Tag: corporal kirchner

December 27, 2021 Observer Newsletter: COVID hits pro wrestling again, Corporal Kirchner passes away

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The latest COVID spread through the Delta and Omicron variant leading to new cases that caused delays and changes to the NFL, NHL (which paused its season this past week until after Christmas), and NBA schedule this past week have also involved pro wrestling.

The most notable news is that with the province of Quebec ordering a shutdown due to rising numbers, and all entertainment events not being allowed to have spectators, the WWE canceled its 12/30 house show in Laval, Quebec at the Place Bell Arena. WWE rescheduled the date for 3/6 and tickets for 12/30, which had upwards of 6,000 tickets out, would be moved to that date.

The 12/29 show in Toronto is still on, although they have to somehow cut back on the 7,178 tickets that were out down to a maximum of 5,000 in the building. All entertainment events in Ontario in indoor buildings larger than 1,000 capacity have to be cut down to 50 percent capacity.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

WOR: RIP Corporal Kirchner, AEW Dynamite & NXT recaps

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all of the latest in pro wrestling and MMA.

We discuss a ton of topics including the following:

  • The passing of Corporal Kirchner
  • COVID-19 and sports
  • AEW Dynamite and news coming out of the show
  • NXT
  • Box office draw of the year
  • AEW Rampage spoilers

Click below to listen.

Timestamps:
Start: Dave’s back from vacation, COVID resurging & WWE Canada updates
10:59: Corporal Kirchner passes away
23:04: PWTees data breach, Johnny Mundo vs. El Hijo del Vikingo at AAA Rey de Reyes
27:59: Raw and NXT ratings, Lash Legend vs. Sarray
43:13: Dynamite report
1:15:44: NXT report, Best Box Office Draw award
1:32:16: AEW Rampage spoilers

Right click save

Corporal Kirchner passes away at 64 years old

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Michael James Penzel, best known as Corporal Kirchner in the WWF and later in Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling as Leatherface, has passed away at the age of 64.

It was reported by FMW archivist BahuFMW that Kirchner had passed away. The Loflin Funeral Home in Liberty, North Carolina has posted an obituary.

Kirchner started his career in 1980 training under Verne Gagne and first started working in the World Wrestling Federation as a preliminary wrestler. Kirchner soon adopted the name Corporal Kirchner, highlighting his experience as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. He feuded with Nikolai Volkoff in 1986, leading to a match at WrestleMania 2 where he defeated Volkoff in a flag match. Kirchner left the company in 1987.

After a tour in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Kirchner adopted a new gimmick, Leatherface (and later Super Leather), based on the character from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre film franchise. He would wrestle under the gimmick in Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling through 2002, when FMW closed down.

WWE.com had reported in 2006 that Kirchner had died. The story was taken down after Kirchner contacted WWE saying that he was still alive.