Nicknames

I’ve had a ton of nicknames, but none as permanent or perhaps as powerful as a name like ‘Killer Kowalski’ seems to have been. Walter Kowalski, an ex-wrestler, passed away recently. He got his nickname because of an unfortunate wrestling incident. Once he had it, the name stuck with him. It became a powerful influence on how others saw him. Fans jeered at him and threw things at him. He was even forced to have escorts to help him get into and out of the ring.

He retired in 1977 and opened Killer Kowalski’s School of Professional Wrestling. Walter originally called himself "Tarzan", but the “Killer” label is what really made him stand out and become famous.

What nickname(s) have you had that stuck with you? Did you think the nickname was fair? Did it bother you? Who gave it to you? Do others still refer to you by your nickname?