10 Wrestlers Who Competed In Matches In Their 70s And Beyond
2. Killer Kowalski (81)
The students of Walter "Killer" Kowalski read like a mini-Hall of Fame.
Big John Studd, Chyna, Perry Saturn, Kofi Kingston, Eddie Edwards, Tommaso Ciampa, and some fella called Hunter Hearst Helmsley all owe their careers in part to Kowalski. But he was no slouch in the ring himself.
A multiple time world and tag team champion (including in the WWWF), Kowalski did it all in the world of pro wrestling and kept doing it well into his later years.
He made regular indie appearances throughout the North East from the 1980s onwards, signing autographs and (very occasionally) stepping into the ring.
Towards the end of his life, Kowalski made appearances for Top Rope Promotions, an indie fed based out of Massachusetts. He made at least three appearances for them on in the mid-2000s, including a match against "Gorgeous" Gino Giovanni in 2008.
Well, "match" might be a stretch. Some reports call this more of a "segment" than a match, but they are all in unison about the fact that Kowlaski kicked Giovanni's ass.
An 81-year-old Kowalski came to the ring and took down Giovanni with his patented clawhold. The bell was rung and he was declared the winner.
Five months later, Kowalski died after suffering a heart attack.
An icon right to the very end.