Gene Kiniski, the only man to have held both the NWA and AWA world titles, died today after a long battle with cancer. He was 81.
Kiniski , billed as "Canada's Greatest Athlete" and nicknamed "Big Thunder," was one of the top heels of the 1960s. At 6 feet 4 and 260 pounds, he also was regarded as one of the best workers of the era .
He defeated two of the greatest wrestlers of all time in world championship matches, winning the AWA title from Verne Gagne in 1961, and the NWA title from Lou Thesz in 1966. His AWA reign lasted just a month, but he held the NWA title for three years when it was considered the true world championship. Kiniski also had a stint in the WWWF as a challenger to champion Bruno Sammartino.
Kiniski, who made his pro wrestling debut in 1956, continued to wrestle throughout the 1970s. He served as the guest referee for the famous NWA world title match between Ric Flair and Harley Race at the first Starrcade in 1983.