On Saturday morning, wrestling legend Walter "Killer" Kowalski passed away in Boston, Massachusetts.During an in-ring career that spanned from the 1940s to the 1970s, Kowalski was one of the most celebrated - and respected - grapplers of our time.
In the golden era of the sport in the 1950s when millions of Americans and Canadians discovered - and fell in love with - televised wrestling, Kowalski was one of the first superstars to become a household name.
Each and every week, fans tuned in to witness Kowalski battling other greats such as Buddy Rogers, Dr. Bill Miller, Whipper Billy Watson and Gorgeous George, regularly using his feared "Iron Claw" to beat opponents.
Kowalski also became famous for an incident in 1954 when he knee-dropped fellow wrestler Yukon Eric, tearing off a piece of his ear in the process. The move made headlines and forever earned Kowalski his "Killer" nickname.
In addition to multiple title reigns and worldwide acclaim, Kowalski was also regarded as one of the greatest teachers the sport has ever known. Following his retirement, Kowalski opened his own wrestling school outside Boston, Massachusetts, that served as the start for dozens of current and former wrestling superstars, including TNA's Frankie Kazarian and Roxxi Laveaux as well as names like Big John Studd, Triple H, Joanie Laurer, Albert/A-Train and many more.
"I am very saddened by Walter's passing," TNA founder Jeff Jarrett told TNAwrestling.com. "He was not only a trailblazer for an entire generation of wrestlers, but he also passed on his knowledge and experience after stepping away from the ring. That's something you don't always see from the veterans of this sport. He will be missed by everyone in our business."
Everyone at TNA Wrestling sends our thoughts and prayers out to the family of Walter "Killer" Kowalski.
Information on funeral arrangements, memorials and tributes are available on www.killerkowalskis.com and www.uswfwrestling.com
Taken from: tnawrestling.com
Post a Comment