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Although he is officially retired, Verne Gagne's legend lives on. And in this, his final match, he showed the world he was not forced to leave because his skills had diminished. The greatness remains.

He held the AWA title for the better part of nearly 25 years. He's been referred to as "wrestling's grand old man" and "a legend in his own time." His name is Verne Gagne, and when he decided to retire from wrestling, he did so with impeccable style and grace.

Verne's career is wrestling legend. The AWA belt might just as easily have been designated "Verne's belt." Like everyone else, Verne was human; he lost a match once in a while, but always bounced back immediately to regain the title. Except when Nick Bockwinkel launched his successful bid for the AWA belt.

Bockwinkel held the title for about four years, until last July, when Gagne dethroned him and regained the crown.

If Verne was to retire, then one final defense of the AWA championship would have to be made. Appropriately, the date was set at May 10, 1981: Verne's 55th birthday and the 32nd anniversary of his professional wrestling debut. "I thought it was a pretty classy way to bow out," said Verne. "To leave on the same day as I came in seemed like a good idea, and if I could defend the belt one final time, I figured it would make about the best birthday present for myself I could think of."

Who better to defend his belt against than former titleholder Nick Bockwinkel? It was set, Gagne against Bockwinkel. Under a special ruling, it was decided that if Verne was disqualified or held to a draw, he would have to forfeit the belt. It was, morethananyothertime in his lengthy career, the ultimate all-or-nothing match.

"I was under some pressure," Verne admitted, "but with my skill and experience, I wasn't really worried. I think Bockwinkel had some second thoughts, though." That he did. Unwilling just to face Gagne and his famed sleeperhold, Bockwinkel lefrfor Japan last winter and returned with his own version of the hold dubbed the "Japanese Sleeper."

Twenty-one minutes into the match, neither established a clear advantage, though each man had been weakened by the tremendous pace. Suddenly, the champion made his move. A blistering backdrop caught Bockwinkel off guard, knocking the wind out of him. Gagne followed up with a series of lightning quick maneuvers to take the victory. The crowd rose respectfully as Gagne was handed back his belt for the last time.

"I felt pretty good in there," Gagne said following his historic victory. "I caught a wicked piledriver tonight, though, and my neck is pretty sore. I really should get home and rest it, but I think I'll stay here for a while."

The sweat-soaked champion, obviously overcome with emotion, was asked if his ability and timing had changed over the years. Was it all still there, or had part of the Gagne legend faded into the mists of time?

"Well, there's no question that the ok) skills are ebbing," Gagne said, drying his misty eyes. "There was a time when my dropkick was unbeatable... the best in the business. Yeah, it was still there, but that old edge wasn't. You know what I'm talking about? It's that extra something that made me sure of winning easily in the old days. Don't get me wrong, I was sure of winning tonight. It's just that you have to work for them a little more each year."

"I guess it boils down to stamina," Gagne concluded. "These days, I've had to pace myself a lot more. In the old days, I could charge in like a bat out of hell and go top speed all night. Time comes when you just can't do that anymore."

Verne Gagne recognizes his own mortality.. He knew he would eventually have to leave the sport he so dearly loves, and he wanted to do it while still on top.

Instead of a tournament to decide a new champion, however, AWA president Stanley Blackburn has turned the title over to Bockwinkel, the number-one contender. And while fans and wrestlers alike have protested this contro- versial decision, Bockwinkel feels the belt has been returned to its rightful owner.

"Sure, I think it's great," said Nick. "I wore the belt for over four years, and then had it cheated away by the old man. Seems they said that after my match with Gagne, it would take too long to work through a series of matches to decide who would finally hold the title . .. About six months, or so. You can't have half a year without a champ, and since I would have won the title anyway, here I am!"

There were 16,000 wrestling fans in St. Paul that night. They were all fortunate witnesses to a particularly special event. For many, it was the end of an era, the sad goodbye to an American institution. Many of these fans grew up with Gagne, sharing his victories, and agonizing over his occasional defeats. Many of these fans have young sons or daughters who have also grown to love and respect a man whose skill and courtesy both in and out of the ring remain unparalleled.

The retirement of Verne Gagne leaves a massive void in the world of wrestling. We shall all miss him.