Post by PWC-NYG on Aug 30, 2008 8:48:56 GMT -5
The legendary Walter "Killer" Kowalski has passed away. One of the all time great heels, Kowalski had been in ill health for quite some time and had suffered a massive heart attack a few weeks ago that left him on life support before his family made the decision to remove him from the support on August 18.
Kowalski was 81 years old.
In his 30 year career he was known as one of the top heels of his era. He was involved in an infamous incident that saw him rip off the ear of Yukon Eric in a match held in Montreal in 1952. Kowalski visited Eric in the hospital the next day and they both laughed at how silly Eric looked wearing the bandages. News reports about the visit portrayed Kowalski at laughing at (rather than with) Eric, and his legend as a heel was cemented.
After retiring from wrestling in 1977, Kowalski was instrumental in training some of the top names in the business. His students included Triple H, Chyna, Big John Studd, Perry Saturn, Kronus, and Frankie Kazarian.
From Frankie Kazarian
I was just woken up by a phone call that I have been dreading. My good friend Steve King just called and informed me that our dear friend and trainer Walter "Killer" Kowlaski has passed away.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have always attributed Walter with all of my success in pro wrestling. He took in a 20 year old kid who hadtraveled 3,000 miles from southern California, and embraced him like a son. He was kind enough to pass on his extensive, and unique knowledge of this business to me.
From day one, Walter became my trainer, and my friend. He guided me through every step of pro wrestling, but more importantly, taught me how to be a genuine, good person, and to treat others with respect, dignity and class.
I owe so much to Walter, that I could never put it all in words. The time we spent together is and always will be some of the most precious memories I have, and I will keep it in a special place in my heart.
So much of the best things that have happened to me are a direct result of his mentoring. The people I have met, the relationships I have made, and my success in and out of the ring are a direct result of him. Walter loved angels. We had many conversations about them on our regular trips to church that we both enjoyed on Sundays. To me, and anyone who knew him, Walter was an angel. He was a gentleman, friend, and honestly one of the best people to come into my life. Walter, I love you and I could never sing your praise enough. You set me on a path in this business, and in life, that has been in one word, a dream.
Rest in the kingdom of heaven my dear friend, as you are now amongst the angels that you loved.
Your student, friend, and brother in Christ.
Frankie
Surprised he lasted this long, RIP Killer.
Kowalski was 81 years old.
In his 30 year career he was known as one of the top heels of his era. He was involved in an infamous incident that saw him rip off the ear of Yukon Eric in a match held in Montreal in 1952. Kowalski visited Eric in the hospital the next day and they both laughed at how silly Eric looked wearing the bandages. News reports about the visit portrayed Kowalski at laughing at (rather than with) Eric, and his legend as a heel was cemented.
After retiring from wrestling in 1977, Kowalski was instrumental in training some of the top names in the business. His students included Triple H, Chyna, Big John Studd, Perry Saturn, Kronus, and Frankie Kazarian.
From Frankie Kazarian
I was just woken up by a phone call that I have been dreading. My good friend Steve King just called and informed me that our dear friend and trainer Walter "Killer" Kowlaski has passed away.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have always attributed Walter with all of my success in pro wrestling. He took in a 20 year old kid who hadtraveled 3,000 miles from southern California, and embraced him like a son. He was kind enough to pass on his extensive, and unique knowledge of this business to me.
From day one, Walter became my trainer, and my friend. He guided me through every step of pro wrestling, but more importantly, taught me how to be a genuine, good person, and to treat others with respect, dignity and class.
I owe so much to Walter, that I could never put it all in words. The time we spent together is and always will be some of the most precious memories I have, and I will keep it in a special place in my heart.
So much of the best things that have happened to me are a direct result of his mentoring. The people I have met, the relationships I have made, and my success in and out of the ring are a direct result of him. Walter loved angels. We had many conversations about them on our regular trips to church that we both enjoyed on Sundays. To me, and anyone who knew him, Walter was an angel. He was a gentleman, friend, and honestly one of the best people to come into my life. Walter, I love you and I could never sing your praise enough. You set me on a path in this business, and in life, that has been in one word, a dream.
Rest in the kingdom of heaven my dear friend, as you are now amongst the angels that you loved.
Your student, friend, and brother in Christ.
Frankie
Surprised he lasted this long, RIP Killer.
