| Killer Karl Krupp | |
|---|---|
 Momberg, circa 1979 | |
| Birth name | George Momberg[1] |
| Born | (1934-05-13)May 13, 1934 Holland,Netherlands[1] |
| Died | August 24, 1995(1995-08-24) (aged 61) Moncton,New Brunswick[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Killer Karl Krupp Dutch Momberg[1] Mad Dog Momberg[2] Baron von Krupp[3] Ichiban #1[3] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[3] |
| Billed weight | 260 lb (120 kg)[3] |
| Billed from | Germany |
| Debut | 1957 |
| Retired | 1988[4] |
George Momberg (May 13, 1934 – August 24, 1995), better known by thering nameKiller Karl Krupp, was aDutch-bornprofessional wrestler famous during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Momberg was interested inamateur wrestling as a youth.[5] At the age of 16, he went toCanada and was involved in many sports,rowing and participating in amateur wrestling at the Hamilton Jewish Centre and in the localYMCA.[6][2] He made his debut as a professional wrestler in 1957 as "The Flying Dutchman" Dutch Momberg,[6] and started wrestling in Canada around 1965.[4]
While working forStampede Wrestling in December 1971, Momberg hit upon thegimmick that would make him a star, the character ofGermanheel, Killer Karl Krupp.[2] The gimmick had been around a good twenty years by this time, first popularized byHans Schmidt and carried further by later stars, such asFritz von Erich. With eyes bulging, a shaved head and short black beard framing a leering grin, Krupp represented a wildly cartoonish, yet frightening wrestling villain. He accessorized for the part with amonocle,riding crop, heavy black boots and black ring cape, and delivered ranting promos in an affected German accent rife with mangled pronunciations.[5][6] Utilizing other familiar staples of the German heel gimmick, Kruppgoose-stepped to the ring, threwstiff-arm salutes, and used an Iron Claw hold (the 'Eye Claw') as his finishing move.[5][1][4] What was unknown to the public at the time was that Momberg hated the Nazis, who had occupied his homeland.[2][7]
On June 10, 1972, Krupp defeatedLeo Burke for theESA'sIW North American Heavyweight Championship.[8] Early the next year he went toJapan, where he had many of his early successes, co-holding theNWA International Tag Team Championship twice between February and April 1973 (once withJohnny Valentine and once each with fellow 'evil Germans',Fritz Von Erich and replacement partnerKarl von Steiger). He also reached the final rounds of the 1974 and 1975New Japan Pro-Wrestling World League Tournaments, both of which he lost toAntonio Inoki.[9] Krupp and Von Erich worked as the "Iron Claw Masters" in Japan.[2][6] Stateside, Krupp first became a big name in theTexas territory in 1973,[4] before moving on toPortland in 1974, where hefeuded withDutch Savage.[7] He also appeared inCWF Florida in 1975, where he was a two-time winner of theNWA Southern Heavyweight Championship.[4] He then moved on toDick the Bruiser'sWWA inIndiana under the moniker Baron von Krupp, which he would also use inDetroit.
In 1980, Krupp came toMemphis, where he tangled withJerry Lawler.[10] He returned before long, however, toAtlantic Canada for a memorable run inAtlantic Grand Prix Wrestling.[1] In the mid-1980s, near the end of his career, he feuded withAngelo Mosca around southernOntario.[1] By the end of March 1983, he began wrestling in theDallasTexas-based territory for Fritz Von Erich'sWorld Class Championship Wrestling. In July 1987, Krupp wrestled his last recorded match before retiring in 1988.[2][4]
George Momberg retired to his adopted home in Atlantic Canada in 1988, working for the Midland Trucking Company.[5][2] He died on August 24, 1995, inMoncton, New Brunswick, after contractinghepatitis while wrestling in Japan.[6]
