Mickey Garagiola with WWE Hall of Famer Cowboy Bob Orton. As an announcer Garagiola worked with the very best wrestlers in his time on Wrestling at the Chase , making the show enjoyable and a must see broadcast (Photo Credit Mike Van Hoogstraat)
Missouri Wrestling Revival is sad to report that Mickey Garagiola has passed away at the age of 89. Garagiola was a strong supporter of Pro Wrestling and is loved and remembered as a co announcer with his friend Larry Matysik for THE wrestling show around the world “Wrestling at the Chase” program.
Garagiola had kept close ties with his fans throughout the years attending wrestling events as recently as June with friends Matysik, Herb Simmons, Tony Costa at MMWA-SICW in East Carondelet Illinois.
In 2007 he was inducted in to the ST Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.
He will be remembered for his generosity and respect for the fine people of ST Louis.
From the MWR family, Mickey thank you for the memories.
I leave you with words from his friend Herb Simmons
We have lost yet another great member of our wrestling family. .
Mickey was one that could make you laugh when you were down, and he was one that truly loved what the guys in the ring did. I remember him telling me several times that some of the best parts of his life were sitting next to Larry Matysik helping with the shows and walking down the ramp at the Kiel to a sell out crowd.
He had stories that you didn’t care if you heard them over and over. He had memories of all the greats, Bruiser, O’Connor, Funks, Brisco’s, Murdoch and the list went on. I must say he always told me that his all time favorite was “Big Thunder”, Gene Kiniski. Now he and Thunder are together looking down upon us.
He always told me how it was an honor for him to work with Larry. He would tell people, “That guy Matysik is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to knowing where the wrestlers were or what they were doing”. His Son John has been a regular at South Broadway and has traveled over to East Carondelet when I would have Mickey over for a show.
Mickey’s Brother Joe was my first guest on KZQZ 1430am thanks to Mickey and Larry. Joe was the first play by play announcer on Wrestling at the Chase when it started in 1959. He and Mickey both shared a love for the business. He always kept you entertained and even now that he is gone, we will always remember what part he played in the Wrestling business.
RIP my friend.
Herb Simmons
Promoter/ Friend of Mickey’s
Missouri Wrestling Revival 