This Belgian-born grappler may not be particularly well remembered Stateside, but his influence is undeniable. Karl Gotch, born Charles (or Karel) Istaz, excelled at amateur wrestling prior to his professional career.
Istaz competed for Belgium in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the first London Olympics in 1948. Istaz decided to give the pro ranks a try and was trained at the notorious Snake Pit in Wigan, England.
His ring name was a tribute to earlier wrestler Frank Gotch. Karl would find his greatest success during the 1960s and 70s in Japan. He is widely credited with helping shape the Japanese pro wrestling style during those decades. Gotch was so revered it earned him the nickname “The God of Wrestling.”
Towards the end of his career this Olympian had a brief six-month spell in the company now called WWE. Gotch and Rene Goulet held the tag belts for the last two months of that run, winning them in Madison Square Garden.
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