The Wolfman (wrestler)
Vilmos Farkas (c. 1935 – January 10, 2016) was a Hungarian/Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, The Wolfman. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wide Wrestling Federation in the early 1970s.[1]
The Wolfman | |
---|---|
Birth name | Vilmos Farkas |
Born | c. 1935 Hungary |
Died | (aged 80) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Residence | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Bill Farkas The Canadian Wolfman Farkas the Wolfman The Hungarian Wolfman[1] Willie Farkas The Wolfman[1] Wolfman Farkas |
Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1] |
Billed weight | 250 lb (110 kg)[1] |
Billed from | "The Great White North" "The wilds of Canada"[1] |
Trained by | Steve Dugalin |
Early life
Vilmos Farkas was born in Hungary and emigrated to Canada in 1956. Farkas played soccer and was looking for a career in the sport.
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Farkas was trained by Steve Duglain.
World Wide Wrestling Federation
In 1970 Farkas joined the WWWF.[2] He fought as his real name being a jobber to low card status. Later that year he became The Wolfman as he was escorted to the ring with a chain around his neck by his manager Captain Lou Albano and sporting long hair and a scruffy beard. He won many squash matches which he eventually had WWWF Heavyweight championship matches against Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales. He feuded with Pedro Morales and Gorilla Monsoon throughout his stint. By 1972 he went back to Canada. In 1975 he returned, this time being managed by Freddie Blassie. He had matches with Johnny Rodz and Tony Garea. Farkas did not last long and returned to Canada. It was claimed that he was raised by wolves and wore fur trunks and boots. His very name Farkas in Hungarian means 'wolf'.[3]
References
- "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Wolfman". Canoe.ca. Québecor Média. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
- "Vilmos "Willie" Farkas (1935-2016) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
- A Concise Hungarian-English dictionary, Oxford, 1990, p. 277