Rusty Brooks

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Kurt Koski
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Rusty Brooks Masked Assassin Super Duper Mario
Billed height	6'0" (183 cm)
Billed weight	250 lbs.
Born	February 7, 1958 Denton, Texas, United States
Resides	Miramar, Florida, United States
Trained by	Jim Isler and Boris Malenko
Debut	October 31, 1982
Retired	2002

Kurt Koski (b. February 7, 1958), better known by his ring name Rusty Brooks, is an American professional wrestler who has competed in several North American independent promotions, including International World Class Championship Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. Healso appeared in the World Wrestling Federation during the mid-1980s as a preliminary wrestler. Trained by "Gentleman" Jim Isler and Boris Malenko, he later operated the "School of Hard Knocks" wrestling school with Malenko in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Students trained in the school include Chasyn Rance, Luna Vachon, Maximum Capacity, Billy Fives, Gangrel and Norman Smiley. Although Koski is still the owner, former students Flex Magnum, Big Daddy Gonzo and J.J. Kodiak run the day-to-day operations in Hollywood, Florida. Koski is also the father of Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks, who wrestles on the independent circiut in Florida.

A former foolball player for North Texas State, Brooks made his wrestling debut in Buddy Gilbert's World Wrestling Association against Steve Brody on October 31, 1982. Within two years, he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), facing many of the top stars in the company including Tony Parisi, Junkyard Dog, Ricky Steamboat and then World Champion Hulk Hogan, as well as then-World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo and the British Bulldogs.

After leaving the WWF in late-1985, he competed on the independent circuit, including a stint in International Championship Wrestling as Super Duper Mario. He spent the next decade in various independent promotions, where he won several tag team titles with Dr. Red Roberts, Matt Otto, Jumbo Baretta, "Pretty Boy" Aldo Lane (Ricky Santana), Soulman Alex G. and Gangrel. From 1986 to 1987, he competed in Florida for Global Championship Wrestling, capturing the Global tag team titles with Jumbo Barretta from Dean and Joe Malenko. Brooks and Barretta were managed by wrestling veteran Ox Baker and later Boris Malenko. They feuded with The Soul Patrol and Malenko brothers.

He later met with success while wrestling for Future of Wrestling, where he won the heavyweight and hardcore titles during the late 1990s and was named "Wrestler of the Year" by FOW. In 2001, he began teaming with Bobby Brooks as The Brooks' and later The Masked Assassins in FOW and the Independent Professional Wrestling Association. During his time in southern Florida, he also faced Hack Meyers and former WWF wrestlers Barry Horowitz and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine before his retirement in 2002. Koski now works at Premier Beverage Company in the shipping/receiving department.

On July 31, 2004, Brooks refereed a match during the HCW Incredible 8 Tournament in Davie, Florida. He called a bout between his son, Jeff "J-Dawg" Brooks and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Ring of Honor competitor Jimmy Rave. On February 4, 2006, he was honored by Nick Mayberry with an HCW HCW Award, along with three other Florida wrestling legends.

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI ranked him # 478 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1999
PWI ranked him # 469 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1994
PWI ranked him # 391 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1993