Jim Raschke

Born: 1940-10-18

James Donald Raschke is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Baron von Raschke. After a successful amateur wrestling career and a stint in the United States Army, James Raschke started in professional wrestling in 1966 in the American Wrestling Association as a referee. He was soon wrestling under his real name, playing off of his amateur wrestling notoriety in the area. He eventually changed his ring name to Baron von Raschke and claimed to be from Germany. He would do a goose-step and then put his finisher known as the "brainclaw", on his opponent. Earlier in his career, the Von Raschke had a finishing maneuver known as the "Prussian sleeper", a rather complex variation of a traditional sleeper hold. His mantra at the time was; "I am ordered to win! I must win! And I will win!" Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s he held numerous singles and tag team titles throughout several NWA and AWA territories, as well as wrestling for the WWWF, where his claw hold was "censored" by a huge red X on WWWF television because it was considered such a violent act. Managed by Fred Blassie, Von Raschke's highest-profile match of his 1970s WWWF run came in March 1977, where he wrestled WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino for the title at Madison Square Garden in New York. Von Raschke lost the match by disqualification when, after Sammartino became tied up in the ropes, he shoved the referee away as he had his clawhold applied to Sammartino's head. Sammartino defeated Von Raschke in a rematch a month later at Madison Square Garden, marking Sammartino's last successful title defense before losing the belt to Superstar Billy Graham. In 1978, Von Raschke was recognized as the first NWA Television champion (the Mid Atlantic Television title had been renamed). In May 1984, Raschke and The Crusher defeated Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera for the AWA World Tag Team Championship. They would lose the belts in August of that same year to The Road Warriors.


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The Wrestling Queen

as Baron Von Raschke
Released: 1973-11-01

This documentary is a must have for "old school" wrestling fans! It's loosely focused on the...

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The Claw

as Himself
Released: 2021-05-13

A documentary about legendary wrestler and all around supervillain Baron von Raschke by director...

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NWA Great American Bash '86 Tour: Greensboro

as Baron Von Raschke
Released: 1986-07-26

The Greensboro Coliseum is the site for the final stop on the '86 Bash tour!

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NWA Starrcade '86: The Night of The Sky-Walkers

as Baron Von Raschke
Released: 1986-11-27

Only one team will survive the "Night of The Skywalkers" as The Road Warriors and The Midnight...

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WWE SummerSlam 1988

as The Baron (Manager)
Released: 1988-08-29

WWE SummerSlam was the first annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event. It was...

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WCW Slamboree 1993

as Baron Von Raschke
Released: 1993-05-23

Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion was the first annual Slamboree professional wrestling...

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WWE: The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA

as Self
Released: 2006-01-01

The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA.

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NWA Great American Bash '86 Tour: Charlotte

as Baron Von Raschke
Released: 1986-07-05

The Bash rolls into Charlotte's Memorial Stadium for a red-hot night of action!

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AWA SuperClash IV

as Baron Von Raschke
Released: 1990-04-08

SuperClash IV was the fourth and final SuperClash professional wrestling Supercard event...

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AWA: SuperClash '85

as Baron von Raschke
Released: 1985-09-25

SuperClash '85 – The Night of Champions was the first SuperClash professional wrestling...

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Grand Masters of Wrestling: First Blood Vol. 2

as uncredited
Released: 2006-06-01

The stars of pro-wrestling are out and they're ready to pummel anyone who steps in the ring....

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AWA Christmas Night 1983

as Baron von Raschke
Released: 1983-12-25

The American Wrestling Association is live from the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul,...

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Back To The Territories: Indianapolis

as Self
Released: 2016-07-19

Jim Cornette and a special guest break down the history and legacy of a famous wrestling...

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