Killer Kowalski

Killer Kowalski
Kowalski in 1973
Birth nameEdward Władysław Spulnik
Born(1926-10-13)October 13, 1926
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
DiedAugust 30, 2008(2008-08-30) (aged 81)
Everett, Massachusetts, U.S.
Spouse
Theresa Ferrioli
(m. 2006)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Polish Apollo
Hercules Kowalski
Killer Kowalski
The Masked Destroyer
The Masked Executioner
Tarzan Kowalski
Billed height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Billed weight280 lb (127 kg)
Trained byLou Thesz
Debut1947
RetiredMarch 14, 2008

Wladek Kowalski (born Edward Władysław Spulnik; October 13, 1926 – August 30, 2008) was a Canadian professional wrestler, known by his ring name Killer Kowalski.

Kowalski wrestled for numerous promotions during his career, including the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE), and was a known heel. He held numerous championships including the WWWF World Tag Team Championship with Big John Studd billed as the Executioners and managed by Lou Albano.

After retiring in 1977, Kowalski started a professional wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts and trained many professional wrestlers, including Studd, Triple H, Chyna, Eddie Edwards, Frankie Kazarian, Kofi Kingston, Damien Sandow, Fandango, Brittany Brown, April Hunter, John Kronus, Perry Saturn, and Tommaso Ciampa.