Verne Gagne Dead: Minnesota Wrestling Legend, 89, Enters The Big Ring In The Sky
Verne Gagne is dead at the age of 89, leaving the wrestling world mourning the loss of one of its legends on Monday. Gagne came from an era before the commercial success of wrestling.
In the 80s and 90s, the biggest commercial order was the WWF, which was renamed as WWE after the World Wildlife Fund took issue with it. Gagne hailed from the American Wrestling Association in 1960, created in Minnesota.
The AMA was the launching pad for several of wrestling’s legends, which include Hulk Hogan, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Sergeant Slaughter, and Pat Patterson. Both Hulk and Jesse moved on to become movie stars in such films as Gremlins 2 and Predator, while Sergeant Slaughter became immortalized as a character in Hasbro’s G.I. Joe toy line and cartoons.
Verne Gagne was set on becoming a wrestling legend, as he took on the role of an promoter and trainer known for his “baby face” appearance and becoming the sole owner of the AWA. According to long-time friend Gene Okerlund, Gagne helped make professional wrestling what it is today.
“He was a pioneer in modern day era wrestling. He was one of the first guys who became a television star. He was one of the first good-looking young guys. And I mean he was a real baby face. The gals loved him, the guys respected him because he was also one of the tough-nosed guys.”
“He was a taskmaster without a question. He demanded a lot out of people and he got a lot out of people.”
Gagne was a multi-sport athlete in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, winning three wrestling championships in the state. He had a brief stint at the University of Minnesota wrestling and playing football, until he left to join the Marines in World War II.
When Gagne eventually returned to college, he slammed back into wrestling, including four Big Ten championships and two for the NCAA. He continued to dominate the AAU in 1949 after earning a spot on the Olympic wrestling team.
This is a list of people that Verne Gagne trained or help train. Remarkable. pic.twitter.com/OLNMSWmnoD
— Danny Scott (@dajosc11) April 28, 2015
In his later years after having made wrestling the major event it is today, Gagne succumbed to Alzheimer’s. He began living with his daughter after clashing with Helmut Gutmann in February of 2009. The confrontation ended in Verne Gagne’s rival dead after complications from a broken hip after having been slammed to the ground.
VERNE GAGNE MY FIRST COACH BOSS AND FRIEND IN THE AMERICA GOD BLESS HIM FOREVER
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) April 28, 2015
The courts had ruled Gutmann’s death a homicide, though neither man could remember what happened due to dementia, according to ABC News.
Verne Gagne’s death leaves behind his four children and the memory of his wife who died in 2002. The wrestling legend will live on in the hearts of the professional wrestling community, as well as his family and friends.
[Image via Wrestling Online]
