Lou Thesz Has DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT Passed Away

[CrimsonMask]

I'll post more details as I get them. Sitting here crying right now. Lou seemed to be progressing well after open heart surgery last week, week before, don't remember now.

*BONG*

So long, champ. Pal. From the Sunshine State.

[Colin Douglas]

Early April. All I know is I'm glad I have his book but I am very upset over the fact that both times I was to met him something happened that prevented it. Now I will never see him on this earth.

I wonder if I can have a bereavement day from work?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

For some reason, I had a feeling that I would meet him in person at least once in my life. I was wrong, though.

RIP, the greatest one.

I'll go ahead ring nine more counts:

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

*BONG*

[Ganso]

This without a doubt a sad day for the wrestling industry. I can't say I met, or really watched any of Lou Thesz's work but the stories I've been told of this website and as well as many others...well its kind of difficult to put into a sentence. Many people have said great things about him as a wrestler and as a man, gotta respect those who came before you.

Rest In Peace Champ

[KanadianKrusty]

i got only one thing to say...

R.I.P Champ

[CrimsonMask]

Hi,

If good news travels fast, bad news must leave it at the gate! I have had so many wonderful message from our friends, and I haven't even sent out my message to all of you.

Lou died this a.m. about 7:35. He had spent the night periodically stroking my head as I attempted sleep with my head on a pillow on his bed. He had struggled to breathe for too long. He knew this match was over and wanted us all to go home and resume our lives. He just stopped breathing. All the bells and whistles went off and dozens of people came in to bring him back to life. His doctor was called, and we agreed to let him go.

With a full heart and clear head, I can tell all of you Lou died content and with no regrets!

We had some wonderful times together in the hospital and shared loving moments and laughs. The young guys envied his dirty old man persona and the females loved flirting with him, and vice versa. The nursing staff, with the exclusion of one or two, were terrific professionals and people. His doctors, all dozens of them, were the oddest group of machines we ever saw. We joked about who would come today? Would it be a new person? one from two weeks ago? or just the PA? The nurses took the best possible care of him, and we will love them always!

Lou will be cremated here in Florida, I will take his ashes to St.Louis, we will have a simple memorial service (yet to be determined), and I will let his ashes go into the Merrimac River where his happy memories of life started. Later we will have a wake type party here in Winter Garden. Don't mourn - just love what he gave you. He loved and appreciated what you all gave him.

Any contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the IWIM/Thesz Memorial Fund at P.O. Box 794 Newton, IA 50208 or you can send a check for IWIM to me at P.O. Box 783783 - Winter Garden, FL - 34778.

In the meantime, have a glass of wine, or a beer for Lou...and pray you have a life as full or as happy!

Love to you all,

(Lou and) Charlie

[BurningHammer]

For those who haven't, I would really recommend Lou Thesz's book, "Hooker." If you get it expecting something like Mick Foley's work, you'll be disappointed; you will, however, get a book that reads like the man-- straight ahead, with no nonsense and no frills. For someone raised in the sports entertainment generation, it helped me envision a whole other set of possibilities. Thesz just did it his way; he managed to be completely authentic and original while staying true to the traditions of the sport. Many of us who follow puroresu are looking for the same sort of thing, so I say: "learn from the master."

Godspeed, Lou Thesz.

[Luds]

RIP

Thesz was a great one

[rurounix]

i know this may be a little too late.... and may be a tad bit out of place... I, too, have never seen any of Lou Thez's matches. Just stories... Let's face it.. we all knew it was going to happen some day... The legends of today are going to go on someday....... I told you it was gonna be out of place..... At least he lived... that's the most important...

[j.o.b. squad]

rurounix i agree that they are all going to die someday but that dosent mean we will stop missing them when they pass

[Souder]

This indeed is a sad day in wrestling. Never got to see any of his matches, but what I have heard of them they were legendary.

R.I.P.
Lou Thesz

[Tradition Rules]

I'm basicly going to repeat here what I've posted elseware;


I had the pleasure of meeting Lou Thesz this past February at the annual Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion Banquet.My friend Vince,who runs the www.kayfabememories.com website also did Lou's webpage.Upon meeting Lou and his wonderful wife Charlie, we were treated to extra attention from them.Charlie was so excited to see Vince and proceded to ask him about his 2 year old daughter and wanted to see pictures of her.They were both so warm and sincere.We went to get lou a bottle of water,as he was seated at a table in a small banquet room where many individuals were promoting their books.Upon our return,Lou "thanked us for our hospitality". I'm so glad glad that I went this past year,as if i didn't,I would never have had the chance to meet him.When we said our goodbyes at the end of the banquet,Lou's wife Chaelie insisted on giving us a hug and a kiss instead of just a hand shake.Like almost ALL the wrestler's wives,she was so sweet.

If any of you have the chance to go to this event,I strongly suggest you do so.many of the "young guys"and some other veterans felt this would possibly be the last year to see many of the legends because they felt some wouldn't be around(alive) next year to attend...I had such a great time.Most of the wrestlers were great to talk to,as they so many great stories to tell...many of which I would be unable to repeat here.

There were even some fans from Japan there as well as a writer from Weekley Gong Magazine.There were many great photos,old and new,of all the legends.There was a picture of Antonio Inoki with his girlfriend(he accepted an award last year)and a VERY cool picture of Nobuhiko Takada shaking hands with Lou Thesz from one of the past banquets.Lou even talked about his last match,which was in Japan,against Riki Choshu.To be honest,I thought it was Masahiro Chono,as I do they they wrestled each other back in the '80s as well.

Can you believe that?After meeting Lou Thesz just once, I can say that I do.

Thanks for the memories Lou,...and thanks for being such a class act.

T.R!

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

This is a story posted on a wrestling legends mailing list. Thanks to the poster Mr. Yasuhiko Morozumi:

In October, 1957, Lou Thesz came to Japan for the first time. All the newspapers convered his arrival and the press conference at the Tokyo Interntional Airport (Narita). That's how famous he is/was in Japan. Natually, his death was a big topic there.

Here's a very funny but cool episode from a quiz show on TV. I believe this took place in the 50s or 60s.

The quiz show host gave a question,
"Who is the president of the United States?"

One of the participants, an eldery, answered,
"The president of the U.S. is Lou Thesz."

He didn't know about President Kennedy but still knew who Lou Thesz was.

[Haiku Warrior]

Another great champion has gone...

Go in peace Lou, we'll remember you.

[jtalley1]

hey to all those of you who said you have never seen a Thesz match. I have a small video clip of Thesz vs. Rikidozan. If you want it, send me an e-mail.