Colonel DeBeers Passes Away

Professional wrestling veteran Ed Wiskowski, who was best known for his run as Colonel DeBeers in the AWA during the 1980s, has passed away at the age of 80.

It was said that he passed on January 22 following the recurrence of a short illness.

An American football standout at college, Wiskowski never quite made it in the NFL and instead pursued professional wrestling. A protégé of Harley Race, he debuted in 1972 and primarily wrestled in the Portland, Oregon territory using various names and gimmicks.

After a fruitful run, during which he was also mentored by Bruiser Brody, the former Central States Heavyweight Champion joined Verne Gagne's struggling American Wrestling Association in 1985, portraying Colonel DeBeers.

DeBeers was presented as a South African racist who was pro-Apartheid and openly expressed his disdain for other races. It was a controversial gimmick that drew a lot of heat at the time. During one storyline, for example, DeBeers refused to wrestle Jimmy Snuka because he wasn't white.

Following the demise of the AWA, DeBeers returned to Portland and also worked for Herb Abrams' notorious UWF promotion. He later ran a wrestling school with former tag partner 'Playboy' Buddy Rose in Vancouver, Washington, and wrestled his last official match in 2005.

In later life, he suffered from various health ailments, which included having a kidney removed and battling cancer.

Cultaholic would like to offer its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Ed Wiskowski.