image
WRESTLING
Walter 'Killer' Kowalski Passes Away
image
John Pollock
Fight Network Journalist

POSTED: August 30, 2008 - 1:22 pm

CATEGORIES: Wrestling

The legendary Walter "Killer" Kowalski died earlier this morning at 2:15am after suffering a heart attack on August 8th.

Kowaski was taken off of life support two weeks ago and it was considered a miracle that he lasted as long as he did, fighting until the very end.

Kowalski earned the nickname "Killer" after a match with Yukon Eric where Eric's cauliflower ear was severed off after a knee from Kowalski and the two did a lot of business after the match stemming from the ear incident.

Kowalski later opened up his own wrestling school in Massachusetts and had a hand in training Triple H, Joanie Laurer, Perry Saturn, Frankie Kazarian, Chris Nowinski, Ken Doane, Matt Bloom among others.

He was inducted into both the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame and WWF Hall of Fame in 1996 and is considered one of the greatest heels in the history of the industry.

Kowalski was 81-years old.

COMMENTS (24): Submit A Comment
1. Don From Whitby
August 30, 2008 - 2:26 pm

It's so sad to find out one of the greatest heels of all time is now gone. I've only seen old videos of him and heard stories from people but the fact that he held on so long after coming off life support just keeps up on the fact of how much of a fighter he really was.

The world has lost a great teacher and a fantastically proper villain.

2. Mick Mann
August 30, 2008 - 2:38 pm

RIP Killer... I echo exactly what Don from Whitby said.

3. African Muscle
August 30, 2008 - 3:14 pm

same here

4. Mike from Oshawa
August 30, 2008 - 3:28 pm

RIP Killer you will be missed.

5. John Forth
August 30, 2008 - 5:49 pm

It should serve as a testament to his spirit that when doctors didn't think he'd make it through the night that he lasted a month. Great wrestler & trainer that will be missed.

6. Zach
August 30, 2008 - 6:37 pm

Another great Canadian gone, R.I.P.

7. mr mcCluckCluck
August 30, 2008 - 9:11 pm

a fighter till the end. The wrestling world is a smaller place without you...

8. David from Mississauga
August 30, 2008 - 9:22 pm

Despite the irony of a man who worked so hard to be hated being so loved and admired, it is undeniable that he was one of the great personalities in wrestling history. He may not have ever won a world championship, but he was respected, admired and feared around the world. Rest in pease, Mr. Kowalski. Your rest has been well earned.

9. Chris from Newcastle
August 30, 2008 - 9:43 pm

R.I.P Killer...

10. Trevor the Win!
August 30, 2008 - 9:47 pm

You were a great asset to wrestling, past, present and future.

Thank you Killer Kowalsk. You will be missed!

11. domfromToronto
August 30, 2008 - 10:39 pm

Sammartino always said that Killer was the toughest opponent he ever faced. Killer will be sadely missed. I wished that todays heels could look at his matches and learn how to properly play a heel.

12. D.G.
August 31, 2008 - 3:24 am

The business, and most importantly, the world, just lost a great asset. RIP KIller. :(

13. Little Timmy
August 31, 2008 - 9:52 am

Killer onetime was teaching me how to buck a wrestler off when he's on your back and he touched me pee pee!

14. Gotthorm
August 31, 2008 - 2:22 pm

To John Pollock... tonight on The Law will be the absolute last chance for The Mouth to aknowledge my cause and make a promise that he'll try to improve. He doesn't have to apologise. This is a peace offering from me and I suggest you take it. If you choose to ignore me then I will guarante you that I will go back to spamming this website on a hourly basis. All I want is for my hard work to be met with a response then I'll promise to fade away and let you guys run the show without my input. You've read my offer, now you have a chance to lay your on bed. So what's it gonna be? Peace, quiet, and no more Gotthorm.... or Gotthorm non-stop again?

15. D.G.
August 31, 2008 - 3:54 pm

Now how the hell does Gotthorm's crap end up online, but my point-by-point response to Helder on your "Internet MMA" column get deep-sixed? It's not like I was vulgar, nor even threatening to anyone. Talk about hyporcisy. Pretty sad.

16. Bryan Gilbert
August 31, 2008 - 4:05 pm

Gotthorm you know you can actually be charged with harrassment so your lucky no one called the cops on you.BTW you should count your days as there going down

17. Anthony
August 31, 2008 - 5:13 pm

Rest peacefully, Killer. Thanks very much.

18. Dakota
August 31, 2008 - 8:08 pm

Gotthorm....hard work? Ha!

19. brownmut
August 31, 2008 - 9:59 pm

R.I.P KILLER

20. little timmy
September 1, 2008 - 10:01 am

3 times a week me likes to dress like a little girl with pony tails and dance around in me blue socks to Barry Manilow!

21. Tom Hallick
September 1, 2008 - 1:42 pm

Hey Gotthorm, show some respect you little weasel! This is a piece on the passing of Killer Kowalski, NOT a commercial for little baby Gotthorm to air his oh-so-tired beef.

22. Tom Hallick
September 1, 2008 - 1:45 pm

Thumbs up to TSN for airing a piece on Walter's passing on their Sunday morning Sportscentre. Nice job!

23. Kevin
September 1, 2008 - 9:29 pm

I wonder what Gotthorm thought about the Unforgiven Pay-Per-View..I think that the LAW should give him his own Blog to write about his thoughts and feelings on wrestling.

24. Jenn
September 2, 2008 - 3:11 pm

I was sadden to see that Walter Killer Kowalski Dyed I din't even know that he was in the hospital it was a shock to see his picture at the begining of Raw last night

Security Question: Dogs have this many legs?
image
image
All Articles
Videos
Blogs
News