Billed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Siblings Chris Tolos Name John Tolos | Trained by Willie Davis Billed weight 240 lb (110 kg) | |
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Died May 28, 2009, Los Angeles, California, United States | ||
John tolos talks feud with fred blassie victor rivera more it s way back wednesday
John Tolos, nicknamed "The Golden Greek", (September 18, 1930 – May 28, 2009) was a Greek-Canadian professional wrestler, and professional wrestling manager.
Contents
- John tolos talks feud with fred blassie victor rivera more it s way back wednesday
- Pampero Firpo vs The Golden Greek John Tolos from the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles 1974
- Professional wrestling career
- Death
- In wrestling
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
Pampero Firpo vs. The Golden Greek John Tolos from the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles 1974
Professional wrestling career
John was born on September 18, 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario to Greek parents, Nicolaos and Evangelia (Evangeline) Tolos. During the 1950s and 60s, Tolos was part of the Canadian Wrecking Crew with his brother Chris Tolos. On December 28, 1963, John and Chris captured the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship in Teaneck, New Jersey in two straight falls from Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski. While both teams were heels at the time, the Tolos Brothers did a television interview prior to the title match, "looking forward" to seeing all of their fans in Teaneck. That night, they were cheered throughout. As a vicious heel known as the "Golden Greek", Tolos also engaged in a long time rivalry with "Classy" Freddie Blassie in the LeBell family's Los Angeles territory, often feuding over the Americas Championship.
Tolos joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) for a brief stint in mid-1991 as Coach (a classic coach, whistle and all), managing The Beverly Brothers and "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, replacing Hennig's former manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who was then moving into a full-time broadcaster's role. Mr. Perfect lost his Intercontinental Title to Bret Hart at SummerSlam, after which an injury would sideline Hennig from competition for more than a year. With Hennig indefinitely out of action, along with The Beverly Brothers getting a new manager in The Genius, Tolos quietly left the WWF.
Tolos then had a run in Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation, managing Cowboy Bob Orton, Cactus Jack and The Power Twins as well as serving as color commentator on the UWF's Fury Hour program.
Death
Tolos died in Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2009. His death was from kidney failure followed by a series of heart attacks and strokes.