Born on March 27, 1969, Dale Stanwycz, the middle son of polish immigrants Vladimir
and Brygida Stanwycz, had an outwardly normal childhood. He was your average american kid who enjoyed playing baseball or with his Star Wars action figures. However... his father happened to be a professional wrestler. Known as "The Polish Wolf" in the mid-70's across Canada, Vladimir Stanwycz achieved modest success, working with several promotions and never earned a title belt. One thing was for sure: Mr. Stanwycz promised himself he'd never let his offspring follow on his footsteps. |
When young Dale turned 16, he told his dad he wanted to become a professional wrestler. He tried to discourage him, but the youngster proved what a pain in the ass he could be... he insisted for over a year and, after a handful of sour arguments, his father agreed to teach him a few lessons. In the weeks that followed, Vladimir took Dale to the old gym in Minneapolis where he used to train for his matches. After a few sessions, Mr. Stanwycz let his son what life on the road was like. |
On May 3, 1988, Dale Stanwycz made his debut in the now defunct, little known MWL
(Minneapolis Wrestling League) against "Slick" Bob Baxter, a veteran in the area.
Baxter, of vast expertise, used every trick he knew against the young Stanwycz,
from numerous eye rakes to hair pulls and even kicking him out of the ring
before pinning him in 4:29. After the match, though, his father told Dale how
thrilled he was about seeing him in action, and that it was a lot like watching himself when he was younger. "But there's something different with you", he told him. "You are destined for greater things". From that moment and on, young Dale Stanwycz started a trek that would take him to heights no one, not even himself, could have ever fathomed. |
DALE "THE MIRROR" STANWYCZ |
