Stay tuned for another in the mapleleafwrestling.com Presents series...
Have a great summer! AC
'Their last match here was to have been a United States Title match, but the ever shrewd Slaughter pointed out that the contract called for McDaniel to defend the title against him and as Slaughter had already regained the title he was not obligated to defend the title.Promoter Frank Tunney was powerless to have Slaughter defend on the last card, which was most unfortunate as McDaniel went on to pin Slaughter in the non-title clash.Seeing that McDaniel was most deserving of a rematch Promoter Tunney and the National Wrestling Alliance forced Slaughter to give McDaniel a rematch right here in Toronto, but this time the title will indeed be at stake.'Stranglehold Program July 11 1982
![]() |
On the ramp 1978 |
When he returned in 1981 he was now the evil boot camp Sgt. and making life miserable for the good guys. In his first bouts back he took out his wrath on area favourites including Jay Youngblood and looked like he could remain un-beaten.
A big feud with our Canadian champ Angelo Mosca follows as well as tag bouts with partner Don Kernodle against Steamboat & Youngblood. After the big tag program, Slaughter takes the Canadian title from Mosca at the Night of Champions card in July 1983 and hold it through Jan 1984 before losing it back to Mosca.
Some years later (2010) Slaughter met up with the keeper of the Canadian title belt Chris Kovachis and they snapped this great pic below. Chris is holding a cast custom replica of the NWA Tag Title, which Sarge also held. The original Canadian Title belt is over Slaughter's shoulder. Chris makes incredible cast replicas of these and other Mulko belts from the original plates.
Slaughter was not done with Toronto once the NWA days ended in June 1984. He returned as a WWF star on the first card held after we became a WWF town. This time it was different, the now fan-favorite Sgt. was facing Valentine (another former Canadian champ) from the other side of the ring. He soon matches up with the Iron Sheik, yet another former Canadian title holder and then....teams with Mosca vs Iron Sheik & Nicolai Volkoff.
He appeared at Mosca's Moscamania (NWA) in Hamilton in Feb 1986 facing Danny Bullwhip Johnson and returned with the WWF in the early 1990's, again a hated heel.
-AC
Photos courtesy MLW Archives collection except as noted
Aanother Roger Baker classic, this time with Frank Tunney and the Kangaroos Al Costello & Ray St Clair. Shot in Detroit a couple of years prior to the Sheik streak in Toronto as Frank (and nephew Jack with him) takes in a show. This version of the Kangaroos also appeared in Toronto. The original team of Costello and Roy Heffernan appeared here back in 1957-58 and had even been special referees for a World title bout (Hutton vs Whipper in '58)- both of them.
This version didn't last long, Costello (the nicest guy in wrestling as per Roger) would soon team with Ray Kent/Don Kent, later Bulldog Don Kent. Frank and Jack perhaps scouting out the hot-at-the-time Detroit territory in a prelude to the teaming with the Sheik.
-AC
Professor Hiro vs Billy Red at MLG Apr 1964 from the MLG Film. Hiro was brought in by Fred Atkins who served as his manager and tag partner. He was coming off a WWWF title shot vs Bruno and also challenged NWA champ Thesz that year. Mostly unbeatable type. Some of his pre bout ritual and good shot of the ramp at the end. Joe Gollob is ref.
All of the MLG Film
National Wrestling Alliance Convention - 1961Meeting Location: Toronto, OntarioMeeting Dates: August 24-27, 1961
OfficersPresident: Fred Kohler (elected)1st Vice President: Dr. Karl Sarpolis (elected)2nd Vice President: Roy Welch (elected)Executive Secretary: Sam Muchnick (reelected)Treasurer: Sam Muchnick (reelected)
Membership RosterFred Kohler Chicago, ILSam Muchnick St. Louis, MOKarl Sarpolis Amarillo, TXRoy Welch Nashville, TNJim Crockett Charlotte, NCAl Haft Reynoldsburg, OHHarry Light Detroit, MIMike London Albuquerque, NMSalvador Lutteroth Mexico City, MexicoCowboy Luttrall Tampa, FLLeroy McGuirk Tulsa, OKVincent McMahon Washington, D.C.Joe "Toots" Mondt Pittsburgh, PADon Owen Eugene, OREddie Quinn Montreal, QuebecMorris Sigel Houston, TXFrank Tunney Toronto, OntarioStu Hart* Calgary, Alberta
...Thanks Tim!
40 years ago... Apr 25 1982 was the last time 2 of the major world/fed titles were defended on the same card at MLG. This also marked the first time the NWA & AWA titles shared the stage here.
We saw wrestlers from all three major groups of the time (NWA, WWWF/WWF, AWA) so we had several double title nights in the later years.
WWWF & NWA : Jul 1977 SBG vs Strongbow, Race vs SheikWWWF & AWA : Nov 1977 SBG vs Stasiak, Bockwinkel vs CarpentierWWWF & AWA : Dec 1977 SBG vs Strongbow, Bockwinkel vs CarpentierWWWF & AWA : May 1978 Backlund vs SBG, Bockwinkel vs BrunzellWWWF & AWA : Jun 1978 Backlund vs Patera, Bockwinkel vs Rufus JonesWWWF & AWA : Jul 1978 Backlund vs SBG, Bockwinkel vs MoscaWWWF & AWA : Sep 1978 Backlund vs Monsoon, Bockwinkel vs Andre
WWWF vs AWA : Mar 1979 Backlund vs Bockwinkel
NWA & AWA : Apr 1982 Flair vs Race, Bockwinkel vs Mosca
In Jan 1979 both the NWA & AWA titles were to be defended but Harley Race never made it in. They finally rectified that in Apr 1982 with NWA champ Ric Flair to take on Race while AWA champ Nick Bockwinkel was to face Canadian champ Angelo Mosca.
It was a busy day with many on the card appearing on an afternoon show in Buffalo which drew 10,000. By 8pm there were over 11,000 at MLG for the evening show.
The opener in Toronto was an unannounced bout that ended up being a jewel. Ray Stevens returned as a good guy and faced off against local veteran Tony Parisi. They shook hands at the bell and went on to have a great scientific bout with endless holds and counters. It ended in a draw and the crowd was especially appreciative for the great prelim action.
Next up was Johnny Weaver vs Private Nelson followed by the number one challenger to the Canadian Title John Studd vs Ron Ritchie. Studd flattened Ritchie quickly including a big slam on the ramp and it marked Ritchie's last appearance here.
Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle teamed up to take on the fan favorites Jimmy Valiant & Porkchop Cash. As Norm Kimber was making the intros Valiant & Cash stormed the ring causing Norm to make an escape with the big boom box that had heralded Valiant's intro. Even with hazy memory.. most of the bout was exactly what I captured in that photo.
An Indian Strap bout was next with Jay Youngblood seeking revenge against Ninja who had sprayed his green mist in Youngblood's eyes at their previous meeting. Ninja again tried the mist but Youngblood turned and took it to the body, enabling him to take the advantage and drag his opponent to all 4 corners to secure the win. That's ref Terry Yorkston counting out 'two!'
AWA champ Bockwinkel soon made his way down the ramp with the fans united in a thunderous boo. His opponent was the reigning Canadian champ and area's top good guy Mosca. Big Ange got the best of the champ and was on the verge of winning the title when his archenemy John Studd ran in and helped Bockwinkel beat Mosca down. That led to a tag bout on the next card with Bockwinkel & Studd vs Mosca & Jake Roberts (who subbed for Blackjack Jr.) and marked Bockwinkel's last appearance in Toronto.
Though this was Bockwinkel's last title defense at MLG, he defended the following day vs Youngblood in Ottawa. Note the ref in the ring with Bockwinkel above is Bill Alfonso who later found fame with the ECW. He stayed to ref the final bout too. Toronto favorite NWA champ Flair vs #1 challenger Race. Both were disqualified after an exciting bout. Flair covered in blood and some of the other wrestlers coming out to break up the post bout brawl. This fan left very happy with another great card at the Gardens!
![]() |
About to hit the ramp! |
![]() |
Fritz Von Erich & Karl Von Schober vs Doug Hepburn (pictured) and Lord Layton at Kinsmen Aug 1954 |
Firpo using the chain to his advantage |