27. Don Leo Jonathan

Published in WWE
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Don Leo Jonathan may have been born and raised in Utah but it was in Canada that he found his home. Jonathan’s size and wrestling acumen allowed him to become a true international superstar and he traveled the world winning titles and headlining cards. As mentioned he was most comfortable in Canada and it was for the NWA in Vancouver that he truly cemented his star and faced all comers. Don Leo Jonathan took on Jean Ferre (Andre the Giant) in a legendary match in Montreal and though that did not take place under a WWE banner, it has been referenced to by the WWE. He may never have been a WWE star, but he was one of the best big men of all time.

Should Don Leo Jonathan be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 87.8%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.1%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 1.2%

No opinion. - 1.2%

No way! - 3.7%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: Don Heaton (Real Name)
The Mormon Giant
Sonny Jonathan
El Diablo
El Loco
Billed From: U.S.A. (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Key Championships Held: Montreal International Heavyweight (2)
WWA International Television Tag Team (2) 1w/Lord Carlton, 1w/Freddie Blassie
NWA Texas Heavyweight (2)
AWA Omaha Heavyweight (3)
AWA Indiana Heavyweight
NWA Canadian (Vancouver) Tag Team (18) 1w/Kinji Shibuya, 1w/Roy McLarty, 1w/Gene Kiniski, 1w/Jim Hady, 2w/Haystacks Calhoun, 1w/Domenic DeNucci, 1w/Rocky Johnson, 1w/Sky-High Jones, 1w/Paddy Barrett, 1w/John Kostas, 1w/John Tolos, 1w/Duncan McTavish, 1w/Steven Little Bear, 1w/Jimmy Snuka, 1w/John Anson, 1w/Dutch Savage, 1w/John Quinn
NWA Canadian (Calgary) Heavyweight (2)
IWA (Australia) World Tag Team (2) w/Antonio Pugilese
NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight (5)
Why they will get in: He is occasionally referenced on WWE footage
Why they won't get in: His impact was not seen by the WWE audience
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Beat Bill Miller for the Omaha version of the World Title (1/7/61)
2. Defeats Killer Kowalski to win the Indiana Version of the World Title (3/4/62)
3. Wins his first of five Pacific Coast Heavyweight Titles, beating Gene Kiniski (6/22/70)
4. Wins by Disqualification over Jean Ferre (Andre) in the Battle of the Giants match in Montreal in front of a packed house (5/8/72)
5. Loses to Bruno Smmartino going for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in Madison Square Gardens (1/14/74)