In honor of Canada Day, here are the Top 10 Canadian Pro-Wrestlers of all-time according to me.
Criteria: In effort to come up with a list that wasn’t dominated by entire families (like the Harts, Vachons, or Rougeaus), I picked the most popular wrestler of that family and only one member.
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10) Edge and Chris Jericho
It’s too hard to say which one is better at this point in their careers. So, I took the easiest way out and put them together in honor of them being the WWE Unified Tag-Team Champions. Jericho has more international experience and exposure but Edge could be one of the most decorated pro-wrestlers of all-time.
9) Billy “Red” Lyons
Billy made his wrestling around 1954. He rose to stardom in Canada by the late 50's. By the mid 60's, Lyons headed to San Francisco and battled the team of Ray Stevens and Pat Patterson. Back and forth he went from Canada to the States challenging champions in every territory he wrestled. News on his recent death
8) Ronnie Garvin
Started wrestling in the mid 60’s as a teenager. Rose to prominence in the 80’s and reached stardom after defeating Ric Flair for the NWA World Championship in 1987. Ronnie was also known as “The Hands of Stone” and was the original “One Man Gang”.
7) Abdullah the Butcher
No other wrestler struck more fear in the hearts of man than Abdullah the Butcher. He would rather hurt you and make you bleed than win a match. You never knew what foreign object he would use to bust you wide open. The Madman from Sudan left most of his opponents in a bloody mess by time he exited the ring.
6) Mad Dog Vachon
Vachon was a successful amateur wrestler who competed for Canada in the 1948 Olympics. Became a pro-wrestler in the early 50’s. He won several world championships in the AWA and had legendary feuds with Verne Gagne, Bruno Sammartino, and Dick The Bruiser. Mad Dog also went on to establish a dominant tag-team with his brother Paul.
5) Pat Patterson
Probably best known for being the first WWF Intercontinental Champion and a sidekick to Vince McMahon. But, Patterson was a very accomplished wrestler through the 60’s and 70’s. Won several tag0team championships with Rocky Johnson and Ray Stevens.
4) Yvon Robert
Yvon is considered to be Montreal’s greatest pro-wrestler of all-time. Throughout the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s Robert was considered one of the world’s greatest wrestlers. Feuded with Gorgeous George and also became NWA World Champion in 1942.
3) Whipper Billy Watson
Watson is considered the father of Toronto pro-wrestling. Became a huge star from the 40’s to the 70’s. Watson had a world class feud with Lou Thesz and defeated him for the NWA World Championship in 1956. Another memorable feud was with Gorgeous George. In a 1959 match, Gorgeous George lost to Watson and had to shave his golden locks.
2) Roddy Piper
Piper was the most controversial antagonist of his generation. He can be credited for making Wrestlemania a huge success by his antagonistic actions towards Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Piper became such a huge heel that he was even hated in the mainstream’s eye. His verbal antics got under the skin of many and his toughness could back it up.
1) Bret Hart
In his own words, Bret is simply the best there is, was, and ever will be. He took technical wrestling to another level. He also made pink a cool color to wear. “The Hitman” won multiple world titles and could work a match with anyone from Andre the Giant to Shawn Michaels.
Honorable Mentions: Rocky Johnson, Dino Bravo, Dewey Robertson, Hart Family, Rougeau Family, Vachon Family, Iron Mike Sharpe Jr., Rick Martel, Christian
Other Top 10 Lists
The Top 10 Tag-Teams of Pro-Wrestling
The Top 10 Pro-Wrestling Heels of All-Time
The 10 Greatest Pro-Wrestlers of All-Time
Top 10 Pro-Wrestling Baby-Faces of All-Time
Comments
I would say Piper number one, but thats because Bret Hart kind of ruined himself in my eyes, with his constant complaining and a lot of wrestlers didn't want to work with him. Everyone loved Piper and he was fun for everyone to work with, I just wish he would have got the Heavyweight Crown twice or so.
I think Rick Martel needs to be in the top 10. His AWA title reign was over 18 mos., not too shabby.
Also, I think arguements can be made for Ivan Koloff & Chris Benoit.
you put the 2nd. most popular Hart in this list, OWEN was the best of the Harts you screwed up your own column!
Benoit, and Owen belong here (even if you didn't want to be too Dungeon filled). Chris Jericho should be higher and definitely deserves his own number. I'm not sure I'm understanding Abby being on here. He's not really a good wrestler but an entertainer.
Are your lists more based on straight wrestling ability, or more like best characters, most successful, etc.?
Rocky, The Rock & Owen should be on the list! Jericho's better then Edge, c'mon & 2 people on this list are not popular at all!
1. Rocky Johnson
2. Pat Patterson
3. Paul DeMarco
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