Greg Gagne (wrestler)

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Image:Greg Gagne.jpg

Greg Gagne (GONE-yuh) was a professional wrestler and is the son of legendary Verne Gagne. The pushes he received while working for his father led to sometimes unfair claims of nepotism. In truth, Gagne was a more than credible singles and tag team wrestling star throughout most of the late 70's and early 80's, with a booming popularity obtained thanks to his excellent work with tag team partner Jim Brunzell as "The High Flyers."

Contents

Career

Greg Gagne started wrestling in 1972 in his father's promotion, the American Wrestling Association.

In the 1970's, he achieved his biggest success as one half of the tag team, "The High Flyers", with Jim Brunzell. They won two World Tag Team Championships.

In 1984 and up through parts of 1986, Gagne was involved in a feud with Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie's army, which at the time included Bruiser Brody. The feud was a success, seeing Greg's retired father Verne return briefly for a number of tag team matches with his son. The David vs. Goliath feel to the Brody/Gagne feud brought fans in, a trend that might have continued and given the AWA a much needed shot in the arm, were it not for Brody's unreliability and penchant for not showing up to cards on which he was advertised.

In 1985, he began an ill-fated and short-lived metamorphosis, becoming a member of Sgt. Slaughter's "Cobra Corps". The idea, while good on paper, ultimately saw a fatigues-clad Gagne teaming with Sgt. Slaughter. The ring attire looked hardly fitting on Gagne, and in many ways hindered his in-ring bread and butter; his flexibility and athleticism.

In the later 1980's, Gagne feuded with Larry Zbysko, Curt Hennig and Ron Garvin. His feud with Garvin involved the short-lived AWA International Television Title that he won in a tournament by defeating Adrian Adonis in the finals. He traded the title with Garvin and it was relinquished in late 1989.

When the AWA folded in early 1991, Gagne became a road agent for World Championship Wrestling. He is now retired and selling automobiles in Minnesota.

Profile

Trivia

  • Gagne appeared in the 1973 movie, The Wrestler.
  • Gagne is not to be confused with the baseball player of the same name. The baseball player's last name, although identical, is pronounced "GAG-nee".
  • Greg's son, J.P., is a baseball pitcher who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies.

Championships and accomplishments

American Wrestling Association

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

  • PWI ranked him # 168 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003
  • PWI ranked him # 49 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Jim Brunzell
  • PWI Tag Team of the Year Award in 1982 with Jim Brunzell.
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