Arnold Skaaland

Photo credit: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Real name: Arnold Skaaland
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 238 lbs.
Date of birth: January 21, 1925
Date of death: March 13, 2007
From: White Plains, NY
Pro debut: 1946

Biography

– Skaaland served in the US Marines during World War II before beginning his wrestling career in the Los Angeles territory
– In his early career, Skaaland would often compete under the name ‘Bobby Weaver’, but dropped this moniker in the 1950s
– In 1957, Skaaland began competing almost exclusively for Capitol Wrestling out of New York
– In January 1961, Skaaland challenged Pat O’Connor for the NWA World Title
– In October of that year, Skaaland fell short in two challenges against Buddy Rogers for the NWA World Title
– Skaaland travelled to Japan for a run in the 1962 JWA World League. During this run, he served as referee for the infamous match between Freddie Blassie and Rikidozan.
– Skaaland remained with the renamed WWWF following their 1963 split with the NWA
– In June 1967, Skaaland inherited Tony Parisi’s half of the WWWF United States Tag Team Titles upon Parisi’s leaving the company. He and partner Chuck Richards would soon lose the titles to The Sicilians (Lou Albano & Tony Altimore). This would be Skaaland’s only championship as an active wrestler
– Skaaland officially retired from in-ring competition in 1978, though he had long since transitioned away from in-ring work to become an on-screen manager, serving as the cornerman for both Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund as each won the WWWF Championship
– Skaaland was named PWI’s Manager Of The Year in 1978 and 1979
– Skaaland’s most controversial moment occurred in 1983, when he threw in the towel for Bob Backlund after the Iron Sheik trapped the champion in the camel clutch, ending Backlund’s near six-year reign
– Skaaland was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 1994
– Skaaland passed away after suffering from a long-term illness on March 13, 2007