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Karol Krauser

Nickname: The Polish Apollo

Weight: 215 lbs.

From: Russia

Birthday: Aug 12th

Aliases: Karol Kalmikoff

Feds Worked For: TSW, AWA, NWA, Al Haft Sports (IL/OH), Al Mayer Booking Agency (CT/DE/NJ/NY/DC), Alex Turk Promotion (Canada), All Star Wrestling (Canada), All Star Wrestling (NE), Big Time Wrestling (Canada), Capitol Wrestling Corporation, Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Clark Sports, Inc. (IL), Eastern Sports Enterprises (NJ/NY/DC), Fred Kohler Enterprises (IL), Gerry Legault Promoted Shows (Canada), Gulf Athletic Club (TX), Harry Light Booking Office (MI), Hollywood Booking Office (CA), International Wrestling (Canada), Jack Pfefer Promotions (CA), Los Angeles Booking Office (CA), Lucien Gregoire Promoted Shows (Canada), M & M Promotions (NM/TX), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club (MN), National Wrestling Federation (NJ/NY/OH/PA), NWA Chicago (IL), NWA Hollywood (CA), NWA Indianapolis (IN), NWA Montreal (Canada), NWA Upstate (NY), Provincial Sports Association (Canada), Ray Fabiani Sports, Inc. (PA), Ray LaMontagne Promotions (Canada), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Stampede Wrestling (Canada), Upstate Athletic Club (NY), Wrestling Promotions, Inc. (AZ)

Career Highlights: -AWA (Indiana) World Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-AWA World Tag Team Champion (4x; all w/ Ivan Kalmokoff)
Connecticut Light Heavyweight Champion
-NWA (Calgary) Canadian Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Champion (4x; all w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-NWA (Minneapolis) International Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-NWA (Minneapolis) World Tag Team Champion (6x; 5 w/ Ivan Kalmikoff, 1 w/ Baron Gattoni)
-NWA Southwest Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Ivan Kalmikoff and Great Bolo [1st])
-NWA Texas Tag Team Champion (2x; both w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-NWA (Vancouver) Pacific Coast Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-Ohio Champion
-Stampede International Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivan Kalmikoff)
-TSW Arkansas Junior Heavyweight Champion
-TSW Southwestern Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Jack Donovan and Great Bolo [1st])
-TSW United States Tag Team Champion (w/ Stan Pulaski)

Affiliates: Ivan Kalmikoff, Nikita Kalmikoff, Igor Kalmikoff, Baron Gattoni, The Great Bolo [1st], Jack Donovan, Stan Pulaski, Beauregard Van Burien

Notable Feuds: Crusher Lisowski, Dick the Bruiser, Dick Raines, Bobby Managoff, Johnny Rougeau, Tony Marino, Bronko Nagurski, Bobo Brazil, Karl Von Schober, Pat O'Connor, Billy Watson, Joe Brunetti, Guy Brunetti, Butch Levy, Neff Maivia, Ilio DiPaolo, Athol Layton, Paul Baillergeon, Tony Baillargeon, Roy McClarity, Timothy Geohagen, Mike Clancy, Danny Hodge, Doug Gilbert, Al Galento, Tiny Mills, Pat Flanagan, Fritz Von Erich, Billy Raborn, Ivan Kalmikoff, Kinji Shibuya, Al Lovelock/Great Bolo [1st], Whitey Whittler, Verne Gagne

Other Facts: -Real name was Karol Piwoworczyk
-Although billed from Poland, Russia or Germany, he actually lived in Tulsa, OK
-Was sometimes advertised as the "European Champion", though it's unknown if he carried a title to recognise that.
-Billed as the brother of pro wrestlers Ivan Kalmikoff, Nikita Kalmikoff, & Igor Kalmikoff
-His wedding was attended by Stan Laurel
-Served as the model for artists who drew Superman comics
-Despite being a heel, he was very close friends with Mike Clancy. Their families attended the same church and their children went to school together in Tulsa. Allegedly, Krauser had a clause in his contract stating that he was NEVER to face Clancy in a wrestling bout in Tulsa, nor could matches of theirs filmed elsewhere be shown on Tulsa TV on tape delay.
-Passed away on September 12, 1964 after suffering a heart attack. He was the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion at the time of his passing.