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Canadian wrestlers have long earned a name in professional wrestling's history. One of the reputations that tend to follow Canadians is that they are typically nice, tend to apologize, and are incredibly thankful.
However, in the most heel like action ever on a day that should be celebrated by our American compatriots, we present five Canadian wrestlers that fans need to remember. While names of such Canadian wrestlers as Bret Hart, Lance Storm, Owen Hart, Edge, Christian, Chris Jericho, and Kenny Omega are among the more popular names in wrestling today that isn't to say they are the only one's fans should consider.
A great deal of the influence of those mentioned also can be attributed to those that came before them. The names of these particular talents may seem like it is of little importance, but if not for them one has to wonder where the Canadian wrestlers of today would have been.
#5 Canadian Wrestlers That Should Be Remembered: 'The Russian Bear' Ivan Koloff
When it comes to Canadian wrestlers in wrestling history, little is noted legendary Ivan Koloff. He was born in Montreal, Quebec Canada but he was advertised as 'The Russian Bear' with the notation that he was from Moscow, Russia. One of the most remarkable things to note about this legendary wrestler was who he competed with regularly during his time.
If he wasn't in the ring with Bruno Sammartino, he stood across it from the American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. He trained in Hamilton, Ontario Canada and competed quite regularly in the Toronto area.
However, it was his longstanding rivalry with Bruno Sammartino that truly made the villainous Koloff a despised character. As the man to end Sammartino's legendary championship run, Koloff was thrust into the position as being the flagbearer for Vince McMahon Sr.'s WWWF. In later years, he would work alongside Nikita Koloff as the two would add a third member to their Russian tag team long in the form of Krusher Kruschev.
Ivan Koloff is among the most noted Canadian wrestlers that should be remembered.
#4 Canadian Wrestlers That Should Be Remembered: 'Whipper' Billy Watson
A resident of East, Ontario, Watson has sentimental value among today's Canadian wrestlers. As someone my grandfather grew up watching and respecting a great deal, this veteran retired before many of this generation ever had the opportunity to see him compete.
Watson was a star attraction among all wrestlers, not only Canadian ones but also for the Ontario residents at the famed Maple Leaf Gardens. MLG was home to some of wrestling's most noted matches involving some of the most popular men and women of that generation. Much like Koloff, the names of men he stood across the ring from were venerable who's who. If it wasn't the great Lou Thesz it was Gorgeous George or The Sheik.
Sadly his wrestling career appeared to have ended tragically as he was struck by a car. Watson underwent surgery to repair the damage. Despite recovering physically, his wrestling career was forced to come to an end. Watson also dabbled in Canadian politics and has had a school named after him in his native home.
Whipper Billy Watson was among the Canadian wrestlers of yesterday that could be considered a hero to many and someone that shouldn't be forgotten.
#3 Canadian Wrestlers That Should Be Remembered: Archie 'The Stomper' Gouldie
As far as Canadian wrestlers of his generation goes, no one was as notorious as the Mongolian Stomper. While a great deal of his success came in Canada, it hadn't begun that way. Gouldie would capture the NWA US Heavyweight Championship.
However, it isn't the same NWA championship that the likes of 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes or Sting but rather the Central States rendition of the title. It wasn't until he traveled to Stampede Wrestling and competed under Stu Hart's promotion that he truly flourished. As a decorated fourteen time, Stampede North American Champion, Gouldie was a prominent force to be reckoned with. His matches against Billy Robinson were well-received.
In his later years, the Carbon, Alberta native competed for Smoking Mountain Wrestling feuding with the likes of 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndoff and Kevin Sullivan. Gouldie didn't compete under the Mongolian gimmick but remained true to the woodsman as simply the Stomper. Gouldie passed away in 2016 while his wrestling career ended in 1995. The Stomper's wrestled in four different decades. Gouldie is among the Canadian wrestlers that need to be remembered.
#2 Canadian Wrestlers That Should Be Remembered: 'Iron' Mike Sharpe
He held the title 'Canada's greatest athlete' among all Canadian wrestlers. It was a name that many would dispute, but what shouldn't be is his contribution to professional wrestling.
One of the most misunderstood facts about Sharpe was that he was considered an enhancement talent for simply his time in WWE. On television, he typically lost more than he won but that completely negates house show wins and what happened prior to joining the WWE. While with Gene Kiniski's NWA All-Star Wrestling, Sharpe was a two-time Canadian Tag Team champion.
Sharpe also captured the Pacific Coast Heavyweight championship as well. When we add to it his two Mid-South Wrestling Championship reigns, Sharpe was put in a position to be a focal point. Even upon entering WWE, Sharpe was put in a spot where he would eventually challenge then-champion, Bob Backlund, for the Championship.
While he didn't win and wasn't thrust into that position again, he is long remembered for entertaining fans around the world. Iron Mike Sharpe passed away in 2016 at the age of 64 and is among the Canadian wrestlers that need to be remembered.
#1 Canadian Wrestlers That Should Be Remembered: Mad Dog Vachon
Very few wrestlers can create the kind of fear this particular Canadian wrestler did on his audience. Among all Canadian wrestlers, he is a patriarch of Canadian wrestling.
Maurice 'Mad Dog' Vachon's career was as noted as anyone in the country's past. The resident of Montreal, Quebec Canada, Vachon would terrorize not only those in attendance but those across the ring from him. He wrestled in four different decades.
With a career that began in 1950, Vachon would later distinguish himself from other Canadian wrestlers during this time. While Stone Cold Steve Austin's shaved head and goatee became a signature look for him, in the case of Vachon, it was unlike anything anyone had seen at the time, let alone Canadian wrestlers.
Vachon would shave his head and grow a beard that created a quite frightening image on the audience. Vachon noted that the 'Mad Dog' nickname came after he appeared rabid after a match and the promoter at the time said 'you looked like a real mad dog out there'. The rest as they say is history. Vachon is also the uncle to late WWF women's star, Luna Vachon.
Mad Dog Vachon is among the Canadian wrestlers that best be remembered.
