Richard Joseph "Dick" Garza (July 16, 1931 – January 7, 2002), better known as Mighty Igor Vodik, or simply Mighty Igor, was an American professional wrestler. He is a one time American Wrestling Association World champion. As Mighty Igor, he was frequently billed as the "World's Strongest Wrestler".[1]
Garza grew up in Michigan and competed in bodybuilding contests. He won the Mr. Michigan title in 1954 before competing in Mr. America and Mr. Universe competitions.[2][3] At a gym, Garza got into an argument with professional wrestler Brute Bernard and knocked him unconscious. This gained him the interest of wrestling promoter Bert Ruby, who convinced him to enter professional wrestling.[2]
Professional wrestling career
Garza wrestled in Michigan and Ohio during his early career.[3][4] He competed for a promotion named Wolverine Wrestling, where he won his first title, the Wolverine Wrestling Mid-West Heavyweight Championship, on February 14, 1957.[4] He also competed in California, where he won the Los Angeles version of the WWA International Television Tag Team Championship in 1962 while teaming with Eric Rommel.[5]
On January 7, 2002, Garza died after suffering a heart attack at a hospital in Detroit.[2]
Professional wrestling style and persona
Garza used the gimmick of a friendly, but physically strong Polish man. At times, he would wear nurse's shoes and long underwear in addition to his wrestling attire to make himself look friendly or kind but he would be superhuman strong .[9] He was also known for bringing toys and kielbasa to the ring, and he shared the kielbasa with his fans.[2]
The other component of Garza's gimmick was his strength. He performed several feats of strength for the audience, including leaning with his back against a wrestling ring and using his legs to hold back a car driving toward him. Other performances included bending iron bars or placing cement blocks on his head and having someone break them with a sledgehammer.[2] Ivan Kalmikoff ( Edward Bruce ) acted as his manager.
^ abcdeMooneyham, Mike. . The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham. Archived from the original on 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^ abFriend, Percival A. . The Way It Was. Archived from the original on 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^ abc"Wrestler Profiles: Mighty Igor Vodik". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^ ab"International Television Tag Team Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^ ab"American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^ ab"Nebraska Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^"AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^Heenan, Bobby; Steve Anderson (2004). Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling Matches. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 77. ISBN1-58261-762-7.
^ abRoyal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
External links
Online World of Wrestling profile
January 07, 2023
mighty, igor, richard, joseph, dick, garza, july, 1931, january, 2002, better, known, vodik, simply, american, professional, wrestler, time, american, wrestling, association, world, champion, frequently, billed, world, strongest, wrestler, circa, 1973birth, na. Richard Joseph Dick Garza July 16 1931 January 7 2002 better known as Mighty Igor Vodik or simply Mighty Igor was an American professional wrestler He is a one time American Wrestling Association World champion As Mighty Igor he was frequently billed as the World s Strongest Wrestler 1 Mighty IgorMighty Igor circa 1973Birth nameRichard Joseph GarzaBorn 1931 07 16 July 16 1931Dearborn MichiganDiedJanuary 7 2002 2002 01 07 aged 70 Detroit MichiganProfessional wrestling careerRing name s Dick GarzaJohnny BruceMighty IgorMighty Igor VodikStrong Man IgorWorld s Strongest WrestlerBilled height6 ft 2 in 1 88 m Billed weight289 lb 131 kg Billed fromDearborn Michigan 1 Debut1957 Contents 1 Early years 2 Professional wrestling career 3 Professional wrestling style and persona 4 Championships and accomplishments 5 References 6 External linksEarly years EditGarza grew up in Michigan and competed in bodybuilding contests He won the Mr Michigan title in 1954 before competing in Mr America and Mr Universe competitions 2 3 At a gym Garza got into an argument with professional wrestler Brute Bernard and knocked him unconscious This gained him the interest of wrestling promoter Bert Ruby who convinced him to enter professional wrestling 2 Professional wrestling career EditGarza wrestled in Michigan and Ohio during his early career 3 4 He competed for a promotion named Wolverine Wrestling where he won his first title the Wolverine Wrestling Mid West Heavyweight Championship on February 14 1957 4 He also competed in California where he won the Los Angeles version of the WWA International Television Tag Team Championship in 1962 while teaming with Eric Rommel 5 Garza later joined the American Wrestling Association AWA where he was given the ring name Mighty Igor Vodik by Verne Gagne 4 On May 15 1965 he won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Mad Dog Vachon He held the title belt for one week before dropping it back to Vachon 6 In 1965 and 1966 Vodik also had two reigns as the Nebraska Heavyweight Champion 7 The following year he defeated Bob Orton to win the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship 8 In the 1970s Garza wrestled as The Mighty Igor in the Big Time Wrestling circuit from Detroit Michigan performing with the likes of Bobo Brazil The Sheik Pampero Firpo Big Tex McKenzie The Stomper Flying Fred Curry and The Fabulous Kangaroos On January 7 2002 Garza died after suffering a heart attack at a hospital in Detroit 2 Professional wrestling style and persona EditGarza used the gimmick of a friendly but physically strong Polish man At times he would wear nurse s shoes and long underwear in addition to his wrestling attire to make himself look friendly or kind but he would be superhuman strong 9 He was also known for bringing toys and kielbasa to the ring and he shared the kielbasa with his fans 2 The other component of Garza s gimmick was his strength He performed several feats of strength for the audience including leaning with his back against a wrestling ring and using his legs to hold back a car driving toward him Other performances included bending iron bars or placing cement blocks on his head and having someone break them with a sledgehammer 2 Ivan Kalmikoff Edward Bruce acted as his manager Championships and accomplishments EditAmerican Wrestling Association AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship 1 time AWA World Heavyweight Championship 1 time 6 Nebraska Heavyweight Championship 2 times 7 Big Time Wrestling NWA United States Heavyweight Championship Detroit version 1 time NWA World Tag Team Championship Detroit version 1 time with Hank James International Wrestling Association IWA World Tag Team Championship 1 time with Bulldog Brower 10 NWA Los Angeles WWA International Television Tag Team Championship 1 time with Eric Rommel 5 New Independent Wrestling Association NIWA Heavyweight Championship 1 time 10 World Wrestling Council WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship 1 time References Edit a b Shields Brian Sullivan Kevin 2009 WWE Encyclopedia Dorling Kindersley p 206 ISBN 978 0 7566 4190 0 a b c d e Mooneyham Mike The Mighty Igor Dead At 70 The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham Archived from the original on 2008 03 12 Retrieved 2009 01 13 a b Friend Percival A Dick Garza The Way It Was Archived from the original on 2009 10 22 Retrieved 2009 01 13 a b c Wrestler Profiles Mighty Igor Vodik Online World of Wrestling Retrieved 2009 01 13 a b International Television Tag Team Title Los Angeles Wrestling Titles Retrieved 2009 01 13 a b American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title Wrestling Titles Retrieved 2009 01 13 a b Nebraska Heavyweight Title Wrestling Titles Retrieved 2009 01 13 AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title Wrestling Titles Retrieved 2009 01 13 Heenan Bobby Steve Anderson 2004 Other Obstacles Winning Life s Wrestling Matches Sports Publishing LLC p 77 ISBN 1 58261 762 7 a b Royal Duncan amp Gary Will 2000 Wrestling Title Histories 4th ed Archeus Communications ISBN 0 9698161 5 4 External links EditOnline World of Wrestling profile Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mighty Igor amp oldid 1114674190, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
