.jpg) | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward S. Cholak (1930-03-17)March 17, 1930 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 31, 2002(2002-10-31) (aged 72) Hammond, Indiana, U.S. |
Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Moose Cholak Eddie Cholak Golden Moose Golden Terror Yukon Moose |
| Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Billed weight | 360 lb (160 kg) |
| Billed from | Moosehead, Maine |
| Trained by | Al Haft |
| Debut | 1952 |
| Retired | 1987 |
Edward S. Cholak (March 17, 1930 – October 31, 2002) was an Americanprofessional wrestler better known by his ring nameMoose Cholak.[1][2][3]
Cholak competed in North American regional promotions from 1952 until 1987, primarily in the Midwest and northeast. The nearly 400-lb Cholak was known for wearing a moose head to the ring and giving a "moose call" prior to his matches.[4][5]
A native of Chicago's Southeast Side, Cholak was an all-city wrestling champion and an AAU amateur champion atChicago Vocational High School.[2] Cholak played tackle for theUniversity of Wisconsin football team, but left after one year to join theNavy during theKorean War. In addition to boxing and wrestling in the service, he was also trained asSeaBeeengineer.[1][2][3]
After leaving the navy in 1952, Cholak was recruited into professional wrestling by formerAWA World Heavyweight champion,Chief Don Eagle.[3][5] Cholak was trained byColumbus, Ohiopromoter and formerNWA vice president, Al Haft.[6][7]
Between 1953 and 1987, Cholak wrestled in 8,000 matches.[2] Cholak's moose gimmick and finishing move "El Squasho" as well as thebig splash[5] finishing move made him a star in the early years of televised wrestling,[1] includingWrestling from Marigold andWrestling from the International Amphitheater that both originated from Chicago. Among his many singles andtag-team championships, Cholak won theInternational Wrestling Association championship in Japan in 1963, defeatingRikidozan.[3]
From 1976 to 1996, Cholak supplemented his wrestling income by working as an engineer for Chicago's Streets and Sanitation Department.[1][2][3] On nights and weekends when he wasn't booked to wrestle, Cholak also worked in his family's tavern, Calumet Beach Inn. Cholak met Arlene, his wife of 45 years, at the tavern.[3]
Eventually weighing over 400 pounds, Cholak died of complications from astroke on October 31, 2002, in aHammond, Indiana hospital at the age of 72.[1][2][3]