Aww, he was out of my years as a viewer but I was first introduced to him through the Starrcade main event and I instantly loved his name! Especially the way Gordon Solie pronounced it.

I always suspected Gene Snitsky was named in honor of him.

RIP, Big Thunder!

R.I.P. Gene Kiniski

You are truly amazing. I was going to post a reply about him being the guest ref at Starcade and then you go and include it in your story.

RIP big man. I was in Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa at the 1969 Gasparilla Spectacular when Gene dropped the NWA title to Dory Funk, Jr. and his spinning toehold. Tampa and St. Louis were probably the two biggest NWA towns in the country back then. It as a very big deal when the title changed hands 40 years ago. That card had Jack Brisco and Joe Scarpa (AKA Chief Jay Strongbow) in mid-card matches that would have been main events any other night. I always enjoyed Gene Kiniski's work when he came into town as the champion. He was the bridge between Thesz and Funk, Brisco, Race and Flair.

Gene Kiniski was quite rugged and worked a realistic style. He could really move for a big man and, as was the norm of that time, could work long, long matches. As a kid growing up in Florida, saw him defend the world title in person once, pretty sure it was against Jose Lothario. The post by "Johnny Valentine was great" was spot-on in regard to the importance of Kiniski's loss to Funk Jr. at the Gasparilla Day card. Funk Jr. wasn't even working in the Florida territory at the time, as I recall, but a huge deal was made on the CWF TV show over Dory's victory.

I remember seeing Gene in a six man tag team with his sons Kelley & Nick. He had to have been in his sixties. Not a great match, but it was an honor to get to see one of the all time greats in action.

I remember Gene best when I was growing up in B.C. in the early 70s and he was working for the All-Star Wrestling promotion out of Vancouver. The savvy veteran always gave a good match, but it was his mike skills I loved. The man could talk. The local announcer (Ron Morier) would ask him a question about his upcoming big match and then just stand back as Gene did the rest. Gene would then end by "...thanking my fellow Canadians and American viewing audience for allowing me in to their homes via TV, and as usual, Ron, you did a great job!" By this time, Ron would be laughing as he knew all he did was hold the mike. Gene Kiniski. Canada's Greatest Athlete. Just ask him.

It was Kiniski who invited me to Canada after he met me in Japan.That kicked off my career in Canada and America,for which I will always be grateful.Gene certainly was a character,eloquent,quick witted,with a sense of humour.He was a shrewd businessman,and knew how to manipulate television to his own advantage.Travelling with him was a delight and an education.He could shoot any hecklersdown in flames,including "hardline" interviewers.Eral Black.