John Tolos

John Tolos, nicknamed "The Golden Greek", ( April 5 , 1931 – May 28, 2009[1]) was a Canadian professional wrestler, and professional wrestling manager.

John Tolos
Tolos in 1956
Birth nameJohn Tolos
BornApril 5 1931
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada[1]
DiedMay 28, 2009(2009-05-28) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, United States[1]
Cause of deathKidney failure
FamilyChris Tolos (brother)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)John Tolos[2]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[3]
Billed weight240 lb (109 kg)[3]
Trained byWee Willie Davis[2][1]
Debut1951
Retired1992

Professional wrestling career
Freddie Blassie bites Tolos's face during a 1971 match

Tolos was born on April 5, 1931, in Hamilton, Ontario to Greek parents, Nicolaos and Evangelia (Evangeline) Tolos. During the 1950s and 60s, he was part of The Canadian Wrecking Crew with his brother Chris Tolos. On December 28, 1963, they 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 World Wrestling Association, often feuding over the Americas Championship.[4] Tolos had a run in Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation from 1990 to mid-1991, managing Cowboy Bob Orton, Cactus Jack and The Power Twins as well as serving as color commentator on the UWF's Fury Hour program.

Tolos joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) for a brief stint in mid-1991 as Coach (a classic coach, complete with a whistle), 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.[5] When a back injury sidelined Hennig for more than a year, Tolos was replaced by The Genius as The Beverly Brothers' manager and departed the WWF. Tolos would return to Abrams' UWF as color commentator from 1992 through the promotion's final show in 1994. He also managed Cowboy Bob Orton, The Power Twins and Cactus Jack.

Death

Tolos died in Los Angeles, California, on May 28, 2009, from kidney failure[6] following a series of heart attacks and strokes.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. Oliver, Greg. ""The Golden Greek" John Tolos dies". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  2. "Wrestler Profiles: John Tolos". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
  3. Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  4. "Classy" Freddie Blassie with Keith Elliot Greenberg, Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks, (WWE Books, 2003).
  5. Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  6. John Tolos dies at 78; notorious wrestling villain known as the Golden Greek - Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2009-06-02.
  7. "NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  8. "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (Hawaii)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  9. "Hawaii Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  10. "NWA World Tag Team Title (Detroit)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  11. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  12. "NWA World Tag Team Title (Florida)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  13. Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2006). "(Kansas and Western Missouri) West Missouri: North American Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 253. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  14. "NWA North American Tag Team Title (Central States version)". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  15. "International Tag Team Title (Toronto)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  16. Hoops, Brian (March 22, 2020). "Daily pro wrestling history (03/22): Dutch Mantel wins Southern title from Jerry Lawler". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  17. Meltzer, Dave (November 17, 2012). "Sat. update: Great TV show, WWE multiple releases, Austin talks WWE Hall of Fame, Best night for Bellator, PPV predictions, NWA Hall of Fame, James Storm headlines benefit show, Devitt takes another title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  18. "NWA Canadian Tag Team Title (Vancouver)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  19. "NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  20. "World Tag Team Title (Vancouver)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  21. "NWA Americas Heavyweight Title (Detroit)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  22. "NWA Americas Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  23. "Beat the Champ Television Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  24. "Brass Knuckles Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  25. "NWA United National Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  26. "International Television Tag Team Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  27. "NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Title (San Francisco)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  28. "NWA Western States Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  29. "NWA Western States Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  30. Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  31. "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  32. Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Heavyweight Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 268–269. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  33. "NWA Texas Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  34. "United States Tag Team Title (Capitol/WWWF)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
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