Ivan Putski (Alive)
Joseph Bednarski
1941 - Present
"Polish Power"
"Ivan Putski" Video
A native of Poland, Ivan Putski emigrated to Texas with his family when he was a young boy. Texas would prove fertile ground as he became a professional wrestler. He would go on to win the NWA American Tag Team Championship (1970) and the NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1973) with partner Jose Lothario.
"Polish Power" entered the WWWF in 1976 and battled men like "Superstar" Billy Graham, Ivan Koloff, Bruiser Brody and Jesse "The Body" Ventura. He and tag partner Tito Santana captured the WWF World Tag Team Championship from Jimmy and Jerry Valiant in 1979, the same year they earned the PWI Tag Team of the Year. The 1980s marked the decline of Ivan's career. He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame (1995).
An avid bodybuilder who competed in the 1978 World's Strongest Man competition, Ivan has retired from wrestling and currently works as a security guard at a local high school.
User Comments - Add a Comment
Wrestling fan in Texas - 2008-12-08 15:52:30
You need to check your info on this one. Ivan Putski is dead.
[Editor's Note: We don't see anything online to indicate that Ivan Putski is dead: http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ivanputski
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Putski
http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/i/ivan-putski.html.]
Capt Spaulding - 2009-03-02 14:09:20
You may want to check your info.Ivan is very alive and doing well living in Austin. His son Scott and I are very good friends and in fact Scott spoke with his father two weekends ago while we were looking at Iron Horse motorcycles. So Ivan is very much alive!!!!
Old Friend - 2009-03-05 16:06:51
My father is an old college friend of Ivan's. My dad knows him as "Joe Bed". Could you ask Scott if he could ask Ivan if he remembers Connie Hoffman from SWT?
Bud - 2009-03-09 10:24:17
I am glad to see that Mr. Bednarski is alive and well. I went to college with his son Kent at Texas A&I, and had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bednarski then. He is a prince of a guy.
Capt Spaulding - 2009-03-18 17:55:12
I'll be more than happy to pass this on to Ivan. Yea he is really a cool guy. It's just so sad that the wrestling industry doesn't have guys like Ivan around anymore. He is truly a one of a kind gentleman.
Capt Spaulding - 2009-03-23 15:21:34
Hey guys just an update, We were at Scotts this past weekend for his sons birthday party and Ivan was there. My god the guy(Ivan)is hard as nails and still ready to go at the sound of the bell! So for you out there the Polish Strongman Is still ready to rumble.
Old friend - 2009-03-24 16:22:42
Connie's name is Homer Hoffman and he lives in Arvada, Colorado. He has a State Farm Insurance agency in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He tried looking up Joe Bed's number but was unsuccessful. He would really like to talk to Joe to see how he is. Thanks.
Mike Williams - 2009-05-08 02:01:20
An absolute disgrace to wrestling nothing more than an unathletic steroid freak
Tom Hoffman - 2009-05-13 11:39:26
The man is a legend. My father knew him in college and knows that Joe Bed took pride and the utmost care of his health. Nowadays anyone that has great strength and a muscular physique is assumed to be on roids. Very sad.
dirion - 2009-07-15 11:04:08
I hate to tell you but most of the bodybuilders and pro wrestlers were taking steroids in the 70's. It was just legal then:)
Bill from Pittsburgh - 2009-08-14 17:39:50
I loved Ivan, never will forget him crushing a steel barrel, I was standing in a line at the Pittsburgh airport and he was just behind me, I asked "arent you Ivan Putski"? He just smiled.
Dr. Satan - 2009-08-15 00:09:09
Ivan Putski was one of my favorite heros in wrestling as Jessie The Body was my favorite comical heels. I always wanted to see him go toe to toe with Jessie , especially when Jessie misspronounced Ivans' last name on purpose
Paul - 2009-09-02 20:23:40
Mr. Putski, Where are you? Please consider doing autograph singings for the public. Many of us remember you from tv and in person. You are one of the best.
iluvbruiserbrody - 2009-11-24 20:38:21
when i was 3 or 4, i used to follow Ivan down the aisle at the Dallas Sportatorium with a big all day sucker. and once, Ivan picked me up and carried me a few feet, and at that age, i was in love with this man. I always rooted for him and really am glad he's alive and well in TEXAS. I LOVE YOU IVAN PUTSKI
Maggie - 2009-12-02 16:11:50
I used to watch the AWA Wrestling with my Dad when I was just a tiny gal. I remember seeing Ivan wrestle. I met him once and he thought I was cute because I was so short. My Mom liked him because he was Polish and she could cheer for him in Polish.
david - 2009-12-07 00:45:13
Ivan putski was the strongest & greatest wrestler of all times . he was a professional & also true athlete pf wrestling . no one comes close to ivan the polish power !!!!!
Cavazos - 2009-12-09 19:45:48
Ivan was a great guy and football coach when we played for chiefs in south austin
Cavazos - 2009-12-09 19:45:48
Ivan was a great guy and football coach when we played for chiefs in south austin
BIGBEN - 2009-12-15 22:15:32
He was one of my favorites. I always wanted to see him beat the crap out of Jessie The Body for mis-pronouncing his name.,, Ivan Puduski. I'd still pay to see that!
janis millers - 2010-02-01 06:34:15
we were wondering if there is an ivan putski fan club or ways to find some memorabilia?,
MICHAEL STRIDACCHIO - 2010-04-11 17:11:40
I remember as a kid cheering on Ivan Putski The Polish Power would love to see what he looks like today....
Jackie B - 2010-05-17 16:17:15
Ivan Putski is one of the greatest wrestlers. I enjoyed watching him on TV and seeing him in person at many wrestling matches. Happy to see he is doing well. Does anyone know what the name of the wrestler was that wore a mask when he was in the ring during the time that the Polish Power was active. He was a good looking guy. I assume he was young. I have searched all over and cannot find his name. Thanks for looking.
Phil Arnold - 2010-07-06 16:47:23
As a kid, I remember watching this short strong young man coming out of the audience on TV at the Austin Coliseum and putting Johnny Valentine in a bear hug. I believe that Joe Blanchard used to run those matches in Austin. I believe they signed up Joe Bednarski and his trade mark move was the bear hug. The only problem was sometimes his opponents would ball on him and he would get pinned, but he wouldn't let go of the bear hug. Eventually he became Ivan Putski and I saw him in Commerce, Texas wrestling against the Brute. I was always proud that Ivan Putski and I were from Austin, and went to Lone Star Conference schools. He went to Southwest Texas State and was a very powerful fullback, at least that is what I heard from the East Texas State coaches. It would be a thrill to shake his hand, and tell him my memories in person.
Ernie - 2010-08-24 13:21:39
Ivan worked for a while in Bill Watts' old promotion in 1972 and '73. He was teamed up with Ricky Ferrara as Ivan & Igor - the Putski brothers. Ferrara was primarily a jobber in various companies throughout the '70s.
lilfancyb - 2008-08-17 11:14:09
I loved him...they should a show showing him