Verne Gagne

Photo credit: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Real name: Verne Gagne
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Date of birth: May 10, 1923
Date of birth: April 27, 2015
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Pro debut: 1949
Trained by:
Finishing move: Sleeper Hold

Biography

– Gagne was a state champion high school wrestler in 1942 and 1943
– Gagne won a pair of NCAA wrestling titles in 1948 and 1949 whilst at the University of Minnesota
– Gagne had his first professional match on May 3, 1949 against Abe “King Kong” Kashey in a bout refereed by famed boxer Jack Dempsey.
– On September 8, 1950, Gagne defeated Miguel Guzman to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title
– A week later, Gagne defeated Rito Romero to retain the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title
– On September 29, Gagne defeated Black Guzman to retain the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title
– In October 1950, Gagne fought NWA World Champion Lou Thesz to a 90-minute draw
– On November 13, Gagne defeated Sonny Myers in the final of a tournament to win the vacant NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On December 5, Gagne defeated Angelo Savoldi to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On December 11, Gagne defeated Rito Romero to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On December 18, Gagne defeated Billy Raborn to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On December 20, Gagne defeated Billy McShain to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On December 27, Gagne defeated Dennis Clary to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On January 8, 1951, Gagne defeated Stu Hart to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On January 25, Gagne defeated Jack Terry to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On February 7, Gagne defeated Monte LaDue to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On March 21, Gagne defeated Bob Cummings to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On April 18, Gagne defeated Sonny Myers to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On June 8, Gagne defeated Dr Lee Grable to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On June 13, Gagne defeated Ace Freeman to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On July 23, Gagne defeated Al Galento to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Edouardo Perez to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On September 25, Gagne defeated Gorgeous George to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On September 28, Gagne defeated Gypsy Joe to retain the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title
– On February 25, 1953, Gagne defeated Wladek Kowalski to win the Montreal Heavyweight Title
– On March 11, Gagne defeated Ernie Dusek to retain the Montreal Heavyweight Title
– On April 22, Gagne defeated Primo Carnera by DQ to retain the Montreal Heavyweight Title
– On May 5, Gagne defeated Yvon Robert to win the AWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title
– On June 10, Gagne defeated Don Evans to retain the AWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title
– On September 3, 1953, Gagne was awarded the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On September 28, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On September 30, Gagne defeated Art Neilson to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On October 23, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On October 26, Gagne defeated Art Neilson to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Mighty Atlas to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– In November, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Pat O’Connor, Bob Orton and Killer Kowalski
– In December, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Killer Kowalski and Hans Schmidt
– On January 2, 1954, Gagne defeated Abe Kashey to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– In March 1954, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Don Leo Jonathan, Nanjo Singh, Hans Schmidt & Mighty Atlas
– In April, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Hans Schmidt (three times) and Pat O’Connor (twice)
– On May 18, Gagne fought Manuel Cortez to a time-curfew draw to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On June 8, Gagne defeated Pat O’Connor to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On June 11, Gagne defeated Hans Hermann to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 14, Gagne defeated Antonino Rocca to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 19, Gagne defeated Roy McClarity to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title, and would defeat him three more times over the next month
– On September 7, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On October 14, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt by DQ to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On October 26, Gagne defeated Don Leo Jonathan to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– In November 1954, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Hans Schmidt, Don Leo Jonathan, Roy McClarity & Pat O’Connor
– In December, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Antonino Rocca, Roy McClarity and Hans Schmidt
– In January 1955, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Yukon Eric, Pat O’Connor, Roy McClarity and Clyde Sleeves
– On February, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Yukon Eric, Don Leo Jonathan, Fred Atkins and Mr Moto
– On March 19, Gagne defeated Antonino Rocca to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– Two days later, Gagne defeated Roy McClarity to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– In April 1955, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Ilio DiPaolo, Pat O’Connor and Don Leo Jonathan
– On May 23, Gagne defeated Ilio DiPaolo to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On June 14, Gagne defeated Ike Eakins to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 8, Gagne defeated Yukon Eric to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 28, Gagne again defeated Yukon Eric to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On August 20, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On September 24, Gagne defeated Dick Afflis to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On September 30, Gagne defeated The Sheik of Araby to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– In October 1955, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Yukon Eric, Dick Afflis and Angelo Poffo
– In November, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Bill Longson, Kinji Shibuya, Hans Schmidt and Angelo Poffo
– On December 9, Gagne defeated Angelo Poffo to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On January 10, 1956, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On January 27, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On February 14, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser by DQ to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– In March, Gagne defended the NWA Chicago United States Title against Hans Schmidt, The Sheik of Araby and Dick The Bruiser
– On April 11, 1957, Gagne defeated Wilbur Snyder to regain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On May 25, Gagne & Edouard Carpentier defeated The Volkoffs (Boris & Nicoli) to win the NWA Chicago Tag Team Titles
– On September 13, Gagne & Carpentier defeated The Lisowski Brothers (Stan & Reggie) to retain the NWA Chicago Tag Team Titles
– On October 3, Gagne & Carpentier again defeated The Lisowski Brothers (Stan & Reggie) to retain the NWA Chicago Tag Team Titles
– On December 26, Gagne & Bronko Nagurski defeated The Atomic Blondes (Johnny Valentine & Chet Wallach) to win the NWA Minneapolis Tag Team Titles
– On January 3, 1958, Gagne & Nagurski defeated The Kalmikoffs (Ivan & Karol) to retain the NWA Minneapolis Tag Team Titles
– On April 11, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to win the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On April 25, Gagne defeated Angelo Poffo to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On May 8, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On May 31, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On June 6, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 12, Gagne defeated Gorgeous George to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 16, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On July 31, Gagne defeated Ivan The Terrible to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– On August 8, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the NWA Chicago United States Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Edouard Carpentier to win the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On October 2, Gagne defeated Ivan The Terrible to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On April 28, 1959, Gagne & Butch Levy defeated Karol Kalmikoff & Baron Gattoni to win the NWA Minneapolis Tag Team Titles
– On June 2, Gagne & Levy defeated Mitsu Arakawa & Kinji Shibuya to retain the NWA Minneapolis Tag Team Titles
– In August 1960, Gagne broke away from the NWA and formed his own AWA promotion. As part of a storyline, Gagne was recognised as the first champion of the company, after NWA Champion Pat O’Connor ‘refused to defend the title against Gagne within the 90 day window’
– On September 8, Gagne defeated Stan Kowalski to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 24, Gagne defeated Gene Kiniski to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 9, Gagne defeated Lenny Montana to retain the AWA World Title
– In January 1961, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Roy McClarty, Aldo Bogni, Gene Kiniski and Hard Boiled Haggerty
– On February 14, Gagne defeated Gene Kiniski to retain the AWA World Title
– Two days later, Gagne defeated Hard Boiled Haggerty to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 14, Gagne defeated Bob Geigel by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 28, Gagne defeated Hard Boiled Haggerty to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 3, Gagne defeated Gene Kiniski to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 19, Gagne defeated Stan Kowalski to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 21, Gagne fought Wilbur Snyder to a no-contest to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 21, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to win the NWA Detroit United States Title
– On August 8, Gagne defeated Gene Kiniski in a Cage Match to regain the AWA World Title
– On August 18, Gagne defeated Hard Boiled Haggerty in a Texas Death Match to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 30, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the NWA Detroit United States Title
– On September 16, Gagne defeated Don Leo Jonathan in a No-DQ Match to win the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On September 30, Gagne defeated The Sheik in a No-DQ Match to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On October 29, Gagne defeated Bob Geigel to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 3, Gagne fought Bill Melby to a time-limit draw to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On November 16, Gagne defeated Tony Ballargeon to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 29, Gagne defeated Bob Geigel to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 2, Gagne defeated Killer Karl Kox to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On December 16, Gagne defeated Don Leo Jonathan by DQ to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On December 26, Gagne defeated Otto Von Krupp to retain the AWA World Title
– Two days later, Gagne defeated Bob Geigel by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 21, 1962, Gagne defeated Mr M in a Title vs. Mask Match to regain the AWA World Title
– On August 25, Gagne defeated Fritz Von Erich in a Cage Match to win the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On September 8, Gagne defeated Ilio DiPaolo to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 18, Gagne defeated Bill Miller by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 27, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 6, Gagne defeated Doug Gilbert to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 15, Gagne defeated Bill Miller to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 19, Gagne defeated Bob Geigel to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 10, Gagne defeated Tarzan Tyler to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 22, Gagne defeated Moose Evans to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 24, Gagne defeated Bobby Managoff to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On December 1, Gagne defeated The Sheik by DQ to retain the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On December 4, Gagne defeated Moose Evans to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 27, Gagne defeated Rocky Hamilton to retain the AWA World Title
– Two days later, Gagne defeated The Crusher to retain the AWA World Title
– In January 1963, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Moose Evans, Rocky Hamilton (three times) and The Crusher (four times)
– In February 1963, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against The Sheik, Rocky Hamilton, The Rebel and Pat O’Connor
– In April 1963, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Waldo Von Erich, Doug Gilbert, Rocky Hamilton (twice), Karol Kalmikoff and Hercules Cortez
– On May 3, Gagne defeated Waldo Von Erich to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 24, Gagne defeated Duke Hoffman to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 25, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 29, Gagne defeated Bob Orton to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 3, Gagne defeated Ivan Kalmikoff to retain the AWA World Title
– Between mid-July and mid-August, Gagne traded the AWA World Title with Fritz Von Erich and The Crusher
– On August 28, Gagne defeated Dory Funk Sr to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 31, Gagne defeated Roy McClarity to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 7, Gagne defeated Fritz Von Erich to unify the AWA World Title and the NWA Omaha Heavyweight Title
– On September 13, Gagne defeated Fritz Von Erich to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 3, Gagne defeated Dale Lewis to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 12, Gagne defeated Pat O’Connor by countout to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 28, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 5, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 13, Gagne defeated Rocky Hamilton to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 4, Gagne defeated The Crusher to regain the AWA World Title, having lost it two weeks earlier
– On December 26, Gagne defeated Rene Goulet to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 10, 1964, Gagne defeated Bill Miller to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 21, Gagne defeated Mitsu Arakawa to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 30, Gagne defeated The Crusher to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 5, Gagne defeated Doug Gilbert to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 9, Gagne & Moose Evans defeated The Crusher & The Bruiser to win the AWA Tag Team Titles, but would lose them back two weeks later
– On March 7, Gagne defeated Mitsu Arakawa to retain the AWA World Title and would repeat the feat four more times that month
– On April 5, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 29, Gagne defeated The Crusher by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 16, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to regain the AWA World Title, having lost it two weeks earlier
– On May 20, Gagne defeated Wilbur Snyder to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 12, Gagne defeated Fritz Von Erich to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 3, Gagne defeated Hans Schmidt to retain the AWA World Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 18, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 1, Gagne defeated Reggie Parks to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 24, Gagne defeated The Crusher to retain the AWA World Title and would retain against him again three more times in the next month
– On September 11, Gagne defeated Mitsu Arakawa to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 19, Gagne defeated Billy Red Cloud to retain the AWA World Title
– In late September, Gagne retained the AWA World Title against Mitsu Arakawa three times
– On October 4, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 24, 1965, Gagne & The Crusher defeated Larry Hennig & Harley Race to win the AWA Tag Team Titles, but would lose them back two weeks later
– On September 4, Gagne & Tex McKenzie defeated Mad Dog Vachon & Haru Sasaki to win the Nebraska Tag Team Titles, but lost them back two weeks later
– On February 26, 1967, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to win the AWA World Title
– In March 1967, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Pat O’Connor, Killer Kowalski, Mad Dog Vachon and Larry Hennig
– In April 1967, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Mad Dog Vachon eight times
– In May 1967, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Larry Hennig, Mad Dog Vachon and Johnny Powers
– On June 10, Gagne defeated Danny Hodge to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 23, Gagne defeated Mitsu Arakawa to retain the AWA World Title
– In July 1967, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Johnny Powers (five times), Mitsu Arakawa, Harley Race & Lou Thesz
– On August 11, Gagne defeated Lou Thesz to retain the AWA World Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Bob Orton to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 28, Gagne defeated Mike DiBiase to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 7, Gagne defeated Bob Orton to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 21, Gagne defeated The Destroyer to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 24, Gagne defeated Doug Gilbert to retain the AWA World Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Harley Race to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 5, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 16, Gagne defeated Harley Race to retain the AWA World Title
– In January 1968, Gagne defended the AWA World Title against Hard Boiled Haggerty (twice), Harley Race and Dr X
– On February 10, Gagne defeated Harley Race to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 17, Gagne defeated Mike DiBiase by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 24, Gagne defeated Hard Boiled Haggerty to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 12, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 15, Gagne defeated Mike DiBiase to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 30, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 13, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 4, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 29, Gagne defeated Luke Brown to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 29, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 27, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 31, Gagne defeated Dr X to regain the AWA World Title, having lost it two weeks earlier
– On September 28, Gagne defeated Mighty Igor Vodik to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 28, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 23, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 26, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 11, 1969, Gagne defeated Chris Tolos to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 17, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 26, Gagne defeated Mitsu Arakawa to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 1, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 22, Gagne defeated The Avenger to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 19, Gagne defeated Bill Watts to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 9, Gagne defeated Lars Anderson to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 17, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 31, Gagne defeated Lars Anderson to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 5, Gagne defeated Red Bastien to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 26, Gagne defeated Bill Watts to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 2, Gagne defeated Billy Red Lyons to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 9, Gagne defeated Jack Dillinger to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 21, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 29, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 6, Gagne defeated Dick The Bruiser to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 13, Gagne defeated Bill Watts to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 23, Gagne defeated Larry Hennig to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 27, Gagne defeated Stan Pulaski to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 3, Gagne defeated Bill Watts to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 28, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 25, Gagne defeated Luke Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 12, Gagne again defeated Luke Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Tarzan Tyler to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 21, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 29, Gagne defeated Bill Watts to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 3, 1970, Gagne defeated Bill Watts to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 20, Gagne defeated Baron Von Raschke to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 6, Gagne defeated Shozo Kobayashi to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 9, Gagne defeated The Great Kusatsu to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 23, Gagne defeated Harley Race to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 8, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On On April 25, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 30, Gagne defeated Dr X to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 16, Gagne defeated Bill Miller to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 31, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 18, Gagne defeated Paul Diamond to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 7, Gagne defeated Edouard Carpentier to retain the AWA World Title
– Two days later, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 28, Gagne defeated Rock Rogowski to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 5, Gagne defeated Edouard Carpentier to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 26, Gagne again defeated Edouard Carpentier to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 29, Gagne defeated Lars Anderson to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 30, 1971, Gagne defeated Strong Kobayashi to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 13, Gagne defeated Mad Dog Vachon to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 10, Gagne defeated Strong Kobayashi to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 13, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 29, Gagne defeated Strong Kobayashi to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 10, Gagne defeated Edouard Carpentier to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 31, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 7, Gagne defeated Blackjack Lanza to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 10, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 18, Gagne defeated The Great Kusatsu to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 30, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 5, 1972, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 9, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 5, Gagne defeated The Great Kusatsu to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 13, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 29, Gagne defeated Ivan Koloff to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 8, Gagne again defeated Ivan Koloff to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 29, Gagne defeated Baron Von Raschke to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 1, Gagne defeated Ivan Koloff to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 24, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 14, Gagne defeated Ronnie Garvin to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 2, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 5, Gagne defeated Juan Sebastian to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 13, Gagne defeated Curtis Iaukea to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 30, Gagne & Billy Robinson defeated Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens to win the AWA Tag Team Titles, but would lose them back a week later
– On February 9, 1973, Gagne defeated Blackjack Mulligan to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 26, Gagne defeated Eddie Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 5, Gagne defeated Jimmy Valiant to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 14, Gagne defeated Billy Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 13, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 16, Gagne defeated Billy Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 27, Gagne defeated Strong Kobayashi to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 14, Gagne defeated Ed Francis to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 27, Gagne defeated Billy Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 1, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 16, 1974, Gagne defeated Billy Graham to retain the AWA World Title
– On February 9, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– The next day, Gagne defeated Billy Robinson to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 6, Gagne defeated Horst Hoffman to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 21, Gagne defeated Redbeard to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 17, Gagne defeated Gene Kiniski to retain the AWA World Title
– On August 15, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On September 7, Gagne defeated Billy Robinson to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 4, Gagne defeated Horst Hoffman to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 29, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On January 25, 1975, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On March 15, Gagne again defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 19, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On April 21, Gagne defeated Jerry Miller to retain the AWA World Title
– On May 28, Gagne defeated Baron von Raschke to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 7, Gagne defeated Ray Stevens to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 12, Gagne defeated Billy Robinson to retain the AWA World Title
– On June 28, Gagne defeated Baron von Raschke to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 16, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to retain the AWA World Title
– On July 19, Gagne defeated Baron von Raschke to retain the AWA World Title
– On October 25, Gagne defeated Kim Duk to retain the AWA World Title
– On November 8, Gagne defeated Ox Baker to retain the AWA World Title
– A week later, Gagne lost the AWA World Title to Nick Bockwinkel, ending his reign at just over 7 years
– On June 6, 1979, Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon defeated The Blond Bombers (Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson) to win the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On July 1, Gagne & Vachon defeated Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Duncum to retain the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On July 28, Gagne & Vachon defeated Pat Patterson & The Super Destroyer to retain the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On October 20, Gagne & Vachon defeated Jesse Ventura & Bobby Duncum to retain the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On November 13, Gagne defeated Rusher Kimura to win the IWA World Title, but would lose it back a week later
– Through November and December 1979, Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon regularly defended the AWA Tag Team Titles against The Super Destroyers
– On January 10, 1980, Gagne & Vachon defeated The East West Connection (Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis) to retain the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On March 22, Gagne & Vachon defeated The Super Destroyer II & King Kong Brody to retain the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On May 2, Gagne & Vachon defeated The East West Connection (Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura) in a No-DQ Match to retain the AWA Tag Team Titles
– On July 18, Gagne defeated Nick Bockwinkel to regain the AWA World Title
– On December 5, Gagne defeated Jesse Ventura by DQ to retain the AWA World Title
– On December 12, Gagne defeated Jerry Blackwell to retain the AWA World Title
– In the first half of 1981, Gagne regularly defended the AWA World Title against Nick Bockwinkel, Jesse Ventura and Jerry Blackwell
– Gagne announced his retirement from wrestling in May 1981, after which the AWA World Title was awarded back to Nick Bockwinkel
– Gagne would come out of retirement a few times a year at AWA events
– At WrestleRock 1986, Gagne defeated Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie in a Cage Match
– Gagne wrestled his final match on June 29, 1986, working a six-man tag team match at an AWA event in Denver
– Gagne’s AWA promotion closed down due to financial issues in 1991
– Gagne was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006
– Gagne suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in his later life and would pass away from complications of the illness on April 27, 2015