33 Facts About Maurice Vachon

Joseph Maurice Regis Vachon was a Canadian professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Mad Dog Vachon.

Maurice Vachon was the older brother of wrestlers Paul and Vivian Vachon, and the uncle of wrestler Luna Vachon.

Maurice Vachon made the switch to professional wrestling and spent time in various promotions in the United States while occasionally teaming with his brother Paul.

Maurice Vachon was one of the promotion's all-time great heels, known for his wild style and intense interviews.

Maurice Vachon was highly influential, especially in Canada, and was inducted into numerous professional wrestling halls of fame.

Joseph Maurice Regis Vachon was born on September 14,1929.

Maurice Vachon's godfather was Maurice Picard, his uncle and the godmother was Victoria Ouellet, his maternal grandmother; he was the second of 13 children of Montreal policeman Ferdinand Vachon and Marguerite Picard.

Maurice Vachon grew up in the district of Ville-Emard, a working-class borough southwest of Montreal, Quebec.

Maurice Vachon entered a wrestling course advertised at the back of a comic book, and he began training under Chief Jim Crowley.

Maurice Vachon trained hard and even worked in the docks and on the canal to build up his muscle.

Maurice Vachon ultimately finished in seventh place at 174 pounds after losing to eventual silver medalist Adil Candemir of Turkey.

Maurice Vachon rebounded to win the gold medal at the 1950 British Empire Games in New Zealand.

Maurice Vachon then spent several years working as a bouncer at a Montreal nightclub, where he gained a reputation of being willing to fight anyone, before he was encouraged to join the pro wrestling circuit in 1951.

Maurice Vachon debuted as a junior heavyweight for Ontario booker Larry Kasaboski.

Maurice Vachon soon encountered a roadblock when powerful Montreal promoter Eddie Quinn hesitated to use him for fear that he would dethrone Yvon Robert, who was still his top draw.

Consequently, Maurice Vachon took to the road and, in April 1955, he teamed with Pierre LaSalle to capture the National Wrestling Alliance Texas Tag Team Championship.

Furthermore, Maurice's younger brother Paul - ultimately known as "The Butcher" - soon made his debut and on February 17,1959 the Vachon brothers teamed to defeat Chico Garcia and Chet Wallick for the NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles.

Maurice Vachon met his future wife Kathie Joe at a wrestling event, after spitting a shoe string he had used for choking his opponent at her, as she was sitting in the audience.

On May 2,1964, Maurice Vachon stunned audiences when he upset Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Title, and although Gagne regained the belt just two weeks later, Mad Dog again recaptured the title when he defeated Gagne on October 20 in Minneapolis.

On July 14,1973, Maurice Vachon had a match with Killer Kowalski for Grand Prix Wrestling at Montreal's Jarry Park.

Maurice Vachon wrestled for the WWF in Canada regularly until 1986, and contributed to its French programming schedule with a weekly interview segment titled Le Brunch a Mad Dog.

Maurice Vachon's deal allowed him to work non-WWF events in Canada.

Maurice Vachon received a retirement show in his native Montreal in September 1986, and he left the sport as one its most beloved babyfaces after spending almost his entire career as a sadistic heel.

Maurice Vachon was known for his wild personality and uncontrollable character, as well as his unique interview style.

Maurice Vachon was the first wrestler to speak to the camera.

Maurice Vachon was very influential in his home province of Quebec.

Maurice Vachon was included in Oliver's book on villainous wrestlers and was ranked fourth.

Tragedy struck in 1987 when Maurice Vachon was struck by a hit-and-run driver, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs.

Maurice Vachon later turned to acting in beer commercials and was a restaurant critic for a Quebec City television station.

Maurice Vachon appeared at the WWF pay-per-view In Your House 7, that was held in Omaha.

Maurice Vachon was sitting in the front row near ringside, when his artificial leg was ripped off by wrestler Diesel and used as a weapon by Shawn Michaels.

Maurice Vachon had six children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

On November 28,2018, Maurice Vachon was posthumously inducted into the Omaha Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame at the PWP Live "Wrestlerama" event at The Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.