Toledo’s former Collegiate wrestler Greg Wojciechowski, aka ” The Great Wojo,” passed away on 12th Tuesday night at the age of 73 from a heart attack.
Born as Gregory M. Wojciechowski in 1951, he began his wrestling career at Whitmer High School, where he won the Ohio state heavyweight championship in 1967 and 1968.
He was also the NCAA champion at Heavyweight for Toledo in 1971, and he excelled in the sport at the University of Toledo and represented the United States in international wrestling competitions throughout the 1970s.
Additionally, Greg was an alternate for the U.S. Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling team, where he became runner-up at the Olympic Trials of 1968, 1972, and 1976 before making the team in 1980.
However, later the U.S boycotted that year’s games when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and Wojciechowski did not get a chance to compete.
After college wrestling, he moved into professional wrestling for the next 12 years, achieving three World Wrestling Association heavyweight championship titles.
He got an opportunity in the World Wrestling Federation and the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Federation and made an appearance internationally.
Besides his wrestling career, he also served as a teacher for Toledo Public Schools and was the wrestling coach at Libbey High School and later Bowsher High School, where he continued his legacy to help young wrestlers.
The Great Wojo was inducted into the UT Hall of Fame in 1978 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015.
Recently, in June 2025, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame also gave him a lifetime award for his service to the sport that same year, and inducted him as a distinguished member 10 years later.
The News of “The Great Wojo” Surprised Many and Prompted Heartfelt Condolences From those who knew him
Championship International Wrestling released a statement on Wojciechowski’s death on Facebook.
Bryan Knepper wrote:
“I’ve been struggling to deal with the news of Greg Wojciechowski passing since this morning.
Via Facebook
I feel so blessed to have been with him during his induction to the National Hall of Fame this summer.
Even superheroes pass on.”
Other Facebook user Bob Smith -:
“According to our friend Jerry Jaffe, former WWA champion The Great Wojo has died.
Via Facebook
One of the most legit tough guys I ever watched. During Jerry’s tenure with Dick The Bruiser, Wojo was the glue that not only held things together, but also was a huge part of one of the most amazing revivals of a promotion that I’ve ever seen.
How great was Wojo? Read this bio.
All the best to his family, friends, and fans.
Thanks, Wojo – you were great when wrestling was great.”
His former student also wrote:
Connie Freed Brumbaugh also remembered young Greg and wrote:
“He was a great kid, a super wrestler and an admired teacher with the students under his care. We were all set to to take our son, Brett and travel to Russia to watch him wrestle in the 1970 Olympics until Jimmy Carter canceled the USA team from participation. We were so disappointed when that
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Was canceled. You will be Misssed, Greg but the memories will be there forever. sending love and hugs to your family, Connie and Marty Bumbaugh. “
Greg Wojciechowski was a beloved wrestler, coach, and mentor whose powerful presence and spirit positively impacted everyone around him, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- He has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling.
- Greg Wojciechowski has worked for almost 30 years as a high school teacher and counselor.
