Background
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.
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 Friday, August 13, 2005. He was 75. 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.
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.
He soon brought John into the sport. Together, they were one of the best teams ever, holding numerous tag titles, including the WWWF United States. 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.
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.
In the late "60s, Chris "The Body" Tolos feuded with Iron Mike Dibiase in Omaha, and had his share of NWA World title shots. American Wrestling Association
Aging with Attitude Midwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Stan Pulaski
Championship Wrestling from Florida
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) - with John Tolos
Maple Leaf Wrestling
NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (3 times) - with John Tolos
NWA All-Star Wrestling
NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (2 times) - with John Tolos
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (2 times) - with John Tolos
NWA Detroit
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) - with John Tolos
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
Stampede Wrestling
NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (1 time) - with John Tolos
World Wide Wrestling Federation
WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with John Tolos
Chris Tolos died of cancer on Friday, August 13, 2005. A tree was planted in Woodland Cemetery in Tolos" memory.
Chris" brother and tag team partner John died in May 2009.
Class of 2007) - Inducted as a member of the Canadian Wrecking Crew (with John Tolos).