A native of Appleton, Minnesota, Brad Rheingans has one of the most impressive amateur resumes of any professional wrestler ever. He won eight national titles in Greco-Roman wrestling and was an NCAA champion for North Dakota State University .

Rheingans also made two Olympic teams, placing fourth in 1976. He won a bronze medal in the 1979 world championships and was a favorite to win a medal in the U.S boycotted 1980 Olympic Games. He also won gold medals in two Pan-American Games.

Brad wrestled professionally for nearly 14 years and was one half of the AWA world tag-team championship team, with Ken Patera. He won several other titles and earned respect for his clean-cut image and wrestling style.

After injuries forced him from the ring, he continued as a top-flight trainer and booker, working mostly in Japan . One of the strongest wrestlers to ever step in a ring, he is a member of several halls of fame.