Karl Gotch

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.

Karl Gotch is a 2-time World Champion, and has won a total of 3 championships in major promotions during his career.

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.

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.

Profile Info

• GenderMale
• Real NameKarel 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)
• NationalityBelgium, Germany, United States
• Birth PlaceAntwerp, 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)
• NicknamesGod of (Japanese) Wrestling
• NotesKnown 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

  Promotion	from	to
  PromotionNJPW	October 20, 1974	December 31, 1984
  PromotionNJPWBrand Heavyweight	January 1, 1982	January 8, 1982
  PromotionNJPWBrand Heavyweight	January 13, 1972	October 19, 1974
  PromotionWWWF	August 25, 1971	February 1, 1972
  PromotionIWE	March 31, 1971	May 25, 1971
  PromotionNWA	February 7, 1968	December 15, 1969
  PromotionBTW HAWAII	June 11, 1969	October 22, 1969
  PromotionJWA	January 3, 1968	January 3, 1968
  PromotionWWA HOLLYWOOD	May 31, 1967	October 25, 1967
  PromotionNWA	February 24, 1962	May 17, 1967
  PromotionBTW HAWAII	August 10, 1966	May 17, 1967
  PromotionJCP	January 17, 1966	June 30, 1966
  PromotionWCW AUSTRALIA	October 20, 1965	December 10, 1965
  PromotionNWA DETROIT	October 6, 1962	July 11, 1964
  PromotionAWA SF	August 15, 1963	October 12, 1963
  PromotionCWF	March 24, 1962	May 22, 1962
  PromotionAWA	August 29, 1961	December 9, 1961
  PromotionNWA	July 16, 1959	April 21, 1961
  PromotionCWC	July 6, 1960	November 25, 1960
  PromotionJP	July 24, 1953	September 4, 1953
  PromotionJP	January 24, 1951	May 25, 1951

• Images History

  

  Jan 1980

  

  Jan 1972

  

  Aug 1971

  

  Jul 1959

  

  Apr 1954

• Face / Heel Turns

  Alignment	Details	from	to
  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

• Career Awards

• • NJPW Hall of Fame - NJPW Greatest 18 Club (Year1990)
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - International (Year2007)

• New Japan Pro Wrestling

  • x2 Real World Championship

  World Wrestling Entertainment

  • x1 WWWF World Tag Team Championship (with Rene Goulet)

• 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 - Mike DiBiase (June 16, 1967 - August 23, 1967)

Games Appearances (1)

Wcw Vs The World