Trivia

Member of the 1948 United States Olympic wrestling team.

Nine-time AWA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.

Held championship for a total of 13 years, 10 months.

Retired as AWA Heavyweight Champion in 1981.

Four-time AWA World Tag-Team Champion with four different partners (Moose Evans, The Crusher, Billy Robinson & Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon).

Longtime professional wrestler. Father of wrestler Greg Gagne.

His son, Greg Gagne, worked as a wrestler in the AWA and behind the scenes in talent relations in WCW until 2001, when World Wrestling Entertainment purchased the faltering promotion from AOL Time Warner.

Inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame on May 23, 1993.

He was an unlikely professional wrestler: balding, lacking a bodybuilder physique or a flashy ring character. It was his strength, stamina and genuine wresting skill (he was a championship college wrestler and former Olympian) that made him one of the most respected wrestlers in the business. He has been regarded as a "wrestler's wrestler."

In 1949, Verne was asked to play in the college all-star game in Chicago against the NFL Champions the Philadelphia Eagles. He also enjoyed a brief stint playing professional football with the Green Bay Packers.

Notable title wins include: Big Ten Wrestling Champion (4); NCAA Wrestling Champion (2); Member of the U.S. Olympic team l948; AAU Wrestling Champion; NWA junior title; AWA World title (10); AWA World Tag Team titles

Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.

Trainer of many notable stars of professional wrestling including Ric Flair, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Curt Hennig, Sgt. Slaughter, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Bob Backlund, Khosrow Vaziri (aka "The Iron Sheik"), Ole Anderson and Paul Ellering.

In September 1953, Gagne won the Chicago version of the NWA United States Championship. Gagne became one of the most well-known stars in wrestling during the golden age of television, thanks to his exposure on the Dumont Network, where he wowed audiences with his technical prowess. He was rumored to be one of the highest paid wrestlers during the 1950s, reportedly earning a hundred thousand dollars a year.

Two-time NCAA wrestling champion.

Father-in-law of Curt Hennig and Larry Zbyszko.

Owner and president of Verne Gagne Reality, Inc. in Minniapolis, Minnesota. (November 2003)

WWE Hall of Famer.

Father of three children: one son (Greg Gagne) and two daughters (Donna Gagne and Catherine Gagne).

Produced vitamins in about the late 60s or early 70s called "Gera Speed", which he sold at a store he had in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

In an interview, Verne Gagne said during his childhood he told his grandfather he wanted to become a wrestler.

Was known for being a demanding and exacting boss as head of the AWA.