Walter ‘Killer’ Kowalski, Pro Wrestling Legend, Dies at 81.
AUGUST 31, 2008 TAGS:
It is strange to think that Walter Kowalski, the pro wrestling legend known as the ‘Killer’ was a vegetarian. He was a mountainous man, standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing close to 250 pounds. He would devour opponents in the ring, villainously piling blows atop their heads and flinging their bodies across the canvas. But in wrestling, as in life, appearances aren’t always as they seem. Wrestling is fake, and Killer Kowalski was a gentle, leaf-eating giant.
After his 26 years in the ring—notably during the rise of television and televised wrestling—and over 6,000 bouts, numerous championships in the various leagues, federations and associations that supported pro wrestling regionally and nationally, and earned respect of his colleagues and fear of his viewers, Kowalski retired in 1977. Only instead of leaving pro-wrestling, he founded one of its pedagogical institiutions, a pro-wrestling academy that taught the art of landing fake punches, grappling convincingly and throwing another human across a mat with enough force to wow, but without injury to either side.
The Killer will be missed, but everytime you see the WWE superstar Triple H, bloviate about his signature move, “The Pedigree,” (Double underhook facebuster), think of Kowalski. Not only was Triple H schooled at his the Killer’s academy, but Triple H might actually be sort of a nice guy, just like Walter Kowalski.
After his 26 years in the ring—notably during the rise of television and televised wrestling—and over 6,000 bouts, numerous championships in the various leagues, federations and associations that supported pro wrestling regionally and nationally, and earned respect of his colleagues and fear of his viewers, Kowalski retired in 1977. Only instead of leaving pro-wrestling, he founded one of its pedagogical institiutions, a pro-wrestling academy that taught the art of landing fake punches, grappling convincingly and throwing another human across a mat with enough force to wow, but without injury to either side.
The Killer will be missed, but everytime you see the WWE superstar Triple H, bloviate about his signature move, “The Pedigree,” (Double underhook facebuster), think of Kowalski. Not only was Triple H schooled at his the Killer’s academy, but Triple H might actually be sort of a nice guy, just like Walter Kowalski.
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