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 nameGeorge Kosti
Born(1930-04-30)30 April 1930
Limerick, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died16 December 1982(1982-12-16) (aged 52)[1]
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)George Gadaski
Scrap Iron
George Kosti
Johnny Costa
Billed height6"0
Billed weight240 lb (109 kg)[2]
Billed fromGreat Fall, Minnesota
Trained byStu Hart
Debut1956
Retired1981

Professional wrestling career

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Originally 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

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Kosti 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

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General

  • Nevada, Vance (2022). (Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy. FriesenPress. ISBN 9781039154797.

Specific

  1. ^ "Profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "George Gadaski « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
  4. ^ a b Kosti, Derek (9 June 2010). "The interesting road of George "Scarp Iron" Gadaski". SLAM! Wrestling. Canoe.com. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  5. ^ Zordani, Jim (2002). "Regional Territories: AWA #25 Page #2". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Woodward, Buck (December 10, 2010). "This day in history". PWInsider. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  7. ^ Milner, John and Richard Kamchen. "Ric Flair". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
  8. ^ "1973".
  9. ^ Zordani, Jim (2002). "Regional Territories: AWA #25". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
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