Professional wrestler John Anson dies at 77

Canadian professional wrestler John Anson, known for his personas “Handsome” John Anson and the German villain Karl von Schotz, has died at the age of 77. Anson passed away in Sosúa, Dominican Republic, where he had resided for approximately 25 years. A specific cause of death has not been reported.

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Anson began his career in Stampede Wrestling at age 17. He achieved significant success as a singles competitor, winning the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship twice in 1976. As Karl von Schotz, he was a prominent tag team wrestler alongside Kurt von Hess, capturing various NWA World Tag Team and North American Tag Team titles across territories including Detroit, Montreal, and Toronto.

Anson’s career spanned Canada, the United States, and Japan. Following his retirement from wrestling at age 35, he briefly promoted wrestling events in the 1980s and later owned a marina and resort near Vancouver.