- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLaverne Clarence Gagne
- Height5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
- An amateur and professional wrestling legend, Verne Gagne's career covers the entire period of wrestling from the "real" to "fake" to "entertainment" eras. Gagne won two NCAA wrestling championships while at the University of Minnesota, and was a member of the 1948 Olympic Wrestling team for the United States. He soon turned pro and became champion of the new American Wrestling Association (AWA). He was a nine-time heavyweight champion in the AWA, winning his first title in 1960, and retiring as champion in 1981. In between he also was a four-time AWA Tag-Team champion with various partners. One of the most beloved "scientific" i.e. "good guy" wrestlers in the AWA, Gagne had some legendary feuds with some of the greats in the sport including The Crusher, Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon (both of whom he later teamed with to win the tag-team belts), "Wicked" Nick Bockwinkel, Gene Kiniski, Mr. M, and Doctor X. Gagne was never flamboyent, but he didn't really need to be as he let his wrestling do the talking. After his career, he took over the promotion of the AWA, staying in that capacity until the league folded in 1990.
- IMDb mini biography by: Ken Severson
- SpouseMary Ardith Marxen(June 14, 1948 - May 7, 2002) (her death, 4 children)
- Signature wrestling move: "The Sleeper."
- Member of the 1948 United States Olympic wrestling team.
- Nine-time AWA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.
- Held championship for a total of 13 years, 10 months.
- Retired as AWA Heavyweight Champion in 1981.
- Four-time AWA World Tag-Team Champion with four different partners (Moose Evans, The Crusher, Billy Robinson & Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon).
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