Vilmos "Willie" Farkas fled the Communist regime in
Hungary, settling in Ontario with family in 1956. Farkas worked on a tobacco plantation before a chance meeting with Stu Hart (who convinced him to relocate to
Calgary) to train for a career in professional wrestling. In 1959 Farkas arrived in
Calgary where worked in a factory, with a view to training under
Stu Hart, but that didn't eventuate as Farkas was arrested after a bar fight and spent 18 months in jail. On release Farkas returned to Ontario in 1962 where he began training with
Mikel Scicluna (who also trained
Dave McKigney and
Waldo Von Erich who were in the same class). After training Farkas traveled the Canadian territories including
Stampede Wrestling in Calgary,
International Wrestling in Quebec and
Frank Tunney's Maple Leaf Wrestling in Toronto.
World Wide Wrestling Federation Willie Farkas started wrestling for the WWWF in 1970, initially competing under his real name. After a brief Hawaiian tour for
Ed Francis, he returned as The Wolfman, who claimed to be raised by wolves. He was escorted to the ring by his manager
Captain Lou Albano, with a chain around his neck, sporting long hair, scruffy beard and furry boots. The Wolfman challenged
WWWF Heavyweight champions Bruno Sammartino and
Pedro Morales. In 1975 he returned to feud with Pedro Morales and
Gorilla Monsoon throughout his stint, this time being managed by
Freddie Blassie.
All Japan Pro Wrestling Upon leaving the World Wide Wrestling Federation Willie Farkas toured
All Japan Pro Wrestling often teaming with
Bobo Brazil.
Return To Canada On his return from Japan, Farkus became a regular in the Canadian territories wrestling for and
Dave McKigney's Big Time Wrestling tours of
Ontario and
International Wrestling in Montreal where he feuded with
The Destroyer. The Wolfman retired in 1988 after the death of his friend and sometime tag team partner "The Bearman"
Dave McKigney. Farkus died in 2016 at age 80 after a long illness. ==References==