The Law
April 27th, 2015, 11:24 PM
Dead at the age of 89, according to Twitter. Health had gone downhill in recent years as he was suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia.
Legendary wrestler and promoter. The AWA was a massive and hugely successful territory for a long time. He was typical of the time: great legitimate athlete (All Big Ten football player at Minnesota, alternate on the 1948 U.S. Olympic wrestling team) turned professional wrestler. He brought a credibility and legitimacy to the sport of professional wrestling. He was a huge star in the 1950s on the nationally televised wrestling shows on the Dumont Network. Rumor was he was clearing six figures back then (the equivalent nearly $900,000 today).
He was the anchor and top star of the AWA for nearly 20 years. He was AWA Champion for over seven years, one of the longest world title reigns in wrestling history. Unfortunately, he seems mostly remembered today as the guy who wouldn't put the title on Hulk Hogan. While that was probably the biggest mistake he made in his career as a wrestler or promoter, it shouldn't overshadow the rest of his accomplishments.
Some of the wrestlers he had a hand in training: Ric Flair, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Iron Sheik, Ole Anderson, Gene Anderson, Baron von Raschke, Jimmy Snuka, Bill Irwin, Buddy Rose, Sgt. Slaughter, Blackjack Mulligan, Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Valient, Larry Hennig, Ken Patera, and many others.
He was a Hall of Fame caliber wrestler, promoter, and trainer. That's a legacy that will live forever.
One of the last true grapplers no longer with us. At least unlike too many other wrestlers he was able to live and long and full life.
Legendary wrestler and promoter. The AWA was a massive and hugely successful territory for a long time. He was typical of the time: great legitimate athlete (All Big Ten football player at Minnesota, alternate on the 1948 U.S. Olympic wrestling team) turned professional wrestler. He brought a credibility and legitimacy to the sport of professional wrestling. He was a huge star in the 1950s on the nationally televised wrestling shows on the Dumont Network. Rumor was he was clearing six figures back then (the equivalent nearly $900,000 today).
He was the anchor and top star of the AWA for nearly 20 years. He was AWA Champion for over seven years, one of the longest world title reigns in wrestling history. Unfortunately, he seems mostly remembered today as the guy who wouldn't put the title on Hulk Hogan. While that was probably the biggest mistake he made in his career as a wrestler or promoter, it shouldn't overshadow the rest of his accomplishments.
Some of the wrestlers he had a hand in training: Ric Flair, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Iron Sheik, Ole Anderson, Gene Anderson, Baron von Raschke, Jimmy Snuka, Bill Irwin, Buddy Rose, Sgt. Slaughter, Blackjack Mulligan, Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Valient, Larry Hennig, Ken Patera, and many others.
He was a Hall of Fame caliber wrestler, promoter, and trainer. That's a legacy that will live forever.
One of the last true grapplers no longer with us. At least unlike too many other wrestlers he was able to live and long and full life.