The Beast

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The Beast

Real name: John Yachetti

Short, hairy barefoot wrestler who wore a loin cloth and used a bearhug as his finisher. Began wrestling in the early 1950s as light heavyweight Gino Angelo, often in a brother tag team with Martino Angelo. Became The Beast in 1961, managed by Martino.

Had a main event feud with Bulldog Brower in Toronto in 1963 (they became a tag team in 1964). Defeated Whipper Billy Watson in a Maple Leaf Gardens main event later that year. Also in 1963, defeated Johnny Valentine for the Toronto version of the U.S. title. Wrestled Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title three times at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1964. Left Toronto in 1967 and came back in 1971. Lost to The Sheik in a 1972 Maple Leaf Gardens main event.

Continued to wrestle as The Beast for Frank Tunney until 1977 in prelims and tag matches. Returned in 1979 as Johnny Yachetti, wearing regular trunks and boots, but easily recognizable to fans as the former Beast. He retired at the end of 1979 and died in 1986 at age 59.

"John Gauchetti, who wrestles as The Beast, has wrestling fans in the East buzzing about his display of strength. Only 5'10", The Beast has cast fear and consternation upon his future mat opponents with more than just a passing fancy." (By Earle F. Yetter, date unknown)