The amazing thing about Verne Grange and the other top class wrestlers of his era outside the UK is that we can view many of his matches via You Tube. At the time most of us could only read about them in magazines
Verne was a very good amateur in his early days. He mentioned in an interview that he preferred classic wrestling. Also, he rated Billy Robinson as one of the best.
According to wrestlingdata, Verne apparently worked two shots in Germany in late September 1972, one match against Steve Wright and then one again Dave Morgan.
Verne's title match with Billy Robinson in 1974 drew about 22,000 fans to Chicago's Comiskey Park in what is probably the biggest show in AWA history--their quasi-infamous WrestleRock '86 show drew about the same number of fans to the cavernous Metrodome in Minneapolis, but it was sort of a last-gasp show for a promotion that had seen its best days already. 1974 was much closer to the peak of the promotion.
the gentleman subsequently died and Gagne was going to be charged with homicide but his dementia was quite advanced and neither himself or his victim remembered nothing of the incident and it was decided there was nothing to be gained by bringing a prosecution.
He wrestled in Canada, Mexico, Japan and the USA, he supposedly wrestled in European tournaments ( Germany?) but can't find any records. I would reckon it would probably be unlikely that he did. He was making big money in the USA so you make it while you can.
Verne ran his own promotion in the USA.He wouldn't have come over here for the peanuts (relatively) on offer here.Billy Robinson worked for him in the USA.
Yes, Verne had some good bouts versus Billy Robinson. He always spoke of him very highly in interviews, saying that Billy Robinson was one of the best.
I attended one of his shows in Milwaukee back in the summer of 1970. He wasn't on the bill (but Billy Robinson was. He featured in the main event versus Black Jack Lanza managed by Bobby Heenan). I have vague recollections of him killing a fellow resident in sheltered accommodation some years ago but, because of dementia, not being aware of nor being responsible for his actions. I hope I'm not doing the gentleman a disservice. Does this ring any bells?
The amazing thing about Verne Grange and the other top class wrestlers of his era outside the UK is that we can view many of his matches via You Tube. At the time most of us could only read about them in magazines
Verne was a very good amateur in his early days. He mentioned in an interview that he preferred classic wrestling. Also, he rated Billy Robinson as one of the best.
According to wrestlingdata, Verne apparently worked two shots in Germany in late September 1972, one match against Steve Wright and then one again Dave Morgan.
Verne's title match with Billy Robinson in 1974 drew about 22,000 fans to Chicago's Comiskey Park in what is probably the biggest show in AWA history--their quasi-infamous WrestleRock '86 show drew about the same number of fans to the cavernous Metrodome in Minneapolis, but it was sort of a last-gasp show for a promotion that had seen its best days already. 1974 was much closer to the peak of the promotion.
Verne Gagne AWA champion belt from the 70s was the fanciest belt I remember.
Verne’s son Greg Gagne wrestled for his Father’s promotion the AWA. Verne trained many wrestlers at his farm in Minnesota including Ric Flair.
the gentleman subsequently died and Gagne was going to be charged with homicide but his dementia was quite advanced and neither himself or his victim remembered nothing of the incident and it was decided there was nothing to be gained by bringing a prosecution.
Yes, I remember reading that Verne Gagne had an altercation with a fellow resident in the retirement home. And ended up body slamming him.
He wrestled in Canada, Mexico, Japan and the USA, he supposedly wrestled in European tournaments ( Germany?) but can't find any records. I would reckon it would probably be unlikely that he did. He was making big money in the USA so you make it while you can.