Preserve Verne Gagne's Legacy: Support the Biography

My name is Brian Ferguson. Many Professional Wrestling fans of today's era of pro wrestling may not know who Verne Gagne was. This is a true travesty in the world of Professional Wrestling. Verne was a pioneer and trailblazer in the business's sports and entertainment components. He was one of the first pro wrestlers to promote and sell his brand. In the mid-1950s through the 1960s, Verne was promoting health products such as vitamins, protein powder, and short in-home exercises known as "Gagne Metrics". He even had a board game that was created in 1956 called "Verne Gagne Wrestling Game" created by the Gardner Company.

Verne Gagne was a natural-born and gifted athlete. He won numerous high school championships and was the first collegiate wrestling athlete to win four Big Nine Wrestling Championships (1944, 1947, 1948, 1949), a two-time NCAA Wrestling Champion (1948, 1949), and a three-time All American (1947, 1948, 1949) in amateur wrestling and is considered one of history's greatest collegiate amateur wrestlers. In 1944, he left the University of Minnesota to join the U.S. Marine Corps to serve in World War II. He was selected o play on the Marine Corps El Toro Marines football team and trained Marines in hand-to-hand combat techniques.

Verne was selected to compete for the United States Wrestling Olympic Team in the 1948 Olympics held in London, England.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1949, Verne entered the NFL by way of the draft and played briefly with the Chicago Bears. Verne eventually decided that professional wrestling was what he wanted to do, so he left the NFL, and never looked back. He easily became an instant success in professional wrestling by winning many regional titles, including the NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship and the NWA United States Heavyweight title, as well as receiving television exposure on the Dumont Network. He was also the first pro wrestler to make $100,00 a year which he did by 1953 with only three years in pro wrestling. In his eyes and the eyes of many, Verne was a future National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Champion.

The NWA would not put the World Heavyweight title around Verne's waist, not because he could not draw or wrestle, but rather because of his size (5'11" tall and 215lbs) and other politics of the NWA. Most considered Verne to be undersized in the heavyweight division. However, despite his size, he was a wrestler fans wanted to see. The Verne Gagne vs. Lou Thesz matches for the NWA World Heavyweight Title were sellouts everywhere it was held. In 1957, he bought Dennis Stecher's holdings of the Minnesota Boxing and Wrestling Club and began promoting with Wally Karbo. They would later rename the Minneapolis territory the American Wrestling Alliance (AWA) later rebranded as the American Wrestling Association and Verne would become the promotion's first World Heavyweight Champion in 1960.

I have spoken to many pro wrestlers who worked for Verne and most say the same thing; Verne could be difficult and demanding to work for, but he paid very well, and you got time off. Verne was also known as an excellent trainer of future stars of pro wrestling. Names that were trained by Verne Gagne are Ken Patera, Jumpin Jim Brunzell, Greg Gagne, Iron Sheik, Ric Flair, and Blackjack Mulligan, to name a few. Verne's son, Greg Gagne, has stated that Verne trained more than 144 wrestlers. Most people Verne trained went on to be very successful in the pro wrestling business. He also made some wrestlers that were not making it in other territories into stars. Names like Jesse Ventura, Hulk Hogan, Rick Martel, Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, Curt Hennig, and many others became stars in the AWA and beyond, under the tutelage of Verne Gagne.

Verne Gagne was also a dedicated husband, father, and prominent member of the community. He supported his wife and kids and always encouraged them to be involved in things they enjoyed. Verne supported many civic organizations such as the Boys Club, American Legion, high school athletic booster clubs, the University of Minnesota, and athletes of the U.S. Olympic teams. I decided to write this biography because I do not want the legacy of a great man who was so instrumental in where pro wrestling is today, to fade away and not be remembered for his contributions. Verne Gagne was that man!

The book is estimated to be completed by January 2025.

Brian Ferguson is a writer, podcaster, and a 26-year Veteran of the United States Army. He is a bi-monthly contributor to the Wrestling Fans International Association newsletter and the host of the Bumps & Thumps podcast. He became interested in writing this book because he realized that many fans under the age of 35, do not know who Verne Gagne was. There has not been a book written about one of Minnesota’s greatest athletes and community supporters, Verne Gagne. Brian collaborated with Greg Gagne, son of Verne Gagne and Pro Wrestling Historian and author, George Schire.

I am offering rewards for people that donate for the completion of the book once we meet our goal.

$1-$24: A personal shout out on my social media platforms and on the Bumps & Thumps podcast.

$25-$49: A digital copy of the book once it has been released.

$50-$99: A paperback copy of the book will be sent to you once the book is published. (limited to the first 50

donors)

$100 or more: A signed paperback copy of the book signed by Brian Ferguson and sent to you once the book is published. (Limited to the first 25 donors)