One of the most iconic and legendary figures in professional wrestling as well as one of the best heels, even while being a baby-face, Baron Von Raschke, is the subject of a new documentary based on his life to be entitled "The Claw"
Karl Raschke, the son of Baron, announced this weekend that his infamous father would have his life story told in a movie directed by Phillip Harder. The director has become well know for his work directing music videos and for his experimentation with a variety of formats including digital, 8mm and 16mm film.
The Baron was a staple for Verne Gagne's AWA based in Minneapolis, MN and would find his greatest claim to fame for the promotion. Gagne was known for his affinity for using amateur wrestlers since he considered them more legit and believable in the ring and Raschke had been an amateur wrestler for Nebraska before a stint in the US Military. Raschke won a Bronze Medal in the 1963 World Games and would be an Olympic qualifier in 1964.
Raschke would adopt the German villain character using the claw as his finishing move and he would often use it on the forehead of an opponent who would eventually bleed due to the force of the hold. In the WWWF when the Baron would apply his hold it would be censored on TV because of the blood that would often be spilled.
The Baron would be recognized as the first NWA Television Champion and would win titles across the country including the AWA World Tag Team Championship and the WWA (Bruiser) World Championship as well as a number of other single and tag team titles with a variety of partners.
In 2007 Raschke would star in a stage play based on his career that would have a several month run at the Minnesota History Theater. The play focused on the amount of heat Raschke would draw playing the part of an evil German and how he would often have to fight his way back to the dressing room.
Raschke, who would often teach part-time when not wrestling, was inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 and was also inducted into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame.
In interviews post-career Raschke was always humble and grateful for the opportunities that professional wrestling provided him. To quote The Baron "Dat is all the people need to know" in what would become his most infamous catch phrase.
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