Wrestling legend Verne Gagne dies at 89

Wrestling legend Verne Gagne died Monday at the age of 89.

Gagne made a name for himself in the wrestling business first as a wrestler, and then as the promoter of the American Wrestling Association.

Before his professional career began, Gagne put together a stellar list of accomplishments in the amateur ranks.

While at the University of Minnesota, Gagne won four Big Ten Wrestling championships and was a two-time NCAA wrestling champion. He was so talented that he earned a spot on the 1948 United States Olympic squad.

Gagne began his pro career in 1950, according to the WWE, and went on to wrestle for 30 years. During his active in-ring career, he won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on 10 occasions and was a 16-time world champion overall, according to Fox 9 in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Before he retired however, he became the promoter and owner of the AWA and helped cultivate a slew of big-name talent such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter, The Iron Sheik, The Road Warriors, Jesse Ventura, Gene Okerlund, Curt Hennig (Mr. Perfect) and many, many more.

Gagne was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.