Maurice Vachon

Maurice Vachon
Vachon, circa 1973
Birth nameJoseph Maurice Régis Vachon[1]
Born(1929-09-14)September 14, 1929
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedNovember 21, 2013(2013-11-21) (aged 84)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
FamilyVachon
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mad Dog Vachon
Billed height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[2]
Billed weight231 lb (105 kg)[2]
Billed fromMontreal, Quebec, Canada[3]
Algeria
Debut1950
Retired1986[3]
Maurice Vachon
Medal record
Men's Freestyle wrestling
Representing  Canada
British Empire Games
Gold medal – first place 1950 Auckland Middleweight

Joseph Maurice Régis Vachon (September 14, 1929 − November 21, 2013) was a Canadian professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Mad Dog Vachon. He was the older brother of wrestlers Paul and Vivian Vachon, and the uncle of wrestler Luna Vachon.

Vachon started his career as an amateur wrestler, participating in the 1948 Summer Olympics and winning a gold medal at the 1950 British Empire Games. He made the switch to professional wrestling and spent time in various promotions in the United States while occasionally teaming with his brother Paul. In Portland, Oregon, he received the name "Mad Dog" Vachon. In the early 1960s, Vachon became a main eventer in the American Wrestling Association. He was one of the promotion's all-time great heels, known for his wild style and intense interviews. He was a five-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Starting in the 1970s, Vachon became a fan favourite, particularly in his home province of Quebec.

After a stint in the World Wrestling Federation, Vachon retired from the business in 1986. The following year, he was struck by a hit-and-run driver, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Vachon was highly influential, especially in Canada, and was inducted into numerous professional wrestling halls of fame.

  1. ^ Hawthorn, Tom (2014-01-0). "Mad Dog had a lot of bark, but a big heart", The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  2. ^ a b "Mad Dog Vachon Hall of Fame Profile". WWE. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Encyclopedia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).