Jim Ross Discusses Verne Gagne’s Legacy

As Wrestling Rumors noted Monday, legendary wrestler and promoter Verne Gagne died Monday at the age of 89. News began to spread during :Monday Night Raw” across social media, as his death was later confirmed by many of those within the wrestling industry.

One of the men who who learned much from Gagne over his career was WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross. Ross took to his personal blog to leave some words for Gagne and his family. Below is an excerpt:

“Verne was my mentor, Cowboy Bill Watts, mentor and therefore Verne always considering himself my “Grandfather” in the wrestling biz. At an Independent TV convention in Vegas one year, Verne who had just attended cocktail hour when told me that he taught Cowboy all that Bill knew about the business which made Bill my “father in wrestling” which in turn made Verne my ‘Grandfather” in the biz. Then Verne quickly snatched me in a very snug headlock just to prove he was still the alpha male that he had always been and to leave me something to remember him by. After relinquishing the headlock to the shock of many TV executive bystanders, Verne gave me a big hug and with a healthy laugh told me he loved my work and to “not let Watts ruin me” again a joke directed to Bill who Verne was very proud of with Cowboy’s promotion doing so well based in Oklahoma.”

He continued:

“So many within the world of wrestling will forever be indebted to Verne Gagne for what he did for their careers and even though I never worked for Verne he helped me indirectly have the career that I’ve had the past 40 years. Men like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Ricky Steamboat, the Iron Sheik, Ken Patera, Sgt. Slaughter and countless others would say essentially the same thing.”

More of Ross’ thoughts can be read here.

Editor’s Note

A sad day in the wrestling industry, but his legacy will never be forgotten. 

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