A legit athlete who went on to be the face of the AWA, the premier pro wrestling promotion in the 60s, 70s and 80s in the Midwest, and who also trained and introduced the world to the likes of Sgt. Slaughter, Ken Patera, Ric Flair and many others.
Over 30 years Verne Gagne would go on to win 10 AWA World Heavyweight titles, often as the babyface agains the likes of the Crusher and the Bruiser, Mad Dog Vachon, Baron Von Raschke, and other ne’er do wells. If there is anyone here from Minnesota, Wisconsin or Chicago who has no idea who Verne Gagne is, shame on you or your parents for not educating you properly on sports heroes.
Most fans my age remember him as a baldy, thin but unmuscular guy who looked like our uncle, but he sure could perform in the ring, even at almost 50, as evidenced by this match:
Agnes later years are sadder: the hottest promotion in the early 80s with Hulk Hogan as its lead face chasing the AWA title held by Nick Bockwinkel, Vince McMahon started picking off Hogan and more of Gagnes stars. Gagne tried to adapt, but the AWA went toes up early 1990s with Verne Gagne ending up in a retirement home with Alzheimers.