Biography

George Emile Stipich (1937–1997), known as Stan "The Man" Stasiak, was a Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) during the 1970s. In 1973, he won the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, though his reign was brief, lasting only nine days before losing it to Bruno Sammartino in what was considered a transitional reign. Throughout his career, Stasiak competed in various international promotions, including AWA, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Pacific Northwest Wrestling, where he became known for his aggressive style and finishing move, the "heart punch," which was sold as a blow capable of stopping his opponent’s heart. Stasiak was a technical wrestler who often played the villain (heel) role, and although he didn’t have a long reign as world champion, he made a significant impact on professional wrestling during that era. After retiring in 1984, he worked in various fields, including as a car salesman and security guard. Over the years, he received recognition for his contributions to the sport, and was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. He passed away in 1997 due to congestive heart failure while awaiting a heart transplant. His personal life was marked by his affable nature, and he left an important legacy in professional wrestling, especially for his contributions during the golden age of the WWWF.