Best of mapleleafwrestling.com 2003-2023 Dave vs Sheik in '82 If you are a fan of Ontario wrestling you likely know about Dave McKigney's problems with the Ontario Athletic Commission. In the last years of his promotion he had issues over licensing, insurance, using the wrestling bear (also with the Ontario Humane Society), and other issues.  The OAC had been an issue for pro wrestling in years past, even for Frank Tunney and his predecessor Jack Corcoran. Tunney especially though kept the Commission close, and but for a few issues never really had major problems with the ..read more

Myths and facts of Maple Leaf - Short version Some misconceptions about the Toronto promotion commonly seen online and in books.  Frank Tunney was Jack Tunney's Uncle TRUE! Jack (John Jr) Tunney was John Tunney's son. John was Frank's elder brother who took over with Frank from Jack Corcoran in 1939. John died suddenly in Jan 1940. Frank's son Eddie Tunney later joined the office. See Smiling John: The forgotten Tunney & Frank Tunney: The Early Days  Toronto was a one city territory like St Louis or Houston FALSE!  For most of the history of the Toro ..read more

April 2 1972 Maple Leaf Gardens. Tony Marino easily handles Chris Colt while Colt's tag partner Lee Henning looks on. Pat Flanagan is the referee on the other side while Marino's tag partner Bob Harmon is out of view.  A lot of Toronto years in this photo with Flanagan & Henning alone. Flanagan came up with the Balmy Beach Club and was wrestling semi pro by 1936. He debuted at MLG in 1941 and wore many hats. Wrestler, booker & matchmaker, agent, promoter, and referee, before retiring in 1978. Lee Henning debuted in Toronto in 1940 and finished up -wrestling! - in 1975. By the 19 ..read more

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To our friend Marshall Ward who writes some great articles about wrestling (and other stuff!) for various media outlets around Ontario. Marshall is a fan from our era and has a unique look at wrestling from the old days to today. His latest is at https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/the-road-to-wrestlemania . If you search by name you can locate his many other articles.  Marshall and Sarah Geidlinger also have an award winning podcast about the Waterloo area and a unique one looking at the wrestling world - An Unscripted Spectacle check it out!  Can find them at https ..read more

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During the Mid Atlantic era 1978 -1984 there were a few matchups that could pack the fans in at MLG. Ric Flair vs Harley Race surely ranks near the top. Their six bouts here, all over the NWA title, are long remembered by the fans for both their science- and violence.  At the time of their first match-up in Nov 1980 Race was champ and Flair was arguably the most popular star in Toronto. He was coming off successful feuds against old tag partner Greg Valentine as well as Hossein the Arab/The Iron Sheik, whom he had just chased to the dressing rooms to end their latest bout.  Flair wi ..read more

There were several closed-circuit cards shown at Maple Leaf Gardens over the years, and at other spots around Toronto. The 1976 Ali-Inoki 'War of the Worlds' card was a rare one that included pro wrestling. A couple of weeks earlier they had  shown the Foreman -Frazier bout from Las Vegas at MLG. Attendance was listed at 4,000 to see Foreman win by knockout in the fifth round. All Canada Sports Promotions and Concerts West promoted the telecast. All Canada was headed by Irv Ungerman, a long-time boxing promoter. Ungerman would also present the Ali-Inoki telecast, this time alongside Fra ..read more

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