In 1978 as the Toronto territory was taking off with the young stars of Mid-Atlantic wrestling, promoter Frank Tunney introduced a local championship. That title, the first true local title in many years, was called the Canadian Heavyweight Title to be defended by the top star in Maple Leaf Wrestling.The title drew from the earlier days of wrestling when the top Canadian wrestler would defend his laurels across the country and occasionally -the world. From 1978 to 1984 the Canadian title would be defended in Toronto and the circuit towns- and around North America on occasion.
During those years locally known as 'the Mid-Atlantic era', the area was one of the most exciting and important territories in the wrestling world. Frank was a long-time member of the NWA and was close to many of the major promoters including Vince McMahon Sr. (WWWF/WWF), Verne Gagne (AWA) and Jim Crockett Jr. (JCP). Those relationships would ensure a steady diet of World champions and champions of different territories defending their titles in Toronto.
Our Canadian championship would share the stage with those titles, our champions displaying their skills against the best in the world., p>In this book we take a look back at the emergence of the Canadian Title in Toronto. We will feature the champions and challengers. Dino Bravo, Greg Valentine, Dewey Robertson, Hossein the Arab, Angelo Mosca Sr. and Jr. Big John Studd, and more.
Join us as we go down memory lane and revisit the big cards, the tournaments, the beautiful title belt, and many other memorable slices of Maple Leaf Wrestling from 1978-1984.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
The Canadian Heavyweight Title: The Complete History 1978-1984, published in co-operation with the Mid-Atlantic Gateway website, is a remarkable, compelling, and long-overdue tale about a championship belt that shared the stage with some of the most respected titles in professional wrestling history.- Marshall Ward -Slam! Wrestling
Excellent book that covers the exciting period of wrestling in Toronto from 1978-1984. The book has a great cover design, and is very well laid out, with very crisp, and sharp index's and acknowledgments. The record of title matches that took place in Toronto really caught my interest. The book is very well compiled, and it certainly should garner interest from wrestling fans who attended the Toronto matches during the period of The Canadian Heavyweight Title.
Roger Baker -MLG Photog & Writer
My two cents worth .... Short but oh so sweet! In-depth coverage of a short lived but absolutely loved belt here in the Toronto Maple Leaf Wrestling area. Recommend
Wes Maidment -Toronto Wrestling Historian
Toronto has a great history of wrestling drawing big names and huge crowds to Maple Leaf Gardens. This book is for those who remember and a great read for those that are keeping the sport alive today. Really enjoyed it.
Perry Gray -On The Ropes Wrestling
