George Gadaski
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Kosti 30 April 1930 Limerick, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Died | 16 December 1982 (aged 52)[2] St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, United States |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | George Gadaski Scrap Iron George Kosti Johnny Costa |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg)[1] |
| Billed from | Great Fall, Minnesota, United States |
| Trained by | Stu Hart |
| Debut | 1956 |
| Retired | 1981 |
George Kosti (30 April 1930 – 16 December 1982) was a Canadian professional wrestler and referee who spent his career in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in Minnesota under the ring name George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski.[3] Gadaski was considered the "jack of all trades" as he did ring set up, and later became a road agent.
Professional wrestling career
Originally an ice hockey player, he was the property of the Regina Pats and Chicago Blackhawks. He chose family obligations over hockey and ended his career. Trained by Stu Hart and became a wrestler.
Kosti made his professional wrestling debut in 1959 in Calgary for Stampede Wrestling. Kosti would then work in Canada and the southern States. He got the nickname "Scrap Iron" by a Georgia promoter.[4]
Kosti made his debut in Minnesota for Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1966 where he would be known as George Gadaski.[5]
On December 10, 1972, Gadaski fought in Ric Flair's first ever match ending in a 10-minute draw.[6][7] In 1973, he defeated Flair.[8]
Kosti teamed with Kenny Jay during his career[9] and wrestled his last match in 1981. Also refereed his last match in January 1982.
Death
Kosti was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In April 1982, the AWA did a fundraiser. He died on December 16, 1982, from the effects from the tumor at a hospital in St. Croix Falls. He was 52.[4]
References
General
- Nevada, Vance (2022). (Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy. FriesenPress. ISBN 9781039154797.
Specific
- ^ Kevin Sullivan; Steve Pantaleo; Keith Elliot Greenberg; Dean Miller; Jake Black (2020). WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment New Edition. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 25. ISBN 9780241488058.
- ^ "Profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "George Gadaski « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
- ^ a b Kosti, Derek (9 June 2010). "The interesting road of George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski". SLAM! Wrestling. Canoe.com. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
- ^ Zordani, Jim (2002). "Regional Territories: AWA #25 Page #2". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ Woodward, Buck (December 10, 2010). "This day in history". PWInsider. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ Milner, John and Richard Kamchen. "Ric Flair". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
- ^ "1973".
- ^ Zordani, Jim (2002). "Regional Territories: AWA #25". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
External links
- George Gadaski's profile at Cagematch , Internet Wrestling Database
- George Gadaski at Find a Grave
- George Gadaski at IMDb