Post by johnrodeo on Aug 30, 2019 11:51:51 GMT
I am new here, so understandably few would know my wrestling past. To summarize, mainly in the decade of the 1990’s I was a pro wrestling manager. I had the great fortune to be trained by Killer Kowalski, and have worked with many headline talent, including a young Terra Ryzing aka Triple H before he made it big. Related to that all, it was 11 years ago that Kowalski left this earth, but truth be told he is now, and will always be with those many people whose lives he touched. He took me in as a kid with a simple dream of wanting to be a part of pro wrestling. By the time I left I lived that dream, and took countless life lessons with me that I use to this day. Words will never say enough, but below is a tribute I wrote back in 2008 and was posted on the Wrestling Observer website, which I wanted to post today.
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Former manager John Rodeo's tribute to mentor Killer Kowalski:
My name is John Rodeo and I was trained as a pro wrestling manager by Killer Kowalski. I am going to do my best with words to pay tribute to Walter Killer Kowalski, a man who had a claw hold on the hearts of so many for so long. I hope that in some small way I can show what a great man and positive influence that he was.
As a great friend of mine said on the passing of Killer, the Leader of the Band is gone. Yet, like the lyrics in the song by the same name by Dan Fogelberg... "He earned his love through discipline, a thundering, velvet hand. His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand."
One moment I am sad, shedding plenty of tears for the loss of a mentor and a father figure who helped shape me not only as a wrestling manager, but also as a person. The next minute, either through my many personal memories, or from conversations with the boys, I smile and laugh. It is those days, the wonder years of my life, that at times sting the most.
The reason for that is that although I know that nobody can take those experiences away from me, I'm all too aware that I'll never be able to go home and visit my brothers again. I suppose I left part of my soul in the old building on Pleasant St. in Malden, MA where the school, which to me might as well have been a castle, once stood. If I close my eyes, I go back to a place and time where I ascended the old rickety stairs, and recall a time where it seemed that dreams could come true. And for a select few, whom I was blessed to know, they did exactly that. All because of a big man, with a booming voice and driving passion that were only dwarfed by an even bigger heart.
I first went to that building, with my friend Steve King, while still in high school at the age of 16. I wanted to learn what it might take to get involved in the world of pro wrestling. Instead of brushing me aside, the man called Killer offered his insight and advice. Not long thereafter I was back in school taking every public speaking course there was. And when I graduated I set forth to follow my dream and enrolled at the Killer Kowalski Institute of Professional Wrestling.
Make no mistake about it, Walter's teachings really did help me grow as a performer and as a person. There, as a family of sorts, a band of brothers, many faces would come and go, with the constant being that we worked hard and were taught the value of old school. I loved the times we sat on the ring apron and Walter would share his wealth of knowledge and talk about his memories and experiences... "I thank you for the music and your stories of the road. I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go. I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough. And, Pap, I don't think I said I love you near enough."
One of my favorite memories was one of the day where Walter was showing a few basic shoot style holds, focusing on pressure points, designed to defend ourselves if need be. After seeing many big guys unable to escape from his powerful hands, it was now my turn. Keep in mind I was 115 lbs. at best. Killer placed his thumb on my upper chest. As I lay there, feeling the burn, he asked me if I thought I could get out of the hold. I said yes. And in a move proving I was a pro wrestling manager and not a mixed martial artist, I put my foot on the bottom rope and told him he had a 5 count to break the hold or risk disqualification. His eyes teared up from laughing and a moment later, like Harry Houdini, I had escaped. That summarized Walter, a stern teacher one moment, and still your true friend the next.
That was proven in absolute form the time I ended up in the hospital, knocked out, with a major concussion as well as a dislocated collarbone. Walter checked in constantly to make sure I was OK. He lent me some of his healing magnets. And he spent 2 months slowly putting my collarbone back into place. I'll always remember and appreciate that. He did not simply teach wrestling, Walter instructed the lessons of life.
One of the best compliments I ever got from Killer was the day I walked into wrestling class and there was a camera crew from Japan filming there. He said he knew I could talk and asked me to cut a promo for them. I did and I simply told it as it was. I explained I loved wrestling and was a student of the game. I mentioned how being a student of Kowalski's meant being a student of the game and learning respect for and the history of wrestling in both America and Japan. I went on to say how Rikidozan led the way for the likes of Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki who in turn bridged the way for the stars of today such as The Great Muta as well as the stars of tomorrow. And I said in essence that is what Walter did for the industry, worldwide, never taking more than he gave. In that sense he was truly selfless and I could tell he appreciated those words just as much as I was honored that he felt that I might have the ability to deliver them.
It was for all of those reasons stated, and those that cannot be reduced into words, that I was saddened to hear that Walter was admitted to the hospital after a massive heart attack. But true to his reputation, which was built on fact, he was a fighter to the very end.
And though the man I care for so much might be gone, the truth is he will never be forgotten. That is why, although I've not stepped into a ring since 1999, once I heard of the upcoming Kowalski tribute show I knew I needed and wanted to be a part of it. And whether I manage on the card, am announced in attendance or simply set up chairs I will be more than proud to say I was part of the show that helped to honor the legacy of a legend.
My most fond and lasting memory of Killer came the very last time that I saw him. He was seated and as I walked over to him, and before I could reach him, he was standing up with his hand extended. As I shook his hand he playfully asked... "Whatever happened to that schmuck John Rodeo?" After that we sat down and I am glad I had the chance to say the following words to him. I said... "Walter, I always thought this but I guess I never told you. I just want to thank you for taking in a young kid that had not much more than a dream and allowing him to follow them. And please know that although I might never have made it to the national level I was not only able to live those dreams, but learn lessons I carry with me to this day, and always will. He warmly smiled as did I. At that point no further words could be, or needed to be, said.
The Leader of the Band might be gone but he will never be forgotten. As the song says... "His blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I'm just a living legacy to the Leader of the Band."
Thank you and God bless you Walter... "You gave to me a gift I know I never can repay." I just hope I made you proud and that you know how much you will be loved and missed. And to your wife Theresa, although I've never yet had the opportunity to meet you I consider you a part of my family.
Love always, your student, brother and son, John Rodeo
-------
For those that had the great fortune of knowing Walter Killer Kowalski, odds are you would know he loved the colors purple and gold. His signature wrestling tights had a lightning bold on them. I decided to create a tribute logo where the lightning was incorporated into the letter K. I must say I am pretty proud of it.
-------
Former manager John Rodeo's tribute to mentor Killer Kowalski:
My name is John Rodeo and I was trained as a pro wrestling manager by Killer Kowalski. I am going to do my best with words to pay tribute to Walter Killer Kowalski, a man who had a claw hold on the hearts of so many for so long. I hope that in some small way I can show what a great man and positive influence that he was.
As a great friend of mine said on the passing of Killer, the Leader of the Band is gone. Yet, like the lyrics in the song by the same name by Dan Fogelberg... "He earned his love through discipline, a thundering, velvet hand. His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand."
One moment I am sad, shedding plenty of tears for the loss of a mentor and a father figure who helped shape me not only as a wrestling manager, but also as a person. The next minute, either through my many personal memories, or from conversations with the boys, I smile and laugh. It is those days, the wonder years of my life, that at times sting the most.
The reason for that is that although I know that nobody can take those experiences away from me, I'm all too aware that I'll never be able to go home and visit my brothers again. I suppose I left part of my soul in the old building on Pleasant St. in Malden, MA where the school, which to me might as well have been a castle, once stood. If I close my eyes, I go back to a place and time where I ascended the old rickety stairs, and recall a time where it seemed that dreams could come true. And for a select few, whom I was blessed to know, they did exactly that. All because of a big man, with a booming voice and driving passion that were only dwarfed by an even bigger heart.
I first went to that building, with my friend Steve King, while still in high school at the age of 16. I wanted to learn what it might take to get involved in the world of pro wrestling. Instead of brushing me aside, the man called Killer offered his insight and advice. Not long thereafter I was back in school taking every public speaking course there was. And when I graduated I set forth to follow my dream and enrolled at the Killer Kowalski Institute of Professional Wrestling.
Make no mistake about it, Walter's teachings really did help me grow as a performer and as a person. There, as a family of sorts, a band of brothers, many faces would come and go, with the constant being that we worked hard and were taught the value of old school. I loved the times we sat on the ring apron and Walter would share his wealth of knowledge and talk about his memories and experiences... "I thank you for the music and your stories of the road. I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go. I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough. And, Pap, I don't think I said I love you near enough."
One of my favorite memories was one of the day where Walter was showing a few basic shoot style holds, focusing on pressure points, designed to defend ourselves if need be. After seeing many big guys unable to escape from his powerful hands, it was now my turn. Keep in mind I was 115 lbs. at best. Killer placed his thumb on my upper chest. As I lay there, feeling the burn, he asked me if I thought I could get out of the hold. I said yes. And in a move proving I was a pro wrestling manager and not a mixed martial artist, I put my foot on the bottom rope and told him he had a 5 count to break the hold or risk disqualification. His eyes teared up from laughing and a moment later, like Harry Houdini, I had escaped. That summarized Walter, a stern teacher one moment, and still your true friend the next.
That was proven in absolute form the time I ended up in the hospital, knocked out, with a major concussion as well as a dislocated collarbone. Walter checked in constantly to make sure I was OK. He lent me some of his healing magnets. And he spent 2 months slowly putting my collarbone back into place. I'll always remember and appreciate that. He did not simply teach wrestling, Walter instructed the lessons of life.
One of the best compliments I ever got from Killer was the day I walked into wrestling class and there was a camera crew from Japan filming there. He said he knew I could talk and asked me to cut a promo for them. I did and I simply told it as it was. I explained I loved wrestling and was a student of the game. I mentioned how being a student of Kowalski's meant being a student of the game and learning respect for and the history of wrestling in both America and Japan. I went on to say how Rikidozan led the way for the likes of Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki who in turn bridged the way for the stars of today such as The Great Muta as well as the stars of tomorrow. And I said in essence that is what Walter did for the industry, worldwide, never taking more than he gave. In that sense he was truly selfless and I could tell he appreciated those words just as much as I was honored that he felt that I might have the ability to deliver them.
It was for all of those reasons stated, and those that cannot be reduced into words, that I was saddened to hear that Walter was admitted to the hospital after a massive heart attack. But true to his reputation, which was built on fact, he was a fighter to the very end.
And though the man I care for so much might be gone, the truth is he will never be forgotten. That is why, although I've not stepped into a ring since 1999, once I heard of the upcoming Kowalski tribute show I knew I needed and wanted to be a part of it. And whether I manage on the card, am announced in attendance or simply set up chairs I will be more than proud to say I was part of the show that helped to honor the legacy of a legend.
My most fond and lasting memory of Killer came the very last time that I saw him. He was seated and as I walked over to him, and before I could reach him, he was standing up with his hand extended. As I shook his hand he playfully asked... "Whatever happened to that schmuck John Rodeo?" After that we sat down and I am glad I had the chance to say the following words to him. I said... "Walter, I always thought this but I guess I never told you. I just want to thank you for taking in a young kid that had not much more than a dream and allowing him to follow them. And please know that although I might never have made it to the national level I was not only able to live those dreams, but learn lessons I carry with me to this day, and always will. He warmly smiled as did I. At that point no further words could be, or needed to be, said.
The Leader of the Band might be gone but he will never be forgotten. As the song says... "His blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I'm just a living legacy to the Leader of the Band."
Thank you and God bless you Walter... "You gave to me a gift I know I never can repay." I just hope I made you proud and that you know how much you will be loved and missed. And to your wife Theresa, although I've never yet had the opportunity to meet you I consider you a part of my family.
Love always, your student, brother and son, John Rodeo
-------
For those that had the great fortune of knowing Walter Killer Kowalski, odds are you would know he loved the colors purple and gold. His signature wrestling tights had a lightning bold on them. I decided to create a tribute logo where the lightning was incorporated into the letter K. I must say I am pretty proud of it.
