John Tolos

John Tolos, nicknamed "The Golden Greek", (September 18, 1930 – May 28, 2009[1]) was a Canadian professional wrestler, and professional wrestling manager.

John Tolos
BornSeptember 18, 1930
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada[1]
DiedMay 29, 2009(2009-05-29) (aged 78)[1]
Los Angeles, California,
United States[1]
Cause of deathKidney failure
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)John Tolos
Coach[2]
Golden Greek
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Billed weight240 lb (110 kg)[3]
Trained byWillie Davis[2][1]
Debut1951
Retired1992

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.[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, 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.[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 29, 2009. His death was from kidney failure[6] following a series of heart attacks and strokes.[1] John Tolos

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. Oliver, Greg. ""The Golden Greek" John Tolos dies". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  2. "Wrestler Profiles: John Tolos". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  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 2009-05-29.
  9. "Hawaii Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  10. "NWA World Tag Team Title (Detroit)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  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 2009-05-29.
  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 2009-05-29.
  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 (2012-11-17). "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 2012-11-17.
  18. "NWA Canadian Tag Team Title (Vancouver)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  19. "NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  20. "World Tag Team Title (Vancouver)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  21. "NWA Americas Heavyweight Title (Detroit)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  22. "NWA Americas Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  23. "Beat the Champ Television Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  24. "Brass Knuckles Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  25. "NWA United National Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  26. "International Television Tag Team Title (Los Angeles)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  27. "NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Title (San Francisco)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  28. "NWA Western States Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  29. "NWA Western States Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  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 2009-05-29.
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