Frenchy Martin

Title History

• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Heavyweight title (as Pierre Martel) defeating Carlos Colon (March 1, 1975);
• IWA (Japan) World Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martin) w/Mad Dog Martel defeating Mighty Inoue & Great Kusatsu (November 3, 1975);
• Stampede International Tag Team titles (as Don Gagne) w/Ripper Collins defeating Gerry & Ed Morrow (February 20, 1976);
• TCW (Trans Canadian Wrestling) North American Heavyweight title defeating Steve Bolus (June 1977);
• Stampede North American Heavyweight title (as Don Gagne) defeating Bobby Burke [Tournament] (October 28, 1977);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martel) w/Michel Martel defeating Ciclone Sudamericano & Vikingo (March 8, 1978);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) Caribbean Heavyweight title (as Pierre Martel) defeating Invader I (March 11, 1978);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) World Tag Team titles w/Hurricane Castillo (as Pierre Martel) defeating Invader I & Jose Rivera (May 6, 1978);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martel) w/Jean Martel defeating Chief Thunder Cloud & Carlos Colon (July 22, 1978);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martel) w/Rick Martel Awarded (January 22, 1979);
• Stampede North American Heavyweight title (as Don Gagne) defeating Leo Burke (November 18, 1979);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martel) w/Mr. Fuji defeating Bulldog Brower & Luke Graham (May 23, 1980);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Heavyweight title (as Pierre Martel) defeating Mr. Fuji (July 19, 1980);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) Caribbean Heavyweight title (as Pierre Martel) defeating Hans Muller (January 6, 1982);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) World Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martel) w/Gino de la Serra defeating Moondogs (October 16, 1982);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) World Tag Team titles (as Pierre Martel) w/Gran Apollo defeating Mercenaries (January 23, 1983);
• WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Heavyweight title (as Pierre Martel) defeating Mad Dog Lafaib (January 29, 1983);
• AGPW (Atlantic Grand Prix) International Heavyweight title (May 18, 1983);
• AGPW (Atlantic Grand Prix) North American Tag Team titles w/Rick Valentine defeating Vic Rossitani & Bull Johnston (September 1983);
• IWA (Montreal) International Tag Team titles w/Pierre Lefebvre defeating Tony Parisi & Gino Brito (January 16, 1984);
• IWA (Montreal) International Tag Team titles w/Pierre Lefebvre defeating Tony Parisi & Dino Bravo (June ??, 1984);
• AGPW (Atlantic Grand Prix) International Heavyweight title defeating Leo Burke (July 1986);

Career History

• 1971: Frenchy Martin started wrestling in Quebec, and that winter, headed out west to work for Stu Hart’s Stampede promotion..
• Frenchy Martin wrestled as the brother of Mad Dog Martel (Michel Vigneault), and later wrestled as the older brother of Rick Martel..
• Frenchy Martin was a success on the Montreal-based Grand Prix circuit, as well as on the brutal Puerto Rico circuit..
• Frenchy Martin once wrestled Ric Flair to a 60-minute draw in a NWA World Heavyweight title match..
• Frenchy Martin was also Stampede’s North American champ under the name Don Gagne..
• Late 1980’s: Frenchy Martin entered the World Wrestling Federation and managed “Canadian Strongman” Dino Bravo..
• Frenchy Martin proudly waved the Quebec flag at ringside while Dino wrestled his matches..
• February 18, 1977 – Stampede: Keith Hart and Leo Burke defeated Cuban Assassin #1 and Don Gagne to retain the International tag team titles.
• September 2, 1977 – Stampede: Dan Kroffat defeated Don Gagne to retain the North American heavyweight title.
• October 29, 1977 – Stampede: Don Gagne defeated Leo Burke to win the vacant North American heavyweight title.
• January 8, 1979 – Stampede: Leo Burke defeated Don Gagne to win the North American heavyweight title.
• February 3, 1978 – Stampede: Leo Burke defeated Don Gagne to retain the North American heavyweight title.
• July 22, 1988 – WWC: Jean Martel and Pierre Martel defeated Carlos Colon and Chief Thundercloud to win the North American tag team titles.
• July 14, 1989 – WWC: Invader #1 and Invader #2 defeated Frankie Laine and Pierre Martel.
• February 15, 1982 – MSG Network: Pierre Martel defeated Larry Sharpe.
• October 22, 1986 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Mark Starr.
• October 25, 1986 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Jimmy Valiant.
• November 9, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: The Islanders (Haku and Tama) defeated Dave Wagner and Frenchy Martin.
• December 20, 1986 – Superstars: Paul Roma defeated Frenchy Martin in a dark match.
• December 28, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: Koko B. Ware defeated Frenchy Martin.
• January 10, 1987 – Superstars: Billy Jack Haynes, George Steele and The Junkyard Dog defeated Frenchy Martin, Mike Luca and Tim Patterson.
• January 17, 1987 – Superstars: Sivi Afi defeated Frenchy Martin in a dark match.
• July 8, 11, 1987 – House Show: Pedro Morales defeated Frenchy Martin.
• July 29, 31, 1987 – House Show: Outback Jack defeated Frenchy Martin.
• August 9, 1987 – House Show: Scott Casey defeated Frenchy Martin.
• October 31, 1987 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Sivi Afi.
• November 1, 1987 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Lanny Poffo.
• November 22, 1987 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Scott Putski.
• November 24, 1987 – MSG Network: The Ultimate Warrior defeated Frenchy Martin.
• July 1-2, 1988 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Sam Houston.
• July 17, 1988 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated SD Jones.
• March 19, 1990 – MSG Network: Koko B. Ware defeated Frenchy Martin.
• May 5, 1990 – House Show: Frenchy Martin defeated Rico Federico.
• May 11, 1990 – House Show: Paul Roma defeated Frenchy Martin.
• Summer of 1990: Frenchy Martin retired and got out of the business..
• EDITOR’S NOTE: Rumors that Frenchy Martin & Rick Martel are brothers are FALSE.
• October 21, 2016: Frenchy Martin died today after a long battle with bone cancer.