The Last Match: French Canadians

In this edition of The Last Match we take a look at some of the great French Canadian wrestlers from the Province of Quebec.

Rick Martel
March 20, 1999 HIWF Slam Fest II Kailua, HI
defeated The Metal Maniac

Martel began his career at the age of 16 on June 7, 1972.  Competing all across the globe he is best known for being a 3 time WWF Tag Team Champion, holding the AWA World Championship for 595 days, and reinventing himself of the arrogant heel "The Model" wrestling Jake Roberts in a blindfold match at WrestleMania VII.  Martel's last run came in WCW in 1998 winning the World Television Championship from Booker T, but an injury in a match at SuperBrawl VIII essentially ended his run and eventually his career.

Edouard Carpentier
June 15, 1985 WWF All Star Wrestling, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
defeated The Black Demon

Know for his acrobatic skills, Carpentier debuted in the 1950's as a beloved fan favorite.  In a match on June 14, 1957 Carpentier defeated Lou Thesz when he was NWA World Champion after Thesz injured his back and was unable to continue.  Officially the NWA does not recognize the title change however initially many territories did.  Thesz defeated him in a rematch by DQ in July 24, 1957 and the majority of territories recognized Thesz as champion.

The Boston AAC continued to recognize Carpentier as World Champion until May 3, 1958 when Killer Kowalski defeated him to win the title.  Omaha, Nebraska did until Verne Gagne defeated him for the title on August 9, 1958, this title was later unified with the AWA World Title September 7, 1963.  The WWA based in Los Angeles, CA recognized Carpentier as World Champion until June 12, 1961 when Freddie Blassie defeated him for the title.  This version of the World Championship was re-unified with the NWA World Championship on December 18, 1968.

After leaving the ring Carpentier became a French language color commentator for Montreal based Grand Prix Wrestling and later WWF Superstars when they bought Grand Prix.  He continued in this role until being replaced by Rayman Rougeau in 1992.

Carpentier also competed in the famous Legends Battle Royal November 16, 1987 in East Rutherford, New Jersey that was won by Lou Thesz.

Carpentier died October 30, 2010 from a heart attack at his home in Montreal.

Gino Brito
October 16, 2004 CPW Complete Chaos, Hull, Quebec, Canada
with Pierre Carl Ouellet & Wild Dangerous Dan was defeated by MOB: JJ Crooke, Thunder, & Tray Hugh Mongus

A second generation wrestler he debuted in the late 1950's in Detroit and traveled around the territories eventually teaming with Tony Parisi to win the WWF Tag Team Championships in 1975 from The Blackjacks.

He began promoting matches under the name International Wrestling in Montreal in the 1980's and was the booker for the WWF in Montreal. In 2003 he started promoting matches under the name Canadian Professional Wrestling where at the age of 63 he wrestled his final match, this was Brito's first match since 1987.

Jos LeDuc
June 10, 1995 USWA Memphis Memories II, Memphis, TN
with Phil Hickerson lost to Jerry "The King" Lawler & Jimmy Valiant

Michel Pigeon was a police officer for the Quebec Provincial Police before he started wrestling in the mid-60's.  At the recommendation of his friend Paul LeDuc, Pigeon began training with the legendary Stu Hart.  He adopted the moniker Jos LeDuc and with his "brother" Paul they toured Canada and the United States collecting tag team and singles championships along the way. LeDuc's last short run was in 1989 for FMW, his final match was his first match in six years.  He died in 1999 from complications with diabetes.

Pierre Lefebvre
December 24, 1985 International Wrestling/WWF, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
defeated Armand Rougeau by DQ

Debuting in 1972 at the age of 17 with childhood friend Ray Rougeau, Lefebvre starting wrestling in Montreal.  Thanks to Rougeau he had a three year run in Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1976 -1979.  He returned to Canada wrestling in the Montreal area for the remainder of his career, save one tour of Japan in 1984.  In 1985 he began working WWF house shows in Montreal and Quebec.

Tragically on the night of December 24 Lefebvre, Trazan Tyler, & referee Adrien Desbois were killed in a vehicle crash on their way home from the matches.

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The Amarillo Territory: Dory Funk Jr vs. Lord Alfred Hayes

Dan Black is a wrestling fan who grew up in Amarillo, Texas attending the matches at the Amarillo Sports Arena from 1969 - 1979.  Here are some of his memories;

NWA World's Heavyweight Champion: Dory Funk Jr. 

"Lord" Alfred Hayes

2 out of 3 Falls - 1 hour time limit  

Amarillo Sports Arena, Amarillo, Texas

June 8,1972

Lord Al Hayes came to the Amarillo Territory in late 1971 and quickly won the hearts of the fans when he upset hated villain Cyclone Negro and captured the Western States Title the area's top prize at the time. He had two disputed draws with favorite son and World Champion Dory Funk, Jr in early 1972. With the exception of Ricky Romero previously and Dick Murdock after Funk's reign never had someone come into the area with such popularity.

The match was billed for a month out and Hayes had promised he would break the famed spinning toe hold and counter it with his own devastating submission. Both men received astounding cheers upon their introductions, this was before entrance music practically ruined wrestlers introductions. Long time ring announcer Steve Stack always did it right.

Ken Farber was the referee, Junior removed his belt as he always did, with supreme confidence. They shook hands before the bell. I should preface as you read this, that my account has a different interpretation than Bill Apter's as he told it in THE WRESTLER magazine. I honestly never saw him there, I can't say for sure that he wasn't, I can tell you that I was only a few feet from ringside and this is what I saw and recalled.

Both were respectful and cautious of each other after trading holds and counter maneuvers. After around 15 minutes Funk locked Hayes up in a full nelson. Twice Hayes slip out only to have the champ locking him back up, however on the third try Junior cradled his legs for the pin and claimed the first fall. Hayes quickly jumped up to shake his opponents hand. It would be as warm and fuzzy as the two would get the rest of the match.

The second fall was evenly contested, to add a interesting twist Dory Funk, Sr. appeared and started filming Hayes with his home movie camera from various angles inside the arena. Funk starts to take control as he set up his famous finishing maneuver the spinning toe hold!  The crowd is at a roar and as promised the challenger swiftly breaks the hold, stunning the champ!  Hayes looks to the crowd for approval and somewhat to his surprise he gets it.  Could this be the end of Juniors run?  Quickly back on his feet Junior moves in again and reapplies the hold this time Hayes answers with a counter, a variation of the Indian Death Lock and Funk submits!

Tied 1-1 doubt suddenly crept in to a stunned crowd. The fans loved the Funk family to have competition, however unseating their beloved champion was a different story.  As the bell sounds for the final fall a look of focus crosses the champs face, or could it be desperation?

In an uncharacteristic fashion Funk becomes more physical looking more like his father or brother's style when suddenly Hayes catches the Champion in a counter hurling half way across the ring slapping on backside cradle locking it in tight near the ropes.  Referee Ken Farber goes in to count 1..2..3, however Juniors legs are drape in the ropes...the crowd goes silent.

Senior jumps to the ring apron in an attempt to let the ref know he missed Dory's foot in the ropes, he seems angered as he grabs a hold of his collar, as he does so Hayes reaches for the movie camera and rips the film from it. Senior responds with a hay maker across his jaw. Immediately Junior clamps on the double arm suplex, he covers for the pin and Farber counts to 3 awarding Junior the title.

Apter said that the Funks needed an escort out of the arena, all I know is that there was a line to pat Junior on the back as he made his way back to the dressing room as I was one of them.

For years I've tried to get answers on what the work was on the finish.  I even made several inquiries to Junior himself with no reply.  No surprise really as he always stayed pretty close to the cuff with Kayfabe. It's doubtful that that kind of finish was planned, the territory was never known for screwball endings and it had to hurt Funks credibility.

The most plausible explanation was Hayes had been known to go into business for himself and later on he feuded with Senior in which Funk out foxed him for the Western States Title, which could have been payback for trying to swindle Juniors belt. Who knows?

Dan Black

The Failure of "The New" Tag Teams

The first ever tag team wrestling match was believed to have occurred in San Francisco, California in 1901 but didn't catch on until the 1930's outside the Bay area. Tag Team wrestling has a long and storied history and there have been many phenomenal tag teams.  

In my time you had The Rock n' Roll Express, The Road Warriors, Demolition, The Fantastics, The Midnight Express, The Andersons, The Brain Busters, The British Bulldogs, and now American Alpha, The Revival, and DIY tearing it up inside the squared circle. 

Overtime tag teams break up, get back together, and sometimes they become "New".  Putting the word "New" in a tag team name generally doesn't work out well for that team.  I give you examples of "New" tag teams that didn't cut the mustard compared to their predecessors. 

The Dream Team  / The New Dream Team

Original: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & Brutus Beefcake w/ "Luscious" Johnny V

March 25, 1985 - March 29, 1987 

WWF Tag Team Champions

The New: "The Hammer" Valentine & Dino Bravo w/ "Luscious" Johnny V

March 29, 1987 - November 26, 1987

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Brutus Beefcake with manager "Luscious" Johnny V first teamed up March 25, 1985 in Brantford, Ontario Canada at an All Star Wrestling television taping.  They defeated Rick McGraw & Jim Powers in short order.  Valentine was still the Intercontinental Champion at the time.

On July 6, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland Tito Santana defeated Valentine inside a Steel Cage to win the championship.  Three days later on July 9th The Dream Team would get their first shot at the WWF Tag Team Champions: US Express: Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham losing in  a dark match at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.  They would win the titles Augusta 24, 1985 at a house show in Philadelphia, PA and hold onto them for 226 days until dropping them to the British Bulldogs at WrestleMania 2 on April 7, 1986.  They would chase the titles the next few months but never regain them.

The New Dream Team was born out of WrestleMania III after the Dream Team defeated the Rougeau Brothers with help from Dino Bravo.  Bravo had been teaming with them in six-man tag team matches leading up to the event and apparently Beefcake must not have been pulling his weight because even though they won the match he was kicked out of the group.

The New Dream Team tagged together for the next few months with a few title shots against the Hart Foundation before having their final match as a team in the 1987 Survivor Series.

The Blackjacks  / The New Blackjacks

Original: Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza w/ Bobby Heenan

1971 - 1984

2 x NWA American tag Team Champions

NWA Texas Tag Team Champions

WWA World Tag Team Champions

WWF World Tag Team Champions

WWE Hall of Fame 2006

The New: Blackjack Windham & Blackjack Bradshaw

February 17, 1997 - January 19, 1998

The team of Blackjack Mulligan and Blackjack Lanza toured the country for 13 years collecting major championships along the way.  They also main event many cards in singles matches including competing against Bruno Sammartino for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

The New Blackjacks were first introduced on WWE television February 2, 1997 by a vignette with Blackjack Lanza sitting by a campfire declaring the Blackjacks would ride again.  Two weeks later Blackjack Windham, Barry Windham son of Blackjack Mulligan, and Blackjack Bradshaw, now known as JBL, debuted attacking the Godwinns.

The New Blackjacks did have a couple title matches with Owen Hart & British Bulldog but accomplished little else.  The team broke up when Windham turned on Bradshaw joining the Jim Cornette lead NWA Stable.  You can read all about the NWA Invasion of the WWF here.

The Rockers / The New Rockers

Original: Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty

May 15, 1985 - January 12, 1992

2 x AWA World Tag Team Champions

NWA Central States Tag Team Champions

2 x AWA Southern Tag Team Champions 

2 x NWA Mid-America Tag Team Champions

The New: Marty Jannetty & Leif Cassidy 

February 20, 1996 - December 16, 1996 

Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty first teamed in NWA Central States Wrestling winning their tag team championships on May 15, 1985 only holding them for one week.  They wouldn't adopt the name Midnight Rockers until early 1986 when they joined the AWA.  The would change their name to the Rockers until they entered the WWF in 1988.  On December 3, 1991 the famous Barber Shop segment was recorded when Michaels threw Jannetty through the window thus ending the team.  However this segment did not air on television until January 12, 1992.  Their final match as a team was December 30, 1991 in a loss to the Beverly Brothers in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

They would team up once again March 14, 2005 on WWE Raw defeated La Resistnace in Atlanta, Georgia.

Marty Jannetty returned to the WWE in early 1996 initially as a singles competitor before he began teaming with Al Snow who was renamed Leif Cassidy.  They duo portrayed a pair of comedic heels akin to the 1960's The Monkees.  The duo broke up when Jannetty left the WWE.

The Midnight Express / New Midnight Express

Original: "Lover Boy" Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose, Norvell Austin, "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, "Sweet" Stan Lane with James E. Cornette 

1980 - November 1990 & 2004 - August 2011

15 Different Championships for 71 title reigns

The New: Bodacious Bob & Bombastic Bart

March 17, 1998 - August 14, 1998

1 x NWA Tag Team Champions

The original Midnight Express has a long and storied history in wrestling with the two most prominent incarnations being Condrey & Eaton and Eaton and Lane.  There are plenty of sources on the internet where you can read about them.  I had the please of meeting to duo of Eaton & Condrey on two occasions.  The first briefly at a signing at Carson's Pro Wrestling World in Allentown, PA.  The second a bit longer at the 2009 NWA Legends Fanfest in Charlotte, North Carolina.  One night during the weekend I found myself, beer in hand, somehow standing in a small group of a couple other fans with Dennis and Bobby as they told stories and we all had a fantastic time! Both genuinely nice guys.

The New Midnight Express were a team in the WWE during the infamous NWA Invasion of the WWF in 1998, you can read my post about it here.  At NWA Legends Fanfest during the Conversation with Cornette I asked about the New Midnight Express.  Cornette said Vince McMahon was always bothered that even though Cornette managed the WWF Champion in Yokozuna people still asked about The Midnight Express.  So the New Midnights were born and Cornette hated it.

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