George Gadaski
George Gadaski
George Gadaski was a long-standing member of Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association and an expert at many tasks. He wrestled and refereed, set up the ring at house shows, and drove the ring truck himself.
He traveled a few hundred days a year, traveling by car hundreds of miles to the next city with the ring. Fans and promoters were in awe at his seemingly limitless strength and energy levels.
Early Life and Education
George “Scrap Iron” Gadaski was raised on a wheat farm near Limerick, Saskatchewan by his hardworking father and loving mother. Despite these obstacles, George pursued professional wrestling throughout high school and college.
After working in southern states, he moved to the Midwestern United States in 1967 and quickly established himself as a mainstay of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) for over a decade. During that time, he put over several top stars and also served as referee. He even won some wrestling awards before passing away from cancer in 1982. He will always be remembered as a true hero and legend within professional wrestling; best friends with his wife for 50 years as well as their sons and grandchildren.
Professional Career
George Gadaski began his wrestling career in the early 1960s, beginning in southern states such as Florida and Georgia. Later, he relocated to America’s Midwest region, where he spent most of his career with the All World Wrestling organization (AWA).
He was renowned for his hard-working attitude and friendly demeanor, while his grunge aesthetic–which involved wearing coveralls and a dirty shirt–made him an instant hit at AWA shows. Additionally, he served as top referee, often taking down the ring after each show.
George traveled extensively throughout the AWA territory, visiting Bismarck, Fargo, Duluth, Chicago, Davenport, Denver and Milwaukee as well as numerous other Midwest locations. He often joined Kenny Jay in his matches against Super Destroyer and Lord Alfred Hayes which often resulted in sellout crowds.
Achievements and Honors
George Gadaski was an accomplished professional wrestler renowned for his impressive ring skills and expertise as a referee.
He traveled extensively throughout the United States for several years, wrestling and refereeing in southern states. Ultimately, he relocated to the midwest where he joined American Wrestling Association as a referee.
He was a versatile figure in Verne Gagne’s AWA. He worked as TV enhancement, set up the ring at house shows, drove the ring truck and served as an excellent referee. Additionally, he had a longtime tag team partner in “Sodbuster” Kenny Jay.
Personal Life
George Gadaski, popularly known as “Scrap Iron,” was an all-rounder in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association (AWA). He set up the ring at house shows, drove the ring truck and refereed matches.
He was an accomplished weightlifter, training under Stu Hart in Calgary. He proved his mettle against top stars like Roy Shire and Ray Stevens, becoming known for his armpit rub/headlock technique.
Gadaski was an AWA veteran who defeated numerous wrestlers in his territory. He served as referee and had a memorable tag team partnership with enhancement performer Kenny Jay; their matches against Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) and East West Connection (Adonis and Jesse Ventura) were notable for their shocking upsets.
Net Worth
Ric Flair is one of the top professional wrestlers in the world. He has represented organizations such as NWA, WWE, JCP and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
He is widely renowned as “The Nature Boy,” due to his environmental activism. Additionally, he supports numerous charities with both time and money on a regular basis.
On December 10, 1972, he made his debut as a professional wrestler against George Gadaski of Minneapolis Boxing and Wrestling Club. Subsequently, he signed with Jim Crockett Promotions, eventually reaching the NWA World Heavyweight Championship five times and cementing himself as one of the industry’s dominant forces.