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DeutschKen Resnick
Ken Resnick (May 8) is an American wrestling announcer who served as an interviewer for the American Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation.
Early career
[edit]Prior to working in wrestling, Resnick worked in public relations and marketing for the Calgary Cowboys, was the Media Information Director for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, was a sales manager for Chrysler, and was a sports reporter for KTTC in Rochester, Minnesota.[1][2]
Wrestling
[edit]American Wrestling Association (1983–1986)
[edit]In late 1983, while covering a celebrity golf tournament for KTTC, Resnick interviewed AWA owner Verne Gagne. Gagne was looking for a replacement for interviewer Gene Okerlund and offered Resnick the job shortly thereafter. Resnick remained with the company until April 1986, with his final appearance coming at WrestleRock 86.[3] Prior to the event, Resnick appeared in a promotional music video for the show entitled the "WrestleRock Rumble". It featured Resnick and other AWA talent rapping verses in a vein similar to The Super Bowl Shuffle.[4]
World Wrestling Federation (1986–1987)
[edit]Following his departure from the AWA, Resnick planned on returning to Chrysler, however his friend Blackjack Lanza convinced him to interview for a job with the World Wrestling Federation.[5] Resnick joined the WWF on May 1, 1986.[6] His final television appearance as a WWF announcer was on the March 14, 1987 episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge.[7]
Later work (1987–present)
[edit]Resnick served as an announcer for the Ladies Professional Wrestling Association during the early 1990s. In 1996, he hosted the American Wrestling Federation's syndicated television program Warriors of Wrestling.[8] In 2012 he returned to wrestling as an announcer for Traditional Championship Wrestling.[9] In 2018 he became an announcer for Ring Warriors, a professional wrestling promotion that airs on WGN America and Amazon Prime Video.[10]
Other work
[edit]From 1991 to 1992, Resnick was the announcer of American Gladiators Live Tour.[1][11]
In 1996, Resnick was appointed to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission by Governor Arne Carlson. He was reappointed by Jesse Ventura and Tim Pawlenty.[1]
Resnick served as the play by play announcer for the first season of RollerJam, a roller derby program that aired on The Nashville Network.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Resnick resides in Edina, Minnesota. He and his mother lost their life savings in a Ponzi scheme run by a former friend of Resnick, Stu Voigt.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Governor Pawlenty Appoints Three to Amateur Sports Commission" (PDF). Office of the Governor Tim Pawlenty. State of Minnesota. January 30, 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Minnesota Saints battle to survive". St. Petersburg Times. January 1, 1977. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment. DK Publishing. 2020. ISBN 9780744035100. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Past Inductions". WrestleCrap. 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
- ^ Fernow, Bill (20 March 2015). "Ken Resnick Celebrated for Broadcasting Career". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Zavoral, Nolan (July 20, 1986). "Once congenial foes, AWA and WWF now out to pin each other". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
- ^ Dixon, James; Furious, Arnold; Dahlstrom, Bob; Ashley, Rick (2013). Superstar Series: The Hart Foundation. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781291538410.
- ^ Mooneyham, Mike (October 13, 1996). "Alperstein taking different approach with new AWF". The Post and Courier.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Announcer, Ken Resnick Signs With TCW Wrestling". PW Mania. May 10, 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (September 13, 2018). "Ring Warriors Releases Highlight Reel Trailer in Advance of WGN America Debut". PW Insider. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Anderson, John (October 18, 1991). "The Circus Maximuscles". Newsday.
- ^ Mendoza, Manuel (January 14, 1999). "One side, wrasslers – Rollerjam's hard-hitting babes have returned". The Vindicator. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Bjorhus, Jennifer (January 28, 2012). "Federal bank regulators go after ex-Vikings great Voigt". McClatchy - Tribune Business News.