Greg Wojciechowski
Encyclopedia
Greg Wojciechowski is a former American amateur wrestler and professional wrestler, best known by his ring name The Great Wojo, who competed primarily for the Indianapolis-based World Wrestling Association
during the 1980s, most notably being featured in the The $10,000 Challenge in which he would issue an open challenge to face him in a "shoot wrestling
" match with the winner receiving $10,000.
, Wojciechowski began weightlifting
and strength training
by the age of five. As a teenager, Wojciechowski became involved in amateur wrestling competing for Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, where he won the Ohio State Heavyweight Championship in 1967 and 1968.
He went to college and wrestled for the University of Toledo, later winning the NCAA Division I and All-American heavyweight championship in 1971; he was the runner-up in 1970 and 1972 (losing in 1972 to the 415-pound Chris Taylor
). A protege of Joe Scalzo and Dick Torio, he also became 4-time AAU champion in the heavyweight division winning the championship in 1970, 1971, 1974, and 1975. He also made the U.S. Olympic wrestling team in 1980, however he was unable to compete as the United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics. In 1983, he would publish Takedown for heavyweights as part of the Wrestling Coaching Series and was later an alternate on the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic wrestling teams.
during the summer of 1986. Regaining the title in May 1987, he eventually lost the title to Calypso Jim Zaccone for a third and final time.
while demonstrating a wrestling move to a heavyweight student. He underwent surgery for his ripped aorta but later recovered from the operation and continued to coach high school wrestling as well as being actively involved in establishing a wrestling program in Ohio middle schools.
World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)
The World Wrestling Association was an Indianapolis-based pro wrestling promotion which was operated by Dick "The Bruiser" Afflis and his business partner Wilbur Snyder. The WWA was affiliated with the larger American Wrestling Association and recognized its champions, though the WWA also had its...
during the 1980s, most notably being featured in the The $10,000 Challenge in which he would issue an open challenge to face him in a "shoot wrestling
Shoot (professional wrestling)
A shoot in professional wrestling is a term that refers to any unplanned, unscripted or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event. Contrary to popular belief, the name does not originate from "shooting in" for a takedown, as in amateur wrestling - rather it is a carny term shortened from...
" match with the winner receiving $10,000.
Early life and amateur background
Born to Richard and Elaine Wojciechowski in West Toledo, OhioToledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, Wojciechowski began weightlifting
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...
and strength training
Strength training
Strength training is the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. There are many different methods of strength training, the most common being the use of gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction...
by the age of five. As a teenager, Wojciechowski became involved in amateur wrestling competing for Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, where he won the Ohio State Heavyweight Championship in 1967 and 1968.
He went to college and wrestled for the University of Toledo, later winning the NCAA Division I and All-American heavyweight championship in 1971; he was the runner-up in 1970 and 1972 (losing in 1972 to the 415-pound Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor (wrestler)
Chris Taylor was an American freestyle wrestler who competed at 1972 Munich Olympics. At 412 pounds he was the heaviest Olympian ever until the appearance of judoka Ricardo Blas, Jr. in 2008...
). A protege of Joe Scalzo and Dick Torio, he also became 4-time AAU champion in the heavyweight division winning the championship in 1970, 1971, 1974, and 1975. He also made the U.S. Olympic wrestling team in 1980, however he was unable to compete as the United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics. In 1983, he would publish Takedown for heavyweights as part of the Wrestling Coaching Series and was later an alternate on the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic wrestling teams.
Professional background
During the U.S. Olympic boycott, he began training with Dick the Bruiser and soon started wrestling for the World Wrestling Association promotion. Wrestling under the name The Great Wojo, Wojciechowski won his first title defeating Stormy Granzig for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship in July 1984. Although losing the title to his former trainer Dick the Bruiser in January 1985, he would later regain the title in September 1985, ending Dick the Bruiser's final reign as WWA Champion. After successfully defending the title for almost a year, Wojciechowski lost the title to future wrestling superstar Scott RechsteinerScott Steiner
Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order...
during the summer of 1986. Regaining the title in May 1987, he eventually lost the title to Calypso Jim Zaccone for a third and final time.
The $10,000 Challenge
Regularly appearing on the promotion's television program Brusier Bedlam, Wojciechowski often offered $10,000 to any person who could pin him in the ring in a "shoot style" wrestling match. Using both his amateur and professional wrestling skills, Wojciechowski was never defeated during these bouts.Post-Career
Continuing to occasionally wrestle in the Midwest, Canada and Japan after the close of the WWA in 1993, Wojciechowski retired from active competition and began coaching high school wrestling full time in the Toledo area including Libbey High School and later Bowsher High School. In 1999, he suffered a dissected aortaTraumatic aortic rupture
Traumatic aortic rupture, also called traumatic aortic disruption or transection, is a condition in which the aorta, the largest artery in the body, is torn or ruptured as the result of trauma. The condition is frequently fatal due to the profuse bleeding that results from the rupture...
while demonstrating a wrestling move to a heavyweight student. He underwent surgery for his ripped aorta but later recovered from the operation and continued to coach high school wrestling as well as being actively involved in establishing a wrestling program in Ohio middle schools.
Championships and accomplishments
- World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)The World Wrestling Association was an Indianapolis-based pro wrestling promotion which was operated by Dick "The Bruiser" Afflis and his business partner Wilbur Snyder. The WWA was affiliated with the larger American Wrestling Association and recognized its champions, though the WWA also had its...
- WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Indianapolis version) (3 times)
- Amateur
- Ohio State High School Heavyweight Championship (2 times; 1967, 1968)
- NCAA Division I Heavyweight Championship (1 time; 1971)
- AAU Heavyweight Championship (4 times; 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975)
- U.S. Olympic Wrestling team member (1 time; 1980)
- U.S. Olympic Wrestling team alternate member (2 times; 1984, 1988)
- University of Toledo Athletics Hall of Fame