This month we will begin a continuing almanac of Toronto history looking at a year in the life of the Toronto promotion known as Maple Leaf Wrestling.

We will start with 1980, an eventful and successful year for the territory. The partnership with Mid-Atlantic that had started in 1978 was in full bloom by now. A long time association with the WWF had ended at least temporarily in January 1980 - the next appearance of the WWF champ would be in 1982- and the red-hot Carolina area stars would take over the hallowed shrine known as MLG for the rest of the year.

January

The appearance of a manager at ringside was somewhat of a rare occurrence at MLG. Even the world Champs - Backlund, Bockwinkel- would appear without their managers at the cashbox on Carlton St. The former half of the famed Minnesota Wrecking Crew would continue to be a thorn in the side of the faces over the next few months constantly interfering on behalf of his charges.

The ring would be graced with the appearance of former WWWF Champ Pedro Morales, who was spending some time in the Mid-Atlantic region. Local favorite and Carolina legend Johnny Weaver would team with the former champ for a memorable match in June beating Doug Somers and Steve Muslin (Travis). Muslin would also have a pretty good feud with Robertson throughout the area.

As mentioned in a previous column, Robertson would work as a "tweener" in the Mid-Atlantic area coming to the ring with the belt and taking on the faces of the area while maintaining his clean image in Toronto. Later in the year after returning to the role of good guy (Mid-Atlantic), Dewey would team up with George Wells and win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Titles. 

The "Original Sensational" Destroyer (Dick Beyer) having returned from Japan in 1979 would appear on many cards through the year. Although getting up in years, the one time AWA World Champion (as Dr X) was still a master showman and technician and earned shots against WWF Backlund and Canadian Champ Dewey Robertson.

On the Ontario Circuit, the big draw was still The Sheik who was at war with popular Chief Jay Strongbow. Also appearing were the young tag team of John Bonello and Randy Scott who were holding the WWS Tag Titles (Detroit). Bonello would continue on with Maple Leaf for many years, appearing as a referee in the later years. Veteran star Chris Tolos would also appear on the circuit shows as well as at the Gardens including a loss to another long time area star - Sweet Daddy Siki.

Local veteran Cowboy Frankie Laine would team with George "The Animal" Steele to take the belts from Bonello and Scott, but the young stars would regain them in a match in Detroit.

February

Blackjack Mulligan and "Big" John Studd began a long running feud with Texas Death Matches and culminating with Studd under a mask as Masked Superstar #2. One of these Death Matches went for six falls before Mulligan defeated Big John. Later in the year Mulligan would unmask Studd as #2 and end the feud. They would start back up in 1982 and would again shock the fans with their violent battles.

March