Legendary wrestler Karl Gotch (Karl Istaz) passes away in Tampa, more
On Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 2:39 AM EST According to numerous wrestling sources, legendary wrestler Karl Gotch (real name Karl Istaz) passed away on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida with his family and friends. Gotch was only a few days shy of his 83rd birthday.
According to The Wrestling Observer, Gotch was nicknamed "The God of Professional Wrestling" during his time in Japan as the trainer for New Japan Pro Wrestling and later for the original UWF. He had a reputation in many circles as the toughest man alive.