George Cannon (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
George Arnold McCarther better known as George "Crybaby" Cannon, was a Canadian
pro wrestler
and wrestling manager
, best known as manager of the Fabulous Kangaroos.
Cannon was born in Montreal, Quebec as George Arnold McCarther, and spent some time in the Canadian Football League
with what are now the Saskatchewan Roughriders
. He began wrestling in Japan
in 1953. He wrestled for a while in Canada beginning in 1955, left for a time, and returned for good in 1959. He got the nickname "Crybaby" from his ability to wipe sweat from his face, making it look as though he were weeping.
Cannon hosted a weekly variety show on KTLA-TV in Los Angeles
from 1968 to 1970, when he returned to Canada. It was after his return to Canada that he managed the Kangaroos. The team feuded
with The Stomper and Ben Justice in a storyline in which the Kangaroos supposedly broke The Stomper's leg. The teams feuded for two years, during which time The Stomper continually tried to get revenge by attacking Cannon.
McCarther worked for the American-based International Wrestling Association run by Eddie Einhorn
in 1975. McCarther performed many duties, including wrestling, managing wrestlers, and booking events. McCarther was also involved in several other areas of wrestling, including publishing magazines and hosting a wrestling television show in Windsor, Ontario
. He was partners with World Wrestling Federation
owner Vince McMahon
but later became unable to continue his duties due to phlebitis
. McCarther continued to promote small wrestling shows until dying of cancer
on July 1, 1994.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
pro wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
and wrestling manager
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
, best known as manager of the Fabulous Kangaroos.
Cannon was born in Montreal, Quebec as George Arnold McCarther, and spent some time in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
with what are now the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
. He began wrestling in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1953. He wrestled for a while in Canada beginning in 1955, left for a time, and returned for good in 1959. He got the nickname "Crybaby" from his ability to wipe sweat from his face, making it look as though he were weeping.
Cannon hosted a weekly variety show on KTLA-TV in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
from 1968 to 1970, when he returned to Canada. It was after his return to Canada that he managed the Kangaroos. The team feuded
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
with The Stomper and Ben Justice in a storyline in which the Kangaroos supposedly broke The Stomper's leg. The teams feuded for two years, during which time The Stomper continually tried to get revenge by attacking Cannon.
McCarther worked for the American-based International Wrestling Association run by Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...
in 1975. McCarther performed many duties, including wrestling, managing wrestlers, and booking events. McCarther was also involved in several other areas of wrestling, including publishing magazines and hosting a wrestling television show in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
. He was partners with World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
owner Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
but later became unable to continue his duties due to phlebitis
Phlebitis
Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs.When phlebitis is associated with the formation of blood clots , usually in the deep veins of the legs, the condition is called thrombophlebitis...
. McCarther continued to promote small wrestling shows until dying of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on July 1, 1994.