George Zaharias
Zaharias c. 1942 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Θεοδόσιος Βετογιάννης |
| Other names | Theodore Vetoyanis |
| Born | Theodosios Vetoyanis February 27, 1908 Pueblo, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | May 22, 1984 (aged 76) Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name | George Zaharias |
| Billed weight | 300 lb (140 kg) |
| Debut | c. 1930 |
| Retired | 1938 |
Theodosios Vetoyanis (Greek: Θεοδόσιος Βετογιάννης; February 27, 1908 – May 22, 1984, also known as Theodore Vetyoanis) was an American professional wrestler and sports promoter known by his ring name George Zaharias. He was also popularly known as "The Crying Greek from Cripple Creek" or "The Greek Hyena" during the 1930s. Often cast as a villain or sore loser, one of his most celebrated bouts was a 1932 match with Jim Londos at a sold-out Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, which Londos won. The audience of 14,500 was the highest attendance for any North American wrestling match that year.