Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 18: Ontario and Calgary Canada 1975
I have two outstanding guests again today on the show. First up, Canadian wrestling historian, Wes Maidment joins the show and we discuss the history of wrestling in the Canadian Province of Ontario, specifically in 1975. Frank Tunney, Toronto, Maple Leaf Gardens, The Sheik, Andre The Giant and more in Toronto. We also cover the life and career of "The Canadian Wildman" and "The Bearman", Dave McKigney. Wes fills us in on the promotion Dave ran, his raising of his bears and the tragic accident that occurred with one of his bears in his home. It's an interesting, history-filled segment with one of the most knowledgable guys on Toronto wrestling history.
Second, a great conversation with "Red Dog" Larry Lane, who was wrestling in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1975. We start in January of '75 and cover the first half of the year in Larry's career. He tells the story of getting into the business with the help of Dory Funk, Sr, being sent to Canada for seasoning by the Funks. Working with "The Kentucky Butcher" John Quinn, Mr Hito, Mark Lewin, King Curtis Iaukea, Stu Hart, Cowboy Frankie Laine and others.
It's another great story-filled episode of our podcast as we head to the Great White North this week to experience what it was like in Pro Wrestling in Canada in 1975!
This week's episode of Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 18 should be in your inbox this morning if you are a subscriber here at the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel!
Here’s the archive of our podcast episodes so far:
Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings:
Episode 1: 5/10/2025: Steven Johnson, Jim Londos: The Golden Greek of Professional Wrestling
Episode 2: 5/14/2025 Herb Simmons: St. Louis, Missouri Wrestling HOF
Episode 3: 5/17/2025: Scott Teal: Raisin Cain: From The Inferno to The Great Mephisto
Episode 4: 5/21/2025: Bobby Simmons: Georgia Territory Spring 1975
Episode 5: 5/24/2025: Brian Ferguson, Verne Gagne: Inside and Outside the Ropes
Episode 6: 5/28/2025: Jerry Oates: Kansas City Territory Spring 1975
Episode 7: 5/31/25: Evan Ginzburg: Blackboards, Wrestling Rings & Movie Sets
Episode 8: 6/4/2025: Tim Dills: Tennessee Territory April & May 1975
Episode 9: 6/11/2025: Greg Klein: Texas May 1975
Episode 11: 6/25/2025: Steve Gennerelli: WWWF Spring & Summer 1975
Episode 12: 7/2/2025: Dan Murphy on Ed Don George & Fumi Saito on Japan History & 1975 pt 1
Episode 13: 7/9/2025: George Schire, The History of the AWA & 1975
Episode 15: 7/23/2025: Greg Klein: East Texas Wrestling June & July 1975
Episode 16: 7/30/2025: Steve Generelli & Jake Hamar: The Hulk Hogan Tribute Show
