Ed Wiskowski (most popularly known as Col. DeBeers during his time in pro wrestling) passed away at 80.
Wiskowski, who started his pro wrestling career in 1972 and teamed up with Playboy Buddy Rose in the Portland area, was trained by Harley Race and Lord Littlebrook. He worked under various gimmicks, including “Easy” Ed Wiskoski, Dereck Draper, Mega Maharishi Imed, The Polish Prince, and The General. He is best known for his run as Col. DeBeers in the AWA, where he worked from 1985 until the promotion’s run in late 1990.
After the AWA shut down, Wiskowski took the Col. DeBeers character to the UWF, where he feuded with Iceman Parsons and Paul Orndorff and was involved in an angle where he refused to let referee Larry Sampson officiate his matches for racist reasons. Wiskowski’s last match was at the 2005 Wrestle Reunion event, where he, Buddy Rose, and Bob Orton Jr. lost to Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and Jimmy Valiant. He opened a pro wrestling school in Portland from 2001 to 2006 and eventually retired to Arizona.
We here at PWMania.com send out condolences to Mr. Wiskowski’s friends, family, and fans.
It is with profound sadness that the Cauliflower Alley Club announces the passing of Ed Wiskowski, better known to wrestling fan as Colonel DeBeers, at the age of 80. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans worldwide. Thank for the memories. R.I.P. Sir pic.twitter.com/pT150vSIY3
— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) January 26, 2025
