The true story of one of pro wrestling’s most charismatic, feared, and beloved icons

Who was Maurice the man, and who was Mad Dog the character? Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon was a gold medalist, a pro-wrestling legend, and a pop culture icon — but he was also a son, husband, and father. Mad Dog explores Vachon’s career and personal struggles with painstakingly detailed historical research and through both Maurice’s own recollections and those of the people who knew him best.

As a young man, Maurice could have chosen a dark criminal path, but then wrestling and family changed him. Chronicling his slow but steady rise to prominence across America and internationally in some of pro wrestling’s most important territories, this in-depth biography shows how Vachon’s life came to be defined by the words of Mark Twain: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Fiercely proud, motivated, and supremely talented, Vachon’s story is also the amazing tale of how a lifelong make-believe heel became a real-life hero outside of the ring.

With a foreword by his brother, Paul Vachon, and an afterword by his widow, Kathie Vachon.

Bertrand Hébert co-wrote Pat Patterson’s autobiography, Accepted. He lives in Beauharnois, Quebec. He also co-wrote Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s 2013 book of the year, Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs with Pat Laprade. Laprade is the co-author of Sisterhood of the Squared Circle, created the Quebec wrestling Hall of Fame, and lives in Montreal.

Bertrand Hébert's profile page

Pat Laprade's profile page

Paul Vachon's profile page

Kathie Vachon's profile page

George Tombs is an award-winning journalist, and has worked for TV, radio, newsmagazines, and newspapers, in both English and French. He has reported first-hand on disappearances, refugees, hostage-takings, terrorists, aboriginal societies, desert nomads, Nobel-winning scientists, inventors, and heads of state and government. He served as editorial-writer at The Montreal Gazette, has produced several documentary series for CBC and Radio-Canada, and has a PhD in history from McGill University. He teaches journalism and history at the State University of New York and Athabasca University.

Tombs is a contributor to The Guardian about Conrad Black, and has spoken about Black on CNN, BBC, CBC, CTV, and Global News.

George Tombs' profile page

“I’ve learned so many things about Maurice. It was very revealing. I couldn’t wait to read more about him, I was really captivated. I already had respect for Maurice; I have even more now.” — Raymond Rougeau, former WWE wrestler and announcer

“I never saw Mad Dog Vachon wrestle because he was before my time, but I always heard about how wild he was and after reading this book I now perfectly understand why people were so fascinated with him. It truly captures the essence of who Mad Dog Vachon was.” — WWE Superstar Kevin Owens

“A definitive history of this hardcore heel who lived life to its fullest and wrestled even harder. . . The authors did their homework well and we reap the reward of their efforts. Mad Dog is a must-have read for every serious fan of pro wrestling.” — George Schire, author of Minnesota’s Golden Age of Wrestling

“It sounds like he was a larger than life character.” — Dangerous Dan’s Book Blog

“What made this book a good read was the research and writing about the inner workings of the professional wrestling circuit.” — The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books