Colonel DeBeers Dead at Age 80

Edward Wiskoski, best known to wrestling fans as Colonel DeBeers, died Jan. 23, 2025, at the age of 80. The Cauliflower Alley Club announced his death, expressing condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

Wiskoski was born Jan. 10, 1945, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He began his professional wrestling career in 1972 after training under Harley Race and Lord Littlebrook. Early in his career, he performed under several names, including “The Polish Prince” and “Mega Maharishi Imed,” before adopting the persona that defined his legacy: Colonel DeBeers.

As Colonel DeBeers, Wiskoski portrayed a controversial character, a South African white supremacist with pro-apartheid views. The heel persona was designed to draw intense reactions from audiences during a time when professional wrestling often relied on polarizing figures. He became a prominent villain in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) from 1985 until the organization’s closure in 1990, engaging in memorable feuds with wrestlers such as “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Scott Hall.

Throughout his career, Wiskoski competed in promotions including Big Time Wrestling, Central States Wrestling, NWA Tri-State and Pacific Northwest Wrestling, winning multiple championships. After retiring from active competition in 2005, he and fellow wrestler Buddy Rose operated a wrestling school in Portland, Oregon, from 2001 to 2006.