1. Overview
Don Leo Jonathan, born Don Heaton on April 29, 1931, in Hurricane, Utah, and passing on October 13, 2018, was an American-Canadian professional wrestler known for his imposing natural physique and exceptional agility, earning him nicknames like "The Mormon Giant" and in Japan, "Human Typhoon" (人間台風Ningen TaifūJapanese) and "Mormon Assassin" (モルモンの暗殺者Morumon no AnsatsushaJapanese). A second-generation wrestler, Jonathan's career spanned globally, including significant tenures in Canada and the United States, as well as tours in Japan, Australia, and South Africa. Despite his formidable skill, which some compared to Lou Thesz, his dedication to outside ventures, particularly underwater exploration, is sometimes cited as a reason for his infrequent pursuit of major championship titles. His legacy includes numerous regional championships, induction into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and involvement in a class action lawsuit against WWE concerning wrestler welfare, reflecting the broader social aspects of his career.
2. Early Life and Background
Don Leo Jonathan's life before his wrestling career laid the groundwork for his unique persona and physical prowess.
2.1. Birth, Family, and Early Years
Don Leo Jonathan was born Don Heaton on April 29, 1931, in Hurricane, Utah. He was raised as a Mormon. His father, Brother Jonathan DeLaun Heaton, was also a professional wrestler known for bringing a pet rattlesnake named Cold Chills into the ring and reciting Bible verses during his matches, earning him the moniker "The Salt Lake Rattlesnake" and "Mormon Assassin" in some contexts. Don Leo Jonathan played high school football and trained in martial arts during his formative years, contributing to his remarkable athleticism. While primarily recognized as being from Hurricane, Utah, some sources also cite Salt Lake City as his place of origin.
2.2. Pre-Wrestling Career
Before embarking on his professional wrestling career, Don Leo Jonathan served as a sailor in the United States Navy. This period contributed to his physical discipline and readiness for the rigorous demands of professional wrestling. Additionally, he maintained an interest in business ventures, including diving operations, even before fully committing to wrestling, which would later influence his career decisions.
3. Professional Wrestling Career
Don Leo Jonathan's professional wrestling career was extensive, marked by his global reach and significant presence in major territories.
3.1. Debut and Early Success
Jonathan made his professional wrestling debut in 1949, following World War II. Early in his career, he competed across the United States from the Pacific Coast to the Northeast. His first major championship victories occurred in Montreal with Canadian Athletic Promotions. He notably captured the Montreal version of the World Heavyweight title three times, including a victory over Killer Kowalski on November 24, 1953, and two further reigns in 1955.
He also found success in other Canadian territories, including Toronto's Maple Leaf Wrestling, where he first teamed with Gene Kiniski to win the NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship in 1959. In Winnipeg, wrestling for Alex Turk Promotions, he twice won the International Tag Team title. His early career also saw him venture into Texas, where he captured the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship from Pepper Gomez in Houston on April 19, 1957.
3.2. Main Career in North America
Canada became a permanent home for Don Leo Jonathan in the early 1960s, as he settled in the Vancouver suburb of Langley. From this base, he became a prominent figure in NWA All Star Wrestling. He held the Pacific Coast Heavyweight title five times between 1970 and 1977, the NWA World Tag Team title (Vancouver version) with Dominic DeNucci in 1966, and an impressive 18 reigns as Canadian Tag Team Champion between 1964 and 1978, partnering with wrestlers like Kinji Shibuya, Gene Kiniski, Haystack Calhoun, Dominic DeNucci, Rocky Johnson, Sky-Hi Jones, Paddy Barrett, Johnny Kostas, John Tolos, Duncan McTavish, Steven Little Bear, Jimmy Snuka, John Anson, Dutch Savage, and John Quinn. He frequently challenged for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against titleholders such as Gene Kiniski, Dory Funk, Jr., and Jack Brisco, and engaged in notable feuds with Kiniski and Dutch Savage.
In the United States, Jonathan three times won the Omaha territory's version of the World title in 1961, defeating opponents like Bill Miller (as Dr. X) and Bobo Brazil. While this title is sometimes considered an earlier form of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, it was not officially recognized as such by the AWA following Verne Gagne's unification.
Jonathan made several appearances in the WWWF (now WWE) as a heel, managed by Gran Wizard. He challenged for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship against Pedro Morales in 1973 and Bruno Sammartino in 1974, including a notable defense for Sammartino at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 1974.
He also participated in historic matches against André the Giant. On May 31, 1972, in Montreal, Jonathan defeated André (then known as Le Géant Jean Ferré) by disqualification in a bout billed as the "match of the century." A rematch on September 7, 1972, billed as the "Battle of the Giants," saw Jonathan lose to André by disqualification. Jonathan also appeared as a wrestler in the 1978 Sylvester Stallone film Paradise Alley.
3.3. International Tours and Appearances
Don Leo Jonathan's career took him across the globe, enhancing his reputation as an international wrestling star. He made stops in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and Japan.
In South Africa, he captured the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship in 1975 from Jan Wilkens. He also held the CWA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Otto Wanz in Johannesburg on September 1, 1977, before losing it back to Wanz in Graz, Austria, on July 15, 1978.
In Australia, competing for World Championship Wrestling (Australia) under Jim Barnett, he twice won the IWA World Tag Team Championship with Antonio Pugliese in 1969, engaging with teams such as Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard, and Mario Milano and The Spoiler.
Jonathan was also a frequent and impactful visitor to Japan. His first tour was in September 1958 with Japan Pro-Wrestling. On October 2, 1958, he challenged Rikidozan for the International Heavyweight Championship at Korakuen Hall. During this initial visit, he participated in a promotional parade in an open-top car with Sky Hi Lee to promote the newly launched "Mitsubishi Diamond Hour Pro-Wrestling Broadcast." He returned in May-June 1967, accompanied by Dutch Savage, Rip Hawk, and Swede Hansen, to wrestle against Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki. His third tour in April 1970 saw him compete in the 12th World League, where he advanced to the final to face Baba after defeating Tarzan Tyler and Chris Markoff in the preliminary rounds, despite a loss to Inoki.
In March 1972, Jonathan participated in the 4th World Series for International Pro Wrestling (IWE), notably facing André the Giant (then known as Monster Roussimoff) in the preliminary rounds. He advanced to the final tournament through a repechage bracket, defeating Killer Kimura and Horst Hoffmann. Although he lost to Strong Kobayashi in the semifinals, he secured third place in the series by defeating Baron von Raschke in the third-place match.
From January 1973, Jonathan began appearing in All Japan Pro Wrestling, a promotion founded by Giant Baba, with whom Jonathan had formed a "giant tag team" during Baba's training days in America. On January 24, 1973, he was one of Baba's opponents in the "World Heavyweight Championship" matches to determine the inaugural PWF Heavyweight Championship holder at the Nihon Daigaku Kōdō. In December 1975, he participated in the "Open Championship," a league featuring a star-studded lineup, competing against major figures like Dory Funk Jr., Abdullah the Butcher, Mr. Wrestling, The Destroyer, Rusher Kimura, and Great Kusatsu. His deep friendship with Baba continued, leading to his final visit to Japan in January 1989. He was invited as the first guest for All Japan Pro Wrestling's "OLDIES BUT GOODIES" retro event, marking his first return in 11 years since the 6th Champion Carnival in 1978.
3.4. Retirement and Later Recognition
Don Leo Jonathan wrestled his final match on March 10, 1980, in Vancouver, teaming with André the Giant and Roddy Piper to defeat The Sheepherders and Buddy Rose. He retired from the ring that same year.
Following his retirement, Jonathan received several accolades for his contributions to professional wrestling. On November 5, 2005, he was honored in a special ceremony in Surrey, British Columbia, presented by Top Ranked Wrestling. On May 20, 2006, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, New York, as part of the Television Era (1943-1984) class. In 2007, he received the Cauliflower Alley Club's prestigious Iron Mike Mazurki Award. He was also inducted into the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
4. Wrestling Style and Signature Moves
Don Leo Jonathan was renowned for his distinctive wrestling style, which defied expectations for a man of his immense size. Despite his giant physique, he possessed extraordinary agility and athleticism, capable of performing feats typically associated with smaller, lighter wrestlers. He was known for his ability to execute fluid movements and complex maneuvers. For example, he could easily lift opponents like Giant Baba or Jumbo Tsuruta off the ground while in a keylock, and he was even known to perform a dropkick from the top rope, sending opponents tumbling to the outside. His remarkable strength was also legendary, with anecdotal stories, such as him carrying a 661 lb (300 kg) moose down a mountain after a hunt.
His signature moves included:
- High-Jack Backbreaker: A powerful move where he would lift an opponent onto his shoulders before slamming them backward across his knee.
- Giant Swing: Utilizing his immense strength, he would spin an opponent by their legs in a dizzying rotation.
- Sunset Flip: An agile maneuver where he would roll over an opponent from a standing position, sometimes used to pin them.
- Stamp Hold: A variant of the bear hug, showcasing his crushing grip.
5. Personal Life
Outside the wrestling ring, Don Leo Jonathan led a life marked by family, residence, and other endeavors, as well as significant health and legal challenges.
5.1. Family and Residence
Don Leo Jonathan, whose birth name was Don Heaton, was born in Hurricane, Utah, and raised within the Mormon faith. He was married to a woman named Rose. Since 1963, he made his long-term residence in the Vancouver suburb of Langley, British Columbia, establishing a home in Canada for the majority of his adult life.
5.2. Post-Wrestling Ventures and Health
After retiring from professional wrestling, Jonathan pursued his passion for underwater activities, venturing into a career focused on underwater inventions and exploration. This interest in diving and related businesses was significant throughout his life, sometimes influencing his professional wrestling career choices as he reportedly prioritized these ventures over pursuing more major wrestling titles. In terms of health, he bravely battled and survived bladder cancer.
5.3. WWE Class Action Lawsuit
In July 2016, Don Leo Jonathan was named as a participant in a class action lawsuit filed against WWE. The lawsuit alleged that wrestlers sustained traumatic brain injuries, including CTE, during their time with the company and that WWE had knowingly concealed the risks of such injuries. This legal action was spearheaded by attorney Konstantine Kyros, known for his involvement in multiple similar lawsuits against WWE. The lawsuit, aimed at holding the company accountable for the long-term health consequences faced by its performers, was ultimately dismissed by US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant in September 2018, approximately a month before Jonathan's passing. This lawsuit highlighted broader concerns within the wrestling community about the long-term well-being of athletes and the industry's responsibility toward its performers.
6. Death
Don Leo Jonathan passed away on October 13, 2018, at the age of 87. He had been admitted to a hospital in Langley, British Columbia, at the end of August 2018 and remained there until his death.
7. Championships and Accomplishments
Don Leo Jonathan achieved numerous championships and accolades throughout his distinguished professional wrestling career:
- Alex Turk Promotions
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (''Winnipeg version'') (2 times) - with Whipper Billy Watson (1) and Jim Hady (1)
- American Wrestling Association
- World Heavyweight Championship (Omaha) (3 times)
- Catch Wrestling Association
- CWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2007)
- European Wrestling Union
- EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Grand Prix Wrestling
- GPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- International Wrestling Association (Montreal)
- IWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Maple Leaf Wrestling
- NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Gene Kiniski
- Midwest Wrestling Association (Ohio)
- MWA American Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ray Stern
- NWA All-Star Wrestling
- NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (''Vancouver version'') (18 times) - with Kinji Shibuya (1), Roy McClarty (1), Gene Kiniski (1), Jim Hady (1), Haystack Calhoun (2), Dominic DeNucci (1), Rocky Johnson (1), Sky-Hi Jones (1), Paddy Barrett (1), Johnny Kostas (1), John Tolos (1), Duncan McTavish (1), Steven Little Bear (1), Jimmy Snuka (1), John Anson (1), Dutch Savage (1), and John Quinn (1)
- NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship (''Vancouver version'') (5 times)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (''Vancouver version'') (1 time) - with Dominic DeNucci
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Television Era (2006)
- Southwest Sports
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (''Texas version'') (1 time)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Stampede Wrestling
- NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (''Calgary version'') (2 times)
- Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)
- World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
- IWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Antonio Pugliese
- Worldwide Wrestling Associates
- WWA International Television/United States Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Fred Blassie (1) and Lord Leslie Carlton (1)
- NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship (2 times)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter''
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
8. Legacy and Reception
Don Leo Jonathan left an indelible mark on professional wrestling, remembered for his unique combination of immense size and extraordinary athleticism. He was widely regarded for his natural talent, with some contemporary observers and later critics suggesting his in-ring abilities surpassed even legendary figures like Lou Thesz. His ability to perform agile maneuvers, such as somersaults and top-rope dropkicks, despite his large frame, set him apart from other "giant" wrestlers of his era. His strength was also legendary, epitomized by stories of his incredible feats, like carrying a 661 lb (300 kg) moose down a mountain.
Despite his remarkable skills, Jonathan's career path saw him accumulate numerous regional and tag team championships rather than prolonged reigns with major world titles in prominent promotions. This is often attributed to his strong focus on outside business ventures, particularly his deep involvement in underwater inventions and exploration, which sometimes took precedence over a full-time wrestling schedule. This decision highlights a career built on personal interests alongside professional success, contrasting with many wrestlers who dedicated themselves solely to championship pursuits.
His later involvement in the WWE class action lawsuit regarding traumatic brain injuries also forms a part of his legacy. While the lawsuit was dismissed, his participation, alongside many other former wrestlers, brought crucial attention to the long-term health and welfare of professional athletes and the responsibilities of promotions towards their performers. This reflects a growing awareness and concern within the wrestling industry regarding the physical toll the sport takes on its participants, positioning Jonathan as a figure who, even in retirement, contributed to the ongoing discussion about wrestler safety and rights.
Beyond his in-ring accomplishments, Jonathan maintained deep friendships within the wrestling community, notably with Giant Baba, further illustrating his respected standing among his peers. His diverse achievements and the unique aspects of his career, from his distinctive wrestling style to his off-ring pursuits and advocacy, underscore his multifaceted contribution to the history of professional wrestling.