Lets See Some “Who can? Ameri-can!” Cards...

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Anthony S.

Read that piece yesterday. Pie sounds like he was good folks. Loved this description of late 1950's - early 1960's televised wrestling:

"Surrounding the ring were a few rows of folding chairs, which accommodated perhaps 200 people. But behind the last row was a backdrop on which images of “fans” were painted in order to create the illusion of a much larger crowd. To people watching on their fuzzy, black-and-white sets, it appeared that the seats extended endlessly into the darkness. Despite the low-budget production quality, Studio Wrestling was wildly successful. “When we had wrestling on, we outdrew the Steelers,” boasted longtime host Bill Cardille.

And who said wrestling fans were easily duped?

[ChiefBenderForever]

Very sad case of when life imitates art.


Verne Gagne case: Death ruled a homicide
The family of a 97-year-old who died says charges against the ex-wrestler would be "inhumane."

By ABBY SIMONS, Mn Star Tribune Feb 25 2009

Although the death of a 97-year-old man thrown to the floor last month by a Minnesota pro wrestling legend now is officially considered a homicide, it's by no means certain that criminal charges will follow, officials said Wednesday.

Helmut Gutmann died Feb. 14 of complications from a broken right hip suffered in a Jan. 26 clash with Verne Gagne in the memory-loss unit of Friendship Village in Bloomington, Gutmann's daughter, Ruth Hennig of Boston, said last week.

Both men suffered from Alzheimer's disease and did not remember what had happened after the fight, officials and family members have said -- factors likely to be weighed as authorities consider whether to charge Gagne. Gutmann's family believes that charges would be "inhumane," Hennig said Wednesday.

Hennig said the medical examiner's ruling did not surprise her. "I know Verne Gagne was either indirectly or otherwise responsible for my father's death," she said. "My father would be alive today if Verne Gagne had not lifted him off the floor and thrown him down. It doesn't mean that I blame Verne Gagne. He had Alzheimer's, so I don't think you can actually hold him responsible for what he did."

[smtjoy]

Here are a couple-


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And he's 2nd from the right in this 1925 training camp photo-

[Brian Van Horn]

Yes!

[wrapperguy]

Anybody named "Pie" is OK in my book!

[John V]

He lived in the Bigelow Apartments and was a pal of my uncle. Sadly, when I was about 12, I thought lamination was a swell idea.

[rnisly]