Corporal Kirchner Passes Away Aged 64

We are saddened to learn that Michael Penzel, better known to WWE (WWF) fans as Corporal Kirchner, has passed away at the age of 64.

FMW archivist BahuFMW confirmed Penzel’s passing on Twitter, and the The Loflin Funeral Home in Liberty, North Carolina has since shared an obituary for the veteran.

The former US army paratrooper was introduced to his eventual wrestling trainer, Verne Gagne, by Hulk Hogan. Penzel began to wrestle for WWF as a preliminary talent in the early 1980s, under the name ‘RT Reynolds’, before later adopting the ring name ‘Corporal Kirchner’.

Penzel is remembered for his feud with Nikolai Volkoff, with the two stars notably clashing at WrestleMania 2 in a flag match.

After leaving WWF in 1987, Penzel had a couple of brief runs in NJPW between 1989-1990. Penzel notably debuted his ‘Leatherface’ (and Super Leather) character during his time with the promotion, inspired by Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

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