Spiros Arion

Spiros Arion born Spyridon Manousakis (born September 3, 1940) is an Egyptian-born Greek former professional wrestler who had an extensive and successful career, mainly in Australia and the United States. Known as The Golden Greek and The Iron Greek, he debuted in 1961 and retired in 1979.

Professional wrestling career

Early life

Spiros Arion was born Spyridon Manousakis in September 1940 in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to Greek parents, Stavros and Konstantina. He spent his early childhood in Egypt and migrated with his family in his teens to Athens, Greece. Here, he excelled in Greco-Roman wrestling. Charismatic and strong, he made an early mark on European mats, often billed as the son of his mentor, the veteran Greek wrestler Andreas Lambrakis.

Europe (1961–1964) Arion was trained for professional wrestling by Frenchman Andre Bollet. He debuted in 1961 in Paris. For over four years, he wrestled around Europe before settling in Australia.

Australia (1964–1976) In July 1964, Arion arrived on the Australian wrestling scene, nicknamed "The Golden Greek", and quickly became a fan favorite. He joined World Championship Wrestling and wrestled there until its end in 1978. He also wrestled in IWA Australia. In 1965, he won the IWA World Heavyweight Championship and IWA Tag Team Championship. They were never defeated for the belts; in June 1967, Parisi gave his to Arnold Skaaland, beginning Arion's second reign. On 10 July 1967, they lost the title to The Sicilians (Lou Albano and Tony Altomare). He became a protégé of WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino and they both beat up The Sicilians, winning in two straight falls on 24 July to become the final U.S. Tag Team Champions. He made televised defences of his championship against such opponents as Colin Joynson, Lee Bronson and Romany Riley before losing it to Wayne Bridges at the Royal Albert Hall and leaving the country. The title he introduced was contested for over a decade afterward in Joint Promotions and All Star Wrestling, held by Bridges, Mighty John Quinn, Tony St. Clair and Kendo Nagasaki before final champion Bridges retired with it in 1990.

Championships and accomplishments

Joint Promotions Mountevans Rules World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI Match of the Year (1975) vs. Bruno Sammartino on 17 March World Championship Wrestling (Australia) IWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times) IWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Mario Milano (1 time) and Mark Lewin (1 time) NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship (3 times) NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mark Lewin World Wide Wrestling Federation WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (3 times, final) – with Tony Parisi (1 time), Arnold Skaaland (1 time), and Bruno Sammartino (1 time) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (2025)