Killer Kowalski: Pro Wrestling Legend and Trainer Dies at 81

Killer Kowalski was a Canadian professional wrestler. Born Edward Wladyslaw Spulnik on October 13, 1926, in Windsor, Ontario, to Polish immigrant parents, he wrestled from 1947 to 1977.

He worked as a heel and won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship with Big John Studd in 1976. He was the first wrestler to pin Andre the Giant in North America, in 1972. After retiring he opened a wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts, where he trained stars including Triple H and Chyna.

In 1952 he tore off part of Yukon Eric's ear in a match. Kowalski married Theresa Ferrioli in 2006. He suffered a heart attack on August 8, 2008, and died in Everett, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2008, at age 81.

Achievements: WWWF World Tag Team champion (1976), trained Triple H and Chyna.

Birth: October 13, 1926 - Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Profession: Professional wrestler.

Interesting Facts: He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.