Greetings.
It’s been a tough week in the wrestling business, with the passing of the legendary Mormon giant, Don Leo Jonathan and iconic Southern stalwart, Dick Slater as well as the announcement that WWE Universal champion, Roman Reigns, would be having to vacate the title because he’s been diagnosed with leukemia.
Jonathan, who began his storied career back in the late 40’s was one of the top stars in the business in the 50’s and 60’s, working in several of the territories, including California, Texas, St. Louis, Minneapolis, New York, Toronto and my dad’s Stampede Wrestling promotion. In most cases Don Leo, who was one of the most agile and athletic big men to ever grace a ring, worked as a face, but my told me he was also a superb heel, including a series of memorable matches against the likes of Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, Dutch Savage, Gene Kiniski and Andre the Giant.
My dad, who was one of wrestling’s accomplished “shooters” or tough guys, himself, also told me that Don Leo was one of the legit tough guys in the business and could hold his own against vaunted shooters, like Karl Gotch, George Gordienko, Billy Robinson, Bill Watts, Bill Miller, Rube Wright and Verne Gagne.
I had Don Leo as a guest on my syndicated Hart Beat Radio show last year and we had an amazing and illuminating trip down memory lane, discussing the “territories”, the many superstars that he worked with, and the many iconic promoters, including my dad, Vince McMahon Sr, Frank Tunney, Verne Gagne, Sam Muchnick, Gene Kiniski and Shohei Baba. These days, damn near every nondescript undercard jabroney is undeservedly referred to as a “superstar“, but Don Leo was the real deal – one of the foremost talents in the history of our business. Beyond that, he was a true gentleman and a class act, all the way. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
I never had the opportunity to interact with Dick Slater that much, but in talking with friends and associates of his, including Harley Race, Brian Blair, the Briscos and Funks, he was one of the most respected workers of his era and also a legit tough guy. I`d like to commend Don Leo and Dick for their long and glorious careers – thanks for the memories, my friends
I`d also like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to Universal champion, Roman Reigns (Joe Ano`ai), who divulged on RAW last week that he would be having to forfeit his title because he`d been stricken with leukemia. I was tremendously impressed and inspired with the dignity and intestinal fortitude shown by Roman, who thanked the fans for their ongoing support and vowed to overcome this formidable foe and, after that, return to the ring. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and that certainly applies to him. Godspeed your recovery, my friend!
On that note, I’ll call this a wrap but will look forward to catching up with you next time. Until then…
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