Verne Gagne
The man that booked Nick Bockwinkel so strongly, legendary promoter Verne Gagne, also passed away in 2015. As the founder and owner of the American Wrestling Association (AWA), Gagne was a very powerful man, which didn’t necessarily endear him to others in the business, including one Vince McMahon. A 16-time World Champion, he held the AWA World Heavyweight Title on ten separate occasions and holds the record for longest combined reign as World Champion. Well, when you book the promotion…A former NFL player, Gagne fell into wrestling as it was, believe it or not, a better-paying alternative to pro football in the 1940s and 50s. Gagne was one of the highest paid wrestlers of the 50s, reportedly earning as much as £100,000 per year, which was seriously big money in those days. Gagne was the top star of the AWA, and tried to push a more traditional style in the face of the glitz and glamour of the WWE. As Vince McMahon and co. were expanding with their theatrical brand of sports entertainment, Gagne persisted with a wrestling-oriented product, favouring technical skill over hulking physiques and showmanship. Unfortunately for Gagne and the AWA, Vince and other promoters poached the group’s top stars while ratings and attendances continued to fall. The upshot was that by 1991 the AWA had to shut down with Gagne ending up in bankruptcy court. Following the AWA’s closure, the ageing Gagne was inducted into just about every possible Hall of Fame, including the WWE’s version, in 2006. Gagne suffered from dementia in his later years and was involved in a sad incident in January 2009 when he accidentally caused the death of a fellow patient at the medical facility he resided. Gagne and the patient reportedly got into an altercation with Helmu Gutmann and threw him to the floor – Gutmann died as a result of complications from the injury a few weeks later. Greg Gagne passed away on April 27th, 2015 at the age of 89. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdmn-0NrueI
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