5 Notable Fathers -and their Sons, who had an impact on the Toronto scene

1) Sammartino - Bruno, Bruno Jr.(David)

Bruno, the popular champion, was a regular in Toronto for many years. Prior to winning the WWWF belt in 1963, Bruno would have several exciting bouts with NWA title holders Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers at MLG. Sammartino would continue to appear regularly until 1976 and remained one of the most popular wrestlers ever to lace up the boots at the Gardens. Bruno Jr. would not make quite the impact of his father however, wrestling mostly on the independent circuit in the early 80's. Although a talented wrestler with a good following among the fans, David would be hard pressed to find success with the expectations thrust upon him. Former Champ Bruno would appear again in 1987 under the WWF banner in his brief comeback and still hear the cheers with a win over Butch (Bruce) Reed.

2) Mosca - Angelo, Angelo Jr

Angelo Sr. -five time Canadian Champion made his name all over the map, usually as a vicious heel. Mosca would dominate the area through the 70's battling all the big stars and challenging for all three major World Titles. In the later years big Ange would take over the top face spot in T.O. taking on the big heels such as Bobby Duncum and John Studd. Mosca Jr would get a major push in the Mid Atlantic and Florida regions including holding the Mid-Atlantic Title in 1984. That same year Junior would also win the Canadian Heavyweight Title that his father had held previously, and would appear on a few WWF promoted cards in the mid 1980's. He would also appear on the Angelo Sr. promoted NWA events in the area and join his father on the smaller circuit for some entertaining bouts as Sr. wound down his career. The common consensus is that while skilled, he was rushed in to the pro ranks and failed to garner a fan following as his own man.

3) Valentine - Johnny, Greg (also wrestled as Johnny Fargo, Baby Face Nelson)

Rough and tough Johnny was a fixture on the Toronto scene from 1962 to 1975. Out of all the combo's here, Greg would have the most success emerging from his fathers shadow. Greg would debut in 1970 as Babyface Nelson and then on cards alongside his father under the billing of Johnny Fargo. Greg would appear under his own name through the Mid-Atlantic years -and his great feuds with Ric Flair and Wahoo McDaniel- to the WWF years of the late 1980's. The matches against Bob Backlund (over the WWF Title) in 1982 were classics, with a lot of the fans cheering for Johnny's boy to take the belt. Johnny remains one of the most hated-or-loved wrestlers to appear here, depending on when you saw him. The elder Valentine would leave many a broken body in his wake and his battles with Whipper, Gene Kiniski, and The Sheik are legendary for their brutality.

4) Watson - Whipper, Whipper Jr.(Phil)

There have been many stories written about Whipper Watson the pride of East York and former NWA World Champion, and his impact on the Toronto scene throughout the years. Not as many on his wrestling offspring. Working as the son of a legend could not have been for easy for Whipper Jr.and as such, mostly worked on the smaller circuit around Ontario. Jr. would also travel the southern U.S. (as well as a stint in Hawaii) with the other local workers and over the years had some entertaining bouts with the likes of The Sheik, Waldo Von Erich and Killer Kowalski. Sometimes billed as the "World Junior Heavyweight Champion", Whipper Jr. would also wear a belt that was similar to the NWA World Title belt that Sr. and the legendary Lou Thesz wore during their reigns. Remembered as a skilled grappler and trainer of note in the area for many years.

5) Kiniski - Gene, Kelly

Former NWA and AWA World Champion, Gene "Big Thunder" Kiniski, billed as "Canada's Greatest Athlete" more than lived up to the billing. Gene would appear at Maple Leaf Gardens through four decades and leave a lasting impression on those who watched him. While holding the NWA Title, Kiniski would defend often at MLG facing Whipper Watson, Johnny Valentine and newcomer Ernie Ladd among others. In 1982, Gene's eldest son Kelly would make his debut in Toronto and even appear on the same card as his father in June of that year. Kelly would team with popular Johnny Weaver in a tag match while Gene (of course as a vicious heel) would oppose Canadian Champ Angelo Mosca in a losing (but entertaining) cause. Gene would make his last Toronto appearance on the next card (June 27 1982) while Kelly would stay around until late 1983. Gene's other wrestling offspring Nick would appear at MLG under the WWF banner in 1987.

Fathers & Sons originally written for KayfabeMemories.com

Thanks to Gary Will

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