Karl Gotch - Pro Wrestlers Database

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Karl Gotch, 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.

Karel Charles Istaz was born in Antwerp, Belgium on August 3, 1924.

He died on July 28, 2007 at the age of 82.

Known as the God of Wrestling in Japan, Gotch was influential in developing the style of puroresu, training numerous future legends, and paving the way for mixed martial arts worldwide. The German Suplex was itself named after Gotch.

Karl Gotch was inducted in the NJPW Hall of Fame in 1990 as part of the NJPW Greatest 18 Club wing and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2007 as part of the International wing.

Profile Info

  • Gender Male
  • Real Name Karel Charles Istaz
  • Ring Names
    • Karl Gotch ( January 21, 1961 - July 28, 2007)
    • Karl Krauser ( August 29, 1961 - December 9, 1961)
    • Karl Krauser ( July 18, 1959 - November 25, 1960)
    • Pierre LeMarin ( June 17, 1959 - October 14, 1959)
    • Karl Krauser ( January 1, 1954 - June 16, 1959)
    • Karel Istaz ( January 1, 1950 - December 31, 1953)
  • Born August 3, 1924
  • Died July 28, 2007 (aged 82)
  • Nationality Nationality: BelgiumBelgium, Nationality: GermanyGermany, Nationality: United StatesUnited States
  • Birth Place Antwerp, Belgium
  • Billed From
    • Hamburg, Germany ( January 1, 1954 - July 28, 2007)
    • Antwerp, Belgium ( January 1, 1950 - December 31, 1953)
  • Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
  • Weight
    • 245 lbs (111 kg)
  • Nicknames God of (Japanese) Wrestling
  • Notes Known as the God of Wrestling in Japan, Gotch was influential in developing the style of puroresu, training numerous future legends, and paving the way for mixed martial arts worldwide. The German Suplex was itself named after Gotch.

Career History

  • Roles

    • Ambassador ( July 1, 2006 - July 28, 2007)
    • Coach ( January 1, 1957 - December 31, 2003)
    • Promoter, Producer ( January 13, 1972 - December 31, 1984)
    • Part Time Wrestler ( January 1, 1982 - January 8, 1982)
    • Part Time Wrestler ( January 13, 1972 - October 19, 1974)
    • Wrestler ( January 1, 1950 - January 12, 1972)
  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    Promotion New Japan Pro WrestlingNJPW October 20, 1974 December 31, 1984
    Promotion New Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight January 1, 1982 January 8, 1982
    Promotion New Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight January 13, 1972 October 19, 1974
    Promotion World Wide Wrestling FederationWWWF August 25, 1971 February 1, 1972
    Promotion International Wrestling EnterpriseIWE March 31, 1971 May 25, 1971
    Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA February 7, 1968 December 15, 1969
    Promotion Japanese Wrestling AssociationJWA January 3, 1968 January 3, 1968
    Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA February 24, 1962 May 17, 1967
    Promotion Jim Crockett PromotionsJCP January 17, 1966 June 30, 1966
    Promotion Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWF March 24, 1962 May 22, 1962
    Promotion American Wrestling AssociationAWA August 29, 1961 December 9, 1961
    Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA July 16, 1959 April 21, 1961
  • Images History

    Jan 1980
    Jan 1980
    Jan 1972
    Jan 1972
    Aug 1971
    Aug 1971
    Jul 1959
    Jul 1959
    Apr 1954
    Apr 1954
  • Face / Heel Turns

    Alignmentfromto
    Face January 1, 1950 July 28, 2007

  • Finishers

    • German Suplex ( January 1, 1950 - January 8, 1982)
    • Cradle piledriver ( January 1, 1950 - January 8, 1982)
    • Kneeling belly to belly piledriver ( January 1, 1950 - January 8, 1982)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Halls of Fame

    • NJPW Hall of Fame - Year 1990, NJPW Greatest 18 Club
    • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Year 2007, International
  • World Wrestling Entertainment

    New Japan Pro Wrestling

  • New Japan Pro Wrestling

    • 2 Real World Championship

    American Wrestling Alliance (Ohio)

    • 1 AWA World Heavyweight Championship

    World Championship Wrestling (Australia)

    • 1 IWA World Heavyweight Championship

    World Wide Wrestling Associates

    • 2 WWA World Tag Team Championship (with Mike DiBiase)
  • Other Accomplishments

    • George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2009)
    • International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2022)
    • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)
    • Tokyo Sports Service Award (2007)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • Karl Gotch & Rene Goulet - Rene Goulet ( October 2, 1971 - February 1, 1972)
    • Karl Gotch & Mike DiBiase - Iron Mike DiBiase ( June 16, 1967 - August 23, 1967)

Karl Gotch Games Appearances (1)

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