Verne Gagne

Verne Gagne is a former professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He was the owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area until 1991, when the company folded. He has a son, Greg, who also wrestled.

Profile

• Height: 5'11"
• Weight: 215 lbs.
• Birthday: May 10, 1923
• Hometown: Robbinsdale, Minnesota
• Ring Debut: 1949

Career

Verne Gagne started wrestling in 1949 in Texas. He moved to the NWA in 1950 and by 1953, he was in the AWA, where he became a star. Verne was a technical genius in the ring and won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship nine times. He always wrestled as a face.

Some of his biggest feuds were against Gene Kiniski, Dr. Bill Miller, Fritz Von Erich, Dr. X (Dick Beyer under a mask), The Crusher, Ray Stevens and Nick Bockwinkel. Verne retired from in ring competition in 1981.

As a promoter of the AWA, he was known as wanting to put on an "old school" show. He wanted former college wrestlers who could really wrestle instead of huge brutes holding his World Title. This led to a problem with Hulk Hogan in 1984. Hogan wanted a long run as AWA Champion and Gagne refused. Hogan got an offer from Vince McMahon to go to the WWF and he took it. Gagne supposedly offered the Iron Sheik money to break Hogan's leg during their World Title Match. Sheik did not take the offer and Hulkamania was born.

Verne Gagne is also known for refusing the sale of the AWA to Vince McMahon, owner of World Wrestling Entertainment. Vince and Jim Crockett, Jr. then raided most of Gagne's talent causing AWA to shut down in early 1991.

Championships/Accomplishments

• 9-Time AWA World Heavyweight Champion
• 2-Time AWA United States Champion
• 1-Time AWA Omaha Heavyweight Champion
• 3-Time AWA World Tag Team Champion (with Crusher, Billy Robinson and Mad Dog Vachon)
• 1-Time IWA Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
• 2-Time Texas Heavyweight Champion

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 158 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.

• PWI awarded Verne the 1986 Editor's Award for service to the wrestling community.

• Verne was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1993.

Miscellaneous

• Larry Zbysko was once married to one of Verne's daughters.
• Verne appeared in the 1974 movie, The Wrestler.

Training Career

• Verne trained or helped train several wrestlers. Here is a partial list:
  • Ric Flair
  • Gene Anderson
  • Ole Anderson
  • Lars Anderson
  • Ricky Steamboat
  • Curt Hennig
  • Bob Backlund
  • Iron Sheik
  • Paul Ellering
  • Jim Brunzell
  • Greg Gagne
  • Blackjack Mulligan
  • Brian Knobs
  • Scott Norton
  • Ken Patera
  • Larry Hennig
  • Jimmy Valiant
  • Baron Von Raschke
  • Brad Rheingans
  • Buddy Rose