Maurice Vachon
| Maurice Vachon | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Joseph Maurice Régis Vachon |
| Born |
September 1, 1929 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | November 21, 2013 (aged 84) Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Family | Vachon |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Mad Dog Vachon |
| Billed weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
| Billed from | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Debut | 1950 |
| Retired | 1986 |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Freestyle wrestling | ||
| British Empire Games | ||
 |
1950 Auckland | Middleweight |
Joseph Maurice Régis Vachon (September 1, 1929 − November 21, 2013) was a Canadian professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Mad Dog Vachon. He was the brother of wrestlers Paul and Vivian Vachon, and the uncle of wrestler Luna Vachon.
Vachon started his career as an amateur wrestler, participating in the 1948 Summer Olympics and winning a gold medal at the 1950 British Empire Games. He made the switch to professional wrestling and spent time in various promotions in the United States while occasionally teaming with his brother Paul. In Portland, Oregon, he received the name "Mad Dog" Vachon. In the early 1960s, Vachon became a main eventer in the American Wrestling Association. He was one of the promotion's all-time great heels, known for his wild style and intense interviews. He was a five-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Starting in the 1970s, Vachon became a fan favourite, particularly in his home province of Quebec.
After a stint in the World Wrestling Federation, Vachon retired from the business in 1986. The following year, he was struck by a hit-and-run driver, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Vachon was highly influential, especially in Canada, and was inducted into numerous professional wrestling Halls of Fame.
Joseph Maurice Régis Vachon was born on September 14, 1929. The godfather was Maurice Picard, his uncle and the god mother was Victoria Ouellet, his maternal grandmother; he was the second child of 13 children of Montreal policeman Ferdinand Vachon and Marguerite Picard. He grew up in the district of Ville-Émard, a working-class borough southwest of Montreal. As a child, he regularly attended wrestling shows at the nearby Montreal Forum, where he grew up idolizing local ring legend Yvon Robert; and at just 12 years old, he had already begun grappling at the area's YMCA. At the YMCA he was coached by Frank Saxton, a former coach of the Canadian amateur team. Vachon entered a wrestling course advertised at the back of a comic book, and he began training under Chief Jim Crowley. He trained hard and even worked in the docks and on the canal to build up his muscle. By age 14, Vachon eventually established himself among Canada’s premier amateur grapplers.
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