Killer Kowalski

Killer Kowalski
Kowalski in 1973
Birth nameEdward Władysław Spulnik
Born(1926-10-13)October 13, 1926
Windsor, Ontario, Canada[1]
DiedAugust 30, 2008(2008-08-30) (aged 81)
Everett, Massachusetts, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Theresa Ferrioli
(m. 2006)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Polish Apollo
Hercules Kowalski
Killer Kowalski[2][3]
The Masked Destroyer[3]
The Masked Executioner[3]
Tarzan Kowalski[2][3]
Billed height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)[4]
Billed weight280 lb (127 kg)[4]
Trained byLou Thesz[5]
Debut1947[2][3]
RetiredMarch 14, 2008[2][3]

Wladek Kowalski (born Edward Władysław Spulnik; October 13, 1926 – August 30, 2008) was a Canadian professional wrestler, known by his ring name Killer Kowalski.[1]

Kowalski wrestled for numerous promotions during his career, including the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE), and was a known heel. He held numerous championships including the WWWF World Tag Team Championship with Big John Studd billed as the Executioners and managed by Lou Albano.

After retiring in 1977, Kowalski started a professional wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts and trained many professional wrestlers, including Studd, Triple H, Chyna, Eddie Edwards, Frankie Kazarian, Kofi Kingston, Damien Sandow, Fandango, Brittany Brown, April Hunter, John Kronus, Perry Saturn, and Tommaso Ciampa.

  1. ^ a b Laurer, Joanie (October 2001) [2001]. If They Only Knew. ReaganBooks. pp. 144–145. ISBN 0-06-109895-7.
  2. ^ a b c d Solomon, Brian (2006). WWE Legends. Pocket Books. pp. 95–100. ISBN 978-0-7434-9033-7.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Killer Kowalski's OWOW profile". Online World of Wrestling. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  4. ^ a b "Killer Kowalski". WWE. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "Killer Kowalski's Hall of Fame profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2011-04-05.