Gary Wolfenden (1944-2009)
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Alias:
Ted Grizzly
Birthplace:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Born:
January 1, 1944
Died:
April 20, 2009
Gary Wolfenden was a Canadian professional wrestler known by his ring name Ted Grizzly. Before starting off his wrestling career, Grizzly, around 1973, was involved in a fight at a bar that saw him killing the other person he fought. He was sent to prison and served time for the murder but was later released. He attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings for over 35 years after swearing off alcohol in 1976. Ted caught the wrestling bug in 1982 and trained with Bob Clark at Al Spittles’ gym. They worked as the Grizzly Brothers, Bob and Ted, in Al Tomko’s All-Star Wrestling promotion in British Columbia. By 1984, Grizzly started appearing for Vince McMahon's WWE, where he served as an enhancement talent, who consistently makes his opponents look stronger. He was described by Slam! as "Portraying a country bumpkin with his ratty overalls, unkempt beard and less-than-stellar physique". Throughout his career, Grizzly faced big names including the likes of Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Dino Bravo, Blackjack Mulligan, Paul Orndorff, and more. In later years, including a stint as a promoter for the Globe Wide Wrestling promotion in 1992, Wolfenden worked as a Santa Claus near his native Hamiliton. After years of health issues, Wolfenden died at 9:30 AM on April 20, 2009, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, from complications of diabetes at the age of 65.