Walter "Killer" Kowalski, who wrestled from 1947 to 1977 in such organization as the National Wrestling Alliance, the American Wrestling Alliance and the World Wide Wrestling Federation, passed away Saturday morning at the age of 82. Kowalski, famously known for a 1952 match in Montreal in which he ripped off part of Yukon Eric’s ear while performing a knee drop, was taken off life support two weeks ago after suffering a massive heart attack on August 8th. Over the years Kowalski held numerous titles in several wrestling organizations including the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship and NWA Central States Tag Team co-Championship, NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship/Hawaii, NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship/Vancouver, NWA Americas Tag Team Championship, NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship, NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship and NWA Texas Tag Team Championship, Stampede Wrestling's NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (twice), NWA International Tag Team Championship (twice), WWWF United States Tag Team Championship, and the WWWF World Tag Team Championship.
Kowalski also held the Montreal Athletic Commission's Heavyweight Championship on 12 separate occasions, the International Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Championship 5 times and their Tag Team Championship on 4 occasions.
Wrestlers Kowalski has trained over the years include Triple H, Perry Saturn, John Kronus, Chyna, Big John Studd, Chris Nowinski, Matt Bloom, April Hunter, Frankie Kazarian, and Kenny Dykstra
Services will be held Wednesday at Weir funeral Home in Malden MA. A6 2 and 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that wrestling fans send donations to: Walter "Killer" Kowalski Memorial Fund, Citizens Bank, 876 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148.
On behalf of all of us here at Mat Chat we would like to send out our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kowalski.
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