Wrestling world mourns the passing of Verne Gagne, who died at 89

[azurnoir]

Source: Washington Post

Gagne, a Minnesota native, was an all-American wrestler for the Gophers in college before becoming a star in the National Wrestling Alliance during the “golden age” of television. Gagne joined the American Wrestling Association in 1960, instantly becoming its biggest attraction before eventually buying and promoting the outfit.

“He was a pioneer in modern day era wrestling,” legendary wrestling announcer Gene Okerlund told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “He was one of the first guys who became a television star. He was one of the first good-looking young guys. And I mean he was a real baby face. The gals loved him, the guys respected him because he was also one of the tough-nosed guys.”

Gagne won the AWA heavyweight title 10 times between 1960 and 1981, and he is one of a select few to have been inducted into four major wrestling halls of fame (WWE, WCW, Pro Wrestling and Wrestling Observer).

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/28/wrestling-world-mourns-the-passing-of-verne-gagne-who-died-at-89/

[rpannier]

1. RIP

Never met him, but I heard he was a nice guy

[AngryAmish]

5. Nope. Not a nice guy.

Offered Iron Sheik 100k to break Hulk Hogan's leg at Wrestlemania 3, to protect his territory. Iron Sheik could have done it in a second, he was a real shooter.

Not his fault he had dementia but he killed his roommate a few years ago.

Also not his fault but his granddaughter is a rapist.

[7962]

8. His granddaughter?? Gotta hear that story; what is it?

[AngryAmish]

9. Teacher and student thing

http://www.twincities.com/ci_17407288

[Splinter Cell]

10. ?

When he offered the money to Sheik it was before Sheik dropped the title to Hogan....nothing to do with Wrestlemania 3.

He got into a "fight" with his roommate, who was over 90, and knocked him to the floor. The guy died later in the hospital, but the police determined that neither of the men were really aware of what was happening.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

13. He was probably nice to fans

As a businessman, he was a prick, but that's wrestling. Certainly not on the level of evil that is Vince McMahon.

[turbinetree]

2. Use

to watch him and Wahoo McDaniel's and The Crusher every Saturday and it was enjoyable to watch as a young man, instead of the crap now, and what the current owners did to him from the WWE was not cool at all-----then I quit-----he was a really nice individual and his son was is just like him very nice

[Fairgo]

3. I've got an autographed picture of Baron Von Raschke

Dr. X And the figure four leg lock, Dirty Dusty Rhodes, Scrap Iron Gadaski , superstar Billy Graham, Mad Dog Verchon...and all the rest. Thanks Verne, you were the best!

[dembotoz]

4. rip. another part of my childhood TV is gone

[colonel cocoa]

6. Killer

He killed a man when he was in the nursing home where he was a resident. He wasn't held accountable because he was suffering from dementia. (ALZ) He made a lot of money selling garbage (supplements). He started the phony wrestling schools where the participants were started on steroids and taught how to fake the sport of "Faux Wrestling". You be the judge!

[7962]

12. Obviously you're not a wrestling fan; you dont understand whats fake and fixed!

[SCVDem]

7. The Scientific wrestler

Cowboy Bill Watts and the capable Kennys, Jay and Yates.

Wrestling was not fake!

At least when WE were kids!

[Splinter Cell]

11. RIP

Mr. Gagne was a tough man, in and out of the ring. He, like all promoters, watched out for his best interests, but he was not sleazy like Vince McMahon.

He was legendary as a wrestler, but also as a trainer. The list of people he trained is almost a hall of fame unto itself: Flair, Steamboat, Hennig, Jimmy Valient, Backlund, Iron Sheik, Mulligan and on and on.