Ken Resnick is an American wrestling announcer who served as an interviewer for the American Wrestling Association and the World Wrestling Federation.

Early career

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

American Wrestling Association

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

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

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

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

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "WHA Off-Ice Personnel". WHA Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. ^ WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment. DK Publishing. 2020. ISBN 9780744035100. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Past Inductions". WrestleCrap. 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  5. ^ Fernow, Bill (20 March 2015). "Ken Resnick Celebrated for Broadcasting Career". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  6. ^ Zavoral, Nolan (July 20, 1986). "Once congenial foes, AWA and WWF now out to pin each other". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
  7. ^ Dixon, James; Furious, Arnold; Dahlstrom, Bob; Ashley, Rick (2013). Superstar Series: The Hart Foundation. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781291538410.
  8. ^ Mooneyham, Mike (October 13, 1996). "Alperstein taking different approach with new AWF". The Post and Courier.
  9. ^ "Pro Wrestling Announcer, Ken Resnick Signs With TCW Wrestling". PW Mania. May 10, 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  10. ^ Johnson, Mike (September 13, 2018). "Ring Warriors Releases Highlight Reel Trailer in Advance of WGN America Debut". PW Insider. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  11. ^ Anderson, John (October 18, 1991). "The Circus Maximuscles". Newsday.
  12. ^ Bozza, Anthony (March 4, 1999). "Roller Jam". Rolling Stone. No. 807.
  13. ^ Bjorhus, Jennifer (January 28, 2012). "Federal bank regulators go after ex-Vikings great Voigt". McClatchy - Tribune Business News.

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