Karl Gotch - Pro Wrestler Profile

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 Greatest 18 Club in 1990 and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame 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: BelgiumBelgiumNationality: GermanyGermanyNationality: 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 ( January 13, 1972 - December 31, 1984)
  • 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)
Companies / Promotions
Promotionfromto
Promotion New Japan Pro WrestlingNJPW January 13, 1972 December 31, 1984
Promotion World Wrestling EntertainmentWWWF August 25, 1971 February 1, 1972
Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA February 7, 1968 December 15, 1969
Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA February 24, 1962 May 17, 1967
Promotion American Wrestling AssociationAWA August 29, 1961 December 9, 1961
Promotion National Wrestling AllianceNWA July 16, 1959 April 21, 1961
Face / Heel Turns
Alignmentfromto
Face January 1, 1950 July 28, 2007
Images
Jan 1980
Jan 1980
Jan 1972
Jan 1972
Aug 1971
Aug 1971
Jul 1959
Jul 1959
Apr 1954
Apr 1954

Finishers
  • German Suplex ( January 1, 1950 - January 8, 1982)

Titles & Accomplishments

Hall of Fame
  • NJPW Greatest 18 Club - Year 1990, Individual
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame - Year 2007, International
Titles Won

World Wide Wrestling Federation

  • 1 WWWF World Tag Team Champion (with Rene Goulet)

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)

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 Game Appearances

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