The wrestling world is mourning the lack of Al DeRusha, the previous AWA director who handed away earlier this week on the age of 88, simply shy of his 89th birthday.
Referred to as a jack of all trades, DeRusha performed pivotal roles in Verne Gagne’s AWA, from directing weekly tv packages to showing on-screen, selling occasions, and even serving as a referee.
Born on November 8, 1935, DeRusha grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, because the youngest of 11 siblings. His profession started in carnivals however quickly transitioned into tv manufacturing, beginning with a mailroom place on the rising WMIN station, which later merged with WTCN in 1964. Rising via the ranks, he turned an completed director and even served an eight-year stint within the Naval Reserve as a correspondent, producing documentaries centered on army life.
DeRusha’s journey in wrestling started with the launch of the All-Star Wrestling program in 1961, which aired on Saturdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on WMIN. His abilities had been quickly acknowledged by the AWA, and he was introduced on board to supervise manufacturing, a job that solidified his place in wrestling historical past.
His profession noticed ups and downs, significantly throughout Vince McMahon’s aggressive nationwide enlargement, which raided AWA’s expertise pool. DeRusha himself was briefly employed away however returned to the AWA after two years, staying till the corporate’s eventual closure. Publish-wrestling, DeRusha joined the Out of doors Amusement Enterprise Affiliation, the place he rose to the place of senior vice chairman.
DeRusha’s contributions had been honored when he was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Corridor of Fame in 2015, a testomony to his impression each out and in of the wrestling world.
Al DeRusha is survived by his spouse Marlene, whom he married in 1955, their 4 youngsters, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A funeral service for DeRusha will likely be held subsequent Wednesday.
What are your recollections of Al DeRusha’s work in wrestling or broadcasting? Share your ideas and tributes within the feedback beneath.
November 6, 2024 10:59 am