Gene Kiniski

Known as: Gene Kiniski, Crimson Knight II, The Blue Destroyer, Masked Marauder #2, Gene Kelly
Details
Pro Wrestlers Database
Gene Kiniski - Pro Wrestlers Database
NWA Hall of Fame: IndividualProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF): Television Era

On this page you find the full wrestling profile of Gene Kiniski, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Eugene Nicholas Kiniski was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on November 23, 1928.

He died on April 14, 2010 at the age of 81.

Gene Kiniski is a 1-time World Champion, and has won a total of 10 championships in major promotions during his career.

Gene Kiniski was inducted in the NWA Hall of Fame in 2009 and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2008 as part of the Television Era wing.

He was a former co-promoter of Vancouver All-Star Wrestling (VASW).

Gene Kiniski Profile Index

Profile Info

  • Real NameEugene Nicholas Kiniski
  • GenderMale
  • Born November 23, 1928
  • Died April 14, 2010 (aged 81)
  • Birth PlaceEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Billed From
    • Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
  • Weight
    • 270 lbs (122 kg)
  • NicknamesBig Thunder; Canada's Greatest Athlete
  • NotesHe was a former co-promoter of Vancouver All-Star Wrestling (VASW).

Career History

  • Ring Names & Gimmicks

    • Gene Kiniski (October 23, 1956 - February 25, 1992)
    • Crimson Knight II (May 16, 1970 - May 16, 1970)
    • The Blue Destroyer (January 4, 1969 - January 4, 1969)
    • Masked Marauder #2 (December 11, 1965 - December 11, 1965)
    • Gene Kelly (July 27, 1956 - October 22, 1956)
    • Gene Kiniski (February 13, 1952 - July 26, 1956)

  • Roles

    • Part Time Wrestler (September 23, 1982 - February 25, 1992)
    • Wrestler (February 13, 1952 - September 22, 1982)
    • Promoter (January 1, 1968 - March 31, 1977)

  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAFebruary 13, 1952December 25, 1985
    PromotionNWA Heart of America Sports AttractionsCSW, St. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCJanuary 17, 1982February 15, 1985
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWAugust 20, 1980September 22, 1982
    PromotionMaple Leaf WrestlingNWA MLWJune 6, 1982July 27, 1982
    PromotionNorthwest Wrestling PromotionsNWPJanuary 25, 1960December 28, 1981
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCAugust 10, 1979December 9, 1979
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWMay 31, 1978June 20, 1979
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight April 20, 1979May 5, 1979
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWJuly 21, 1976October 26, 1977
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAAugust 18, 1977October 6, 1977
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCApril 9, 1976August 13, 1976
    PromotionMaple Leaf WrestlingNWA MLWJune 6, 1976August 8, 1976
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight March 15, 1974May 3, 1975
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCAugust 18, 1972November 2, 1973
    Promotion50th State Big Time WrestlingBTW HAWAIIMarch 24, 1971August 2, 1972
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAApril 29, 1971August 28, 1971
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSApril 1, 1970August 20, 1970
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCNovember 20, 1964June 12, 1970
    PromotionMaple Leaf WrestlingNWA MLWNovember 8, 1956April 5, 1970
    Promotion50th State Big Time WrestlingBTW HAWAIIJuly 2, 1968January 21, 1970
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFJanuary 17, 1966July 29, 1969
    PromotionPacific Northwest WrestlingPNWFebruary 17, 1966April 22, 1969
    PromotionGulf Athletic ClubGACJune 12, 1965March 4, 1969
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPJanuary 24, 1966February 1, 1969
    PromotionNWA Georgia OfficesGCWApril 5, 1966January 17, 1969
    PromotionNWA Mid-AmericaMID AMERICAJuly 12, 1965January 13, 1969
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance Hollywood WrestlingNWA HOLLYWOODNovember 6, 1968January 6, 1969
    PromotionGulf Athletic ClubGACMarch 18, 1966January 3, 1969
    PromotionNWA Heart of America Sports AttractionsCSWFebruary 10, 1966December 26, 1968
    PromotionJapanese Wrestling AssociationJWANovember 29, 1968December 7, 1968
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSDecember 21, 1965September 26, 1968
    PromotionWorld Wrestling AssociationWWA INApril 30, 1965August 28, 1966
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFOctober 10, 1964April 16, 1965
    Promotion50th State Big Time WrestlingBTW HAWAIIJuly 8, 1964August 25, 1964
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWASeptember 13, 1962June 6, 1963
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSMarch 27, 1962March 28, 1963
    PromotionBig Time WrestlingBTW CALGARYMay 11, 1960October 26, 1962
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AllianceAWA SFMarch 17, 1962June 2, 1962
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance DetroitNWA DETROITMarch 18, 1960April 16, 1960
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAAugust 16, 1960September 27, 1961
    PromotionSam Muchnick Sports AttractionsSMSAOctober 18, 1957August 16, 1961
    PromotionBig Time WrestlingBTW CALGARYMarch 25, 1957September 20, 1957
    PromotionSouthwest SportsSWS TXJuly 27, 1956October 22, 1956
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance San FranciscoNWA SFFebruary 8, 1955June 27, 1956
    PromotionMinneapolis Boxing & Wrestling ClubMBWCDecember 4, 1955April 29, 1956
    PromotionBig Time WrestlingBTW CALGARYSeptember 1, 1953September 22, 1953

  • Finishers

    • Backbreaker (February 13, 1952 - February 25, 1992)

  • Images History

    Apr 1979
    Apr 1979
    Feb 1969
    Feb 1969
    Jan 1966
    Jan 1966
    Jan 1960
    Jan 1960
    Feb 1952
    Feb 1952

  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    HeelFebruary 13, 1952February 25, 1992

  • Card Positions

    StatusDetailsfromto
    WWE Upper CardOctober 10, 1964April 16, 1965

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • World Wrestling Entertainment

    American Wrestling Association

    Japanese Wrestling Association

  • Vancouver All-Star Wrestling

    • 2 NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (Vancouver version)
    • 10 NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (2 with Mr. X, 1 with Don Leo Jonathan, 2 with Bob Brown, 1 with The Brute, 1 with Dutch Savage, 1 with Mr. Saito, 1 with Dale Lewis, 1 with Siegfried Steinke)
    • 7 NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship (Vancouver version)
    • 3 NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 with Killer Kowalski, 2 with Hard Boiled Haggerty)

    50th State Big Time Wrestling

    • 2 NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship
    • 3 NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii Version)
    • 1 NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (with Lord James Blears)

    Fred Kohler Enterprises

    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Chicago version) (with Dick Afflis)

    Maple Leaf Wrestling

    • 2 NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)
    • 2 NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 with Fritz Von Erich, 1 with Don Leo Jonathan)

    NWA Los Angeles

    • 1 NWA Los Angeles International Television Tag Team Championship (with John Tolos)

    NWA San Francisco

    • 3 NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (with Lord James Blears)

    Promotions Eddie Quinn

    • 1 Montreal World Heavyweight Championship

    Southwest Sports, Inc.

    • 1 NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (with Len Crosby)

    St. Louis Wrestling Club

    • 1 NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship

    Western States Sports

    • 1 NWA International Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version)
    • 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (with Fritz Von Erich)

    World Wrestling Association

    • 1 WWA World Heavyweight Championship

  • Other Accomplishments

    • Cauliflower Alley Club Other honoree (1992)
    • George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2004)
    • St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2007)
    • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • Bob Brown & Gene Kiniski - Bob Brown (March 23, 1970 - August 28, 1972)
    • Gene Kiniski & Hard Boiled Haggerty - Hard Boiled Haggerty (October 14, 1960 - September 15, 1961)
    • Gene Kiniski & James Blears - Lord James Blears (August 3, 1954 - June 27, 1956)
    • Gene Kiniski & John Tolos - John Tolos (October 6, 1954 - November 30, 1954)

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