GA Russell Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Now here's a name I haven't thought about in nearly fifty years! This is from the AP: http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...portsOther/home Wrestling pioneer Kowalski dies at 81 Associated Press August 30, 2008 at 3:21 PM EDT EVERETT, Mass. — Pro wrestling pioneer Walter "Killer" Kowalski has died from a heart attack. He was 81. Kowalski died Saturday after his family decided to have him taken off life support. Kowalski had been in critical condition at a hospital in Everett, Massachusetts, since the heart attack on Aug. 8. The death was announced on Kowalski's Web site. The 6-foot-7, 285 pound Kowalski earned his nickname in 1954 after dropping opponent Yukon Eric during a match in Montreal. He became famous for various moves, including a stomach vice grip called the "Killer Clutch." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 A classmate of mine in third grade was obsessed with him for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 I'm definitely having one of those "wow; he was still alive???" moments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert J Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 He was born in my home town of Windsor, Ontario. My great-grandparents - from Slovakia - had lots of Polish neighbors. They'd go see him fight quite often in Detroit and kept up with his progress after he left town. I think that's when there was actually a time when there was no phony wrestling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Russell Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 I think that's when there was actually a time when there was no phony wrestling. Robert, I feel like I'm telling a kid that there is no Santa Claus! I don't think there was ever a time when pro wrestling was on the level. I read a book about it (either the Complete Idiot's Guide or the For Dummies) which was "written" by Captain Lou Albano, and it said that pro wrestling developed out of phony six-hour long wrestling matches staged at carnival shows. Anyway, it was clearly ridiculous in the late 40s (before Killer Kowalski's time) when Gorgeous George was popular on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van Basten II Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 I know that he had for a long time a wrestling schiool, he'll be forever famous for being the guy who ripped off the ear of his opponent (Yukon Eric) during a match. On a more personal basis, i remember a story about an uncle who was hitchicking, it was either in the late fifties or the early sixties, at the time there was still some belief that wrestling was real, anyway a car stopped to pick him off and suprise suprise it was Kowalski with his arch-nemesis Yukon Eric who was riding shotgun, they were driving to do another show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 (edited) This is the Kowalski I first thought of. Edited August 31, 2008 by Free For All Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 VB's story reminds me of when, in the middle of their "feud" Sargent Slaughter and the Iron Shiek were pulled over while driving together, with pot in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 I think that's when there was actually a time when there was no phony wrestling. Robert, I feel like I'm telling a kid that there is no Santa Claus! I don't think there was ever a time when pro wrestling was on the level. I read a book about it (either the Complete Idiot's Guide or the For Dummies) which was "written" by Captain Lou Albano, and it said that pro wrestling developed out of phony six-hour long wrestling matches staged at carnival shows. Anyway, it was clearly ridiculous in the late 40s (before Killer Kowalski's time) when Gorgeous George was popular on TV. "Greco-Roman...great art..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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