If you walked into a smoky arena in the 1950s or 60s, you’d probably see some big guys. Wrestling has never lacked for sheer mass. But then there was Don Leo Jonathan. He wasn't just big; the man was an anomaly. Standing 6’6” and weighing in north of 300 pounds, he should have been a plodder. Instead, he was doing backflips.
Honestly, modern fans who think "high-flying big men" started with Keith Lee or Mike Awesome need a history lesson. Don Leo Jonathan was the blueprint. He’d hit a standing dropkick that looked like it belonged to a cruiserweight, then transition into a technical submission that would make a catch wrestler blush. He was nicknamed the "Mormon Giant," a moniker that stayed with him through a career spanning three decades and multiple continents.
The Man Behind the Mormon Giant
Born Don Leo Heaton in 1931, he didn't just stumble into the ring. He was a second-generation star. His father, "Brother Jonathan," was a pioneer in his own right. Growing up in Utah, Don Leo learned the ropes early, but he also had a legitimate background in the Navy, where he picked up some of the toughness that defined his later years.
It’s kinda fascinating how the industry used his faith as a gimmick. In 1963, the LDS Church actually sent him a "cease and desist" letter because they weren't thrilled with him calling himself the "Mormon Giant" while playing a villainous "heel." Most people would have folded, but Don Leo took it straight to the top. He appealed to David O. McKay, the president of the church at the time. They ended up reaching a deal: he could keep the name as long as he pointed interested fans toward local missionaries.
You’ve gotta respect that hustle. He turned a legal threat into a referral program.
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Why Don Leo Jonathan Still Matters to Modern Wrestling
A lot of the "giants" from the golden age are remembered for being scary or just being there. Don Leo was remembered for being good. He was the guy other wrestlers wanted to work with because he could actually move.
When you look at his record in Vancouver with NWA All-Star Wrestling, it’s staggering. He won the Canadian Tag Team Championship 18 times. 18! He wasn't just a solo act; he could mesh with anyone from Gene Kiniski to Rocky Johnson (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's dad).
The Match of the Century
If you mention Don Leo Jonathan to a hardcore wrestling historian, they’ll immediately bring up Montreal in 1972. Specifically, May 31st. This was "The Match of the Century" against a young Andre the Giant (then known as Jean Ferré).
At that point, Andre was still incredibly agile. Seeing two men of that size actually wrestling instead of just leaning on each other was a spectacle that sold out arenas. Don Leo won that first one by disqualification, setting off a trilogy of matches that defined the "Battle of the Giants" era.
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He didn't just stay in Canada or the US, though. He traveled to:
- Japan: Where he fought legends like Rikidozan and Giant Baba.
- South Africa: Defeating Otto Wanz for the CWA World Title in 1977.
- Europe: Competing in high-stakes tournaments in Austria and Germany.
His Impact on the Technical Side of the Ring
The thing about Don Leo Jonathan was his versatility. He could brawl if he had to, but his real love was technical grappling. He used a move called the "Single-leg Bow and Arrow" that looked absolutely brutal.
Check out old footage if you can find it. You’ll see a man his size hitting knee drops to the spine and then effortlessly transitioning into a submission. It wasn't the "hulk up and punch" style that became popular in the 80s. It was gritty. It was athletic.
Jim Ross, the legendary announcer, once called him arguably the most naturally athletic big man ever. That’s high praise from someone who has seen every "big man" from the last 50 years.
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The Final Bow and Legacy
Don Leo Jonathan didn't just fade away. He retired in 1980 after a final match where he teamed with Andre the Giant and a young Roddy Piper. Think about that lineup for a second. It was a bridge between the old school and the explosion of the WrestleMania era.
He spent his later years in Langley, British Columbia, far away from the bright lights. He was a diver, an inventor, and a guy who just enjoyed the quiet life after decades of taking bumps on canvas. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 87, but the "Mormon Giant" remains a benchmark for what a big man can be.
How to Appreciate Don Leo's Work Today
If you want to actually understand why he's a Hall of Famer, don't just take my word for it. Here is what you should do:
- Seek out the Chicago Film Archives: They have beautifully preserved 16mm footage of his 1950s matches against guys like Verne Gagne and Tiger Jack Moore. It’s a window into a different world of wrestling.
- Look for the Japan footage: His matches in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) from the mid-70s show him as a veteran who still had the agility to keep up with much younger, faster opponents.
- Study the "Mormon Giant" Psychology: Pay attention to how he used his size to intimidate but his speed to surprise. It’s a masterclass in ring psychology that many modern wrestlers could learn from.
Don Leo Jonathan wasn't just a wrestler; he was a pioneer who proved that being a giant didn't mean you had to be a statue. He was the first of his kind, and in many ways, we’re still waiting for someone to match his combination of size and pure grace.