Swede Hanson Death – Sepsis 1933-2002 (Age 68) Big man Swede Hanson was well-known for his tag team with Rip Hawk, but he also enjoyed a singles career, including a main event program with WWWF champion Bob Backlund. The Big Swede winded down his career in the WWF, retiring in 1986. While younger fans may be unfamiliar with Hanson’s work, his team with Hawk is considered one of the greatest tag teams from the territory era. New Jersey Knuckles Robert Hanson was born in 1933 but had little time to enjoy his childhood. In a 1997 interview, the New Jersey native recalled working since he was nine years old. Over time, he became a boxer, competing in New Jersey’s Golden Gloves with a 61-3 win-loss record. But it would be professional wrestling that won him over. The 6’4” 300-pound Hanson trained under George Trajos, the same man who had trained legendary wrestler
Read More →Verne Gagne Death – Alzheimer’s Disease 1926-2015 (Age 89) Although Verne Gagne’s last years would be plagued by health problems and controversy, the Minnesota native boasted a storied career as both a wrestler and promoter, creating one of professional wrestling’s most prestigious promotions. A national superstar at a young age, Gagne helped launch the careers of some of wrestling’s biggest names. The Road to the Ring LaVerne Gagne was born on February 26, 1926 in Minnesota and raised on a farm. His father owned a saloon, but young LaVerne was determined to become a wrestler, not a saloon keeper. Gagne wrestled at the University of Minnesota, where he won four heavyweight championships in the Big Nine (the forerunner to the Big Ten) as well as two NCAA championships. When World War Two broke out, Gagne joined the Marines, training his fellow Leathernecks in hand-to-hand combat. After the war, Gagne completed his
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