Don Leo Jonathan courtesy JL Wiseman Holdings
Don Leo Jonathan is larger than life both in and out of the ring. A Navy veteran, an underwater explorer and inventor, a cancer survivor, a high school football star and a martial artist are just a few of the accomplishments Don Leo made out of the ring. Inside the ring “The Mormon Giant” was a multi-time champion the world over. Don Leo held the AWA World Title, the CWA, IWA and GPW Heavyweight Title, the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title 18 times with various partners as well as other regional titles including the title he is most proud of The European Wrestling Union Super Heavyweight Championship.
Don Leo Jonathan was one of the first big men to hit the wrestling scene after World War II standing 6’6” and over 300# but moving like a lightweight in the ring. In 1972 an historic match billed as the “match of the century” with Andre the Giant saw Don Leo win via DQ. Later that same year in the “battle of the giants” Andre defeated Don Leo via DQ. Don Leo also appeared in the Sylvester Stallone movie “Paradise Alley” before wrestling in his final match in 1980 teaming with Andre and Roddy Piper to defeat The Sheepherders and Buddy Rose.
Don Leo Jonathan is recognized as one of the best big men the wrestling business has ever been graced with. He is a gentleman in and out of the ring and a pleasure to talk with. His accomplishments in and out of the ring have not gone unnoticed, Don Leo was voted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 1996 and was awarded the Iron Mike Mazurki award by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2007.
Q. Were you ever compared to your father in the ring?
A. Oh not really, I was, we wrestled tag team for awhile, for two years and he retired. I learned a lot from him, he started me, gave me the basics but there were a lot of good guys around then, took me awhile to learn.
Q. You held a version of the AWA title; in your mind was it just a version or the true world title?
A. Verne Gange was AWA and the NWA had the champion but Lou Thesz controlled that, Dick Compton, Kiniski, Whatson, mostly it was Lou Thesz. I had the AWA championship and I got it from Verne in Omaha, it was the world title I just won it in Omaha
Q. What was it like working with Domenic Denucci?
A. It was great working with Domenic Denucci; he was my tag partner for awhile. We won the Australian tag team championship title in 1968.
Q. You challenged Kiniski, Funk Jr., Brisco and others for the NWA belt, were they as tough as their legend?
A. Yes and then some, they were the toughest guys I knew.
Q. You wrestled Andre and later teamed with him, what was that like?
A. One of my toughest opponents, when he was my partner we never lost.
Q. How big of an honor was being inducted into the pro wrestling hall of fame?
A. One of the highlights of my career.
Q. Do you think Don Leo Jonathon could make a go at MMA fighting if you were in your prime?
A. I would have loved giving it a try.
Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement in wrestling?
A. Travel and friends made along the way and the honors bestowed.
Q. Who was the toughest opponent you faced?
A. Most of them were tough; some of the toughest were Andre, Kowalski and Otto Vance of Austria
Q. What title meant the most to you?
A. Super heavy weight of the world.
Q. How was it wrestling Killer Kowalski?
A. He was probably one of the toughest.
Q. Who was someone you always loved to be in the ring with?
A. It would be either Andre or Kowalski.
Q. Do you feel wrestling or promoters have honestly changed that much over the years?
A. Most definitely, it is a whole new business now.
Q. Who besides Don Leo Jonathon was the best in your day and who do you think is the best now?
A. Probably Lou Thesz or George Gordinko.
Q. Who was always money in your day?
A. Andre, Kowalski and Kiniski.
Q. Do you think wrestling needs a union?
A. I was a union man for years in my diving business, but don't think it would work in the wrestling business.
Q. What era do you think truly defined wrestling?
A. The television era 50's thru 70's.
Q. In the annals of wrestling what do you want said about Don Leo Jonathon?
A. A worthy opponent and dedicated to his craft.
Comments
Don Leo Jonathan was also inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame by his peers several years ago.
Thank you Jerry for this wonderful interview with Don Leo Jonathan. When I was a young lad, I saw Don Leo wrestle many times on TV and also in Montreal at the Paul Sauve Arena (now gone), the Verdun Auditorium and the original Forum on downtown St. Catherine St. I was amazed at how easily he would bodyslam the biggest wrestlers and yet still be quick and agile enough to do high dropkicks and nip-ups. He also demonstrated a nice mix of wrestling submissions and martial arts moves. If Don Leo were still in his prime, I believe he would have excelled in MMA. (But I don't think that a 35 yr. old Don Leo Jonathan would get down to the UFC 265 lbs. weight limit. However, some of the other MMA organizations either don't have weight limitations for heavyweights or have a superheavyweight class.)
CAN ANYONE GET ME A PICTURE OF DON LEO IN THAT GREAT DROPKICK TO ANDREE.ACCORDING TO STU HART HE JMPED ABOUT 7 FEET TO HIT ANDREE.I WOULD BE GREATFUL TO APHOTO OF THAT DROPKICK.THANKS THOMAS.
JERRY,IF WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE SOMEONE,THAT MIGHT STILL HAVE SOME OF THOSE OLDD WRESTLING MAGAZINES,FROM 1972 UP STACKED AWAY IN THE SHED,ME THINKS THAT THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT PHOTO COULD SHOW UP,SO PLLEASE GET ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH LEO,AND IT MIGHT GET THE OLD WRESTLING FANSMOTIVATED.THANKS THOMAS.
if we met up with edward carpenter he might have that,photo.paul vachon was the promoter at that time,a good chance he might have it..thomas
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