Hulette on November 19, 1960 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Miss Elizabeth was also an instrumental piece in bringing together The Mega Powers, Savage & Hulk Hogan. Miss Elizabeth, valet to the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage was dead at just 42 years old. Miss Elizabeth, valet to the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage was dead at just 42 years old. You can't make mention of the women of sports-entertainment without bringing to the tip of your tongue the beautiful, soft-spoken Miss Elizabeth. Although Savage's jealousy over Elizabeth's friendship with Hogan eventually imploded The Mega Powers, the duo was highly successful in their time together, and Elizabeth deserves credit for keeping the two Superstars in sync. Sadly, Miss Elizabeth passed away in 2003, robbing our fans and sports-entertainment of one of its classiest and most endearing personalities.
Many fans seem to point fault for Elizabeth’s downfall toward the direction of Lex Luger. First, lets take a look at some of the better times. After four years away from the ring, Elizabeth would return to manage Randy Savage in WCW in 1996. Celebrate the life and career of the one and only Miss Elizabeth with this gallery of exclusive photos. The revelation led to a match at WrestleMania VIII, where Savage was victorious. Always classy, Liz remained neutral. I was arrested on I think 17 felony counts with all the drugs they found in my house.”. Savage had made the jump to WCW late in ’94.
The once-dubbed “First Lady of Wrestling” suffered from an apparent drug overdose.
Off screen, in 1997 Elizabeth married a Florida attorney named Cary Lubetsky – the couple divorced just 2 years later. Minutes prior to her falling into unconsciousness, everything appeared normal.
He was temporarily a quadriplegic, eventually regaining the strength to walk and drive. In a segment that is probably one of the most infamous backstage altercations in WWF history, Savage attacks Hogan with the belt, while a stunned Miss Elizabeth watches in horror. The once-dubbed “First Lady of Wrestling” suffered from an apparent drug overdose.
Although both were married, the pair began a secret relationship off screen. After leaving the WWF, for a short time Elizabeth worked for ESPN, covering boat racing events.