Udo Froelich (3 May 1937 – 10 February 2023)[2] was a German-Canadian professional wrestler who spent most his career in Vancouver, Canada for NWA All-Star Wrestling and Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, Oregon.

Erich Froelich
Birth nameUdo Froehlich
Born(1937-05-03)3 May 1937[1]
West Germany
Died10 February 2023(2023-02-10) (aged 85)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Erich Froelich
Eric Rommel
Ricky Rommel
Billed height5"11
Billed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Trained byRod Fenton
Debut1960
Retired1982

Professional wrestling career

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Froelich was born in West Germany and emigrated to Canada in 1956 to avoid being drafted by the German army. He was gymnast. In 1960, he made his professional wrestling debut in Vancouver after he was trained by Canadian wrestler Rod Fenton. Became a household name for the promotion.[3] In 1966, Froelich made his debut for Pacific Northwest Wrestling and spent many years there.

He wrestled barefoot. Froelich's signature move was the nip up, a move that came about when he was laying flat on his back in the ring and would bring his legs up to his stomach and throw himself forward into a standing position.[4]

During his career, he worked in many countries in England, Puerto Rico, Japan, Fiji, Hawaii and Australia.

On August 12, 1972, Froelich won his first and only singles title when he won NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship defeating Kinji Shibuya. He dropped the title to Masa Saito a month later.

In 1977, Froliech teamed with Mr. X and won the NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version).

Froelich retired from wrestling in 1982 due to open heart and lung surgeries, knee and hip replacements.[5]

Personal life and Death

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After retiring from wrestling Froelich resided in Vancouver.

On February 10, 2023, Froelich died at the age of 85.[6]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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General

  • Oliver, Greg (2003). "Roll Call: Erich Froelich". The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Canadians. ECW Press. p. 224. ISBN 1-55022-531-6.
  • Nevada, Vance (2022). (Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy. FriesenPress. ISBN 9781039154797.
  • Nevada, Vance. (December 3, 2000). "Eric Froelich Career Record". SLAM! Wrestling.

Specific

  1. ^ Oliver, Greg (16 April 2001). "Erich Froelich a rarity as a good guy German". SLAM! Wrestling. Canoe.com. Retrieved 2001-04-16.
  2. ^ "Profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  3. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Erich Froelich « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
  4. ^ "White Rock "All Star" Passes".
  5. ^ Rothon, Robert (28 July 2009). "All Star Wrestling's gay icon". SLAM! Wrestling. Canoe.com. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  6. ^ Oliver, Greg (11 February 2023). "Erich Froelich dead at 85". SLAM! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  7. ^ "NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  8. ^ "International Television Tag Team Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
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