View source for Stan Stasiak

{{short description|Canadian professional wrestler (1937-1997)}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name           = Stan "The Man" Stasiak
| image          = Stan Stasiak - Wrestling Program WWWF n.74 1977 (cropped).jpg 
| caption        = Stasiak in 1977
| names          = Crusher Stasiak<br>Emile Koverly<br>Stan Stasiak
| birth_name     = George Emile Stipich
| children       = Two, including [[Shawn Stasiak]]
| height         = 6 ft 4 in<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
| weight         = 270 lb<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
| birth_date     = {{birth date|1937|4|13}}<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/>
| birth_place    = [[Arvida, Quebec]], Canada<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/>
| death_date     = {{Death date and age|1997|6|19|1937|4|13}}
| death_place    = [[Toronto, Ontario]], Canada
| spouse         = {{marriage|Jill Stipitch|1955|1984|reason=her death}}
| billed         = Beaver Creek, Oregon<ref name="Verrier2017"/><br>Buzzard Creek, Oregon<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
| trainer        =
| debut          = 1958<ref name=Encyclopedia/><ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/>
| retired        = 1984
}}
'''George Emile Stipich''' (April 13, 1937 – June 19, 1997) was a Canadian [[professional wrestler]], better known by his [[ring name]], '''Stan''' "'''the Man'''" '''Stasiak'''. He is best known for his appearances with the [[World Wide Wrestling Federation]] (WWWF) in the 1970s, where he won the [[WWWF Heavyweight Championship]] in 1973. He was inducted into the Legacy wing of the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018]].

== Early life ==
George Stipich was born in the village of [[Arvida, Quebec]]. He became a fan of wrestling as a youth, attending shows in [[Chicoutimi]]. Stipich and his friends became known for throwing [[sucker punch]]es at wrestlers; on one occasion, wrestler [[Don Leo Jonathan]] blocked Stipich's punch and knocked him unconscious. As a young man, Stipich worked in an [[aluminium]] mill while playing [[ice hockey]] in the [[Quebec Amateur Hockey Association]] but became known for his lack of discipline, with his final coach encouraging him to switch to professional wrestling.<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/><ref name="Lentz2015"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/>

== Professional wrestling career ==

=== Early career (1958–1965) ===
Stipich trained in [[Montreal]], making his debut in 1958.<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/> He initially wrestled as "Emile Koverly" for the [[Calgary, Alberta]]–based [[Stampede Wrestling|Big Time Wrestling]] promotion. He also wrestled at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto which included a match with Gino Morella, who was later known as [[Gorilla Monsoon]]. in October 1960, he wrestled in the United States for the [[St. Louis Wrestling Club]], where he adopted the ring name "Stan Stasiak", taking it from another wrestler named Stanley Stasiak (real name Ignacy Josef Stasiak) who had died in 1931 from [[sepsis]].<ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/><ref name="Maple"/>

By 1961, Stasiak was dividing his time between Canada and the St. Louis Wrestling Club. In June 1961, he won his first [[championship (professional wrestling)|championship]] in the [[Maple Leaf Wrestling]] promotion, teaming with [[Man Mountain Campbell]] to win the [[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)|NWA International Tag Team Championship]]. They held the titles until September 1961. Stasiak continued to wrestle in Canada and the United States throughout the early 1960s, including making a handful of appearances with the [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]–based [[American Wrestling Association]] in May 1962. In late 1963, he had a stint with the [[Amarillo, Texas]]–based [[Western States Sports]] promotion, where he challenged [[NWA World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Lou Thesz]].

=== Stampede Wrestling (1964–1968) ===
From 1964 to 1968, Stasiak appeared regularly with the [[Calgary, Alberta]], Canada–based [[Stampede Wrestling]] promotion. He held the [[NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version)|NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship]] on four occasions between 1965 and 1967 and the [[Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship]] on three occasions in 1968.<ref name="Verrier2017"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/><ref name="McCoy2010"/>

=== Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1965–1971) ===
In 1965, Stasiak began appearing regularly with [[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]], where he adopted the fictional "Buzzard Creek, Oregon" as his hometown.<ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/> He won the promotion's flagship title, the [[NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship]], five times in 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1971. He also won the [[NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship]] four times between 1965 and 1969, teaming with Haru Sasaki, the Mad Russian, Mighty Ursus, and [[Tony Marino]].<ref name="Verrier2017"/><ref name="Lentz2015"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/><ref name="KreikenbohmPacific"/>

=== International Wrestling Enterprise (1969) ===
In April and May 1969, Stasiak toured Japan with the [[International Wrestling Enterprise]] promotion as part of its "World Selection Series". During the tour, he regularly teamed with [[Dory Dixon]] and [[Tank Morgan]] in [[tag team match]]es and [[six-man tag team match]]es. On April 12, 1969, a [[two-out-of-three-falls match]] pitting Stasiak and Morgan against [[Thunder Sugiyama]] and [[Toyonobori]] for the Trans-World Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Championship ended in a controversial manner, resulting in the titles being vacated; on April 20, Sugiyama and [[Rusher Kimura]] defeated Morgan and Stasiak to win the vacant titles. On April 22, Stasiak unsuccessfully challenged [[Billy Robinson]] for the [[IWA World Heavyweight Championship (International Wrestling Enterprise)|IWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. Stasiak wrestled his final match with IWE on May 5, 1969, teaming with Dixon and Morgan in a loss to Sugiyama, Toyonobori, and the Great Kusatsu.<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE"/><ref name="TWWATag"/>

=== San Francisco (1969–1970) ===
In November 1969, Stasiak began wrestling for the [[San Francisco, California]], United States–based [[Big Time Wrestling (San Francisco)|Big Time Wrestling]] promotion. He quickly formed a tag team with [[Ricky Hunter|The Gladiator]] and began feuding with [[Peter Maivia]] and [[Ray Stevens (wrestler)|Ray Stevens]], repeatedly unsuccessfully challenging them for the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship]]. In August 1970, he formed a short-lived tag team with [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]]. Stasiak left San Francisco in September 1970.<ref name="KreikenbohmNWA1969"/><ref name="KreikenbohmNWA1970"/>

=== World Championship Wrestling (1970) ===
In October 1970, Stasiak wrestled in Australia for the [[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]] promotion. In his debut match, he defeated [[King Curtis Iaukea]] in the [[Festival Hall (Melbourne)|Festival Hall]] in [[Melbourne]] to win the [[IWA World Heavyweight Championship (Australia)|IWA World Heavyweight Championship]] - his first [[World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)|world heavyweight championship]]. He lost the title back to Iaukea the following month.<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/><ref name="Verrier2017"/><ref name="KreikenbohmWCW"/>

=== World Wide Wrestling Federation (1971–1972) ===
In August 1971, Stasiak debuted in the [[northeastern United States]]–based [[World Wide Wrestling Federation]] (WWWF). In his debut match, he challenged [[WWWF Heavyweight Champion]] [[Pedro Morales]] in [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City, New York]]. Over the following months, he faced opponents such as [[Gorilla Monsoon]], [[Arnold Skaaland]], [[Víctor Rivera (professional wrestler)|Víctor Rivera]], and [[Chief Jay Strongbow]] throughout the northeastern United States. In September 1971, he unsuccessfully challenged [[Bobo Brazil]] for the [[WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship]]. He went on to unsuccessfully challenge Morales for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship on a number of further occasions. In February 1972, he formed a short-lived alliance with [[Jimmy Valiant]]. Valiant left the WWWF later that month.<ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF"/>

=== Texas (1972) ===
In March 1972, Stasiak began appearing with the Texas-based [[World Class Championship Wrestling|Big Time Wrestling]] and [[Houston Wrestling]] promotions, facing opponents such as [[Bull Curry]], [[Johnny Valentine]], and [[Toru Tanaka]]. In June 1972, Stasiak defeated [[Red Bastien]] to win the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] at the [[Big Time Wrestling Parade of Champions]] event in the [[Texas Stadium]]. His reign lasted until October 1972 when he lost to [[José Lothario]] in a [[cage match]] in the [[San Antonio Municipal Auditorium]]. He also briefly held the [[WCWA Brass Knuckles Championship|NWA Brass Knuckles Championship]]. Stasiak left Texas in December 1972, with his final appearance being a loss to [[Fritz Von Erich]] in a [[Texas death match|Texas death]] [[cage match]] in the [[Dallas Sportatorium]] on [[Boxing Day]].<ref name="KreikenbohmTexas"/>

=== All Japan Pro Wrestling (1973) ===
In February 1973, Stasiak appeared in Japan with the recently founded [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] promotion. Wrestling as "Crusher Stasiak", he participated in the "Giant Series Total War" tour. His opponents included [[Motoshi Okuma]], Munenori Higo, and [[Thunder Sugiyama]]. During the tour, he occasionally teamed with American wrestler [[Harley Race]]. In his final match, he and Race defeated [[Giant Baba]] and [[Samson Kutsuwada]] in a [[two-out-of-three-falls match]].<ref name="KreikenbohmAJPW"/>

=== World Wide Wrestling Federation (1973–1974) ===
Stasiak returned to the WWF in August 1973, adopting the [[Ernie Roth|Grand Wizard]] as his [[manager (professional wrestling)|manager]].<ref name="Lentz2015"/> In his first match, he unsuccessfully challenged WWWF Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales; he went on to challenge Morales in multiple subsequent matches. In November 1973, he faced [[André the Giant]] in a series of [[six-man tag team match]]es.

On December 1, 1973, in the [[Philadelphia Arena]], Stasiak defeated Morales for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship, ending Morales' nearly three-year long reign. The match ended when Stasiak applied a [[full nelson]] to Morales and both wrestlers fell backwards in a position where they both had their shoulders on the mat, only for Stasiak to lift his shoulder as the referee made the count. Following the match, ring announcer Buddy Wagner did not announce Stasiak as the new champion, instead asking the audience to applaud Morales; journalist [[Dave Meltzer]] suggested that this was intended to prevent the audience from rioting. Stasiak was given little notice that he would be winning the title. According to him, he was sitting in the dressing room in Philadelphia Arena when a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#agent|road agent]] came to discuss the match. Stasiak considered this a formality as he had been having the same discussion, nearly verbatim, in every major city on the [[East Coast of the United States|Eastern Seaboard]] for the past two months. However, this time it was different, as the agent told Stasiak that he was to win the championship. According to fellow wrestler [[Frank Dusek]], the WWWF wanted to make [[Bruno Sammartino]] champion again, but did not want Sammartino to defeat Morales in the process, so they needed a heel wrestler to win it. Stasiak was used as a [[transitional champion]], holding the WWWF Heavyweight Championship for just nine days before losing it to Sammartino on December 10, 1973, in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, United States. Stasiak described his title reign as "the happiest nine days of [my] life".<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/><ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF"/><ref name="Dusek"/><ref name="Guttman2008"/> During his brief reign, Stasiak had a single successful title defense, wrestling [[Chief Jay Strongbow]] to a no contest on December 7, 1973.<ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF"/>

Stasiak faced Sammartino in a rematch in January 1974, but failed to regain the title. In March 1974, Stasiak teamed with [[Larry Hennig]] to unsuccessfully challenge [[Dean Ho (wrestler)|Dean Ho]] and [[Tony Garea]] for the [[WWWF Tag Team Championship]]. Stasiak continued regularly appearing with the WWF until October 1974.<ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF"/>

=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1974) ===
In April and May 1974, Stasiak toured Japan with [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]], competing in its inaugural [[G1 Climax|World League]] [[round-robin tournament]]. On the first day of the tournament, he wrestled [[Antonio Inoki]] to a time limit draw in an exhibition match held in [[Korakuen Hall]] in [[Tokyo]]. Stasiak scored 5.5 points in the first round of the tournament, but did not progress past the second round. The tournament was ultimately won by Inoki.<ref name="KreikenbohmNJPW"/>

=== St. Louis Wrestling Club (1975) ===
In February 1975, Stasiak began wrestling for the [[St. Louis Wrestling Club]], where he regularly appeared on its television show ''[[Wrestling at the Chase]]''. His repeat opponents included [[Pat O'Connor (wrestler)|Pat O'Connor]], [[Édouard Carpentier]], and [[Red Bastien]]. In October 1975, Stasiak unsuccessfully challenged visiting [[WWWF Heavyweight Champion]] [[Bruno Sammartino]]. Stasiak left St. Louis in December 1975, with his final match being a loss to [[Terry Funk]] in the [[Kiel Auditorium]].<ref name="KreikenbohmStLouis"/><ref name="Matysik2005"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2013"/>

=== Maple Leaf Wrestling (1974–1978) ===
In July 1974 he began to wrestle for [[Frank Tunney]]'s Ontario promotion, [[Maple Leaf Wrestling]], he fought [[Tiger Jeet Singh]] for the Asian title at [[Maple Leaf Gardens]]. During the match [[The Sheik (wrestler)|The Sheik]] attacked Singh causing Stasiak to lose. From there Stasiak went into a series of matches with The Sheik for the [[NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship]]. Stasiak's popularity rose as fans discovered that he was indeed a Canadian. Later on he fought [[Jack Brisco]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in 1975, [[Terry Funk]] for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1976, [[Superstar Billy Graham]] WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1977 and [[Nick Bockwinkel]] for the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in 1978.

=== Georgia Championship Wrestling (1976) ===
In January 1976, Stasiak began wrestling for the [[Atlanta]]-based [[Georgia Championship Wrestling]] promotion. He regularly teamed with other [[heel (professional wrestling)|heels]] such as [[Abdullah the Butcher]], [[Moondog Mayne]], and [[The Spoiler (wrestler)|The Spoiler]]. In March 1976, Stasiak defeated [[Dick Slater]] to win the [[NWA Macon Heavyweight Championship]]. He lost the title to [[Mr. Wrestling II]] the following month. In September 1976, Stasiak and [[Killer Brooks]] unsuccessfully challenged The Black Bombers for the [[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]]. Stasiak left Georgia Championship Wrestling in October 1976.<ref name="KreikenbohmGeorgia"/>

=== World Wide Wrestling Federation (1975–1979) ===
On September 13, 1975, Stasiak wrestled Bruno Sammartino who was WWWF Heavyweight Champion to a double disqualification in Steubenville, Ohio.

In November 1976, Stasiak began regularly wrestling for the WWWF once more. In his first match back, he challenged WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino in Madison Square Garden, winning by count-out. The following month, he lost to Sammartino in a [[Stretcher match|"Sicilian stretcher" match]]. In early-1977, Stasiak repeatedly challenged [[Billy White Wolf]] and [[Chief Jay Strongbow]] for the [[WWWF Tag Team Championship]], with his partners including [[Baron Mikel Scicluna]], [[Baron von Raschke]], and [[Tor Kamata]]. Throughout spring 1977, Stasiak repeatedly unsuccessfully challenged Sammartino. During the remainder of 1977 and early 1978, Stasiak's regular opponents included [[Gorilla Monsoon]], [[Ivan Putski]], [[Larry Zbyszko]], and [[Peter Maivia]].<ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF"/> In April 1978, Stasiak unsuccessfully challenged [[Bob Backlund]], who had recently won the WWWF Heavyweight Championship. Over the following months, he teamed with a series of partners including [[Butcher Vachon]], [[George Steele]], and [[Johnny Rodz]] to challenge WWWF Tag Team Champions [[Dino Bravo]] and [[Dominic DeNucci]], but was unable to defeat them. Beginning in December 1978, he again teamed with a series of partners to challenge new WWWF Tag Team Champions Larry Zbyszko and [[Tony Garea]]. Stasiak left the WWWF in March 1979.<ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF"/>

=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1979) ===
Stasiak once again toured Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling from February to April 1979 as part of its "Big Fight Series". His first match, a loss to [[Riki Choshu]], was broadcast on [[TV Asahi]]. During the tour, Stasiak faced opponents such as [[Antonio Inoki]], [[Riki Choshu]], [[Seiji Sakaguchi]], and [[Tatsumi Fujinami]]. On several occasions, he teamed with fellow Canadian wrestler [[Tiger Jeet Singh]] and with the Japanese wrestler [[Masa Saito]].<ref name="KreikenbohmNJPW"/>

=== Late career (1979–1984) ===
In spring 1979, Stasiak returned to Pacific Northwest Wrestling, where he became a mainstay. He won the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship twice more in 1979 and the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship four more times. In the early 1980s, he did commentary there and also worked as a photographer.<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/><ref name="Verrier2017"/><ref name="Verrier2018"/><ref name="PiperPicarello2002"/> In mid-1980, Stasiak appeared with the [[Louisiana]], United States–based [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Mid-South Wrestling]] promotion. In the latter half of 1980, Stasiak competed in Texas once more, appearing with Big Time Wrestling and Western States Sports. During this time, he won the [[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship|NWA Texas Tag Team Championship]] and the [[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version)|NWA Brass Knuckles Championship]]. Stasiak retired from professional wrestling in 1984.<ref name="Lentz2015"/>

== Retirement ==
After retiring in 1984, Stasiak worked for Kellum [[Datsun]] in [[Gladstone, Oregon]], as a car salesman. After a short time at the Datsun dealership, he moved to Toronto, where he worked as a security guard. When his health began to decline, he relocated back to Oregon in 1994.<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/> He was inducted into the [[Stampede Wrestling#Hall of Fame|Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame]] in 1995,<ref name="StampedeHOF1"/><ref name="StampedeHOF2"/> and (posthumously) into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2018.<ref name="WWE"/>

== Professional wrestling style and persona ==
For most of his career, Stasiak portrayed a "menacing" [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] known for his "rulebreaking tactics". Early in his career he used the nicknames "Crusher" and "the Assassin of Arvida" and a [[bear hug]] for a finishing move. Later, he adopted the nickname "The Man" and began using the [[heart punch]] - "a stiff shot to his opponent's chest, sold as if it could stop the organ from pumping were Stasiak to land his fist just right" - as his finishing move.<ref name="LapradeHébert2013"/><ref name="Lentz2015"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/><ref name="McCoy2010"/><ref name="WWE"/> He was a "large, powerful, bruising" wrestler.<ref name="Verrier2017"/> Although hailing from Canada, for most of his career Stasiak was billed from the (fictitious) towns of "Beaver Creek" or "Buzzard Creek" in Oregon in the United States.<ref name=Encyclopedia/><ref name="Verrier2017"/>

== Death ==
Stipich died of [[congestive heart failure]] on June 19, 1997, while awaiting a [[heart transplant]]. Fellow wrestler [[Tony Borne]] gave the eulogy at his funeral, describing him as "a very good natured-individual" and "a real trooper" {{sic}}.<ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/><ref name="Lentz1997"/>

== Personal life ==
Stipich had two children: a daughter, Brittany, and a son, Shawn, who also wrestled professionally as [[Shawn Stasiak]]. He was survived by his widow Kimberly Stasiak. Stipich was of [[Croats|Croatian]] descent.<ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/>

== Championships and accomplishments ==
* '''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
** Other honoree ([[Cauliflower Alley Club#1996|1996]]) 
* '''[[Central States Wrestling]]'''
** NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Lee Henning
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Macon Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)
* '''[[Maple Leaf Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Toronto version)'']] ([[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Man Mountain Campbell]]
* '''[[NWA All-Star Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (''Vancouver version'')]] ([[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)#Title history|2 times]]) - with [[Dutch Savage]]
* '''[[World Class Championship Wrestling|NWA Big Time Wrestling]]'''
** [[WCWA Brass Knuckles Championship|NWA Brass Knuckles Championship ''(Texas version)'']] ([[WCWA Brass Knuckles Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref name=BrassBook/><ref name=BrassWeb/>
** [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=TexasBook/><ref name=TexasWeb/>
** [[NWA Texas Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Texas Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Killer Tim Brooks]]<ref name=ETexTagTitleBook/><ref name=ETexTagTitle/>
* Upstate Wrestling ( WWWF Buffalo affiliate )
** [[ North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[ North American Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
* '''[[Pacific Northwest Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship#Title history|6 times]])<ref name="WWE"/><ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/>
** [[NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship#Title history|8 times]]) - with Mad Russian (1 time), Mighty Ursus (1 time), Haru Sasaki (1 time), Tony Marino (1 time), Dutch Savage (1 time), [[Buddy Rose]] (1 time), and [[Billy Jack Haynes]] (2 times)<ref name="JohnsonOliver2010"/>
*'''''Ring Around The Northwest Newsletter'''''
**Wrestler of the Year (1965)<ref name="Rodgers"/>
* '''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version)|NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship ''(Calgary version)'']] ([[NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version)#Title history|4 times]])<ref name="WWE"/>
** [[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])
** [[Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame]] (Class of 1995)<ref name="StampedeHOF1"/><ref name="StampedeHOF2"/>
* '''[[Western States Sports]]'''
** [[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version)|NWA Brass Knuckles Championship ''(Amarillo version)'']] ([[NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version)#Title History|1 time]])
* '''[[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[IWA World Heavyweight Championship (WCW Australia)|IWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[IWA World Heavyweight Championship (WCW Australia)#Title history|1 time]])
* '''[[World Wide Wrestling Federation]] / [[WWE]]'''
** [[WWWF Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|1 time]])<ref name="WWWFTitle"/>
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|Class of 2018]])<ref name="WWE"/>

== References ==
<references>
<ref name=BrassBook>{{Cite book | first1=Royal |last1=Duncan |first2=Gary |last2=Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories |chapter= (Texas) Dallas: NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title | page= 271 | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2006|edition=4 | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>

<ref name=BrassWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/nwa/nwa-tx-bk.html | title=Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas] | access-date=December 22, 2019 | work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>

<ref name="Dusek">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/mu/mu-st/mu-st-stasiak.html|title=The night Stan Stasiak became World Champ|website=WrestlingClassics.com|access-date=January 12, 2021|first=Frank|last=Dusek|date=1999}}</ref>

<ref name=Encyclopedia>{{cite book|title=[[WWE Encyclopedia]]|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/284 284]|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0}}</ref>

<ref name=ETexTagTitleBook>{{cite book| last1=Will | first1=Gary | first2=Royal | last2= Duncan | title=Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2000 | chapter=Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich] | isbn=0-9698161-5-4 | pages=275–276}}</ref>

<ref name=ETexTagTitle>{{cite web| url = http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/tx-t.html | title = NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]| access-date = December 27, 2019 | work= Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>

<ref name="Guttman2008">{{cite book|first=James|last=Guttman|title=World Wrestling Insanity Presents: Shoot First... Ask Questions Later|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gFSvQaUVSIwC&pg=PT137|year=2008|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-55490-328-3|pages=137}}</ref>

<ref name="JohnsonOliver2010">{{cite book|first1=Steven|last1=Johnson|first2=Greg|last2=Oliver|title=The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H-6DoPuiRkEC&pg=PA359|date=2010|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-55490-284-2|pages=357–360}}</ref>

<ref name="JohnsonOliver2013">{{cite book|first1=Steven|last1=Johnson|first2=Greg|last2=Oliver|first3=Mike|last3=Mooneyham|title=The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0wxLpfRhZqcC&pg=PT37|date=2013|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-77090-269-5|pages=37}}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmAJPW">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&promotion=6 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - All Japan Pro Wrestling | access-date=January 10, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmGeorgia">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&promotion=66 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - Georgia Championship Wrestling | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&year=1969&promotion=1153 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - International Wrestling Enterprise | access-date=January 10, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmNJPW">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&promotion=7 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - New Japan Pro Wrestling | access-date=January 11, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmNWA1969">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&year=1969&promotion=9 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - National Wrestling Alliance - 1969 | access-date=January 10, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmNWA1970">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&year=1970&promotion=9 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - National Wrestling Alliance - 1970 | access-date=January 11, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmPacific">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&promotion=408 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - Pacific Northwest Wrestling | access-date=January 12, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmStLouis">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&year=1975&promotion=347 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - St Louis Wrestling Club | access-date=January 11, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmTexas">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&year=1972&promotion=9 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - National Wrestling Alliance - 1972 | access-date=January 10, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmWCW">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&promotion=635 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - World Championship Wrestling | access-date=January 11, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmWWWF">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=623&page=4&promotion=1&s=300 | title=Stan Stasiak - Career - World Wrestling Entertainment | access-date=January 10, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

<ref name="LapradeHébert2013">{{cite book|first1=Pat|last1=Laprade|first2=Bertrand|last2=Hébert|title=Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs: The Untold Story of How Montreal Shaped the World of Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ey8bluWM_m4C&pg=PA1847|date=2013|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-77090-296-1|pages=1846–1850}}</ref>

<ref name="Lentz1997">{{cite book|first=Harris M.|last=Lentz|title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A5sHAQAAMAAJ|year=1997|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|isbn=978-0-7864-0460-5|page=165}}</ref>

<ref name="Lentz2015">{{cite book|first=Harris M.|last=Lentz III|title=Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling|edition=2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QjGSCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA330|date=2015|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|isbn=978-1-4766-0505-0|pages=330}}</ref>

<ref name="Maple">{{cite web|url=http://mapleleafwrestling.com/15notables.htm |title=15 notable of MLW |publisher=Maple Leaf Wrestling |access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="Matysik2005">{{cite book|first=Larry|last=Matysik|title=Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gkG8cZTjBuYC&pg=PA113|year=2005|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-55022-684-3|pages=113}}</ref>

<ref name="McCoy2010">{{cite book|first=Heath|last=McCoy|title=Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i_dGLlfvGJkC&pg=PT165|date=2010|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-55490-299-6|pages=164–165}}</ref>

<ref name="PiperPicarello2002">{{cite book|authorlink1=Roddy Piper|first1=Roddy|last1=Piper|first2=Robert|last2=Picarello|title=In the Pit with Piper|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MNiB_WN0D-MC&pg=PT60|date=2002|publisher=[[Penguin Publishing Group]]|isbn=978-1-4406-7329-0|pages=60}}</ref>

<ref name="Rodgers">{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/pnw/pnw16.htm |title=Regional Territories: PNW #16 |last=Rodgers |first=Mike |date=2004 |website=KayfabeMemories.com }}</ref>

<ref name="StampedeHOF1">{{Cite episode |title=Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame: 1948-1990 |series=Showdown at the Corral: A Tribute to Stu Hart |series-link=Stu Hart 50th Anniversary Show |first=Ed |last=Whalen |network=[[Shaw Communications|Shaw Cable]] |station=[[CICT-DT|Calgary 7]] |date=December 15, 1995 |time=15:38}}</ref>

<ref name="StampedeHOF2">{{cite web |url= http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/hof.html|title=Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948-1990) |year=2003 | website=Wrestling-Titles.com }}</ref>

<ref name=TexasBook>{{cite book| last1=Will | first1=Gary | first2=Royal | last2= Duncan | title=Wrestling Title Histories: Professional Wrestling Champions Around the World From the 19th Century to the Present | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2000 | chapter=Texas: NWA Texas Heavyweight Title [Von Erich] | isbn=0-9698161-5-4 | pages=268–269}}</ref>

<ref name=TexasWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/tx-h.html | title= NWA Texas Heavyweight Title | access-date=March 30, 2017 | work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>

<ref name="TWWATag">{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/iwe/twwa-t.html | title=Trans-World Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title |access-date=January 11, 2021 |website=Wrestling-Titles.com }}</ref>

<ref name="Verrier2017">{{cite book|first=Steven|last=Verrier|title=Professional Wrestling in the Pacific Northwest: A History, 1883 to the Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ptg5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT109|date=2017|publisher=[[McFarland and Company]]|isbn=978-1-4766-2967-4|pages=101–103}}</ref>

<ref name="Verrier2018">{{cite book|first=Steven|last=Verrier|title=Gene Kiniski: Canadian Wrestling Legend|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D36CDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT177|date=2018|publisher=[[McFarland and Company]]|isbn=978-1-4766-7483-4|pages=177}}</ref>

<ref name="WWE">{{cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/stan-stasiak-0 | title=Stan Stasiak | access-date=January 11, 2021 |publisher=[[WWE]] |website=[[WWE]].com }}</ref>

<ref name="WWWFTitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-h.html|title=WWWF/WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>
</references>

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles|iwd=stan-stasiak-3731}}
* {{IMDb name|nm6722033|George Stipich}}
{{NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship}}
{{Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship}}
{{WWE Championship}}
{{WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Wing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stasiak, Stan}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Croatian descent]]
[[Category:IWA World Heavyweight Champions (Australia)]]
[[Category:NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champions (Calgary version)]]
[[Category:NWA International Tag Team Champions (Toronto version)]]
[[Category:NWA Macon Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWF North American Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:People from Saguenay, Quebec]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Quebec]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:WCWA Brass Knuckles Champions]]
[[Category:WWE Champions]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]
[[Category:NWA Texas Heavyweight Champions]]