The legendary Karl Gotch passes away

[Mr. Nerfect]

Karl Charles Istaz; known the world over as Karl Gotch, passed away at 9:45 pm last night just days away from his 83rd birthday. Gotch was a "place-winner" in the 1948 Olympics in London. From there he moved onto the famed Wigan School, where he learned submission wrestling. After migrating to the US, he began to build a reputation as a shooter, and considered by some "the toughest man alive." While wrestling in the US Kotch captured the WWWF World Tag Team titles with Rene Goulet.

In Japan he was actually referred to the "The God of Professional Wrestling," later he became a trainer for both New Japan Pro Wrestling and later the original UWF. Gotch's influence is very apparent in students Akira Maeda and Nobuhiko Takada; and that led to the rise of not only shoot fighting but eventually MMA in that Japan.

Credit: Wrestlingobserver.com

[Mr. Nerfect]

RIP, Karl.

I normally don't post in threads like these, not because I don't care, it's just always the same thing to be said. "They were too young," "their contributions to the industry were overlooked," etc. In Karl Gotch we have a founding father of professional wrestling as we know it, and a man who got a good run out of life.

I don't want to talk about the politics of this, but in a time where the deaths of wrestlers are being looked into, it's good to see a great who made it into his eighth decade on the planet.

[Rammsteinmad]

To be honest I've never heard of the guy. But R.I.P and thank you for your contributions to the sport.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

GOtch was a huge influence to MMA. RIP. May your legacy not be forgotten.

[Pepsi Man]

hmmmmmmmm, any relation to Frank Gotch, does anyone know?

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Nah, Gotch is actually just his in ring name which he took on out of respect to Frank.

[KayfabeMan]

WoW.

Glad to see that he made it so far. Incredible career and talent. Tons of great stories that I've heard about his time in the ring. RIP to him, and to any family he may have, my condolences.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

RIP. He had a legendary career and a legendary life.

[Jordan]

goddamn steriods

[CSL]

:(

[The One]

Rest in peace.

I bet that man would have had a treasure trove of great stories to tell...

[FourFifty]

He's before my time, but I have nothing but respect and love for everyone who has stepped into the ring and gave their heart and soul for the industry.
Rest in peace.

[The MAC]

deinfately roids.. coulda wrestled for another 10 years. tsk tsk tsk

[Super V]

Yeah something definately has to be done about the drug use in this business.

[Executioner]

RIP...thank you for everything youve done for this business

[The Fugitive]

82 is a good age. R.I.P.

[mrslackalack]

RIP

[Shadow]

82...and you guys are blaming Roids?

For shame

RIP

[Xerzes]

RIP