mlw

[canadianpittbull]

Mar 19, 2008 10:07:49 GMT -5 markyhitch said:

Whoa!!! Did they actually wrestle a bear in Maple Leaf Wrestling?

Yes they did Marky! "The Canadian Wildman" Dave McKigney was well known for his bears. He had Terrible Ted his first. But he also had another names Smokey. In July 1978, McKigney left the bear's cage door open as he went to answer the phone. Smokey entered the house, went upstairs, and mauled McKigney's girlfriend Lynn Orser to death. The incident made headlines, and the bears were taken away by the Ontario Humane Society.

For years he battled Frank and Jack Tunney, who had a monopoly on the province's big arenas and the boxing and wrestling commissioner as a friend. They tried to force McKigney out of business, and eventually drove him to tour Newfoundland, when in July 1988, he met his death when the van he was driving crashed on the Trans Canada Highway when he tried to avoid a moose. Killed were McKigney, Keith 'Adorable Adrian Adonis' Franke, and Victor Arko (Pat Kelly of the Kelly twins). Also in the car was William Arko (Mike Kelly), who suffered leg injuries.

I personally had gone to some of Dave's Indy shows as a kid and they were great! He really knew how to book a show. He also worked alongside The Sheik's Big Time Wrestling promotion as well as again there was overlap in starts used. Another guy I am looking at adding to the Maple Leaf set II is Crazy Chris Colt.

[captaincold]

Mar 19, 2008 8:35:57 GMT -5 @canadianpittbull said:

Mar 18, 2008 19:48:06 GMT -5 kingwiththeax said:

Wow, nice job on these cards!!! A few guys I had forgot all about. I wish I had all the artistic talent people have on this site in general. I can see why people were anxiously anticipating this set. Always happy to see Big John Studd, another one of my favorites growing up. Very nicely done.

Jerod did an AWESOME job on that John Studd card! I love his power mechanic and all the playtesting I did of that card it performed and reflected Studd on so many levels. I put it up against Cory's Andre the Giant and man what an epic match it was! Studd ended up getting beat but it was very freaking close.

I think folks should be very happy with this set. I was hoping to get Trav on board for doing artwork on MLWII but I'm thinking his time might be a problem. But Trav if your up for it let me know.

The John Stud card is probably my favorite in this set. Its dead on accurate. Great job

[TTX]

I remember reading about McKigney in the Legends Canada book. Very tragic story both there and the crash.

[canadianpittbull]

Mar 20, 2008 9:11:59 GMT -5 @captaincold said:

The John Stud card is probably my favorite in this set. Its dead on accurate. Great job

Glad you liked it Cold!

I am currently grooming Studd towards the Canadian Television Title (of which he held in Maple Leaf Wrestling). But it won't be happening until after the big title match between current TV Champ: Whipper Billy Watson (who has been champ for 2yrs and still undefeated) vs. Bruiser Brody. I fear Watson might take the fall in this one since the feud started when Watson had taken the belt from Stan Hansen in which Brody rushed the ring after the bout and shattered Watsons hand and put him on the shelf for sometime.

There was talk of Watson having to give up the title due him unable to wrestle but Watson walked into the ring regardless and took the victory with a broken hand! Watson was granted some leave to heal and returned and has defended that title on almost every card whether televised or just an house show. things have been heating up between he and Brody. Brody and Hansen had to be sent to Japan to honour some wrestling dates there and was also used by Promoter Frank Tunney as a way to end (if but temporarily) the chaos that those two have wrought on Maple Leaf Gardens.

So Studd might be the next big man to step up and challenge Watson for the title. Another card I really like is the Dino Bravo card! I have been pushing him as the new up and coming youngster in Maple Leaf Wrestling after graduating from my Forest City Wrestling Developmental fed. He stepped into his first match a few months ago and stepped right into a feud with The Missing Link who also put him on the shelf. But since returning he is looking to end his feud with Link on my next show.

I find all the cards in this set really reflect these wrestlers at their time in and around Maple Leaf Wrestling. Another staple of Maple Leaf Wrestling was Ric Flair and I am looking at bringing him to Maple Leaf from my AWA fed to have a Champion vs. Champion bout as he takes on Canadian Heavyweight Champion: The Dynamite Kid. Flair currently holds the AWA Heavyweight title and his Horsemen have taken control of the AWA by injuring both Verne and Greg Gagne. I'm thinking Verne might bring the Freebirds in to deal with his Horsemen issue but haven't decided yet. But I digress..... ;D

[markyhitch]

Mar 19, 2008 13:19:46 GMT -5 @canadianpittbull said:

Mar 19, 2008 10:07:49 GMT -5 markyhitch said:

Whoa!!! Did they actually wrestle a bear in Maple Leaf Wrestling?

Yes they did Marky! "The Canadian Wildman" Dave McKigney was well known for his bears. He had Terrible Ted his first. But he also had another names Smokey. In July 1978, McKigney left the bear's cage door open as he went to answer the phone. Smokey entered the house, went upstairs, and mauled McKigney's girlfriend Lynn Orser to death. The incident made headlines, and the bears were taken away by the Ontario Humane Society.

For years he battled Frank and Jack Tunney, who had a monopoly on the province's big arenas and the boxing and wrestling commissioner as a friend. They tried to force McKigney out of business, and eventually drove him to tour Newfoundland, when in July 1988, he met his death when the van he was driving crashed on the Trans Canada Highway when he tried to avoid a moose. Killed were McKigney, Keith 'Adorable Adrian Adonis' Franke, and Victor Arko (Pat Kelly of the Kelly twins). Also in the car was William Arko (Mike Kelly), who suffered leg injuries.

I personally had gone to some of Dave's Indy shows as a kid and they were great! He really knew how to book a show. He also worked alongside The Sheik's Big Time Wrestling promotion as well as again there was overlap in starts used. Another guy I am looking at adding to the Maple Leaf set II is Crazy Chris Colt.

Thank you for that little story, Pittbull. I love hearing all about wrestling in North America, especially in the 1980s. Shame Adrian Adonis died so soon as I saw him at Wrestlemania 3 - what a character!

[TTX]

Adrian is one of the guys I would absolutely love in LOW. He was one of the most underappreciated wrestlers of all time.

[canadianpittbull]

Mar 22, 2008 16:11:18 GMT -5 TTX said:

Adrian is one of the guys I would absolutely love in LOW. He was one of the most underappreciated wrestlers of all time.

I would agree Troy since most only know him for his Adorable stint and as host of the Flower Shoppe. Which is a shame, would be awesome to get him and Jesse and see the East West Connection kick some butt. I currently use bootlegs of the two and they are steadily climbing towards a tag title shot.

[TTX]

Sweet.......I'd especially love seeing Adonis and Murdoch against Vader and Saito. (Known fact, I'm a suplex fan and Saito throws some of the best ever)

[markoda]

I downloaded these and ran a mini tournament that Eric the Red won.

Most of these guys I know nothing about, but will read up on them.

Thanks CP for some more great wrestlers. Looking forward to set 2

[canadianpittbull]

Mar 24, 2008 1:22:27 GMT -5 markoda said:

I downloaded these and ran a mini tournament that Eric the Red won.

Most of these guys I know nothing about, but will read up on them.

Thanks CP for some more great wrestlers. Looking forward to set 2

Glad you like them Mark. I have the booklet in the works just finding the time to finish it up. Also have another project in the works....