Wikipedia

Ole Anderson

Alan Robert Rogowski(September 22, 1942 – February 26, 2024), better known by thering nameOle Anderson(/ˈoʊlɪ/), was an Americanprofessional wrestler,booker,andpromoter.

Ole Anderson
Anderson,c. 1982
Birth nameAlan Robert Rogowski
Born(1942-09-22)September 22, 1942
Minneapolis, Minnesota,U.S.
DiedFebruary 26, 2024(2024-02-26)(aged 81)
Monroe, Georgia,U.S.
PartnerMarsha Cain[1]
Children7, includingBryant[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Al Rogowski[2]
Ole Anderson[2]
Rock Rogowski[2]
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[2][3]
Billed weight255 lb (116 kg)[2]
Trained byDick the Bruiser[2]
Verne Gagne[2]
DebutAugust 19, 1967[2]
RetiredApril 28, 1990[2]
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Service/ branchUnited States Army
RankSpecialist

Following a stint in theU.S. Army,Rogowski made his professional wrestling debut in his nativeMinnesotain 1967, wrestling for theAmerican Wrestling Association(AWA) asAl "the Rock" Rogowskior simplyRock Rogowski.The following year, he joined theCarolinas-basedJim Crockett Promotions,where he adopted the ring name Ole Anderson and began teaming with his kayfabe brotherGene Andersonas theMinnesota Wrecking Crew.Following a further stint with the AWA and appearances withChampionship Wrestling from Florida,in 1972 Anderson settled into wrestling primarily for Jim Crockett Promotions andGeorgia Championship Wrestling.By the mid-1980s, Anderson was a part-owner of, and thebookerfor, Georgia Championship Wrestling. After Georgia Championship Wrestling was acquired byVince McMahonin 1984 in what was known as "Black Saturday",Anderson broke away to form his own promotion,Championship Wrestling from Georgia,which was itself acquired by Jim Crockett Promotions the following year. Anderson spent the rest of his career with Jim Crockett Promotions and its successor,World Championship Wrestling(WCW), forming a new iteration of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew withArn Anderson,co-founding influentialstableThe Four Horsemen,twice serving as booker for WCW, and running theWCW Power Plant.He retired from the ring in 1990, and from the professional wrestling industry in 1994.

Known amongst his contemporaries for his gruff, cantankerous demeanor and toughness, Anderson is a key figure in the history of professional wrestling in Georgia and the Carolinas. He held over 40championshipsover the course of his career, including eight reigns asNational Wrestling Alliance(NWA)World Tag Team Champion(Mid-Atlantic version).He was inducted into theWCW Hall of Famein 1994 and theNWA Hall of Famein 2010.

Early life

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Rogowski was born to thePolish immigrantsRobert Joseph Rogowski and Georgiana Bryant inMinneapolis, Minnesotain 1942. He attendedAlexander Ramsey High Schoolin nearbyRoseville, Minnesota.[4][5][6][7][8]He spent his adolescence inSt. Paul, Minnesota,where he worked at his father's bar.[6]As a youth he took part inamateur wrestlingandfootball.[6][9][8]After high school, Rogowski attended theUniversity of Colorado(where he played football for theColorado Buffaloes), theUniversity of Minnesota,andSt. Cloud State University,but did not graduate.[6]

Rogowski served in theU.S. Armyfor three years,[1][6]reaching the rank ofspecialist.[9]During his service, he spent time stationed in Germany and performed clerical work.[10]While in the Army, Rogowski trained inamateur wrestling,boxing andpowerlifting.[6]

Professional wrestling career

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American Wrestling Association (1967–1968)

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While exercising at aYMCAgym, Rogowski was approached by professional wrestler Tiger Malloy to meet withVerne Gagne,thepromoterof theMinneapolis, Minnesota-basedAmerican Wrestling Association(AWA).[6][11]Rogowski was trained to wrestle by Gagne andDick the Bruiser.He debuted with the AWA on August 19, 1967, defeating José Quintero in a bout in theMinneapolis Auditorium.[2][12][13]He wrestled as "Al 'the Rock' Rogowski" or simply "Rock Rogowski".[2][14]He was occasionally billed as being the nephew of Dick the Bruiser, and as a relative ofThe Crusher.[6][15]He went on a short unbeaten streak which ended the following month when he andMighty Igor Vodikunsuccessfully challengedHarley RaceandLarry Hennigfor theAWA World Tag Team Championship.In October 1967, Rogowski defeatedBob Ortonfor theAWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship;Orton regained the title from him the following month.[16]In December 1967, he twice again challenged for the AWA World Tag Team Championship, teaming withBill Wattsin a pair of losses to championsDr. MotoandMitsu Arakawa.Rogowski wrestled regularly for the AWA until June 1968, when he moved toJim Crockett Promotions.[12]By the end of his first year in professional wrestling, Rogowski was earning $32,000 (equivalent to $280,000 in 2023) per annum.[5]

Jim Crockett Promotions (1968–1970)

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See also:Minnesota Wrecking Crew

In mid-1968, Anderson began wrestling for theCarolinas-basedJim Crockett Promotions.Adopting the ring name Ole Anderson (Olebeing a traditionalNorwegian Minnesotanname, and also aplay-on-wordsreferring to the toxic shruboleander), he was presented as the "baby brother" ofGene AndersonandLars Andersonfrom the MinnesotaNorthwoods.Billed as the "Minnesota Wrecking Crew",the trio wrestled in a series ofsix-man tag team matches.In September 1968, they began feuding withArt Thomas,George Becker, andJohnny Weaver,culminating in aTexas death matchin October 1968 that was won by Becker, Thomas, and Weaver. Following the Texas death match, Lars Anderson left the territory, and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew continued as a tag team.[4][5][17][18][19]

In January 1969, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew defeated Becker and Weaver to win theNWA Southern Tag Team Championship(Mid-Atlantic version);they lost the titles back to Becker and Weaver one week later. In January 1969, they began a long-running series of matches against the Flying Scotts. In June 1969, Ole and Gene were rejoined by Lars Anderson. The Minnesota Wrecking Crew resumed their feud with Thomas, Becker, and Weaver, and also began a series of violent matches against Aldo Bogni,Bronko Lubich,andGeorge Harris.[18]After Lars departed once again in July 1969, Ole and Gene reverted to being a tag team.[18]In January 1970, Anderson wrestled a handful of matches in Japan with theJapan Wrestling Associationas part of its "New Year Champion Series", including losing toAntonio InokiinHimeji.[20]In March 1970, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew defeated Becker and Weaver to win theNWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship.They held the titles for 180 days (with successful title defences against teams including theFlying Scotts,theInfernos,andMr. WrestlingandTiny Anderson) before finally losing them toNelson RoyalandPaul Jonesin September 1970. Anderson departed Jim Crockett Promotions later that month.[18]

American Wrestling Association (1970–1971)

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In November 1970, Anderson returned to the American Wrestling Association, readopting his "Rock Rogowski" ring name.[12]Upon his return, he defeatedTex McKenzieto win the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship for a second time, losing the title to Stan Pulaski the following month.[16]Also in November 1970, Anderson challenged his trainer Verne Gagne for theAWA World Heavyweight Championship,wrestling him to adouble countout.[12]In early-1971, Anderson held theAWA Midwest Tag Team Championshipon two occasions, once with The Claw and once withOx Baker.[3][21]Anderson left the AWA once more in mid-1971 to joinChampionship Wrestling from Florida.[12]

Championship Wrestling from Florida (1971–1972)

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In July 1971, Anderson began wrestling for theFlorida-basedChampionship Wrestling from Floridapromotion. Shortly after arriving, he formed a tag team withRonnie Garvin,with the duo winning the vacantNWA Florida Tag Team Championshiplater that month. They lost the titles to the Australians (Larry O'Deaand Ron Miller) the following month.[22]In December 1971, Anderson defeatedJack Briscoto win theNWA Florida Television Championship.His reign ended one week later when he lost toBob Roop.[3][23]Anderson wrestled regularly for Championship Wrestling from Florida until spring 1972, when he left to return to Jim Crockett Promotions.[24]

Jim Crockett Promotions; Georgia Championship Wrestling (1972–1984)

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See also:Minnesota Wrecking Crew

Anderson returned to Jim Crockett Promotions in February 1972, resuming teaming with Gene Anderson as the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. Over the following months, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew faced teams such asRip HawkandSwede Hanson,theVon Steigers,Klondike BillandNelson Royal,andRonnie GarvinandThunderbolt Patterson.[18]In November 1972, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew briefly won the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship for a second time by defeating Art Neilson and Johnny Weaver; Neilson and Weaver regained the titles one week later. In March 1973, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew defeated Neilson and Weaver to win the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship for a third time.[25]In May 1973, Anderson won theNWA Eastern Heavyweight ChampionshipfromJerry Brisco.He lost the title back to Brisco in July 1973.[26][27]The Minnesota Wrecking Crew's third reign as NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Champions ended that same month when they lost toJerry Briscoand Thunderbolt Patterson. They defeated Brisco and Patterson to win the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship for a fourth time in July 1973; this reign lasted until October 1973, when they lost to Nelson Royal andSandy Scott.[25]

In October and November 1973, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew toured Japan withInternational Wrestling Enterpriseas part of its Big Winter Series, facing tag teams such as Isamu Teranishi andStrong KobayashiandAnimal HamaguchiandMighty Inoue.They unsuccessfully challenged Great Kusatsu andRusher Kimurafor theIWA World Tag Team Championshipin atwo out of three falls match.The tour also saw Ole Anderson face Rusher Kimura in a pair ofcage matches.The final match of the tour, which took place in theKorakuen HallinTokyo,saw the Minnesota Wrecking Crew andKlondike Billlose to Great Kusatsu, Mighty Inoue, and Rusher Kimura in a six-man tag team match.[28]

In May 1974, Anderson began wrestling regularly for Georgia Championship Wrestling. From 1974 to 1985, Anderson wrestled primarily for Jim Crockett Promotions and Georgia Championship Wrestling.[17]

In October 1974, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew defeated Bill Dromo andMike McCordfor the NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship(Georgia version)inColumbus, Georgia.They lost the titles toBuddy ColtandRoger Kirbythe following month.[29]

In January 1975,Ric Flairwas introduced toJim Crockett Promotionsas a cousin of Ole and Gene Anderson, with the trio taking part in a series of six-man tag team matches.[7][30]

In 1975, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew facedPaul JonesandWahoo McDanielin a series of matches for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. A June 1975 match featured the "supreme sacrifice" angle, which saw Ole ram McDaniel into Gene's head, knocking both men out and enabling Ole to pin McDaniel.[4]

In May 1976, Anderson was attacked by a knife-wielding audience member inGreenville, South Carolina.The attacker slashed his arm and chest, necessitating the reattachment of tendons and a large number of stitches.[6][4]

In 1976, Anderson was appointed asbookerof Georgia Championship Wrestling by majority ownerJim Barnett,replacingHarley Race.[31][32]Anderson eventually became a part-owner of Georgia Championship Wrestling.[6]He also had a stint booking JCP in 1981–82. For a time he even booked both companies simultaneously, often combining both rosters for supercards which were noted for offering some of the best action in the business at that time. He later left JCP to book and wrestle for GCW full-time.[citation needed]

By 1977, Anderson was earning $140,000 (equivalent to $704,000 in 2023) per year.[5]

In May 1977, Anderson defeatedMr. Wrestling IIinMacon, Georgiato win theMacon Heavyweight Championship.He held the title until January 1978, when he lost toDick Slater.[33]In December 1977, Anderson andJacques GouletdefeatedTommy RichandTony Atlasfor the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship; they lost the titles to Atlas andMr. Wrestling IIin February 1978.[34]That same month, Anderson defeated Goulet in the finals of a tournament inAtlanta, Georgiato win theNWA Georgia Television Championship;he lost the title toThunderbolt Pattersonin May 1978.[35]

In mid-1978, Anderson formed a tag team withIvan Koloff.In June 1978, the duo defeatedThunderbolt PattersonandTommy Richfor the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. They held the titles until September 1978, when they lost to Rich andRick Martel.In October 1978, Anderson teamed with Stan Hansen to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship for an eleventh time; Anderson and Hanson were stripped of the titles the following month after being disqualified too many times.[36][34]In November 1978, Anderson defeatedMr. WrestlinginColumbus, Georgiato win the Columbus Heavyweight Championship. He was stripped of the title the following month after a match against Bob Armstrong.[37]In early 1979, Anderson won the NWA Georgia Television Championship from Thunderbolt Patterson; he held the title until April 1979, when he lost toBob Armstrong.[35]In January 1979, Anderson and Koloff defeatedJack BriscoandJerry Briscoto win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship, losing the titles toNorvell AustinandRufus R. Jonesin April 1979. Anderson and Koloff won the titles once more in June 1979, defeating Tommy Rich andWahoo McDaniel;this reign ended in July 1979 when they lost to Rich and Hansen. Anderson and Koloff defeated Rich and Hansen to win the titles a fourth and final time in August 1979, losing them to Rich andCrusher Lisowskithe following month. Anderson and Koloff stopped teaming regularly in September 1979.[36][34]

In October 1979, Anderson teamed withErnie Laddto defeatCrusher LisowskiandTommy Richfor theNWA Georgia Tag Team Championship.After a handful of title defenses, the team fell apart later that month when Anderson turned face, and Anderson began feuding with Ladd. In November 1979, Anderson and Stan Hansen faced Ladd andMasked Superstarto determine who would be the NWA Georgia Tag Team Champions; after the match ended in a draw, the titles were declared vacant. In December 1979, Ladd defeated Anderson in aTexas death match.[26][34][38]

In July 1980, Anderson was involved in one of Georgia Championship Wrestling's more infamous angles. After turning face, Anderson had repeatedly petitioned his former rivalDusty Rhodesto team with him. Rhodes eventually acquiesced, and the duo challenged theAssassinsfor theNWA Georgia Tag Team Championshipin asteel cage matchin theOmni Coliseum,with Gene Anderson andIvan Koloffas guest referees. During the match, when Rhodes attempted to tag Anderson in, Anderson instead attacked Rhodes, leading to all five heels beating down Rhodes. Following the attack, Ole Anderson gave an interview toGordon Soliein which he gloated that he had planned the betrayal for over a year.[26][39]

In February 1982, Anderson andStan Hansenwon a one night tag team tournament, defeating theBlond Bombersin the final. The duo subsequently formed a tag team that competed in both Georgia Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions. Later that month, Anderson and Hansen defeated theBrisco Brothers(Jack BriscoandJerry Brisco) to win the vacantNWA World Tag Team Championship(Mid-Atlantic version).Over the following months, Anderson and Hansen successfully defended the titles against challengers includingDusty RhodesandRay Stevens;Don MuracoandWahoo McDaniel;Ivan PutskiandTom Prichard;and theFabulous Freebirds.[40]Anderson and Hansen vacated the titles in August 1982 when Anderson left Jim Crockett Promotions.[41][42]Anderson and Hansen briefly continued to compete as a tag team in Georgia Championship Wrestling until separating in November 1982.[40]TheWrestling Observer Newsletternamed Anderson and Hansen its "Tag Team of the Year"for 1982.[43]

In November 1982, Anderson formed a new tag team withBuzz Sawyer,with the duo facingTommy Richand various partners, includingButch Reed,Dick Murdoch,and theMasked Superstar,in a series of matches. Anderson and Sawyer ceased teaming regularly in March 1983.[44]In June 1983, Anderson began feuding withPaul Elleringand theRoad Warriors.[45]

In August 1983 at the 35th National Wrestling Alliance convention inLas Vegas, Nevada,Anderson expressed his ire atWorld Wrestling Federation(WWF) promoterVince McMahon's national expansion in defiance of NWA territorial boundaries, threatening to retaliate by running opposite to McMahon in the WWF's territory ofPennsylvania.[46]

In 1984, Anderson feuded with his future tag team partnerArn Anderson.[47]Anderson wrestled his final match with Georgia Championship Wrestling in July 1984, teaming with Ronnie Garvin to defeat the Road Warriors in theMacon Coliseum.[48]

Championship Wrestling from Georgia (1984–1985)

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See also:Black Saturday

In July 1984, Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, and other shareholders sold their shares in Georgia Championship Wrestling toVince McMahonfor $900,000 (equivalent to $2,639,000 in 2023) in what became known in the wrestling industry as "Black Saturday".The deal gave McMahon a 90% stake in the promotion and control over Georgia Championship Wrestling's 6:05 PMETSaturday night timeslot onTBS,in whichWorld Championship Wrestlinghad aired since June 1981.[32][49][50][51][52]The sole holdout was Anderson - the head booker of the promotion, and a 10%minority shareholder- who rejected McMahon's new direction for the promotion and acrimoniously resigned.[49][53][52]

Anderson joined forces with long-time NWA-sanctioned promoters Fred Ward and Ralph Freed to start a new company calledChampionship Wrestling from Georgia.[17]TBS presidentTed Turnergranted Championship Wrestling from Georgia a 7:30 AM ET Saturday morning timeslot on TBS, which outperformed McMahon's revampedWorld Championship Wrestlingin television ratings.[49][50]Championship Wrestling from Georgia promoted its first event in August 1984 and its final event in April 1985,[54]when Anderson sold it toJim Crockett Jr..[49]

In addition to promoting and booking Championship Wrestling from Georgia, Anderson also wrestled for the promotion throughout its existence. In his first match, in August 1984, Anderson teamed withBrad Armstrongto defeatBob RoopandThe Spoilerin theMacon Coliseum.Anderson went on to feud with Roop, facing him in a series ofstreet fights,cage matches,andtaped fist matches.In October 1984 at Championship Wrestling from Georgia's "Night of Champions" event, Anderson andDusty RhodeswrestledAWA World Tag Team ChampionstheRoad Warriorsto a double disqualification. In November 1984, Anderson began teaming withThunderbolt Patterson,with the duo defeating the Long Riders for theNWA National Tag Team Championshipin January 1985; they vacated the titles in March 1985 when Anderson turned on Patterson and reformed the Minnesota Wrecking Crew with Gene Anderson; the Minnesota Wrecking Crew teamed together until the promotion's final event in April 1985.[55][56]

Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling (1985–1994)

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Minnesota Wrecking Crew; Four Horsemen (1985–1987)

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See also:Minnesota Wrecking Crewandthe Four Horsemen
Anderson (left) as a member ofthe Four Horsemen,c. 1987

In April 1985, Jim Crockett Promotions acquired Championship Wrestling from Georgia. In the same month, Gene Anderson retired from professional wrestling. Ole Anderson began teaming withArn Anderson(the real-life Marty Lunde, who facially resembled Ole, and was variously billed as being Ole's brother, cousin, or nephew),[6][4]as a new iteration of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.[18][57][58]Later that month, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew defeatedManny Fernandezand Thunderbolt Patterson to win theNWA National Tag Team Championship.[18]

In September 1985, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew joined Ric Flair in an attack on Dusty Rhodes. The three men, along withTully Blanchardand his managerJ. J. Dillon,went on to form astable.The following month, Arn Anderson delivered apromoin which he stated that "not since theFour Horsemen of the Apocalypsehave so few wreaked so much havoc on so many ", leading announcerTony Schiavoneto dub them "the Four Horsemen".The Four Horsemen swiftly went on to become a dominant heel faction in Jim Crockett Promotions.[57][58][59]

Over the following months, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew successfully defended their NWA National Tag Team Championship against challengers such as America's Team (Dusty Rhodes andMagnum TA);Brad ArmstrongandSteve Armstrong;Ron GarvinandTerry Taylor;andJimmy ValiantandSam Houston.AtStarrcade '85: The Gatheringthat November, they successfully defended the titles againstBilly Jack HaynesandWahoo McDaniel.[18][56]In the main event of Starrcade '85 between Flair and Dusty Rhodes, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew interfered in an attempt to help Flair retain hisNWA World Heavyweight Championship.[60]They held the titles until January 1986, when Ole was injured in a six-man tag team match against Dusty Rhodes and the Road Warriors, forcing them to vacate the Championship.[18][56]

After recuperating from his injury, in March-April 1986, Anderson wrestled in Japan withAll Japan Pro Wrestlingas part of itsChampion Carnivaltour. He took part in a tournament for theNWA United National Championship,defeatingKiller Khan,losing toGenichiro Tenryu,and wrestlingAshura Harato a draw; the tournament was ultimately won by Tenryu. Anderson's other opponents during the tour includedAnimal Hamaguchi,Haru Sonoda,Rocky Hata,andTakashi Ishikawa.[18]

Following his return from Japan, Anderson resumed teaming with Arn Anderson in Jim Crockett Promotions. In July 1986, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew began a long-running series of matches against theRock 'n' Roll Express.In November 1986 atStarrcade '86: Night of the Skywalkers,the Minnesota Wrecking Crew unsuccessfully challenged the Rock 'n' Roll Express for theNWA World Tag Team Championship(Mid-Atlantic version)in asteel cage matchin theGreensboro Coliseum.They continued to team together until February 1987.[18][61]

Feud with the Four Horsemen; tag team with Lex Luger (1987–1988)

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In February 1987, Anderson left the Four Horsemen after punching Tully Blanchard when he referred to Ole's sonBryantas a "snot nosed kid".[62]He subsequently began feuding with the remaining Four Horsemen, facing Blanchard, Arn Anderson, and Dillon in a series of matches. Anderson also vied withBig Bubba Rogersand his managerJim Cornette,who Dillon had hired to get rid of Ole. In March 1987, he formed a short-lived tag team withTim Horner.Anderson went temporarily into retirement in July 1987.[18][62]

Anderson returned to the ring in January 1988, forming a tag team with Lex Luger, who had left the Four Horsemen the month prior. Anderson and Luger began feuding with their former stablemates, repeatedly challenging Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for theNWA World Tag Team Championship(Mid-Atlantic version).They also joined forces with Dusty Rhodes to face Anderson, Blanchard, and Ric Flair in a series ofsix-man tag team matches.The tag team disbanded in March 1988 when Anderson returned to retirement.[18]

Four Horsemen reunion (1989–1990)

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See also:Minnesota Wrecking Crewandthe Four Horsemen

Anderson came out of retirement once more in November 1989, reforming the Minnesota Wrecking Crew with Arn Anderson, who had returned to Jim Crockett Promotions (since renamed "World Championship Wrestling") after a stint in theWorld Wrestling Federation.The following month, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew reformed the Four Horsemen - this time as afacestable - with Ric Flair andSting.[57][59][63]The Minnesota Wrecking Crew went on to compete in WCW's tag team division, facing teams such as the State Patrol (Lt. James Earl WrightandSgt. Buddy Lee Parker), theFabulous Freebirds,theNew Zealand Militia,and theSamoan SWAT Team.The reformed Four Horsemen also feuded with theJ-Tex Corporation/Gary Hart International,culminating in asteel cage matchatClash of the Champions X: Texas Shootoutin February 1990 where the Minnesota Wrecking Crew and Flair defeatedBuzz Sawyer,the Dragon Master,andthe Great Muta.[18]At the same event, Sting was ejected from the Four Horsemen and the stableturnedheel.[59]

AtWrestleWar '90: Wild Thingin February 1990, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew unsuccessfully challenged theSteiner Brothersfor theWCW World Tag Team Championship.They challenged the Steiner Brothers on multiple occasions in early 1990, including facing them in astretcher match,but failed to win the titles.[18]In March-April 1990, Anderson briefly managed two masked wrestlers (Mike EnosandWayne Bloom) dubbed theMinnesota Wrecking Crew II.[64]Anderson wrestled the final match of his career on April 28, 1990, teaming with Arn Anderson in a loss toRick SteinerandRoad Warrior Animal.[18]He subsequently retired again to manage the Four Horsemen.[57][63]

Retirement; backstage roles (1990–1994)

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In spring 1990, Anderson began heading the booking committee for WCW, replacing Ric Flair.[9][65]Anderson's tenure saw some of the more outlandish creative ideas tried by WCW. Among his creations wereThe Black Scorpion,which was intended to be a nemesis from Sting's past.[66]After several miscues, the Scorpion's identity was eventually revealed as Ric Flair, in a ploy to confuse Sting and force him to lose theWCW World Heavyweight Championshipback to Flair.[66]The May 1990 pay-per-viewCapital Combatsaw the fictional characterRoboCopcome to the ring to rescueSting.[9]Anderson was dismissed as booker at the end of 1990.[67]

On the June 13, 1992 episode ofWCW Saturday Night,Anderson was appointed senior referee of WCW by Bill Watts.[68]

AfterBill Wattswas ousted as Executive Vice President of WCW in February 1993 and replaced by Bob Dhue, Anderson once again became booker for WCW.[69][70]When Ric Flair returned to WCW that spring, Anderson questioned what value he had after having lost aloser leaves town matchtoMr. Perfecton national television in theWorld Wrestling Federation,which Flair took as a personal attack, leading to him ending their friendship.[71]

In May 1993 atSlamboree,Anderson, Arn Anderson, Ric Flair andPaul Romaappeared on an edition of Flair's interview segmentA Flair for the Goldand declared themselves to be a new line-up of the Four Horseman. Ole Anderson did not reappear following Slamboree and the stable proceeded as a trio.[57]

In early 1994,Eric Bischoffwas promoted to replace Bob Dhue; after a series of creative disagreements, Bischoff reassigned Anderson to be head trainer of theWCW Power Planttraining school.[5][70][72]in May 1994, atSlamboree,Anderson was inducted into theWCW Hall of Fame.[73]Anderson was fired from WCW by Bischoff in September 1994 after meetingSmoky Mountain Wrestling(SMW) promoter and bookerJim Cornette- who was on bad terms with Bischoff - in the parking lot of the Power Plant to cutpromosfor his son Bryant's upcoming debut in SMW.[72]

Legacy

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After leaving WCW, Anderson retired from professional wrestling. In 2003, he co-authored an autobiography with Scott Teal, titledInside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling.[74][31]In 2010, he was inducted into theNWA Hall of Fameas part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.[75]

Fellow professional wrestlerRic Flairdescribed Anderson as "the consummate wrestler - he was tough, he could talk, he looked good in the ring, and he really knew how to wrestle".[30]The Minnesota Wrecking Crew were one of the highest earning acts in professional wrestling in the 1970s.[6]George Schire described the Minnesota Wrecking Crew as having "reigned as the top tag team inthe Southfor over a decade ".[15]JournalistAlex Marvezdescribed Anderson as "one of wrestling's top villains in the 1970s and '80s"; he was stabbed on seven occasions.[76]Writing in 2024, journalists Oliver Lee Bateman and Ian Douglass described Anderson as "one of the best workers and wrestling minds of the previous era".[6]In 2004, journalist Mike Mooneyham described him as "an intriguing, almost mythical, figure in the wrestling business".[77]

During Anderson's stint as booker of Georgia Championship Wrestling, the promotion became highly profitable.[6]His later runs as WCW booker in 1990 and 1993-1994 drew some criticism.Mick Foley,who described Anderson as a "wrestling traditionalist", resigned from WCW in 1990 after a discussion with Anderson in which he critiqued Foley's style.[65]Robbie Vleft WCW in May 1993 shortly after Anderson replaced Bill Watts as booker, feeling he was "lost in the shuffle".[78]Eric Bischoffdescribed Anderson's ideas as "dated and unsophisticated", while praising his "'feel' and understanding of the basics of the physical side of storytelling".[70]

Anderson had acrimonious relationships with many wrestlers.[71]He was characterized by some co-workers as a bully.[79]He criticized former partner and friend Ric Flair for wrestling formulaic matches.[6][31][71]Anderson also criticized, or had disputes with, many other wrestling personalities includingRandy Savage,[74]Ernie Ladd,[6]Thunderbolt Patterson,[6]Lex Luger,[80]Eric Bischoff,[80]Tully Blanchard,[80]andRoddy Piper.[80]

From the early 1970s to the early 1990s, Anderson trained several professional wrestlers, among themDon Kernodle;Italian Stallion;Jeff Farmer;Ken Timbs;Mo;and his sonBryant.[81]

Professional wrestling style and persona

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Anderson was known for his "hard-nosed style and gruff demeanor".[82]As a member of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, he wrestled in astiff,"nothing flashy, no gimmicks" style.[4]Professional wrestling historian Tim Hornbaker described the Minnesota Wrecking Crew as "old-school rough and tumble brawlers with mat knowledge and superior ring psychology".[7]His signature moves included adiving knee drop,[2]ahammerlock,[2]and anarmbar.[83]He was nicknamed "Brute"[15]and "the Rock".[14][84]He generally wrestled in red trunks, sometimes adorned with yellow stars.[61]

Personal life and death

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Rogowski had seven children from a marriage that ended in divorce, including Bryant Rogowski, who wrestled asBryant Anderson.At the time of his death, he had been in a relationship with Marsha Cain for 22 years.[1][77]

In addition to his professional wrestling career, Rogowski at one stage in his life owned asawmillinWisconsin.[77]

In July 2007, Gerweck.net reported that Rogowski hadmultiple sclerosisand had gotten worse with decreased mobility and memory loss.[citation needed]On February 27, 2011, it was announced that Rogowski had been nursing broken ribs due to a fall he had earlier that day, as well as a broken arm.[85]

Rogowski died on February 26, 2024, at the age of 81.[1][82][86]

Bibliography

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  • Inside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling(2003)

Championships and accomplishments

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Ole Anderson astag team champion,c. 1982

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcde"Obituary for Mr. Alan Robert Rogowski".CarterFHWinder.com.February 2024.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmKreikenbohm, Philip."Ole Anderson".Cagematch.net.RetrievedSeptember 20,2021.
  3. ^abcLentz III, Harris M. (2010).Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling(2 ed.).McFarland and Company.p. 12.ISBN978-1-4766-0505-0.
  4. ^abcdefOliver, Greg (February 26, 2024)."Ole Anderson dead at 81".SlamWrestling.net.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
  5. ^abcdeMooneyham, Mike (January 18, 2004)."Ole Anderson part 2".MikeMooneyham.com.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
  6. ^abcdefghijklmnopqBateman, Oliver Lee; Douglass, Ian (February 29, 2024)."Ole Anderson was the ghost of wrestling's past".TheRinger.com.RetrievedMarch 7,2024.
  7. ^abcHornbaker, Tim (2023).The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair.ECW Press.p. 34-44.ISBN978-0-613-33590-4.
  8. ^abMinnesota State High School League(1957).Minnesota State High School League Bulletin.Vol. 32. p. 16.
  9. ^abcdTruitt, Brandon (January 5, 2004)."Ole Anderson shoot interview".TheSmartMarks.com.RetrievedMarch 5,2024.
  10. ^Kovachis, Chris (July 27, 2004)."On the road with Ole Anderson".SlamWrestling.net.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
  11. ^Bayless, Brian (January 6, 2017)."RF Video shoot interview with Ole Anderson".BlogOfDoom.com.RetrievedMarch 5,2024.
  12. ^abcdeKreikenbohm, Philip."Ole Anderson - matches - American Wrestling Association".Cagematch.net.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
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