2016 marks the 85th Anniversary of Maple Leaf Gardens. Here are 85 notables about Wrestling at MLG from the early days to the NWA years through to the final days before WWF came in - in 1984
I didnt attend after '84 and the site mostly cuts off at that date. If you want to suggest some from 1984-1995 I will add in a future blog
Random order
1940 : John Tunney passes away - shortly after taking over for Jack Corcoran. Brother Frank takes over as Promoter
1940 : Whipper Watson makes his MLG debut - beats Lee Henning in the opening bout, Frank Taylor vs Dynamite Joe Cox is the main. Popular right from the start ‘The Pride of East York’ remains the #1 star for most of the next 30 years
1931 : First Card at MLG - one week after arena opening with main of Jim Londos vs Gino Garibaldi and over 15,000 pack the Gardens for Promoter Jack Corcoran's card
1941 : Whippers first main event - vs George 'K.O." Koverly - he wins ! He will go on to headline somewhere over 600 cards at MLG over the next 20 years (need to count that sometime) as well as hundreds more around Ontario
1941 : Pat Flanagan makes his MLG debut - as part of a tournament to decide the #1 contender for the World Title, he loses to Jack Claybourne in the first round. Whipper is the eventual winner of the night but Flanagan goes on to be an important part of the office over the next 30 years
1977 : Harley Race defeats Terry Funk to begin his 2nd NWA Title reign, Race would defend the belt 10 times in Toronto over his 2 reigns, 8 of those at MLG. This bout would turn out to be the 4th and final time the NWA (Alliance) World Title changed hands at MLG
1956 : Whipper beats Lou Thesz to begin his reign as NWA champ. Whip would defend 16 times at MLG in 1956 before losing the title back to Thesz in St Louis in November '56
1957 : Dick Hutton wins the NWA Title from Lou Thesz at MLG. It is said he had trained with Fred Atkins for 2 weeks prior. Fred claimed to have 'gotten rid of the fat'
1981 : Ric Flair makes his first appearance as NWA champ on the 50th Anniversary show. In front of 15,000 fans he defeats Harley Race and will defend as champ 9 times over the next few years
1984 : The 132nd and last appearance of the NWA (Alliance) title at MLG. Champ Flair defeats Dick Slater
1956 : Nat Turofsky, famed sports photographer and official MLG photog -and taker of many wrestling shots – who took thousands of photos at MLG dies at age 60, brother and partner Lou dies 3 years later in 1959
1966 : Joe Perlove, sports writer, long time fixture in the MLG press box, and wrestling recap extraordinaire dies at age 60. His inimitable style helped put wrestling 'over' in the sports pages. His main beat? Horse Racing
1969 : Frank Tunney celebrates 30 years as Promoter with a show headlined by Whipper vs The Sheik as well as NWA Champ Dory Funk Jr vs Ivan Koloff
1979 : Dewey Robertson wins a tournament to name a new Canadian champ after Dino Bravo leaves the area. Dewey defeats Ken Patera, Gene Kiniski, and Greg Valentine to claim the belt
1939 : Jack Corcoran passes the promotion to the Tunney brothers. Corcoran stays involved on the boxing side for several years after. Frank later refers to Jack as ‘like a father’ to him
1976 : Frank Tunney Sports Ltd presents the Ali vs Inoki card on closed circuit at MLG. Tickets are expensive compared to the wrestling shows, 8-15$. The Chuck Wepner - Andre The Giant bout is also shown
1980 : Frank Tunney creates a new company Frank Tunney Sports Promotion with Jim Crockett and George Scott to continue the successful partnership with the M-A stars that had started in 1978
1983 : Frank Tunney passes away while on a trip to Hong Kong at the age of 70. Frank's nephew (Frank's brother John's son) Jack takes over. Stars including Gene Kiniski, Fred Atkins, Whipper Watson, and Lord Layton congregate at the Hot Stove Lounge - former site of Tunney's office - after Frank's funeral
1984 : Jack Tunney aligns with the WWF with the first WWF card on July 22. The 2nd to last bout on the card features 2 former Canadian Champs – Slaughter and Valentine. Most of the others on the card had also been at MLG sometime during the NWA era
1964 : The Sheik makes his first appearance at MLG with a win over Eric Freolich in the 2nd bout of the card. He had wrestled in Ontario as early as 1952
1969 : The Sheik begins his 5 year unbeaten streak with a win over Bill Palmer. While Sheik remained in Toronto until 1977 this was Palmers only MLG appearance. Other than local TV don’t believe Palmer ever wrestled anywhere else
1971 : The Sheik faces Tiger Jeet Singh in front of what was the largest crowd ever at MLG since 1931 - 18000+. The re-match 3 weeks later drew the same. 1971 would prove to be one of the best drawing years in Toronto
1973 : Norm Kimber who had been a part of the office staff since about 1953 takes over as Ring Announcer, a position he held until 1986
1955 : Jerry Hiff begins as Ring Announcer at MLG and continues for the next 18 years before being replaced by Norm Kimber
1959 : Whipper Watson defeats Gorgeous George and cuts his hair ! The bout remains one of the most famous and talked about in MLG history
1962 : Johnny Valentine arrives in Toronto with a U.S. Title. After the demise of the British Empire Title the US title becomes the main title in Toronto through the 1970's
1978 : Dino Bravo captures the new Canadian Title beating Gene Kiniski in the final of a fictitious tourny. Whipper is on hand to present the new champ with the belt and gets into it with long time arch rival Kiniski
1984 : Angelo Mosca Jr. becomes the final Canadian champion defeating Ivan Koloff. The title disappears a month later as does the NWA
1967 : Some of the longest bouts of the modern era as U.S. champ Tiger Jeet Singh battles Johnny Valentine in a series of 60, 90, and 120 min bouts. The 2 longer bouts are held at Maple Leaf Stadium
1961 : Dick 'Bulldog Brower makes his MLG debut crushing the much larger Man Mountain Campbell. Brower becomes the main villain in Toronto for the next several years
1949 : Yukon Eric makes his MLG debut with a win over Faro Renaldi. Yukon becomes the #2 favorite in Toronto through the 1950's and appeared here to 1964
1962 : Bruno Sammartino makes his MLG debut defeating Frank Valois. Sammartino would return to Toronto as WWWF champ 24 times between 1964-1969
1982 : In a bout with WWF champ Bob Backlund Jimmy Snuka performs his Superfly off the top of the cage recreating his MSG spectacular. He misses and Backlund gets the pin. Backlund was making his 21st (of 23) appearances as WWWF/WWF champ in Toronto
1942 : First bout between Whipper Watson and Nanjo Singh. The two would carry on a bloody and heated feud that would span 3 decades and a murder rap and prison time (Nanjo not Whipper)
1961 : The NWA convention is held in Toronto. Tunney, then NWA President hosts 27 Promoters including Sam Muchnick, Jim Barnett, Johnny Doyle, Don Owen, Eddie Quinn, Pedro Martinez, Bobby Bruns, and Vince McMahon. Most attend a card at MLG headlined by Bulldog Brower vs Lord Layton
1939 : Lou Thesz makes his MLG debut defeating Dutch Heffner. Thesz would appear in some of MLG;s biggest bouts over the next 20+ years
1950 : According to Jim Proudfoot Whipper Watson was now working on 'his second million' fans to see him. Said to have drawn 189.514 in 1949 alone to MLG
1977 : The AWA World Title and its champ Nick Bockwinkel make their MLG debut with a win over Dom Denucci. Bockwinkel would appear at MLG 19 times through 1982 with 16 AWA Title defenses
1982 : The last appearance of the WWF title at MLG during the NWA era. Champ Bob Backlund defeats Playboy Buddy Rose in the 54th and final appearance of the WWWF/WWF Title since 1964
1982 : The last appearance of the AWA title at MLG. Champ Nick Bockwinkel defeats Angelo Mosca in the 16th appearance of the title since 1977
1948 : Fred Atkins makes his MLG debut with a win over Jack Moore. His career in Toronto would span over 30 years as a wrestler, trainer, manager, and referee
1956 : Billy Red Lyons makes his MLG debut defeating Shaq Thomas. He would start as a commentator in the 1970's and continue after his career was over
1939 : One of the first of many Tournaments at MLG. Jumping Joe Savoldi beats out Gus Zaharias, Tom Mahoney, and Chief Jules Strongbow on his way to winning the night
1939 : 'Wild' Bill Longson makes his MLG debut with a double dq against Tommy Nilan, almost causing a riot with his tactics and sending Nilan to the hospital. Longson would help bring Toronto wrestling back to prominence in the early days of the Tunneys taking over the promotion
1943 : Whipper Watson and Yvon Robert, the 2 biggest Canadian stars of the era clash over the British Empire Title. They would face each other - as well as team together - into the 1950's
1939 : Ontario Athletic Commissioner (and one time wrestler) and famed sportsman Lionel Conacher produces a new Wrestling rulebook. Clause A is deemed to be the 'most mirth provoking' - No Wrestler shall refuse to obey any direction of the referee
1935 : In what was then called the largest crowd since the first card in 1931, Jim Londos defeats Vic Christie in front of 12,000 fans
1932 : Then Maple Leafs players (and defending Stanley Cup champs) Hap Day and Red Horner step into the ring on the undercard of a Ray Steele vs Joe Cox main. Horner had been the team leader in penalty minutes and the two put on a good bout, said to be one of the best of the night.
1939 : With Jack Corcoran on an extended vacation, Toots Mondts refs a card at MLG with a main of Jim Londos vs Vic Christie. Mondts becomes one of the investors when the Tunneys buy out Corcoran later in the year
1942 : Advertised as the first time all 4 members of a tag match would be in the ring at the same time, John Katan and Bunny Dunlop vs Whipper Watson and Earl McCready would participate in what would be later called a Tornado Match. Years later when the WWF held a Frank Tunney Memorial Tag Tourny they claimed Frank had brought Tag Wrestling to North America !
1971 : Dave McKigney attempts to take on Frank Tunney with a Sunday night card at Varsity Arena. Tunney's card with The Sheik, Whipper Watson, Tiger Jeet, The Vachons, and the Loves wins the battle 15,500 to 700. McKigney says later 'maybe next time not on a Sunday'
1971 : Whipper Watson wrestles his last bout at MLG in a tag with Bulldog Brower. Whipper at 55 years of age gets hit by a car 2 days after the bout, ending his career as MLG's biggest star. He would continue to show up at MLG occasionally for special cards
1976 : Frank Tunney moves up a scheduled card to compete against George Cannon's show at the CNE Coliseum featuring Lou Thesz. Tunney packs his MLG card with Gene Kiniski, Andre, The Sheik, and Harley Race and draws over 5,000 to Cannons 'less than 1,000'
1982 : First and only time at MLG that both the AWA and NWA World Titles are defended on the same card (Bockwinkel vs Mosca, Flair vs Race). There had been many AWA / WWWF on the same card previously while the AWA and NWA titles had been scheduled for a card in 1979 but Harley Race never made it for his bout.
1948 : The 'Ramp' is introduced at MLG during the Whipper Watson and Nanjo Singh feud to protect Singh from the fans. Originally described as an 'escape hatch' Singh would use it on the first try to escape the fans wrath after attacking Whip's manager Phil Lawson after the bout. Singh had previously hid under the ring until he could be escorted safely back to the dressing room
1983 : In the culmination of a long feud Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood win the NWA World Tag Titles from Sgt Slaughter and Private Don Kernodle in a cage match that copied their M-A bout 2 weeks prior
1978 : Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat steal the show for the debut of the Mid Atlantic stars in Toronto era. The two would go on to revitalize Toronto over the next few years and remain 2 of the most popular wrestlers ever to appear at MLG
1949 : There had been special refs before but the 'Former Boxing Champ as Special ref' era hit high stride with Jack Dempsey working a Whipper Watson vs Fred Atkins bout at MLG. Dempsey would return regularly and others including Jersey Joe Walcott, Rocky Marciano, Jack Sharkey, Joe Louis, Max Baer would also work bouts at MLG before and after 1949
1961 : First appearance at MLG for Nikita Kalmikoff aka Nikita Mulkovich. Alex Mulko - would later make many wrestling title belts including our own Canadian Title belt, TV Title, and International Tag Title belts and The Sheik’s US Titles
1953 : CBC starts featuring bouts from MLG and Wrestling becomes one of the most popular TV pastimes of the 1950's. For many years prior they had broadcast the last 2 bouts live on the radio
1931 : Frank Tunney celebrates his 19th birthday on the day that MLG opens. It is still unclear if he was working for Corcoran at the time, in a later interview he claimed he was there
1940 : The French Angel comes to MLG and defeats Jerry Monahan. The Angel would prove to be a huge draw over the next couple of years. A short clip of this bout is online
1942 : The fans get to vote by way of a fill-in card to decide the lineup of an upcoming card. Only stipulation is not to list Longson vs Watson as Longson refuses to meet Whip. Fans decide on McCready vs Katan and Whipper vs Dunlop
1960 : New Toronto Argo Wayne Bock, upon arrival from the Chicago Cardinals wrestles against Babyface Don Jardine (future Spoiler) at MLG and gets the win. Also a former Ti-Cat, he only wrestles once more vs Tony Marino. He supposedly had mob ties in Chicago and during training camp got into a few fights with teammates. Another Argo of the era Gil Mains also tried wrestling
1971 : Jean Ferre aka Andre The Giant makes his MLG debut billed at 7'4 390lbs defeating the always youthful Lee Henning. Andre would appear at MLG a few times a year right into the 1980s
1938 : Toronto gets its own World Title when Promoter Jack Corcoran presents Yvon Robert with a belt after a win over Vic Christie, The title lasts until early 1939 with other holders including Vic Christie, Masked Marvel, and King Kong Cox
1978 : Mil Mascaras joins the short list of one-offs at MLG taking on Terry Yorkston in his only appearance here. Bruiser Brody and Jumbo Tsuruta were 2 other notable one-timers (1980)
1978 : Superstar Billy Graham defeats Edouard Carpentier at MLG in what was to be his last bout as WWWF champ. He loses the title to Bob Backlund the next night in NYC
1956 : Gene Kiniski makes his MLG debut defeating Ken Kenneth. Within a few months Big Gene rises to become one of the biggest stars at MLG and would appear regularly through 1982
1963 : Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Rogers at MLG to win the NWA World Title and begin his final reign as champ. Including the rematch against Rogers 2 weeks later Thesz defends at MLG 11 more times on this reign
1977 : WWWF rivals Stan Stasiak and Chief Jay Strongbow form an 'only in Toronto' tag partnership. They do well winning all 4 of their bouts together
1976 : Thunderbolt Patterson becomes the first to beat The Sheik for his U.S. Title at MLG over the course of the Sheik's run. Bobo Brazil was the only other one to take the belt
1963 : Lou Thesz fresh off his win at MLG over Rogers returns to make his first defense at MLG vs Bruno Sammartino. The bout was said to have been made to solidify Thesz' standing as 'real world champ' as Bruno had already been pegged to win the WWWF title from Rogers
1984 : The last Tournament held at MLG -to decide the vacant Canadian Title after Angelo Mosca gives it up due to ‘injury’. Ivan Koloff is the eventual winner and 2nd last champ
1977 : The Sheik makes his last appearance at MLG in a tag with Crazy Luke Graham vs Stan Stasiak and Chief Jay Strongbow. Sheik would subsequently make his last 2 appearances for Tunney at Exhibition Stadium shows later in the summer
1956 : In what marked the 25 Anniversary of wrestling at MLG Tunney presents Lou Thesz vs Whipper Watson in front of 11,000 fans with Jack Sharkey as ref. Also on the card Buddy Rogers and Gene Kiniski (but not vs each other!)
1976 : The 45th Anniversary show features NWA champ Terry Funk vs Dom Denucci and the above mentioned T-Bolt Patterson U.S. Title win over The Sheik. Other bouts include Ladies Title Moolah vs Grable, and the International Titles The Crusaders vs The Kangaroos. The card is held 45 years to the day of the first card at MLG
1966 : Still promoting boxing at that time, Tunney gets a highly touted Ali-Terrell bout at MLG, After Terrell backs out Tunney sets up George Chuvalo to fight for the crown. The hometown Chuvalo, a frequent combatant at MLG pushed Ali to a 15 round decision and the bout attains legendary status for Chuvalo
1984 : The first WWF card is held to the surprise (and dismay for some) - of the fans at MLG. After sub-standard NWA shows for the previous months the cards do well and once champ Hulk Hogan shows up a few months later the tide had turned
1981 : Hulk Hogan makes his only appearance in the NWA era. Facing Andre the Giant in a bout that went around the horn, he would not return again until the WWF came in -in 1984
1984 : Buzz 'Mad Dog' Sawyer doesn’t show for a Dog Collar bout with Roddy Piper at MLG. Fans are highly disappointed even though both Piper and sub Kurt Von Hess get bloodied up in the very short bout
1942 : Whipper Watson wins the British Empire Title for the first time defeating Nanjo Singh. He holds the title on and off for the next 25 years
1995 : Last wrestling at card is held at MLG. WWF Champion Diesel pinned Waylon Mercy in the main event which drew 5,500
Norm Kimber: Announcer Extraordinaire
For fans of the Mid-Atlantic era memories of Norm Kimber will rate high when recalling wrestling in the city. He was the 'voice' at MLG, usually very serious and business-like, but often looking to be holding back a smile while surrounded by the craziness of the ring.
Well dressed in a suit, tux, or occasionally a sports coat with sweater underneath, he brought an air of sophistication to the proceedings. He introduced the wrestlers and promoted the next big show at MLG. And he manned the ring bell at the table beside the ring. That same table by the way went back to the 1950s (or earlier maybe) where Pat Flanagan and Frank Tunney and others had once sat. It's in photos from those days. They had updated the bell by that time, Norm had a push button instead of a hammer.
Main pic with old pal Pat Flanagan MLG Hot Stove Lounge 1969.
By the time we knew him as Norm Kimber the ring announcer, he had already put in many years in the office. First as a man-friday type and then taking over the publicity chores before assuming the ringside duties, apparently 38 years in total.
He later said in a Star piece 'It was wonderful for me, because I had been a sports fan all my life.' Of Frank he said ‘he was the easiest going guy you ever wanted to meet, respected by everyone in sports. He always had a cigar in his mouth, and even when he quit smoking I think he kept a rubber one there.'
At that time the office was busy with boxing people, reporters, and the wrestlers that were part of the inner circle that worked with Tunney through those years. Along with publicity man Frank Ayerst and Kimber there were 'Deacon' Allen, Phil Lisner, Tommy Nelson, and various scribes who frequented the office, as well as Frank's nephew Jack who came in soon after.
Kimber took over the ring announcing duties in 1973 replacing long-time announcer Gerry Hiff. He stayed in that capacity to 1986 then briefly appeared for Angelo Mosca's short lived Pro Wrestling Canada. He didn't miss many cards through that 13 year period, occasionally replaced by Jack Tunney. In 1986 he was fired by Jack. As per Norm in a Where Are They Now item 'There was no warning, no remuneration, no holiday pay, no nothing.'
In the Tim Gerrard chat he mentioned Norm not being a fan of wrestlers jumping up and down while he was making the intros. Makes it hard to keep an even voice. He must have loved Jimmy Valiant who was bouncing from the moment he came out till he left the ring. In Apr 1982 I took this photo just after Valiant and Porkchop Cash stormed the ring. Norm didn't seem too happy either at carrying the boom box and made a speedy exit. The opponents are Koloff & Kernodle and you can see Terry Yorkston at the right.
Not as much known about Norm as should be...and it wasn’t only Toronto fans who loved Norm so will leave the last word to our friend Dick Bourne.
Two things made Toronto seem special and unique to me right off the bat. First was that elevated walkway, the famous Toronto "ramp", that led to the ring. I had never seen such a thing, and that whole concept intrigued me. Secondly though, and more lasting in my memory over the years, was the iconic call by Toronto ring announcer Norm Kimber announcing the new champion. I actually made an audio cassette recording of that, and the many times I've listened to it over the next years had it burned into my brain. It wasn't just what he said, it was the dramatic way he said it...
"The winner of the match, the time 14 minutes 10 seconds with an Indian deathlock, the new heavyweight champion of the world Harley Race!"
In my opinion, Kimber was one of the great ring announcers of all time.
-Dick Bourne http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/
-AC
Main photo and thanks to Roger Baker
other photo AC and video still from vhs tv taping
Toronto Results Various to 1984
Toronto, ON Various 1908 - 1984
This will just be some random and/or notable cards from the history added as there is time. I have near every card from the early 1900's up and am glad to help if looking for a card or debut. I use Gary's method of listing results as below.
W=win..W/DQ=by dq..W/COR-by count-out..DDQ=double dq..NC=No contest=ref decides no winner...W/DEC=win by ref decision..W/CNC=opponent could not continue..D=Draw....most of the bouts in the early days were 2 fall affairs.
1908/05/16 Labor Temple, Toronto
Artie Edmunds D Young Muldoon 1hr 53 min (1 fall apiece)
(Police broke up the third fall as they had hit the 12 midnight curfew)
Young Walker W Fred Daly
Bob McIntyre W Harry Raylot
Jack Edmunds W Bob Nash
1911/03/28 Agnes St Theatre, Toronto
Stanisłaus Zybysko W John Lemm 57 min (1-0 Lemm forfeits 2nd fall due to injury)
Herb Hughes W Sam Bain
Before the bouts photos were shown of the Rogers-Hackenshmidt bout in London 3 years prior
as well as the Gotch-Hackenshmidt bout from Chicago 2 yrs prior
1924/05/16 Arena Gardens, Toronto
Stanisłaus Zybysko W George Walker (2-1)
Aug Jokennen W Matalon
Larry Ness W Jim Watson
*Walker is Canadian Champion
*Lou Marsh called the main 'Toronto's first taste of 'big league' wrestling
1929/06/06 Arena Gardens, Toronto
Jim Londos W Tom Moore (2-0)
Fred Grobmier D Sam Rubin (Freddy Meyers)
Wladek Zbyszko WCOR Pat McKay
1930/12/26 Arena Gardens, Toronto
Count Zarinoff W Freddy Meyers
Stan Stasiak D/DQ Joe Maleciewicz
Al Baffert W Frank Maleciewicz
1935/04/25 MLG, Toronto
George Zaharias W Emil Dusek (2-1)
Al Mercier W Little Beaver
John Katan W Roy Shepek
Ernie Zeller W Jim Henry
*Henry pushed ref Phil Lawson and was fined 25$ by the commission
1939/11/30 MLG, Toronto
NBA World Title Bronko Nagurski W Ernie Dusek
Don Louis Thesz W Frank Sexton
Joe Savoldi W Pat Riley (The Angel)
Elmer Eastup W Jim Wright
*Lou Thesz had Toronto debut on 11/16 card)
1941/06/12 MLG, Toronto
Earl McCready W Whipper Watson 218
Bobby Bruns W Jerry Monaghan
Billy Hanson W Jack Claybourne
Wallace Muscovich W Tiger Joe Marsh
George (K.O.) Koverly D Lee Henning
*Regina's Earl McCready was crowned Canadian wrestling champion after pinning Whipper Billy Watson of Toronto in the fifth round of their bout staged by the Queensbury A.C. at Maple Leaf Gardens last night before 2,000 fans. Working on a punishing toe-hold that had Watson limping during most of the fourth and fifth rounds. McCready set him up for a series of body slams that spelt finis at the 6:15 mark. On behalf of Promoter Frank Tunney, Controller Freddie Hamilton presented the winner with a belt emblematic of the championship.
1942/12/17 MLG, Toronto
'French Angel' Maurice Tillet W 'Swedish Angel' Olaf Swenson
Whipper Watson W Walter Sirois
Earl McCready W Andy Meixner
Nanjo Singh W Zimm
Pat Fraley D Pedro Martinez
1947/05/15 MLG, Toronto
World Title: Lou Thesz D Whipper Watson
Mike Sharpe W Wee Willie Davis
Bob Wagner W Bobby Bruns
Ben Sharpe W/DQ John Katan
Sky Hi Lee W Dick Bishop
1947/05/29 MLG, Toronto
World Title: Lou Thesz W/DQ Whipper Watson
Bob Wagner W Brother Jonathon
John Katan W Tom Collins
Ken Kenneth W/DQ Sky Hi Lee
Lou Newman vs Pat Flanagan
1947/06/05 MLG, Toronto
Whipper Watson W John Katan
Educational Feature : Tuffy Truesdale vs Rodney The Alligator
(Joe Perlove remarked 'Personally I didn't know any more when it was over except there must be easier ways of making a living than wrestling Alligators')
Sky Hi Lee W Toar Morgan
Bob Wagner D Ken Kenneth
Bulldog Drummond D Tom Collins
Brother Jonathon W Dick Bishop
1947/06/12 MLG, Toronto
World Title: Lou Thesz W/DQ Sky Hi Lee
Mike Sharpe W Brother Jonathon
Ken Kenneth D John Katan
Ben Sharpe W Lou Newman
Dan O'Connor W Toar Morgan
1947/06/19 MLG, Toronto
Wild Bill Longson D Mike Sharpe
Handicap Bout: Sky Hi Lee W Brother Jonathon/Walter Sirois
(Joe Perlove remarked: 'A swift poll of the gathering at the gardens revealed the opponent they would like to see Lee in with next is Rodney The Alligator, or better still with a whole alligator farm of alligators')
1949/08/04 East York Collegiate Memorial Stadium. Toronto
Whipper Watson W/CNC Sky Hi Lee
Wladek Kowalski W Abe Zvonkin
*'Kowalski, just. 22 6 foot 5. 265 pounds, all rock, rushed to his third consecutive rapid fire victory.
'This made a total of five minutes Kowalski has expended in three matches here
Nobodys had a good look at him yet, especially his opponents'
Tom Rice vs Ben Sharpe
Al Korman vs Tom Collins
Jimmy Simms vs Red O'Malley
*Attendance was 5,000 (plus several hundred peering at the show free from their porches and bedroom windows)
1950/06/15 MLG, Toronto
Yvon Robert D Whipper Watson (curfew)
(Ref was Ed 'Strangler' Lewis)
Larry Moquin D Strangler Bob Wagner
Timothy Geohagen W Jim Henry
1950/11/30 MLG, Toronto
Yukon Eric W/DQ Whipper Watson
Lee Henning W Bobby Nelson
Pat Flanagan D Willie Davis
Les Ryan W Jack Moore
Dan O’Connor D George Scott
Main is face vs face
1952/10/30 MLG, Toronto
NWA Title: Lou Thesz D Whipper Watson (curfew)
Pat Flanagan D Lou Plummer - cut to allow the main to start at 10pm
Chief Big Heart W Tiger Tasker
Jack Pasek D Bull Montana
Dick Raines W Jim Coffield
1955/03/03 MLG, Toronto
Antonino Rocca D Whipper Watson (Rocca unable to continue, ref awarded the match to Watson, but he refused win)
Lord Athol Layton/Bill McDaniel W Timothy Geohagen/Tex McKenzie
Mike Paidousis W Pat Fraley
Ken Kenneth W Alan Garfield
Frank Marconi W Harry Lewis
*Rocca-Watson was a return bout, first meeting (and Rocca's Toronto debut) was a draw
Both fan favorites
1953/12/17 MLG, Toronto
The Mills Brothers W Fred Atkins/Lord Layton
Pat Flanagan W Larry Moquin
Yvon Robert W Mr Kato
(was the feature TV match)
Golden Hawk D Sky Hi Lee
Ilio DiPaolo W Firpo Zbyszko
1957/06/13 MLG Toronto
Gene Kiniski/Fritz Von Erich W/DQ Whipper Watson/Yukon Eric
Edouard Carpentier W Frank Hewitt
Ronnie Etchison W Bill McDaniel
Prince Maiava W Jack Pesek
Fred Atkins W Larry Moquin
NWA Title: Pat O’Connor W/COR Lou Thesz
Bobo Brazil W Hans Hermann
Ivan/Karol Kalmikoff) W Fred Atkins/Mike Valentino
Hans Schmidt W Al Korman
Wally Seiber W Tiger Tasker
1959/12/17 MLG, Toronto
Canadian Open Tag Team Title: Don Leo Jonathan/Gene Kiniski D Ilio DiPaolo/Whipper Watson - curfew
Sam Steamboat W Dan Miller
Hard Boiled Haggerty/Fritz Von Erich W/COR Bobo Brazil/Timothy Geohagen
Doc Gallagher W Cowboy Hughes
Ivan Kalmikoff D Ed Miller
Bud Cody D Yvon Losier
1961/11/30 MLG, Toronto
Bulldog Brower W Yukon Eric
(Lumberjack Bout - both wrestlers wear heavy high cut boots)
Hurricane Smith/Cyclone Smith D Chris Tolos/John Tolos
Gentleman Jim Hady W Chief Kit Fox
Taro Sakuro W Chief Lone Eagle
Antonios Kontellis D Timothy Geohagen
1962/04/26 East York Arena, Toronto
Sweet Daddy Siki W Tom Emperor Jones
Bruno Sammartino W Hurricane Smith
Frank Valois D Juan Sebastian
Billy Red Lyons W Donn Lewin
Sam Steamboat D Pat Flanagan
1962/12/14 MLG, Toronto
US Title: Johnny Valentine W Bruno Sammartino to win the title
Roger Littlebrook/Sonny Boy Cassidy W Sky Low Low/Irish Jackie
Yukon Eric W/DQ Taro Sakuro
Stan Stasiak D Sam Steamboat
Gino Marella W Ron Bull Johnson
1963/11/14 MLG, TORONTO
NWA TITLE: Lou Thesz WCOR Bulldog Brower
Johnny Valentine/Jim Hady W The Beast/Martino Angelo
Giant Baba W Tony Parisi
Yukon Eric W Tommy O’Toole
Seaman Art Thomas WDQ Fred Atkins
The Destroyer D Lorenzo Parente
1964/02/20 MLG, Toronto
Handicap Bout: The Beast/Martino Angelo W Whipper Billy Watson
Johnny Valentine W Hans Schmidt
WWWF Title: Bruno Sammartino W Great Kudo
Bulldog Brower/Fred Atkins D Erich Froelich/Jim Hady
Andreas Lambrakis W Great Mephisto
1964/12/17 MLG, Toronto
Whipper Billy Watson W Professor Hiro
(Fred Atkins handcuffed to Lord Layton)
Bulldog Brower W Sweet Daddy Siki
Billy Red Lyons/Andy Robin D Chris Tolos/John Tolos
The Sheik W Pat Flanagan
Michele Barone W Bob Leipler
Paul DeMarco D Alexander the Great
1966/02/27 MLG, Toronto
NWA Title: Gene Kiniski W/CNC Johnny Valentine
International Tag Titles: Masked Yankees W Seaman Art Thomas/Emile Dupre
Lord Athol Layton W Bob Leipler
Professor Hiro W Georgios Kanelis
Ernie Ladd W Joe Killer Christie
Tiger Jeet Singh WCOR Paul DeMarco
1967/08/13 Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto
Tiger Jeet Singh D Johnny Valentine 120:00 (2 hours)
(US Title bout 2 Referees, 2 hour time limit, Singh loses if dq'd)
Assassin D Lorenzo Parente
Dewey Robertson WDQ Mohan Singh
Also advertised: Johnny Rougeau, Sweet Daddy Siki, Bulldog Brower, Fritz Von Raschke, Michele Barone
1967/12/17 MLG, Toronto
US Title: Tiger Jeet Singh D Edouard Carpentier
International Tag Titles: Whipper Billy Watson/Bulldog Brower W Fabulous Kangaroos
Little Beaver/Johnny Russell W Frenchy Lamont/Little Brutus
Assassin D Sweet Daddy Siki
Chief White Owl W Crybaby Cannon
Pat Flanagan W/DQ Hans Schmidt
Fred Atkins D Dewey Robertson
1969/10/05 MLG, Toronto
The Sheik W/COR Dominic Denucci
Lou Thesz W Magnificent Maurice
Fabulous Kangaroos: Al Costello/ Ray Kent W Bulldog Brower/Murray Cummings (2-1) 1
Whipper Billy Watson W Joe Killer Christie
Haystack Calhoun/Paul Diamond W Masked Assassin/Big Bill Terry (2-0)
Bobo Brazil W Mike Loren
Fred Atkins D Dewey Robertson
Lou Klein D Terry White
1969/11/30 MLG, Toronto
The Sheik W Giant Saka
(Saka managed by Cannon)
Bobo Brazil W Masked Assassin
Whipper Billy Watson/Bulldog Brower WDQ Fabulous Kangaroos: Al Costello/Ray Kent
Little Beaver W Frenchy Lamont
Haystack Calhoun/Mighty Igor WDQ Reginald Love/Hartford Love
Angelo Mosca W Mike Porky Loren
Dominic Denucci W Fred Atkins
Fred Curry W Ivan Kalmikoff
1970/10/19 MLG, Toronto
The Sheik WDQ Whipper Billy Watson *Watson Jr interferes
Lord Athol Layton W Mitsu Arakawa
Fabulous Kangaroos W Mighty Igor/Fred Atkins
Love Brothers W Ivan Kalmikoff/Fred Curry
Bobo Brazil/Haystack Calhoun W Man Mountain Cannon/Masked Assassin
Don Fargo W Mike Loren
Whipper Watson Jr *debut W Bobby Blaine
1972/02/20 MLG, Toronto
The Sheik W Carlos Rocha
Love Brothers D Bulldog Brower/Tex McKenzie
Johnny Valentine W Lee Henning
Pampero Firpo W Mighty Ursus
Fabulous Kangaroos W Mighty Igor/Ivan Kalmikoff
Ben Justice/Haystack Calhoun W Hans Schmidt/Killer Christie
Jacques Rougeau/Gino Brito W Masked Marvel/Man Mountain Cannon
Chris Tolos W Lou Klein,
Tony Marino W Baron Mikel Scicluna
Tony Parisi W Mike Loren
1972/12/17 MLG, Toronto
The Sheik NC Johnny Valentine
Tiger Jeet Singh W Lee Henning
Chief Jay Strongbow W Mike Loren
Pampero Firpo W Ivan Kalmikoff
The Beast/Sweet Daddy Siki W Hans Schmidt/Lou Klein
Lord Athol Layton/Dewey Robertson W Joe Killer Christie/Big Brutus
Tony Parisi/Mighty Igor W Killer Brooks/Dan Miller
Ben Justice/Haystack Calhoun D Kurt Von Hess/Karl Von Schotz
Tex McKenzie/Tony Marino D Love Brothers
Hayes/Louie W Lamont/Adams
1973/09/23 MLG, Toronto
NWA Title: Jack Brisco W Eric the Animal
The Sheik W Tony Marino
Ben Justice D Lee Henning
Pampero Firpo W Mike Loren
Executioner W/DQ The Beast
Hans Schmidt/Chris Tolos D Steve Bolus/Ron Doner
Mongols D Tex McKenzie/Billy Red Lyons
Bearcat Wright/Sonny King W J.B. Psycho/Pat Scott
1974/02/10 MLG, Toronto
The Sheik D/DQ Andre the Giant
Johnny Valentine W Masked Marvel
Tiger Jeet Singh W Big Brutus
Chief Jay Strongbow W Andy Marton, Jacques Rougeau D Hans Schmidt
Love Brothers D Dominic Denucci/Sweet Daddy Siki Billy Red Lyons D Chris Tolos
The Beast WDQ The Executioner
Lee Henning D Ron Doner
1975/11/30 MLG, Toronto
NWA Title: Jack Brisco L/DQ Spiros Arion
Stan Stasiak/Mark Lewin W The Sheik/Waldo Von Erich
The Beast W Mike Angelo
Edouard Carpentier W Lou Klein
Sweet Daddy Siki D El Brassero
Mongols W Dino Bravo/Nick DeCarlo
Crusaders W Don Kent/Kurt Von Brauner
Duncan McTavish/Lord Athol Layton D Chris Tolos/Wildman
1977/02/27 MLG, Toronto
US Title Spec Ref: Chris Tolos: The Sheik W Bobo Brazil to win the title
International Tag Titles: The Crusaders W Kelly Twins
Stan Stasiak/Chief Jay Strongbow W Ivan Koloff/Tarzan Tyler
Edouard Carpentier/Gino Brito WP Reginald Love/Lou Klein
Michele Barone W Terry Yorkston
Ken Patera W Steve Bolus
Sweet Daddy Siki D The Wolfman
Crazy Luke Graham D/DQ Tony Parisi
1978/12/17 MLG, Toronto
US Title: Ricky Steamboat W Ric Flair to win the title
Canadian Title: Dino Bravo W Gene Kiniski to win the vacant title
Tony Atlas/Jay Youngblood W Baron Von Raschke/Greg Valentine (nontitle)
Tiger Jeet Singh W Zimba Khan
Paul Jones W Gene Anderson
Jimmy Snuka W Swede Hansen
Johnny Weaver W Rudy Kay
1979/06/03 MLG, Toronto
CANADIAN TITLE, LUMBERJACK MATCH: Dino Bravo WP Greg Valentine to win the belt 10:10
WWWF TITLE: Bob Backlund WP Ernie Ladd
$5,000 BOUNTY MATCH: Ricky Steamboat WP Big John Studd
(Bounty offered by Ric Flair)
Paul Orndorff WP Moose Morowski
Johnny Weaver/Jay Youngblood W Brute Bernard/Swede Hansen
Dewey Robertson WP Joe Marcus
Johnny Yachetti D Chris Tolos
1980/06/15 MLG, Toronto
Canadian Title: Great Hossein W Dewey Robertson
US Title: Ric Flair W Jimmy Snuka
Angelo Mosca W/DQ Ray Stevens
Tony Parisi W Tim Gerrard
Pedro Morales/Johnny Weaver W Doug Sommers/Steve Muslin
Bob Marcus W John Forsythe
1981/11/30 MLG, Toronto
Canadian Title: Big John Studd L/DQ Bad Leroy Brown
Ron Bass/Rick Steamboat W Greg Valentine/Ivan Koloff
Johnny Weaver W/COR Lord Alfred Hayes
Jay Youngblood W Ricky Harris
Tony Parisi W Frank Marconi
Steve Bolus W Tim Gerrard
1982/07/11 MLG, Toronto
WWF Title: Bobby Backlund W Greg Valentine
NWA US Title: Sgt. Slaughter W Wahoo McDaniel
Mid Atlantic Title: Jack Brisco W Roddy Piper
(Piper had actually won the title 7/7 in Charlotte, North Carolina but was not acknowledged here)
Jimmy Valiant/Jake "The Snake" Roberts W Ivan Koloff/Ninja
Johnny Weaver W Tim Gerrard
Tony Parisi W Bob Marcus
1983/07/10 Exhibition Stadium, Toronto- Night of Champions
NWA Title Harley Race WDQ Ric Flair
CANADIAN TITLE: Angelo Mosca W One Man Gang
US TITLE: Greg Valentine DCOR Wahoo McDaniel
TV TITLE: Great Kabuki W Jimmy Valiant
NWA TAG TEAM TITLE: Ricky Steamboat/Jay Youngblood W Dory Funk Jr/Jake Roberts
WOMEN'S TITLE: Fabulous Moolah W Princess Victoria
Johnny Weaver/Mike Rotundo W Alec Girard/Tim Gerrard
Sgt. Jacques Goulet/Kelly Kiniski W Bob Marcus/Joe Marcus
Nick DeCarlo/Billy Ryan W The Executioner/Mike Armstrong
1984/05/27 MLG, Toronto
NWA Title: Ric Flair W Dick Slater
Russian Chain Match: Angelo Mosca W Ivan Koloff
Angelo Mosca Jr. W Great Kabuki
Grapplers W Pez Whatley/Vinny Valentino
Buddy (Bret) Hart/Johnny Weaver W Leo Burke/Rudy Kay
Terry Kay W Don Kolov
Brian Adidas W Doug Vines
Tony Parisi WP Jeff Sword
84/06/24 MLG, Toronto *Last NWA Card
Jimmy Valiant/A Mosca/Buzz Sawyer W Paul Jones/Assassin/Giant Kamala
Pez Whatley/Vinny Valentino WCOR Grapplers
CANADIAN TV TITLE: Brian Adias W Bobby Bass
Tony Parisi W Gary Royal
Nick DeCarlo W Bob Marcus
Jesse Barr W John Bonello
-AC
Illustrated History of the North American Heavyweight Title, Ontario
In May of 1974 The Stomper aka Archie Gouldie had been the North American champion for Calgary's Stampede Wrestling when Dave McKigney brought him in as N.A Champ to open the season. The belt used here was made by Alex Mulko aka Nikita Kalmikoff and is one of the nicest of all his cast belts.
There was also a N.A. Title defended in upper New York state in 1974, Parisi & Stasiak among the holders, that lineage is not included here but may overlap at the end of 1974, this lineage represents Ontario only. Note there were North American Titles on the main circuit (Tunney) not covered here
McKigney's tours were mostly made up as they went along so the title drops out at times to make way for Andre to visit, or featured feuds. This is a fun look at the story of the title, not a complete list of all the tour dates just the ones advertised or reported as title defenses (at the time I originally did this a few years back). Originally at the old site so formatting is a bit off..
1974-75
74/05/15 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
74/05/16 Windsor, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
74/05/22 Toronto, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Angelo Mosca
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Angelo Mosca
N.A. Title bout
74/05/29 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
Martinez appears as champ June 9
74/06/09 Sarnia, ON
Archie Gouldie W Luis Martinez
to win the N.A. Title in a Mexican Death match
Archie Gouldie W Luis Martinez
to win the N.A. Title in a Mexican Death match
74/06/12 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Angelo Mosca
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Angelo Mosca
N.A. Title bout
74/06/22 Barrie, ON
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Angelo Mosca
74/06/26 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Angelo Mosca
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
Vic Rossatani appears as champ in July in a 'return grudge' bout vs former champ Stomper
74/07/10 London, ON
Vic Rossatani (C) vs Archie Gouldie
N.A. Title bout
Vic Rossatani (C) vs Archie Gouldie
N.A. Title bout
Gouldie has the title back 2 days later for bouts around Ontario
74/07/12 Wiarton, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Vic Rossatani
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Vic Rossatani
N.A. Title bout
74/07/20 Barrie, ON
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Vic Rossitanni
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Vic Rossitanni
N.A. Title bout
74/07/24 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Bobo Brazil
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Bobo Brazil
N.A. Title bout
74/08/07 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Bobo Brazil
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
74/08/08 Simcoe, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
74/08/09 Orillia, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Tony Parisi
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
74/08/13 Georgetown, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) L/DQ Andre The Giant
N.A. Title bout
74/08/14 Windsor, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Andre The Giant
N.A. Title bout
74/08/15 Simcoe, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Luis Martinez
N.A. Title bout
Gouldie still has the belt as of Aug 21
74/08/21 London, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Bobo Brazil
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Bobo Brazil
N.A. Title bout
74/08/31 Midland, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Dewey Robertson
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Dewey Robertson
N.A. Title bout
74/09/01 Keswick, ON
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Dewey Robertson
N.A. Title bout
Archie Gouldie (C) vs Dewey Robertson
N.A. Title bout
Brazil appears as champ in October, may be some crossover here with Detroit/Cleveland
74/10/13 London, ON
Bobo Brazil (C) vs Killer Brooks
N.A. Title bout
Bobo Brazil (C) vs Killer Brooks
N.A. Title bout
Stasiak appears as champ in December
74/12/01 London, ON
Stan Stasiak (C) vs Tiger Jeet Singh
N.A. Title bout
Stan Stasiak (C) vs Tiger Jeet Singh
N.A. Title bout
Stasiak still champ at the start of the 1975 season
75/06/16 Midland, ON
Stan Stasiak (C) vs Tony Parisi
Stan Stasiak (C) vs Tony Parisi
N.A. Title bout
75/07/25 - Niagara Falls, ON
Tony Parisi (C) L/COR Stan Stasiak
N.A. Title bout
The N.A. Title is absent from the scene until Whipper Watson Jr first billed as N.A Champion July 4 1982
N.A. Title bout
1976-77
1976 opens with Waldo Von Erich as champ
76/05/27 Brantford, ON
Waldo Von Erich (C) vs Billy Red Lyons
N.A. Title bout
Waldo Von Erich (C) vs Billy Red Lyons
N.A. Title bout
Von Erich is still champ in June
76/06/15 Brantford, ON
Waldo Von Erich (C) vs Billy Red Lyons
N.A. Title bout
N.A. Title bout
76/06/16 St Catherines, ON
Waldo Von Erich (C) vs Lord Layton
N.A. Title bout
Waldo Von Erich (C) vs Lord Layton
N.A. Title bout
Lyons is champ in August losing to Colt on Aug 17 then regaining it on the 24th
76/08/17 Simcoe, ON
Chris Colt W Billy Red Lyons
to win N.A. Title
Chris Colt W Billy Red Lyons
to win N.A. Title
76/08/24 Simcoe, ON
Billy Red Lyons W Chris Colt
to win N.A. Title
Billy Red Lyons W Chris Colt
to win N.A. Title
77/06/15 Brockville, ON
Geeto Mongol (C) D/COR Tony Parisi
N.A. Title bout
Geeto Mongol (C) D/COR Tony Parisi
N.A. Title bout
1982
The N.A. Title is absent from the scene until Whipper Watson Jr first billed as N.A Champion July 4 1982
82/07/04 Scarborough, ON
Chris Colt W Whipper Watson Jr
to win the N.A. Title
Chris Colt W Whipper Watson Jr
to win the N.A. Title
Highlight of the summer. Jr & Colt had been feuding around the circuit
Colt defends the title in Cornwall in July and the next sign of a title change has Wildman as champ Aug 1 1982
82/08/01 Scarborough, ON
Chris Colt W Wildman
to win the N.A. Title in a Lumberjack-Chain match which they did in various combinations over the balance of the summer solo and in tags
Chris Colt W Wildman
to win the N.A. Title in a Lumberjack-Chain match which they did in various combinations over the balance of the summer solo and in tags
82/08 Cornwall, ON
Whipper Watson Jr is back with the title in at least two bouts, one vs Colt
Whipper Watson Jr is back with the title in at least two bouts, one vs Colt
1983
At the start of the 1983 season Colt gets into a violent feud with Johnny Valiant, with Street Fights and Cage bouts all over the region. There is no sign of the title though
In Aug 1983 Colt is again billed as champ
83/08 Cornwall, ON
Johnny Valiant W Chris Colt
to win the N.A. title
in a Street Fight
Johnny Valiant W Chris Colt
to win the N.A. title
in a Street Fight
Valiant is still champ in late Aug 83
Title inactive
____________________________
There were also the Big Bear Tag Titles in 1983 held by the Destroyers I & II team but seen in limited appearances.
The Sheik appeared with his U.S. Title (Old Detroit version kind of) as well as Tiger Jeet Singh as the Asian Champion. Johnny Powers billed as International champion. Rocha Portuguese champ etc etc
Thanks to Wes Maidment , Gary Will, Vern May, Rudy Iseli
Some pics and posters borrowed from the great Big Bear Wrestling blog as noted by Rudy Iseli
All other photos, items mapleleafwrestling.com collection
Ed White aka 'Handsome Johnny Davis'
Excerpted from a longer piece on the old site
Back around 2002 when I first started posting some of my collection I spoke with Ed White. He wrestled mostly around Detroit as Handsome Johnny Davis. Note he has the same name as Ed 'Sailor' White but different guy. Ed was very gracious and humble and spoke with me a bit about his time wrestling up here in the mid '70s.
Ed also made it to MLG a couple of times (under his real name interestingly), once vs Waldo and once vs Mark Lewin in September 1975.
Back around 2002 when I first started posting some of my collection I spoke with Ed White. He wrestled mostly around Detroit as Handsome Johnny Davis. Note he has the same name as Ed 'Sailor' White but different guy. Ed was very gracious and humble and spoke with me a bit about his time wrestling up here in the mid '70s.
Ed wrestled from 1974 -1979 after learning the ropes at Lou Klein's Detroit gym, breaking in with his pal and sometimes tag partner Denny Alberts. Anyways he shared a couple of items with me and later sent them up. A handwritten (looks to be Dave's hand) lineup sheet from a Wildman card and a receipt from a Tunney TV taping.
He wrestled on a couple of Wildman Dave McKigney tours in '75 and on one of those trips he drove Andre The Giant around in his (Ed's) Dad's car, a big old Caddy. He remembered Dave fondly.
McKigney had trouble with the boxing/wrestling commission and Jack Tunney in particular later on, but in those days it was an easier time.
The small towns made for interesting match-ups like Ed teaming with McKigney (Wildman) against the mammoth Haystacks Calhoun. On the trips through Ontario, the familiar names pop up, Chris Tolos, Dewey Robertson, Red Lyons, Sweet Daddy Siki, and Waldo Von Erich.
He wrestled on a couple of Wildman Dave McKigney tours in '75 and on one of those trips he drove Andre The Giant around in his (Ed's) Dad's car, a big old Caddy. He remembered Dave fondly.
'Great guy, paid good, made one of my biggest mistakes not going to work for him full time when he asked me. I was fed up and wanted out, if I had gone with him I may have lasted a few years longer and had some fun.'
McKigney had trouble with the boxing/wrestling commission and Jack Tunney in particular later on, but in those days it was an easier time.
'I always thought of Dave as the Canadian Lou Klein. He had the blessings of the Tunney's or they wouldn’t have used him on the MLG shows.'
 |
'He was funny and real nice to me. Taught me a few things about the biz too.'
How about the Bear?
'Never wrestled it but got in the ring with it one time just playing before a show.'
Ontario was the home away from home for The Sheik in those days when he would appear throughout the circuit.
'Scary at first, but I got along great with him, even though his payoffs sucked.'
Ed also made it to MLG a couple of times (under his real name interestingly), once vs Waldo and once vs Mark Lewin in September 1975.
'I loved going to MLG, wish I could have worked there more, big building, clean, great crowds, big ring and I loved the ramp.'
And what about Frank Tunney?
'Nice guy, used to pick up his Export A butts for him at the border.'
A TV Taping for Tunney at the Hamilton Studios would also be part of the tour, and Ed would pick up a cool 50 bucks for an afternoon of taking bumps. As a mid carder/prelim type he would see his share of losses, and when asked about his biggest win...
'Win? Not many of them so I should remember, but I don’t.'
Some of those losses would come from heroes like Bobo Brazil
'Worked with him a lot and every one was a dream'
While one would come from long time Toronto stalwart Johnny Valentine.
'He beat the hell out of me, wasn’t long after this that he had his plane crash so I never worked with him again. He came back to do some booking for Sheik from a wheelchair. and I got to know him a little during that time. Got along good with him and he got a good laugh when I reminded him about the ass kicking he gave me. I wasn’t the only rookie to get this from him.'
If you look around on Youtube there is a clip of Ed on Match Game from 1978, he won 6800$.
Host Gene Rayburn (in his annoying style) asked Ed about wrestling.
Gene: is it real?
Ed: as real as this show
Gene: is it real?
Ed: as real as this show
Touche!
-AC, and thanks to Ed a great guy!
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