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 as 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.
| George Gadaski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | George Kosti |
| Born | 30 April 1930 Limerick, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Died | 16 December 1982 (aged 52)[1] St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, United States |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | George Gadaski Scrap Iron George Kosti Johnny Costa |
| Billed height | 6"0 |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg)[2] |
| Billed from | Great Fall, Minnesota |
| Trained by | Stu Hart |
| Debut | 1956 |
| Retired | 1981 |
Professional wrestling career
editOriginally a 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 "Scarp 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
editKosti 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
editGeneral
- Nevada, Vance (2022). (Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy. FriesenPress. ISBN 9781039154797.
Specific
- ^ "Profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "George Gadaski « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
- ^ a b Kosti, Derek (9 June 2010). "The interesting road of George "Scarp 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.