 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chapter Two: The Roaring 40s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| When Eddie Quinn took over the Montreal Promotion of the National Wrestling Alliance, Pro Wrestling took a giant leap and drew thousands of fans into the old Forum. The reason was of course Yvon Robert. Having won the NWA championship for about 16 times, no matter the crowd came over to see him battle the wrestling heroes of the time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Among them was Lou Thesz. Son of a St-Louis shoemaker, Thesz had a unique style of wrestling that would revolutionized the sport: he was a master of the flying kick, a move which knocks down the opponent at any time. Mastering this technique, Thesz won most of his matches. But against Yvon Robert and his devastating Japanese Arm Lock, Lou had a hard time with the Quebec champ. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro Wresling Legend Lou Thesz (from archives) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Whipper" Billy Watson Originating from Toronto... |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One that would fire passions was indeed the rivalry between Robert and Whipper Billy Watson. As the latter came from Toronto, matches were like renditions of the eternal NHL rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Each time those two fought, it was memorable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| However, as the crowds packed up the Forum in the cold months, in the summertime, Eddy Quinn moved some of his shows to former Delorimier Stadium, where 35 000 people could watch Yvon Robert wrestle against any challenger. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Many Quebec wrestlers at the time, following Robert's footsteps, were up and coming at the time. Larry Moquin was one of them (he came from the same wrestling school as Yvon Robert: the Maupas Camp) as well as Bob Langevin (who,later, would serve as bodyguard for several dignitaries), Omer Marchessault, who wrestled as one Masqued Marvel and six strongmen from outside Quebec City known as the Baillargeon Brothers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry Moquin (from Archives) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As the 50's came around the corner, Montreal was indeed the Mecca for Pro Wrestling in that era. Knowing that Yvon Robert would accept the challenge to put his belt on the line, many came and also discovered how Quebecquers at the time enjoyed the sport... Those who can't afford the Forum had what they called "p'tite lutte" (minor league wrestling) in venues like parish halls and Montreal's own gyms located inside municpal offices... Henri Dufresne was mostly a star in those leagues before the end of his career... |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Montreal Forum, home of pro wrestling in the 40s and 50s |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next chapter: The 50's: The Golden Age of Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back to the Welcome Page of the Legends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright 1999, Productions Leduc 2000 ltd, Montreal,Qc Republished by DeUxKonE, 2004 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||