Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81

Subject: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: john f weldon
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:10 PM

He could have ripped the head off a dozen folksingers, but, in fact, this huge, amiable fellow wouldn't have hurt a flea. At least, not on purpose.
He used to eat smoked meat at Ben's with the very guys he'd been stomping just minutes before.
He knew what he was doing was all in fun. Go Ye and Do Likewise!
RIP Killer!
John F Weldon

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: bobad
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:16 PM

Wow, didn't know he was still alive. He was a hero to my Polish grandmother who would get extremely excited watching him wrestle on TV. I remember his signature move was "the claw" where he would force his opponents into submission by clamping his fingers onto their abdominal muscles.

So long Killer.

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Peace
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:17 PM

He had one of the finest classical music collections in Canada. (I do believe for a good part of his life he was a vegetarian, although not in the times John speaks of.)

Pro wrestling was a different world in his day. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Beer
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:37 PM

John he was a (what is the opposite of hero?) pain in the arse. He also bit a part of Yukon Eric's ear. I think this was the fellow. Bobad, man I must be getting old if your grand mother liked him. Your right about he Claw. It was deadly. But I thought it was called the Boston Crab?
John, here were some of my hero's and opposites back in Killer's days.
Yukon Eric, Whipper Billy Watson, Jean Keniski (sp.) Dick the Bull Dog Bower, Sky Low Low,just to name a few. We had a thread sometime back whereby lots of these folks were discussed.
Peace and love to his family and friends.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 01:03 AM

The Boston Crab was a backbreaker hold that was applied by lifting the top portion of your opponents legs and leaning back with all your weight while he was on his stomach. I was a pro-wrestling addict from way back. Some of Killer Kowalski's matches have been posted on You Tube.
                                                   SOL

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Peace
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 01:19 AM

Buddy of mine did his Masters in Sociology on the professional wrestling world. I won't summarize his thesis, but certainly one conclusion he reached is that it was even way back about theatre.

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: john f weldon
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 01:33 AM

He famously tore off Yukon Eric's ear, but not by biting. Verne Gagne tells the story in a documentary. He was applying his knee to Yukon's head when Yukon's cauliflower ear went flying. At that moment all thought of battle ceased. Both he and the ref tried to put the ear back on, but to no avail. Both men used the event to enhance their fearsome legends.

The Claw is simply driving your fingers into your helpless opponent's abdomen and attempting to yank out his innards. It was a favourite move of Fritz Von Erich, who pretended to to be a Nazi-esque German character, but was, in fact, a Texan with a huge drawl.

Rabbi-Sol correctly describes the Boston Crab. Are we not both founts of arcane knowledge???

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: john f weldon
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 01:47 AM

The last real pro wrestler and first fake pro wrestler was Strangler Lewis, in the 1920's. The matches were real for his opponents, fake for him. That is to say, his abilities were so great that he could win or lose at will, or just extend the length of the match. It was all done to build up the gate, and, of course, to get folks betting (with his buddies as bookies).

Eventually it led to matches where both opponents understood what was going on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 03:54 AM

His fame has even reached down to my youngest one who, over here in the UK, is well into this WWF rubbish. Kowalski certainly worked hard on his fearsome reputation to make it most convincing. I have no records of him touring in Great Britain but I'm sure that had he done so he would have been great box office. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: bobad
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:29 AM

An account from Wikipedia about the Yukon Eric incident and how it "enhanced" Kowalski's reutation:

"Most famously, in a 1952 match in Montreal versus Yukon Eric, Kowalski ripped off a part of Yukon Eric's ear while performing a knee drop.[1] In reality, Eric's ears were already badly cauliflowered due to years of abuse and the injury was an accident, but it fortified Kowalski as being a ruthless villain who ripped his opponent's ear off. Kowalski attempted to visit his opponent in the hospital and began laughing along with Eric at how silly the bandages looked, with Kowalski recalling years later, "I swear, the first thing I thought of was Humpty Dumpty on the wall. Yukon Eric looked at me, shook his head, and smiled. I started laughing and he laughed, too.". 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, furthering Kowalski's image as a heel.[7]"

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: john f weldon
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:40 AM

To add a little gruesome touch: I heard the referee interviewed who picked up the ear say that it was still twitching and pulsing. In rassling, the worse, the better!

DaveS, I believe he did appear in London, and did a guest appearance at a stage variety show. The audience was asked if anyone would volunteer, so that Killer could demonstrate his technique. Some brave soul went up on stage, and Killer promptly tossed him into the sixth row.

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: fat B****rd
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:58 AM

I used to read about him and Yukon Eric in the fifties in the back of my Boxing & Wrestling magazines. I remember the bit with the ear. RIP Mr. K

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Beer
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 08:00 AM

Great stories. Love them. My God, was it 1952?

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 11:18 AM

Rest in Peace Walter...

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: olddude
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 11:26 AM

I remember glued to the TV as a Kid, all the people would boo him and throw stuff. He was fun to watch. Remember his battle with the Polish Power Ivan Putski

RIP Killer, thanks for the memories

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 12:13 PM

Goodbye Killer and many thanks for the entertainment!


PEACE......Funny that.......the Masters thing.......

I've said many times that were I to do a thesis for my Masters, I would do it on the parallel tracks of Big Time TV Wrestling and Big Time TV Religion. Their beginnings, declines, and then spectacular rise before falling back in scandals and then regaining a bit.........Its kinda' mind boggling when you see how close the comparison is. I generally tale that with a joke saying that I think they may share a common audience........but I ain't too sure that's a joke!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 06:29 PM

Well, as Gorgeous George said to Man Mountain Dean, "..it ain't been the same since they let the TV cameras shoot close-ups"

well...he 'might' have said something like that...

I watched some as a kid, but it was soon evident to observant little me that it was staged...You just CANNOT hit someone in the face with a forearm 27 times and not turn his face to hamburger - and not matter what, bouncing off the ropes and throwing punches ain't wrestling.

I'd like to have the whole sport R.I.P...

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: john f weldon
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 06:57 PM

Bill D...
Animation, Rassling, Stage Magic, Religion....
I'm part of a larger family...
We make you see what isn't there....
Movement, Violence, Elephants & God....

Folk Music is all wholesome & real; I find it fascinating & alien.

...but, despite my Mudcatter-ness, I know I'm in the other camp.
JFW

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:11 PM

I guess I see why folks get involved with all that stuff...sorta... (RELIGION??? ..mercy ☺!

"...wholesome & real..." hmmm... a bit of each - a bit of the time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 10:56 PM

I remember Haystacks Calhoun chasing my brother down the street in Chicago over something Rich said to him sitting out in front of Marigold Arena.--- Fond remembrances!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: Peace
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 12:46 AM

Anyone recall the Leduc Brothers?

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: KenM
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 12:47 AM

My goodness....I can't believe this thread has gone this long without mentioning some of the "epic" battles between Killer Kowalski and Eduard Carpentier at the "old" Montreal Forum.....or how about Bobo Brazil....and, Abdullah the Butcher??

Back in my day at Sir George Williams University, a friend of mine at the time (who I have regrettably lost touch with), Allan Turowetz, studied Montreal's professional wrestling circuit. I believe it was for an undergraduate course in the Sociolgy of Deviance. I used to accompany him to the Forum while he did his "field research".

Allan went on to a very successful career in sports sociology/psychology...I think he wrote a book about the Montreal Canadiens....if anyone on this thread/site could connect me with him. I would be most appreciative.

Ken

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: KenM
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 12:48 AM

I remember them......

Subject: RE: Obit: Killer Kowalski
From: KenM
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 01:01 AM

I think I remember Carpentier applying that Boston Crab (to Kowalski) at the Forum

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: sian, west wales
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 04:53 AM

Anyone who ate smoked meat at Ben's is OK with me.

I take it he had cheesecake to finish? Very civilized.

siân

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 8
From: john f weldon
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:09 AM

Sian... ... Alas, Ben's has closed down. I loved those curling faded autographed B&W photos of all the famous folk who had dined there. It was the only place open after 2am, so folks in Show Biz & drunken McGill students used to gravitate there for late-night munchies. Every old wrestler, hoofer and singer was on the wall.   And the food made NO pretence of health: huge fatty slabs of smoked meat with extra-fatty speck if you asked for it. Yum!

A friend was a neighbour to Len Shelley, seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUJoxChD_KA

He used to complain bitterly that he was too handsome (!) and was therefore stuck as a "good guy"! Bad guys make the Big Bucks! He tried wresting in a mask as a villain, sometimes on the same bill as his good-guy persona, but it never caught on. Luckily he never had to rassle himself!

Killer was definitely old-school. The rasslers looked more like stevedores than bodybuilders, and would never admit to fakery.

Art - Haystacks running! Wow. He used to be super-huge, but after the death of his long-time rival, 800-lb Happy Humphrey, he slimmed down to a svelte 350-400 lbs. Doctor's orders. So maybe he could run, or at least fast-waddle!

Ah the memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 8
From: bobad
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:32 AM

Ken, there is contact information for Allan Turowetz at this site. I don't know how current it is though.

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 10:29 AM

The last wrestler I remember trusting or liking was Lou Thesz. He was champ longer than anyone, so he must have had some skills.

I think he 'could' wrestle, whether he did much after it changed from sport to entertainment is another question.

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 10:35 AM

I was always fond of Gorgeous George. I can still see Nana Sullivan yelling "Kill him!" at the TV. She loved professional wrestling.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: sian, west wales
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 10:51 AM

I think I did know that Ben's had closed. Bummer. Yeh, I knew it because my sister is Head of Wardrobe at Centaur.   And I must confess that I chowed down at Dunns occasionally. You don't think Ben's demise could be my fault, do you? Oh dear.

sian

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 11:12 AM

Sorry to hear of his passing. I was a big fan of "rasslin" when I was a kid. When we first got TV back in the mid 50's it was a real draw.
I remember going to my first live match at the North Sydney Forum.
Hard Boiled Haggerty was fighting Pat O'Connor and Bunny Dunlop was the ref. A fan threw a raw potato at Haggerty but he ducked. It hit Dunlop square on the eye and dropped him cold. Nothing fake about that! :-}

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 8
From: john f weldon
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 02:46 PM

How come there are no "Bad Guy" Synchronized swimmers???

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 04:17 PM

John, that sounds like a theme for your next project. Perhaps a new sport combining it with log rolling.........

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: KenM
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 04:47 PM

Bob: Thank you for that contact information on Allan Turowetz. I just sent him a note to the e-mail address that's on that webpage and it hasn't been returned to me so I'm assuming it's a working address.

John.....I'm sensing a new theme for a comic book coming out of this interaction.

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:17 PM

John F Weldon

My brother easily outran Haystacks.

Anyone remember Farmer Don Marlin? Bruno Samartino? The Daring Dildo?

Oh, the humanity!

Art

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 8
From: john f weldon
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:26 PM

Actually, I started wondering about "Bad Guy" Folksingers... ...sneakily detuning each others guitars, filling their harmonicas with sheep-dip....

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 81
From: Mark Ross
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 10:04 AM

My brother and I used to delight in watching Haystack pitted against four(count 'em, four)midget wrestlers.



Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 8
From: john f weldon
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 10:53 AM

Oh, the tasteful entertainments of yore!

Subject: RE: Obit: Canadian Wrestler Killer Kowalski, age 8
From: bobad
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:08 AM

Yeah, it's no wonder they brought in PC.

Dwarf toss, anyone?