Otto Wanz
Otto Wanz (June 13, 1943 – September 14, 2017[2]) was an Austrian professional wrestler and boxer. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1968.
| Otto Wanz | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 13, 1943 Graz, Austria |
| Died | September 14, 2017 (aged 74) Styria, Austria |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Otto Wanz Big Otto[1] Bulldog Otto |
| Billed height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) |
| Billed weight | 170 kg (375 lb)[1] |
| Billed from | Graz, Austria |
| Debut | 1968 |
| Retired | 1990 |
Wanz was a one time American Wrestling Association champion and former operator of the Catch Wrestling Association. Among his most famous international opponents were Antonio Inoki, Bull Power and André the Giant. He was one of only a few to bodyslam both André the Giant and Yokozuna.
Wanz also organized strong men competitions in Austria called "Austrian Giants". He also held several records for tearing telephone books. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called Wanz as an influence on his fitness and bodybuilding career.[3]
Wanz died on September 14, 2017 in Styria, Austria of heart failure at the age of 74.[4]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wrestler Profiles: Otto Wanz". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
- ↑ "Sport legend Otto Wanz is dead". ORF (in German). September 14, 2017. Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ↑ "WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015 make four hours fly by". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. March 29, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Former AWA World Champion Otto Wanz Passes Away". Wrestling Inc. 14 September 2017.
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