The authors did a tremendous job of chronicling the professional and amateur career of Canadian legend Mad Dog Vachon. The book details his successful outings at the 1948 Summer Olympics and 1950 British Empire Games. While he was proud to represent his country and win a gold medal, Vachon quickly realized he would have turn to the squared circle to make a living from wrestling.
“Mad Dog” traces his path to becoming a hall of fame professional wrestler, trading his gold metal for wrestling championships. He first adopted the nickname “Mad Man” before becoming the “Mad Dog.” After leaving Canada, he was able to get over with crowds wherever he was booked, He convinced his amateur wrestling brother Paul to turn pro, and formed a successful tag team. Paul became “Butcher” Vachon.
This book contains intriguing road stories, as the Vachons crossed paths with the likes of The Funks, Verne Gagne, Pat Patterson, Nick Bockwinkel, Stu Hart, and Killer Kowalski. As the book details, Mad Dog took a young Baron von Raschke under his wing, and helped mold him into a star in the making. Mad Dog captured Gagne’s AWA World Heavyweight championship, which he recognized as one of his greatest accomplishments.
Outside of the ring, Mad Dog struggled with alcoholism, and was divorced twice. After retiring from the ring, Vachon was struck by a hit-and-run driver, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. He would end up in a wheelchair, and suffering with bouts of dementia. However, prior to his passing, he would receiving hall of fame honors. Hébert and Laprade have all the bases covered on Mad Dog’s remarkable career, and the influences he has had on professional wrestling.
By: Bertrand Hébert, Pat Laprade
Narrated by: Bob Reed
Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 09-14-17
Publisher: Audible Studios