Corporal Kirchner

Michael "Mike" Kirchner (born Michael Penzel on September 7, 1957) is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and former United States Army paratrooper. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Corporal Kirchner in the mid-1980s. He is also known for his appearances in Japan under the ring name Leatherface.

Military career

Kirchner enlisted in the United States Army as a teenager, becoming a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He left the Army when in his early twenties.

Professional wrestling career

While working as a mechanic and bouncer in Minnesota, Kirchner met professional wrestler Hulk Hogan in a gym. Hogan introduced Kirchner to American Wrestling Association promoter Verne Gagne and helped him enroll in a professional wrestling school operated by Gagne.

World Wrestling Federation

After working as a preliminary wrestler for the World Wrestling Federation under the name "RT Reynolds", Kirchner was eventually given the character of a military hero after promoter Vince McMahon discovered that he had been in the 82nd Airborne. Kirchner then adopted the ring name Corporal Kirchner and used a militaristic character. He is known for his brief feud with Nikolai Volkoff in the World Wrestling Federation in 1986, which included a victory over Volkoff at WrestleMania 2 in a Flag Match. He was a member of the WWF's Australian tour in mid-1986 and was considered one of the toughest men in the WWF at the time. He was also considered one of the stiffest wrestlers in the WWF and his career suffered because many wrestlers were reluctant to work with him. He was suspended by the WWF for testing positive for drug use in 1987 and when his suspension ended, he declined to return and left the company. Kirchner followed his WWF run with a brief run in the Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. While there he was known as "Col. Kirchner".