"Killer" Kowalski

Scottieholics! Salutations! I may have made my return to the blogging tread with some sign of disrespect I was unaware of. Over a week ago, we wrestling fans have lost another legend. He has made the careers of many wrestlers possible. Such as Perry Saturn, Triple H, Chyna, Chris Nowinski, A-Train, April Hunter, Frankie Kazarian (also known as Kaz on TNA), Kenny Dykstra, and Nikki Roxx (also known as Roxxi on TNA). He is known as none other than Walter "Killer" Kowalski. He passed away early last Saturday morning (August 30, 2008) at the age of 81.

As a wrestling fan, I feel it is best to owe respect to a man who has done so much for the business. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in front of my television a good x-amount of days per week watching wrestling and/or playing the wrestling video games. Over the years, I've read many things about him. Such as being an expert with his finisher, The Iron Claw, performing a variety of promotions (AWA, NWA, and WWWF [WWE]), and the only wrestler who became a vegetarian back in the late 1960s. Just like a certain Power in New York, I always thought he'd be around forever myself. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if he and Ric Flair had shared an unknown fountain of youth!

I've been a wrestling fan for who knows how long. I just feel snowed knowing I never really saw this guy performed in the ring. However, I've seen his DNA across the wrestlers I have mentioned. Hopefully, that gene will continuously be passed down for the next superstars who are itching to don the spandex and hop into the squared circle. It'd be one hell of a loss if it is not.

From the years of 1947 to 1977, he performed in a number of aforementioned wrestling promotions as a heel. A dangerous heel at best despite of being a wonderful man with a heart of gold outside of the ring. Here's one incident that dates back to 1952. He had a match against Yukon Eric in Montreal. Kowalski ripped off a part of his opponent's ear while performing a knee drop. In actuality, Eric's ears were already badly cauliflowered due to years of abuse and the inury was an accident, but it elevated Kowalski's reputation as a heel.

Kowalski attempted to visit his opponent in the hospital and began laughing along with him at how silly the bandaged looked. When the incident was reported in the paper the next day, it stated that Kowalski showed up at the hospital and laughed at his victim rather than with him, boosting Kowalski's rep as a dangerous heel. Considering he was a tough customer inside of the squared circle, it was no different on the outside.

WWE Smackdown announcer Jim Ross blogged this interesting tidbit:

"Walter was a staunch disciplinarian when he was actively teaching his students but had a heart of gold and a unique sense of humor. For example, when Walter married at approximately 79 years of age he kidded some of his closest acquaintances that 'he had to marry the lady because she was with child.'

Kowalski was a vegan who at one time had one of the most freakish physiques of any one in the business and was always considered too nice a guy by many promoters to be a wrestling "bad guy" but nonetheless Killer Kowalski will always be remembered for being one of the wrestling business all time greats."

Indeed. Walter "Killer" Kowalski will always be remember as a wrestler, teacher, mentor, disciplinarian, and friend to many who has known him personally and professionally. May the Higher Power give his family and friends the strength and endurance during this time of need.

Unwittingly, I forgot to pass it over to the guys at Wrestleview when I gave them the spoilers for RAW and Smackdown over a week ago. Seeing the WWE live was really a blessed event. Considering the close to 500 pictures I took (one of them posted down below), it is one of my memorable events attending as a fan. After Triple H did one of his promos, he lifted his championship belt in the air and said, "This is for you, Killer."

I couldn't quote anything better than that. Arrivederci and Godspeed!