STAMFORD, Conn. – Alan Rogowski, better known as Ole Anderson and a founding member of the famed pro wrestling group Four Horsemen, has died at the age of 81.
Rogowski teamed up with Arn Anderson, Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard in 1986 to form The Four Horsemen. The four “set a standard for style, attitude and success that inspired every stable that followed,” World Wrestling Entertainment said Monday in announcing Anderson's death.
“As a founding member of the Four Horsemen, Ole's no-nonsense style and gruff demeanor helped build the group into one of the greatest stables in sports-entertainment history,” WWE said.
No cause of death was announced.
Rogowski began professional wrestling in the late 1960s. He joined the “Anderson Family” in 1968 and founded the Minnesota Wrecking Crew with his storyline “brother” Gene Anderson. That pair won multiple tag team titles, along with a pairing of Rogowski and Larry “Lars” Anderson, CBS Sports said.
Rogowski eventually formed a new version of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew with Arn Anderson. They were a dominant force in professional wrestling, teaming up with Flair and Blanchard to form The Four Horsemen in 1986.
The Horsemen became one of the most legendary groups in wrestling history, dominating Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and eventually World Championship Wrestling, CBS said.
Rogowski retired in 1987. He returned briefly and re-formed the group in 1989 with Arn Anderson, Flair and Sting. After retiring again, he acted as the group's manager.
Flair expressed his condolences on Xformerly Twitter.
“I will forever be grateful for you giving men the opportunity to become who I am today,” Flair wrote. “We didn’t always see eye to eye, but the honest truth is that you and Gene (Anderson) founded me. Rest in peace my friend.”
In a post from wrestling promotion group NWA Legends, Rogowski was praised and said he had fewer colleagues in wrestling.
“He was tough and could handle any situation.” NWA Legends posted to X. “Brutally honest, which offended some.” Made him popular with others.”