KARE Classic: Catching up with legends of the AWA

They were the heroes (and anti-heroes) of many boys who grew up in the 1960s and 70s. In this KARE Classic we catch up with the Baron Von Raschke, Larry the Axe Henning, Verne Gagne and Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon, some of the legendary wrestlers of the AWA.

[ts.elliot]

I loved the Mad Dog, the Baron, Verne Gagne, Jesse Ventura the whole crew.

[DanWick]

Thanks for uploading this gem. An underrated time for wrestling fans.

[jonw.]

No question that Vern Gagne and the AWA produced and featured some of the greatest wrestlers ever. But from everything I've seen and read, Vern started losing guys when he got too greedy and didn't want to pay them. According to Hogan, Vern wanted part of his Japan wrestling deal and also part of his clothing sales and that's when Hogan decided to go to the WWF. Gene Okerlund left not long after and so did Jesse Ventura. So from Vern's perspective he said a handshake deal is taking a man for his word but then he thought he could alter the deal whenever he wanted. His ego got the best of him and that's also what brought the AWA to its end.

[craigdavis]

Mr. Perfect looks just like his pops Mr.Larry"The Ax"Hennig.
R.I.P. Father & Son!!!!✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹

[ruckanitepreacher]

Loved it. Im an Arkansan but i wanted to he able yo see AWA wrestling. Kept up with it in the magazines though. Now through YouTube.

[grawakendream]

awesome. and rsachke is still around, i wonder if he's still at that place

[tinamclellan]

Love seeing this. Just have to put it out there if any of the AWA wrestlers remember my uncle “lumberjack Dan”. I was told Canadian wrestling. But I also remember holidays if he came around he brought “scary” wrestlers. 🤷🏼‍♀️. Danny was a big guy and I was young and afraid but I was his favorite.
I would love to hear more about my uncle. Good or bad.
Long shot but I don’t even have a picture of him during this time.

[craigdavis]

Where Mr. Bobby"The Brain"Heenan & Mr. Nick Bockwinkel???

[vansmack]

As a little kid, I was afraid of Mad Dog Vachion.

[jonathanturbide]

When was this shown on TV for the first time? The video description doesn't say it. This is at least 21 years old since Curt Hennig passed away in February 2003 and here they say he continues to carry the wrestling torch for the family.

[thatdudefeomtheinternet]

Does anyone know what year this was produced?