Rusty Brooks

Kurt Koski (February 7, 1958 – February 11, 2021) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Rusty Brooks. He competed in several North American independent promotions, including International World Class Championship Wrestling (IWCCW), Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He also appeared in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the mid-1980s as a preliminary wrestler.

Rusty Brooks
Birth nameKurt Koski
Born(1958-02-07)February 7, 1958
Denton, Texas, United States[1]
DiedFebruary 11, 2021(2021-02-11) (aged 63)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Masked Assassin
Rusty Brooks
Super Duper Mario
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Billed weight345 lb (156 kg)
Trained byJim Isler
Boris Malenko
DebutOctober 31, 1982
Retired2013

Professional wrestling career

Koski was trained by "Gentleman" Jim Isler and Boris Malenko.[1] Brooks made his wrestling debut in Buddy Gilbert's World Wrestling Association against Steve Brody on October 31, 1982.

Within two years, he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was used extensively on WWF Championship Wrestling against Tony Parisi, André the Giant, Junkyard Dog and Ricky Steamboat. In 1985 Brooks had a nationally televised match with WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan. On television he also faced then World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda and The British Bulldogs. In the WWF, Brooks primarily played a heel jobber (a wrestler who was used to make the top stars look good). Brooks often teamed with fellow preliminary wrestlers Steve Lombardi, Barry O, and Mr. X in tag team competition, and Brooks also scored upset wins over his former partners.

After leaving the WWF in late 1985, he competed on the independent circuit in Florida, including a stint in International Championship Wrestling (ICW) as Super Duper Mario. He spent the next decade in various independent promotions, where he won several tag team titles with Dr. Red Roberts, Matt Otto, Jumbo Baretta, "Pretty Boy" Aldo Lane (Ricky Santana), Soulman Alex G and Gangrel. In 1986, he worked for Championship Wrestling from Florida in 1986. From 1986 to 1987, he competed in Florida for Global Championship Wrestling, capturing the Global tag team title with Jumbo Baretta from Dean and Joe Malenko. Brooks and Baretta were managed by wrestling veteran Ox Baker and later Boris Malenko. They feuded with The Soul Patrol and Malenko brothers.

In December 1988, Brooks returned to the WWF, teaming with Iron Mike Sharpe losing Demolition on WWF Superstars and lost to Jake Roberts on WWF Wrestling Challenge.

In 1991, he competed in Herb Abrams's Universal Wrestling Federation where he had matches with B. Brian Blair and Bam Bam Bigelow.

He later wrestled for Future of Wrestling (FOW), where he won the heavyweight and hardcore titles around 2000. He was named "Wrestler of the Year" by FOW. In 2001, he began teaming with Bobby Brooks as The Brooks and later The Masked Assassins in FOW and the Independent Professional Wrestling Association. In 2002, he went to Peru with FOW as they were doing a tour there. During his time in southern Florida, he also faced Hack Meyers, Barry Horowitz, and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine before his retirement in 2002.

On July 31, 2004, Brooks refereed a match during the HCW Incredible 8 Tournament in Davie, Florida. He called a bout between his son, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks and Jimmy Rave. On February 4, 2006, he was honored by Nick Mayberry with an HCW Award, along with three other Florida wrestlers.

He returned to wrestling in 2009 and competed in the independent circuit in Florida. He wrestled his last match in 2013.

Promoting and training

Koski trained students in his Rusty Brooks Pro-Wrestling Academy, which operated in his backyard in the late 1980s and in a warehouse in the 1990s.[2] He later operated the School of Hard Knocks wrestling school with Boris Malenko in Florida.[1] Students trained in the school include Konnor,[1] Luna Vachon,[1] MVP,[1] Gangrel,[1] Angel Rose,[1] and Norman Smiley.[1]

In addition, he was also a trainer from 2017-2019 at G.W.A. (Gangrel's Wrestling Asylum) in Dania Beach, FL. The wrestling school was run by former WWE wrestler Gangrel.

He also worked as the Commissioner of L.I.V.E. Pro Wrestling. He was also the former Director of Authority for Independent Championship Wrestling and has also managed a few of his students in the now defunct Division 1 Pro Wrestling (D1PW).

Personal life

Koski was born in Denton, Texas, but later moved to Florida.[1] He attended Miramar High School,[1] and he was a football player for North Texas State. He is the father of Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, who wrestles on the independent circuit in Florida.

Death

Brooks died on February 11, 2021, aged 63, four days after his birthday.[3] He underwent amputation on several toes in January, a few weeks prior to his death.[4]

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References
  1. Varsallone, Jim (December 10, 2016). "Honoring South Florida wrestling legend Rusty Brooks". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  2. "WWE vet runs wrestling school in back yard". UPI. November 5, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  3. "Beloved wrestler, trainer Rusty Brooks dies". 11 February 2021.
  4. "Rusty Brooks Passes Away At Age 63". Wrestling Inc. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  5. Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 20, 1998). "FOW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  6. Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 13, 2002). "FOW Hardcore Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  7. Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 10, 1998). "FOW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
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