Fast-forward to the recent past, when Bye would visit Gagne regularly at the Bloomington care facility. Notable title wins include: Big Ten Wrestling Champion (4); NCAA Wrestling Champion (2); Member of the U.S. Olympic team l948; AAU Wrestling Champion; NWA junior title; AWA World title (10); AWA World Tag Team titles. Livestock on the farm as of 1880 included horses cows, sheep and swine. Frequently, Verne has admitted that it was him that gave Hogan the Hulk Hogan moniker. Fun fact: Robbinsdale High School out of Robbinsdale, Minnesota had many wrestling greats pass through its doors, including Tom Zenk (Class of 1976), Rick Rood (Rick Rude, Class of 1976), Dean Peters (Brady Boone, Class of 1976), Curt Hennig (Mr. He left home at the age of 14 after his mother died. [4] The Castle was closed for tours, but reopened on March 18, 2022.[5]. | After six months, Gagne got a call from Stephanie McMahon, the daughter of WWE owner Vince McMahon Jr. "She said she'd gotten complaints about how some of the guys were being coached in their drop kicks," he said. The night at Madison Square Garden, Bob Backlund thought he was going to win the belt back from The Iron Sheik, but plans had changed when I made that deal with Vince, Hogan told Steve Austin on The Steve Austin Show (H/T: Fightful for the transcription). The matches between Bockwinkel and Hennig, in particular, are the stuff of legend. Phone: (319) 233-0745 Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Our Verne was always larger than life, and by that I mean with his personality.''. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad "I don't think anyone was present when it began or even if anything precipitated it. In 1943, Verne was recruited to play football at the University of Minnesota, where he was named to the All-Big Ten Team. He remained in this position until 1991, when the company folded. European superstar Otto Wanz paid Verne a sum of money in order to become AWA champion. or anything. After assembling more than a dozen investors, Gagne had a deal. And the fact that it involves one of the pioneers of the wrestling industrymakes it that much more important. Ken Severson, Other Works While JJ Watt doesnt have any little ones of his own, he wears his title as Uncle to his brothers two children, Brayden, and Logan, with pride (seriously who doesnt love being an uncle or auntie?!). Later in 1976 he took on Muhammad Ali in a boxer vs wrestler bout that also featured Verne Gagne as the Referee, a match Kenny Jay considered one of the high points of his career. Watt originally planned on turning the space into a gym, but never confirmed whether he actually did or not. I for one, am guilty of writing about "this faction thing" in a couple of articles. The property is now maintained by the Mystery Castle Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. For decades beginning in the 1940s, Gagne's feats in football and pro wrestling made him seem larger than life. An amateur and professional wrestling legend, Verne Gagne's career covers the entire period of wrestling from the "real" to "fake" to "entertainment" eras. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Longtime professional wrestler. Nomination materials state that in 1879 the farm produced wheat, corn, hay, Irish potatoes, oats and apples. Gagne, the Robbinsdale High School, the University of Minnesota football and wrestling star became famous for his exploits on and behind the scenes at the professional wrestling mat. Verne Gagne was a standout athlete at Robbinsdale High School, where he was a two-time state high school wrestling champion in 1942 and 1943. Get the best deals for verne gagne at eBay.com. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Showing Editorial results for verne gagne. pic.twitter.com/YTiCNagwk5. Behind the scenes, Verne was a key financial contributor to amateur wrestling, a great ambassador for the sport and is considered the "Paul Bunyan of Minnesota Wrestling.". Solidarity was indeed an issue, though the show provided fans like myself with a great alternative to the WWF product and carried a strong audience throughout the South, West, and Mid-West. Phoenix, AZ 1959. He also received the Lou Thesz Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2006. | Greg Gagne, like his father before him, laments the current state of wrestling. Leaving home at age 14 after his mother passed away, he entered Robbinsdale High School participating in football, Jerry Crusher Blackwell also gets JJ Watt girlfriend (turned wife) is professional soccer player Kealia Ohai! He had been living in the memory-loss section of a Bloomington, Minnesota health care facility. I respect well-written articles that mean something. I have been disenchanted as well with the B/R Wrestling Section lately because of the foolishness. From his storied sporting career to his contributions in and out of the ring with the AWA, that rumor surrounding Hulk Hogan, to his unfortunate troubled final days, this is the unforgettable story of Verne Gagne. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Top 25 lengthiest careers in professional wrestling, Top 40 most decorated professional wrestlers by championships won. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. In an interview on SportsKeeda Wrestlings UnSKripted series, Greg Gagne cleared up the fog around this story. Justin James Watt is a defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals football team of the National Football League. He soon turned pro and became champion of the new American Wrestling Association (AWA). "He's one of the nicest people in the world. Also learn how He earned most of Verne Gagne networth? "I love the sport," he said. Verne Gagne uses reverse back body drop on Roy McClarity to win last night's featured rasslin' match at the Garden. For most of the 1960s, Gagne was the organization's World Heavyweight Champion. Free shipping for many products! "But he can shake hands and smile and say hi to people.". While TRPD has known that the farmhouse ruins have been eligible since the mid 1990s, they havent pursued the project until now, since mere eligibility already offers the property some federal protection. He did so many things for people -- whether it was a charity event or a small kindness for an individual having a problem -- that whatever happened, this was not the real Verne.". Gagne's son, Greg Gagne, described the incident as a terrible accident. AWA Tag Team Champions, The High Flyers Jumping Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne. Gagne also had storied feuds with some of the biggest names in wrestling at the time and in its history. Gagne, who was born in Corcoran, wrestled for the former Robbinsdale High School and the University of Minnesota, where he was an NCAA champion. Don't knowingly lie about anyone This mortared-fieldstone structure is not currently open to the public due to significant safety concerns. It was his strength, stamina and genuine wresting skill (he was a championship college wrestler and former Olympian) that made him one of the most respected wrestlers in the business. 2. WebHome. Gagne won two NCAA wrestling championships while at the University of Minnesota, and was a member of the 1948 Olympic Wrestling team for the United States. However, the one man that would leave the AWA rocked and reeling from his short time there would be Hulk Hogan. Gagne became one of the most well-known stars in wrestling during the golden age of television, thanks to his exposure on the Dumont Network, where he wowed audiences with his technical prowess. In college, Watt played football for the University of Wisconsin before being drafted by the Houston Texans during the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Would you like to receive our latest email news? Verne never did that., Greg continued, Iron Sheik trained with us and Verne got him started. Vergne has been honored by several wrestling organizations such as the WWE, WCW, and The Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame. That's all for now, but there's more where that came from. He is without a doubt one of the forefathers of the wrestling industry, period. Verne Gagne is an exception to that rule. Now, the farmhouse is a ruin. Patrick Reusseis a sports columnist who writes three columns per week. Hennig & Race won 1st fall. The announcement late Monday night by Gene Okerlund that Laverne "Verne" Gagne, the founder of the American Wrestling Association and a Hall of Famer by any description, had passed away closed the final chapter on the glory era of professional wrestling in Minnesota. The talent that passed through his doors is amazing, and his effect on this business is innumerable to count. More on JJ Watt family below! The last recorded champions of the Southwest Sports era were Mr. Ito and Chati Yokochi, who won the championship on December 12, 1968, with the championship being abandoned in 1969 or He also enjoyed a brief stint playing professional football with the Green Bay Packers. In the 1990s, Hennepin County took Verne Gagne's 23 hectares and home on Lake Minnetonka for a park, paying him only a fraction of what the family thought it was Verne Gagne would have four children during his life, including one whod enter the pro wrestling business himself. Born in 1948 and trained by his father as well as Billy Robinson, Greg Gagne made his debut in 1973, finding success alongside future Killer Bee Jim Brunzell as The High Flyers. I recentlyread a well-written article by Jason LeBlancon here about how he will not write anymore articles on this "faction thing" or anything non-wrestling. Inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame on May 23, 1993. [November 2003]. Father of wrestler. Although he may not have been the greatest businessman ever to run a territory or promote a show, Verne was possibly the greatest trainer and possessor of the eye for wrestling talent that has ever lived. He also owns a fully decked out log cabin in Summit, WI that he purchased in 2015 for $800k. Directly off the living room is the gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, an oversized island, wood cabinetry, and a charming breakfast rotunda lined with windows that overlook the grounds. Arched doorways, warm colors, antique-inspired light fixtures, and recessed lighting along with a beautiful stone fireplace make up the classy living room. That same year, Mary Lou and her mother began offering tours of the home. I just burnt down a huge bridge in Minnesota. LimelightPlayerUtil.embed({ "height": 321, "width": 540, "mediaId": "bb8a6e9945c541178157dac6d2cd7a25", "playerId": "limelight_player_427377", "playerForm": "LVPPlayer" }); Minnesota Museum of American Art reopens after four years in temporary quarters in downtown St. Paul. Nearly 20 wrestlers from the old days populate the movie -- either in dramatic roles or in film clips of matches. No charges were filed, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman saying, "Mr. Gagne simply lacks the capacity to intend the consequences of his action.". No arrests have been made. Legacy Funeral Home (3720 East River Road, Fridley) Speaking of Sharkey, he had a hand in training both Sean X-Pac Waltman (aka the 1-2-3 Kid) and Dynamic Jerry (The New Fn Show) Lynn, and the location that kicked off their decades-long feud can still be visited today. He hired a writer, engaged veteran TV actors Ed Asner and Elaine Giftos and, because he was writing the checks, put himself into the starring role. He referred all other questions to the family attorney, Julian Hook, who did not return calls. "good guy" wrestlers in the AWA, Gagne had some legendary feuds with some of the greats in the sport including The Crusher, Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon (both of whom he later teamed with to win the tag-team belts), "Wicked" Nick Bockwinkel, Gene Kiniski, Mr. M, and Doctor X. Gagne was never flamboyent, but he didn't really need to be as he let his wrestling do the talking. Both Gagnes will appear this weekend when "The Wrestler" -- presented by longtime family friend Rob Chapman -- is shown at the Parkway Theater in south Minneapolis. He died Saturday. The guaranteed $23 million includes a $12 million signing bonus as well as a $2.5 million base guarantee this year, a $3.25 million of Watts $11.25 million base salary in 2022, and a $2.25 million for his roster bonus in 2022. Gagne had clearly learned the recipe for success, and he decided that would be in wrestling. Given that Watt has frequently snapped photos in this room for Instagram, it seems it may be his favorite place in the house! During this same time, the local government decided in its ambivalence to take this property by a ridiculous writ of eminent domain and turn it into the Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. 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