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{{short description|Greek-Canadian professional wrestler}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name=Chris Tolos
|name=Chris Tolos
|image=Chris Tolos.jpg
|image=The Golden Greek Chris Tolos - Body Press-Official Wrestling Magazine - September 1971 back.jpg
|caption=
|caption=Tolos walks to the ring in [[Toronto]]'s [[Maple Leaf Gardens]]
|birth_date=December 5, 1929
|birth_date=December 5, 1929
|death_date={{death date and age|2005|8|13|1929|12|5}}
|death_date={{death date and age|2005|8|13|1929|12|5}}
|birth_place=[[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]]<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
|birth_place=[[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]], Canada<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
|death_place=[[St. Peter's Hospital, Hamilton|St. Peter's Hospital]], [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]]<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
|death_place=[[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], Ontario, Canada<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
|names=Chris Tolos<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos">{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/11/1127006.html|title=Cancer Claims Chris Tolos |accessdate=2008-03-27|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref>
|names=Chris Tolos<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos">{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2005/08/13/chris-tolos-dies-of-cancer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202190402/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2005/08/13/chris-tolos-dies-of-cancer/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |title=Chris Tolos Dies Of Cancer |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Oliver |first=Greg |date=August 13, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref>
|height= 6 ft 0 in
|height= 6 ft 0 in
|weight= 220 lb
|weight= 220 lb
|billed=
|billed=
|death_cause = [[Cancer]]
|trainer=
|trainer=
|debut=1951<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
|debut=1951<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
|retired=1980
|retired=1980
}}
}}
'''Chris Tolos''' (December 5, 1929 &ndash; August 13, 2005) was a [[Greeks|Greek]]-[[Canada|Canadian]] [[professional wrestler]]. Chris stayed close to Hamilton for much of his life, taking care of his mother—who lived to be 101 and died in 2001—and his disabled sister. He died of cancer on Saturday, August 13, 2005. He was 75.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
'''Chris Tolos''' (December 5, 1929 &ndash; August 13, 2005) was a [[Canadians|Canadian]] [[professional wrestler]].<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Chris was the oldest of the three children born on December 5, 1929 in Hamilton, Ontario to [[Greeks|Greek]] parents, Nicolaos and Evangelia (Evangeline) Tolos, followed by his brother [[John Tolos|John]] and sister Mary. Growing up in Hamilton, both boys were natural athletes, playing football, hockey, lacrosse and track, and learning to amateur wrestle. Chris got into pro wrestling via Wee Willie Davis and made his debut in Buffalo around 1951.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
Chris was the oldest of the three children born on December 5, 1929, to [[Greeks|Greek]] parents, Nicolaos and Evangelia (Evangeline) Tolos, in Hamilton, Ontario where he and his brother [[John Tolos|John]] played football, hockey, lacrosse and track, and learned to wrestle. Chris got into professional wrestling via [[Wee Willie Davis]] and made his debut in Buffalo around 1951.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>


==Wrestling career==
==Wrestling career==
Chris debuted as a heel at first, losing preliminary bouts to the likes of Johnny Barend, Sandor Kovacs and Don Beitelman (Curtis), all of whom he would fight many times over the years.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
Chris debuted as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] at first, losing preliminary bouts to such performers as [[Johnny Barend]], [[Sandor Kovacs]] and [[Don Beitelman]] (Curtis), all of whom he would fight many times over the years.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>


He soon brought John into the sport. Together, they were one of the best teams ever, holding numerous tag titles, including the WWWF U.S. tag titles in 1963, the NWA World tag titles in Florida in 1964 and in Detroit that same year, the World and Canadian tag titles in Vancouver in 1967 and the Pacific Coast tag belts in California in 1953. They weren't showy, wearing simple tights to the ring. Rough and tough in the ring, their style relied on hard work and supporting a partner who was in trouble.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
He soon formed a team with his brother John. They held numerous tag titles, including the WWWF U.S. tag titles in 1963, the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA World tag titles]] in [[Florida]] in 1964 and in [[Detroit]] that same year, the World and Canadian tag titles in [[Vancouver]] in 1967 and the Pacific Coast tag belts in [[California]] in 1953.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>


In 1972, Chris went to Los Angeles and teamed with John for a strong run as babyfaces, against Black Gordman and Goliath, one of his few stints as a babyface.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
In 1972, Chris went to [[Los Angeles]] and teamed with John as [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyfaces]], against Black Gordman and Goliath, one of his few stints as a babyface.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>


Chris typically stayed close to home, very dedicated to his disabled sister, allowing his brother John to hit the road and become a singles star, particularly in Los Angeles with his epic feud with Freddie Blassie. In the late '60s, Chris "The Body" Tolos feuded with Iron Mike Dibiase in Omaha, and had his share of NWA World title shots.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>
In the late 1960s he feuded with [[Iron Mike DiBiase]] in [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], and was a contender for the [[NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship|NWA World title]].<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>


==Death==
==Death==
Chris Tolos died of cancer on Friday, August 13, 2005.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/> His brother and tag team partner John died in May 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-01-me-john-tolos1-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204180436/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-01-me-john-tolos1-story.html |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |title=John Tolos dies at 78; notorious wrestling villain known as the Golden Greek |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Noland |first=Claire |date=June 1, 2019 |access-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref>
Chris Tolos died of cancer on Friday, August 13, 2005. He is survived by his sister Mary and nephew Chris Jr. of California; his son Nicholas of Hamilton, grandson Cory, and ex-wife Joanne of Vancouver. A tree was planted in Woodland Cemetery in Tolos' memory.<ref name="Cancer Claims Chris Tolos"/>

Chris' brother and tag team partner John died in May 2009.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-tolos1-2009jun01,0,5561561.story John Tolos dies at 78; notorious wrestling villain known as the Golden Greek] - ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Retrieved on 2009-06-02.</ref>


==Championships and accomplishments==
==Championships and accomplishments==
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*'''[[Maple Leaf Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Maple Leaf Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Toronto version)'']] ([[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)#Title history|3 times]]) - with John Tolos
**[[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Toronto version)'']] ([[NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version)#Title history|3 times]]) - with John Tolos
*'''[[Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)|NWA Southern Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)#Title history|1 time]]) - with John Tolos
*'''[[NWA All-Star Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[NWA All-Star Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (''Vancouver version'')]] ([[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)#Title history|2 times]]) - with John Tolos<ref name=cantagvan>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/bc/nwa/bc-can-t.html|title=NWA Canadian Tag Team Title (Vancouver)|work=Wrestling Titles|accessdate=2008-02-25}}</ref>
**[[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (''Vancouver version'')]] ([[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)#Title history|2 times]]) - with John Tolos<ref name=cantagvan>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/bc/nwa/bc-can-t.html|title=NWA Canadian Tag Team Title (Vancouver)|work=Wrestling Titles|access-date=February 25, 2008}}</ref>
**[[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Vancouver version)'']] ([[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)#Title History|2 times]]) - with John Tolos<ref name=worldtagvan>{{cite web|title=World Tag Team Title (Vancouver)|work=Wrestling Titles|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/bc/nwa/bc-nwa-t.html|accessdate=2008-02-25}}</ref>
**[[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Vancouver version)'']] ([[NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)#Title history|2 times]]) - with John Tolos<ref name=worldtagvan>{{cite web|title=World Tag Team Title (Vancouver)|work=Wrestling Titles|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/bc/nwa/bc-nwa-t.html|access-date=February 25, 2008}}</ref>
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
**Class of 2007 - Inducted as a member of the Canadian Wrecking Crew (with [[John Tolos]])
**Class of 2007 - Inducted as a member of the Canadian Wrecking Crew (with [[John Tolos]])
*'''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
**[[Stampede International Tag Team Championship|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Calgary version)'']] ([[Stampede International Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with John Tolos
**[[Stampede International Tag Team Championship|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Calgary version)'']] ([[Stampede International Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with John Tolos
*'''World Wide Wrestling Association'''
**WWWA American Tag Team Championship/WWWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time, final) - with John Tolos<ref name=WWWA1964>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/oh/wwwa/|title=World Wide Wrestling Association (1963)|work=Wrestling-Titles|accessdate=February 3, 2024}}</ref>
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]]'''
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wide Wrestling Federation]]'''
**[[WWWF United States Tag Team Championship]] ([[WWWF United States Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with John Tolos
**[[WWWF United States Tag Team Championship]] ([[WWWF United States Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with John Tolos
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Navboxes|
|list1=
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Buffalo Athletic Club version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Buffalo Athletic Club version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Detroit version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Detroit version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Florida version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Florida version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Vancouver version)}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Champions (Vancouver version)}}
{{Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship}}
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Tolos, Chris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tolos, Chris}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Deceased Canadian professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Ontario]]
[[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]
[[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni]]
[[Category:NWA World Tag Team Champions (Florida version)]]
[[Category:NWA International Tag Team Champions (Toronto version)]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:WWWF United States Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA World Tag Team Champions (Detroit version)]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 06:01, 7 December 2024

Chris Tolos
BornDecember 5, 1929
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada[1]
DiedAugust 13, 2005(2005-08-13) (aged 75)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada[1]
Cause of deathCancer
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Chris Tolos[1]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Billed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Debut1951[1]
Retired1980

Chris Tolos (December 5, 1929 – August 13, 2005) was a Canadian professional wrestler.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Chris was the oldest of the three children born on December 5, 1929, to Greek parents, Nicolaos and Evangelia (Evangeline) Tolos, in Hamilton, Ontario where he and his brother John played football, hockey, lacrosse and track, and learned to wrestle. Chris got into professional wrestling via Wee Willie Davis and made his debut in Buffalo around 1951.[1]

Wrestling career

[edit]

Chris debuted as a heel at first, losing preliminary bouts to such performers as Johnny Barend, Sandor Kovacs and Don Beitelman (Curtis), all of whom he would fight many times over the years.[1]

He soon formed a team with his brother John. They held numerous tag titles, including the WWWF U.S. tag titles in 1963, the NWA World tag titles in Florida in 1964 and in Detroit that same year, the World and Canadian tag titles in Vancouver in 1967 and the Pacific Coast tag belts in California in 1953.[1]

In 1972, Chris went to Los Angeles and teamed with John as babyfaces, against Black Gordman and Goliath, one of his few stints as a babyface.[1]

In the late 1960s he feuded with Iron Mike DiBiase in Omaha, and was a contender for the NWA World title.[1]

Death

[edit]

Chris Tolos died of cancer on Friday, August 13, 2005.[1] His brother and tag team partner John died in May 2009.[2]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oliver, Greg (August 13, 2005). "Chris Tolos Dies Of Cancer". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
  2. ^ Noland, Claire (June 1, 2019). "John Tolos dies at 78; notorious wrestling villain known as the Golden Greek". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  3. ^ "NWA Canadian Tag Team Title (Vancouver)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  4. ^ "World Tag Team Title (Vancouver)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  5. ^ "World Wide Wrestling Association (1963)". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
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