Speed Gibson

You know you're getting old when the figures you grew up with pass on one by one. Saturday, we lost the one and only "Crusher" of the American Wrestling Association.

Born Reggie Lisowski, he was initially a feared "heel" who usually finished off his opponents with the dreaded stomach claw submission hold. As he explained, his fingers would swell up, making it difficult to release the hold until the referee called 3 or 4 on the way to a 5 count disqualification.

Then, he became a good guy. We were suspicious at first, but he soon endeared himself to fans throughout the AWA circuit. I remember being at a match between Vern Gagne and Nick Bockwinkle where Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was introduced as Nick's second, to be seated in his corner. Vern fussed and fumed, then stormed off. We sat bewildered - this was the feature match. I had looked away, then heard a deafening roar. Vern had returned with The Crusher in tow, who was then borrowing from Flip Wilson's "Here Come Da' Judge" bit from Rowan and Martin's Laugh In. Crusher took his place in Vern's corner and the match began. Who won? Who cared? We were watching and laughing as every time Bobby rose up, so did the Crusher, swinging his judge's mallet. Heenan sat down.

What a shame professional wrestling has devolved into a league of boring, chemically-enhanced wife-beaters, never again to present such a magnificent showman.