Remembering Col. DeBeers: A Legacy in Professional Wrestling

Remembering Col. DeBeers: A Legacy in Professional Wrestling

The Cauliflower Alley Club is saddened to acknowledge the passing of Ed Wiskoski, known to wrestling fans worldwide as Col. DeBeers, who passed away on January 22, 2025, at the age of 80.

A veteran of the squared circle, Wiskoski began his wrestling career in 1972, training under the legendary Harley Race and Lord Littlebrook. He first made his mark in the Pacific Northwest, where he captured multiple NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championships, often teaming with his longtime ally, "Playboy" Buddy Rose. But it was his transformation into Col. DeBeers in the 1980s that solidified his place in wrestling history.

As one of the most controversial villains of his time, Col. DeBeers became a major heel in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), using his persona to generate intense crowd reactions. His feuds with Jimmy Snuka, Sergeant Slaughter, and others were memorable parts of wrestling’s golden era. He also made appearances in Herb Abrams’ UWF and continued competing in the territories throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

Beyond his in-ring work, Wiskoski contributed to wrestling as a trainer, helping to pass his knowledge of the craft to future generations. He and Buddy Rose operated a wrestling school in Portland from 2001 to 2006, continuing to share their passion with aspiring wrestlers.

Though his character thrived in an era when wrestling pushed boundaries, Ed Wiskoski’s true legacy lies in his dedication to the sport and the impact he had on those he worked with. His passing is a great loss to the wrestling community, but his contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.



The Cauliflower Alley Club extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans worldwide. Rest in peace, Col. DeBeers.