Killer Kowalski

This week’s column is dedicated to the life, the compassion and the love that Walter Kowalski had for our business over the past 50+ years. Beginning in 1947 with his first match against another huge icon of his day, Lou Klein, Walter fought every match like it was his last.

He was not one to follow someone in the ring; rather, he would be the vicious instigator that would just beat the living heck out of anybody he faced. He was the guy that caused Yukon Eric to lose most of his ear in a match and then went to the hospital the following day and started laughing at Eric because of the bandaged ear.

The newspapers picked up on the story, and they tagged him with the “Killer” title that stuck with him for life. He was also the bad guy when Buddy Rogers got his leg broken in a match in Montreal. Their re-matches sold out arenas wherever they went.

Edward Carpentier also had some very tough matches with Walter that resulted in both men often being taken to the local hospitals after the matches. Following both of their retirements from the profession, they became friends and would often visit each other at fund-raising events and reunions.

Bobo Brazil was another huge athlete that faced Walter in a history-making event early on in their careers. Black wrestlers were only able to compete against other black athletes at one time. Bobo and Walter changed that scenario in Alexandria, Virginia, when they met head on in the middle of that ring. They faced each other a lot after that match before Bobo was called to Los Angeles and then later back home to Michigan, where a feud with the Original Sheik began.

Walter fought in virtually every part of our world and, usually, in the main events that promoters put him into against the top money makers. It was a great, fabulous and wonderful 30-year career for every wrestling fan that attended the matches.

Walter was also one of the pioneers on televised matches both from studio wrestling and live at the big arena venues in various territories, along with big names like Gorgeous George, Buddy Rogers, Don Eagle, Moose Cholak, Verne Gagne and Hans Schmidt, just to name a few.

Following his days in the ring, Walter opened up the Killer Kowalski Institute of Wrestling in a Boston suburb. That school produced some huge names in our business like his first student, Big John Studd. Chyna, Triple H and others also went on to become huge stars in the current WWE.

Walter and Theresa at the 2005 CAC. They made many trips to the reunion together. The following year, they were married.

Killer was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2002 with the Iron Mike award. It is the top award that is given by your peers, not from a committee. Walter was so moved that he gave the following statement, "For many years, I was the ultimate bad guy, and now you treat me like I was an angel, I LOVE each and every one of you for this, and I will treasure it forever."

Walter was also honored by the WWE in its 1996 Hall of Fame inductions and also by the Professional Wrestling Museum in New York in the Class of 2003. He was also honored by many civic and professional groups for his no-nonsense giving of himself whenever he was called upon to do so.

I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to sit and visit with Killer in many arenas during the 13 years I was in the wrestling business. I was also blessed with being able to hang out with him and many other legends at the annual CAC events over the past decade. Those memories have meant more to me than all I could ever want out of this life. They will certainly go into eternity with me.

Thank you, Walter, for taking the time in your visit to Flint in 1958 when you wrestled Hercules Cortez, at the IMA Auditorium, to come over to the group of Big Brothers and say hello, to us and to me especially as you made a huge impact in my life.

To Theresa, his widow, and family, I extend my deepest in sympathy and condolences. I ask God to give you and all of Walter’s friends the strength to get through this more than difficult time.

May you have Eternal Rest, Walter Kowalski, your work on Earth is done, and your legacy will live on in the hearts of all.

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
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree