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ONTARIO - Toronto's wrestling saint

Broadcast Date: July 29, 1970

Anyone who thinks wrestling is a lot of soft punches and fake groans should think again, wrestling icon "Whipper" Billy Watson says in this clip from CBC Radio's Assignment. The veteran champ recalls a match in England when his rival "put his thumb in and put my eyeball on my cheek." He's also had hundreds of stitches and five broken noses. "The Whip" also talks about his efforts to help physically disabled children.

Sometimes, "Whipper" Billy Watson adds, he wishes he could trade places with those children "because I feel the sufferings that they go through."

ONTARIO - Toronto's wrestling saint

• "Whipper" Billy Watson was English Canada's best known wrestler and Toronto's top star from the 1940s until the 1960s. On the SLAM! Wrestling website, Greg Oliver wrote: "Watson was to Maple Leaf Gardens what Maurice "The Rocket" Richard was to the old Montreal Forum." Watson, twice given the title world champion by promoters, was born William Potts on June 25, 1915, in East York, a Toronto suburb.

• The robustly physical Watson felt an affinity for young children with handicaps. Through public speaking engagements, an annual Easter Seals snowmobile derby and other events he raised millions of dollars to help such children lead a normal a life as possible. His 40 years of charity work were recognized with the Order of Canada in 1984 and the Order of Ontario in 1987.

• After working tirelessly for the disabled, Watson became disabled himself in 1971. A skidding car pinned him against a streetcar, severely injuring his legs and ending his wrestling career. He told CBC Radio in 1977 that his injuries brought him closer to disabled children by helping him truly understand their needs. Watson died in his sleep Feb. 4, 1990 after suffering a heart attack.

• The nickname "The Whip" was bestowed by a British newspaper. It referred to a move where he would bend over and toss his opponent over his back.

• Watson began his wrestling career in 1936 in England and made his Maple Leaf Gardens debut in 1940. Working with legendary Toronto promoter Frank Tunney, Watson quickly became a fan favourite. He had matinee-idol features atop a strong but not hulking body. Watson invariably took the part of justice-dispensing good guy.

• Watson held Toronto's British Empire title nine times in the 1940s and 1950s, beating top-drawer talent such as Quebec's Yvon Robert. International success included briefly holding the National Wrestling Association world title in 1947. The pinnacle of his ring career came on March 15, 1956, when he stripped the legendary Lou Thesz of the National Wrestling Alliance world title at Maple Leaf Gardens. Watson kept the prestigious belt for eight months.

• More than 15,000 fans were on hand at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1959 when the flamboyant American star Gorgeous George suffered the disgrace of having his head shaved after losing to Watson.

ONTARIO - Toronto's wrestling saint

Medium: Radio

Program: Assignment

Broadcast Date: July 29, 1970

Guest(s): "Whipper" Billy Watson

Host: Bill McNeil

Duration: 4:02

Last updated:
March 19, 2004