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Stan "Krusher" Kowalski, who alongside Tiny Mills was one half of the first AWA World Tag Team champions, passed away on 10/20 at the age of 91, according to a number of reports out of Minnesota, where Kowalski resided.
Kowalski, real name Bert Smith, debuted in the 1950s and wrestled for a number of territories and countries over the course of his career. He was a journeyman who worked mid-cards and main events, but was never a hugely pushed star outside of a short WWWF run and his time teaming with Mills.
Kowalski spent time in Big Time Wrestling and the NWA's Hollywood affiliate as Stan Kowalski before being turned into Krusher Kowalsksi by promoter Jack Pfefer in the mid '50s.
Although remembered as the first AWA Tag Team champions, Kowalski's team with Tiny Mills, dubbed Murder Incorporated, worked all over the world, touring Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Mills' native Canada.
In the Minneapolis territory, the pair captured the NWA World Tag Team championships. When Verne Gagne defected from the NWA and formed the AWA in 1960, they were recognized as the first AWA champions. Verne was recognized as the first AWA champion as well, saving the promotion the trouble of crowning champions. Murder Incorporated had a three month run before dropping the belts to Hard Boiled Haggerty and Len Montana. He did challenge Gagne for the AWA World champion but had most success as a tag team wrestler, later teaming with Bob Geigel for another AWA Tag Team championship win. The remainder of his time in the AWA was spent working the card, sometimes winning, sometimes putting others over, a consistent presence in the company.
In Canada's Big Time Wrestling, he had a short feud with the Destroyer, Dick Beyer, including losing a mask vs. hair match that saw him get his head shaved in May 1963. He would lose a Texas Death Match to Beyer later that month and within a week, was back in the AWA, where he would spend a good portion of his career from that point onward.
Billed as Krippler Karl Kovacs, however, Kowalski had a run in the WWWF in 1970, managed by Dandy Jack Crawford. It was a short run where he was built up as a challenger for WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino, defeating Arnold Skaaland, among others. By my records, he faced Bruno several times, including main eventing Madison Square Garden on 3/9/70 before working with Bruno in Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC and several other smaller markets.
With the exception of a double countout to set up a return match in Philly, it was Bruno going over every time and after having been dispatched as challenger, Kowalski was back to the AWA. Billed as the Big K, he continued to work for the AWA, including working with a young Andre the Giant in 1972 as well as names like Don Muraco, Ric Flair, Bill Watts and Billy Robinson.
Kowalski did make a few appearances for Georgia Championship Wrestling and for the NWA affiliate in Texas but they were just random dates and not long runs. He also made appearances in St. Louis for Sam Muchnick. Kowalski also made additional appearances in Canada for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling and British Columbia's NWP.
Kowalski retired in 1976, he became a police officer and was active in local charities in Minneapolis, including The United Way and was part owner in a night club at one point as well. He was renowned locally for all of the charity work he did and the lion's share of the local coverage on his passing has focused on that and his service to the military. Kowalski was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2000.
For KARE-TV coverage of Kowalski's passing, click here.
For KTSP-TV coverage of Kowalski's passing, click here.
On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Stan Kowalski.
Thanks to Benjamin Robert Elsen
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