Verne Gagne

If you were to ask anyone in Minnesota who the greatest pound-for-pound wrestler was in the Golden Years of Wrestling, the answer would definitely be Verne Gagne.

This incredible multi-talented athlete that dominated the sport scene for nearly a half of a century is living proof that training and conditioning will let you be the best at what you want to be.

Verne's life began on a farm in 1923. At age 14, he left home after losing his mom. He went to Robbinsdale, where he attended high school. It was there that he lettered in football, wrestling and baseball.

In 1943, Verne was recruited to play football at the University of Minnesota, and he was named to the All-Conference team. Verne also wrestled and captured two NCAA titles and was an alternative for the 1948 Olympic games.

In 1949, Verne began a wrestling career in Texas as a professional. A year later, he captured the NWA Junior Heavyweight belt and, just three years later, won the Chicago version of the United States Championship.

During the next six years, he was a constant headliner on cards in Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis and Green Bay. He met some of the very best that climbed through the ropes to do battle with him.

Some of the names that I can remember are Dick “The Bruiser“, Hans Schmidt, The Great Bolo, Gorgeous George and the Original Sheik. On some rare cards, Verne would tag team and face the likes of the Miller Brothers, Doc and Mike Gallagher, The Sicilians and the dreaded Kalmikoff Brothers.

In 1960, Verne was awarded the AWA World Heavyweight Belt because of a no-show by then-defending NWA Champion Pat O'Connor. Verne was a 10-time holder of that title during his career, and, during one reign, he held the belt for seven years, from 1968 to 1975, when he lost it to Nick Bockwinkel.

Gagne had many bitter feuds with Gene Kiniski, Dr. Bill Miller (sometimes under a mask as Mr. M), Fritz Von Erich, Dr. X (Dick Beyer), The “Crusher” Reggie Lisowski, “Crippler” Ray Stevens and Nick Bockwinkel, under the management of Bobby Heenan.

Verne gave fans what they wanted in the way of action and excitement and provided an array of outstanding amateur and collegiate wrestlers besides the rough and ready type of rulebreakers that dominated the wrestling cards on a nightly basis.

Some names that come to mind are Tiny Mills and Stan Kowalski, Bulldog Lee Henning, Butch Levy, Harley Race and Larry Hennig, Blackjacks Lanza and Mulligan, Jerry Blackwell, Ric Flair and The Andersons.

In 1983, most of the talent that was in the AWA territory went to the WWF to join with Vince Mc Mahon. They, for the most part, made more money than they could have ever imagined and captured an audience that would be worldwide.

Verne was inducted into many hall of fames so far, including WCW in 1993 and, in 1999, the International Wrestling Institute and Museum (Newton, Iowa). In 2004, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in New York. In 2006, the Cauliflower Alley Club honored him with the Lou Thesz Award, and, in 2006, he was one of the inductees during Wrestlemania weekend to be honored by the WWE Hall of Fame.

Besides wrestling full time for 30 years and logging nearly 5000 miles a week (most by air), Verne took the extra time he had and trained future stars like Jim Brunzell, Bob Backlund, Curt Hennig, Ric Flair and Ole Anderson.

He also had a hand in developing the careers of Baron Von Raschke, Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags (The Nasty Boys), Brad Rheingans, Buddy Rose, Sgt. Slaughter, Scott Norton, Ken Patera and Wild Bill Irwin, along with his brother Scott.

Verne still resides in Minnesota and is very active in amateur wrestling and the Olympic contenders. He will be 84 in May.

Thank you, Verne, for all that you have done for professional wrestling. I look forward to seeing you in Waterloo at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum for the 2007 inductions in July.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee