Alan Rogowski, higher recognized within the wrestling world as Ole Anderson, has died at age 81. Rogowski had an expansive legacy within the wrestling business however is greatest often known as one of many members of the unique 4 Horsemen faction. Family and friends members shared the information of Rogowski’s passing on Monday.
Rogowski turned one of many “Anderson Household” and teamed along with his storyline brother Gene Anderson as The Minnesota Wrecking Crew in 1968 after Lars Anderson left the crew. Rogowski and Anderson received quite a few tag titles, with Rogowski additionally choosing up tag crew title wins with Lars Anderson as he was introduced again to the crew from time to time.
Rogowski would ultimately type a brand new model of The Minnesota Wrecking Crew with Arn Anderson. The pair had been once more a dominant drive earlier than being paired with Ric Aptitude and Tully Blanchard — together with supervisor J. J. Dillon — as The 4 Horsemen in 1986.
The Horsemen turned one of the vital legendary teams in wrestling historical past, dominating Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and, ultimately, World Championship Wrestling.
Rogowski retired from wrestling in 1987, however would return to reform the group — this time with Arn Anderson, Aptitude and Sting — in 1989. He would retire once more shortly after, serving because the group’s supervisor.
Rogowski would take over the position of head of the WCW reserving committee in 1990, spearheading many well-known angles whereas additionally pitching a couple of notorious concepts like The Black Scorpion. Rogowski additionally voiced The Shockmaster, who tripped and fell whereas bursting via a wall in one in every of wrestling’s most well-known bloopers, a second that fully sank a personality who was purported to be a significant participant in WCW. Rogowski had prolonged stints as the top of WCW’s artistic, and was usually an unpopular determine backstage.
Maybe nothing speaks to Rogowski’s skill to get underneath the gang’s pores and skin just like the evening of Could 24, 1976. After leaving the ring following a failed bid to regain the NWA tag crew titles whereas partnering with Gene Anderson, a fan stabbed Rogowski within the arm and chest with a knife, requiring Rogowski to bear surgical procedure to restore severed tendons.
In true professional wrestling style, Rogowski would use a solid following the surgical procedure as a weapon, even utilizing the solid to hit Wahoo McDaniel and value McDaniel a Mid-Atlantic title match in opposition to Aptitude.
