Legendary Professional Wrestler Has Died at 81

(UnitedVoice.com) – Alan Robert Rogowski was a wrestling legend known by his ring name “Ole Anderson.” The professional wrestler was a founding member of one of the most iconic wrestling groups of all time: The Four Horsemen. Sadly, he has now passed away.

On February 26, the WWE announced Rogowski’s death on X, formerly Twitter. The wrestling company extended its “condolences to [his] family, friends, and fans.” The former wrestler was 81. His cause of death is not known.

WWE is saddened to learn that Ole Anderson has passed away.

WWE extends its condolences to Anderson's family, friends, and fans. pic.twitter.com/LmG4sCKu3y

— WWE (@WWE) February 27, 2024

Rogowski was born in 1942 and served in the US Army. In 1967, he joined the American Wrestling Association based out of Minnesota. He stayed with the company for about a year before moving on to Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) in the Carolinas. During this period, he adopted the name “Ole Anderson” and told fans he was the brother of Gene and Lars Anderson. The trio called themselves the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.

The late wrestler left JCP in 1970 and bounced around to other wrestling companies until 1985, when he once again began working with JCP. From 1985 through 1995, he stayed with the company and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It was during this period that he joined The Four Horsemen. His other partners on the team were Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, and Arn Anderson. He was later kicked out of the group so Lex Luger could join, and then in 1989, he returned to bring The Four Horsemen back, joining Flair, Arn, and Sting.

In 1990, Rogowski moved on and became the head of the booking committee for WCW. He’s credited with some of the best creative ideas for the company, which was later bought by WWE. In 1992, he began working as a referee, then in 1993, he temporarily took control of the WCW after Bill Watts was fired.

In 2004, Rogowski’s book “Inside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling” hit the shelves. He slammed the corporate transformation of the sport and described clashes he’d had with people like former WWE CEO Vince McMahon. The book was described as both “insightful” and “bitter.” McMahon later left Rogowski out when he inducted the Four Horsemen into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Rogowski is survived by his longtime partner, Marsha Cain, and his seven children.