WRESTLER PROFILES

	Wrestler: Bronko Nagurski Real Name: Bronislau Nagurski Birthday: November 3, 1908 Died: January 8, 1990 Hometown: Born in Rainy River, Ontario Moved to International Falls, Minnesota Marital Status: Married to Eileen Kane Height & Weight: 6'2" - 235 lbs Trained by: Debut: Previous Gimmicks: Finishing Move: The Body Block Favorite Moves: The Headlock Flying Tackle Bodyslam Notable Feuds: Ray Steele Eddie Verig Steve Casey Earl Holmbeck Chief Saunook
NWA (National Wrestling Association) World Heavyweight title defeating Lou Thesz (June 23, 1936); (Maryland) World Heavyweight title defeating Dean Detton (June 16, 1937); (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight title defeating Vincent Lopez (August 12, 1937); NWA (National Wrestling Association) World Heavyweight title defeating Ray Steele (March 11, 1941); NWA (San Francisco) Pacific Coast Heavyweight title defeating Sandor Szabo (October 22, 1946); (Minneapolis) World Heavyweight title defeating Sandor Szabo (March 23, 1948); NWA (San Francisco) Pacific Coast Heavyweight title defeating Len Hall (October 1, 1948); NWA (Minneapolis) World Tag Team titles w/Vern Gagne defeating Johnny Valentine & Chet Wallich (December 26, 1957);
In The Beginning: 1908: Bronko Nagurski was born in the small border town of Rainy River, Ontario to parents Michael & Amelia Nagurski.. Bronko Nagurski grew up an athlete in Minnesota, having to run 4 miles each day to school and back to the family farm.. Bronko Nagurski loved wrestling and boxing as a young person, but his mother was frightened that he might get hurt.. Football Career: Bronko Nagurski was probably best known for his accomplishments on the football field.. Bronko Nagurski was an All-American at the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929.. Bronko Nagurski was the only player in U.S. college history to make all-star at two positions -- fullback and tackle.. 1930: Bronko Nagurski was signed by George Halas to the Chicago Bears, and helped the Bears to championships in 1932 and 1933.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bronko Nagurski has a bust (statue of his headshot) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.. Wrestling Career: 1933: Bronko got into wrestling, where he was managed by Tony Stecher (brother of former NWA World Champion Joe Stecher).. February 1933: Bronko Nagurski (professional wrestling debut) defeated Tag Tagerson in a 4:00 match.. June 29, 1937: Bronko Nagurski defeated Dean Detton for a different version of the World Heavyweight title.. NWA World Heavyweight Champion: June 23, 1939: Bronko Nagurski defeated the legendary Lou Thesz to win the NWA World Heavyweight title in Houston, TX.. March 7, 1940: Ray Steele defeated Bronko Nagurski to capture the NWA World Heavyweight title in St. Louis, Missouri.. March 11, 1941: Bronko Nagurski defeated Ray Steele to recapture the NWA Heavyweight Championship of the World.. June 5, 1941: Sandor Szabo defeated Bronko Nagurski for the NWA Heavyweight Championship of the World.. Retirement: 1960: Bronko Nagurski retired from professional wrestling a physical wreck.. Bronko Nagurski ran a gas station in International Falls, Minnesota.. January 8, 1990: Bronko Nagurski passed away at a nursing home.. Real Life: December 28, 1936: Bronko Nagurski married his childhood sweetheart Eileen Kane.. Christmas Day 1937: Bronko Nagurski and his wife had a child, who they named after his father.. ~~~Bronko Junior would go on to play eight seasons with the Hamilton Ti-Cats of the Canadian Football League..