2007 is very quickly becoming a very depressing year for the wrestling world, as on March 13th, we bade farewell to another former superstar, "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland. He passed away by the side of his wife, Betty. Skaaland was 82 years old.Skaaland began wrestling in 1946 in Georgia under the kayfabe name Bobby Weaver. Early in the 1960's, he feuded with Pat O'Connor and Buddy Rogers for the NWA Heavyweight Championship (back when it meant something).
Later in the 60's, he joined the New York City-based World Wide Wrestling Federation. Skaaland never got a big title push, with his only title run throughout his entire career being a WWWF United States Tag Team Championship, a reign that would last only 40 days(June 1st through July 10th).
In addition to being a wrestler, Skaaland was a shareholder of the Capitol Wrestling Corporatiaon, the parent company of the WWWF, as well as a business partner of Vince McMahon, Sr. and the agent for Andre The Giant.
Once he hung up his boots, he would find success as a manager in the WWF. He managed Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund, with both winning the WWF Championship while being managed by Skaaland.
Perhaps the event that Skaaland is most remembered for happened on December 26, 1983. During a WWF Championship match between Bob Backlund and The Iron Sheik, Sheik locked Backlund into the Camel Clutch. Backlund did not tap out, but still lost the match when Skaaland (kayfabed) threw in the towel on his behalf. Pre-attitude era, this was played off as one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history.Skaaland would last be seen in a TV role in 1994, returning at the same time that Backlund ended his sabbatical which began shortly after the Sheik incident. Backlund attacked Skaaland to help build his heel turn. He would also be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 1994. Whether or not he deserves it could easily be debated from either side.
Tha O Show would like to send our sincere condolences to Betty Skaaland, Arnold's three sons, and his four grandchildren.
3 comments: on ""Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland Passes Away"
"whether or not he deserves it"? he managed two heavyweight champs for cryin out loud... maybe its just me but i have respect for guys like arnold skaaland... its not all about W-L's or title reigns
I agree, he deserves to be in the Hall.
My point was that some people may look and go "Well, the moment he's most remembered for is a kayfabed moment" and use that as an argument. Also, unlike guys like Mr. Fuji, he didn't play as massive a role in the wrestlers he managed winning the titles.
Hogan slamming Andre is a "kayfabed moment." Warrior pinning Hogan is a "kayfabed moment." Austin stunning McMahon is a "kayfabed moment." The Rock delivering the people's elbow is a "kayfabed moment."
I don't understand the concept of a "kayfabe-free" hall of fame. Professional wrestling is much more than workrate and promos.
Everyone who really made money in the business was in the right place at the right time with the right look and the right skills to make it work.
Skaaland maybe never made us "O" in the sense that the word is used on this site, but I can guarantee you that thousands if not millions of fans "Oh'ed" when he ended the five year title run of Bob Backlund. At the time, that was a pretty shocking and controversial ending, and really the first signal of the beginning of the Vincent K. McMahon era.
You can't overlook the moment's significance. regardless of your opinions of the men involved. These were the last warriors of the old guard, and that night they set in motion the passing of the torch to the style of sports entertainment we are so familiar with today.
Feuding with NWA champions back in the 60's is nothing to be taken lightly either. It was a different time when being in the main event was of great significance. It meant that you could work, and it meant that the people really cared about you.
You shouldn't be able to call yourself a fan of wrestling unless you have respect for a guy like Skaaland. A seasoned ring warrior who's passion for the business carried him all the way into the early 80's as a beloved involved character. How many men can say that they remained significant to this business over the course of 40 years?
I am with you jbrown. Maybe he'll never make Tha O Show Hall of Fame, but he is damn deserving of his place in the WWE hall.
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