Hébert Bertrand - Mad dogs, midgets and screw jobs: the untold story of how Montreal shaped the wrestling world

by Gino Brito

When Patric Laprade and Bertrand Hbert asked me to write a foreword to their book about the history of pro wrestling in the Montreal territory, I was really happy to accept. Since I was a child, I have had the opportunity to mix with the best wrestlers of the golden years of wrestling in the city. When I started, following in the footsteps of my father and uncle (Jack Britton and Lou Kelly), who were both wrestlers, I saw the most renowned Quebec wrestlers, men like Yvon Robert, Larry Moquin, Bob Langevin, the Rougeaus, Johnny and Jacques Sr., Hans Schmidt, the Vachons and many others. Over the years new wrestlers replaced them. Among these gifted wrestlers are Raymond Rougeau and Jacques Jr., Pat Patterson, Ronnie and Terry Garvin, the two strong men Dino Bravo and Jos Leduc who is backed up by Paul, the exciting Rick Martel and Michel Dubois.

How can I forget the midgets, Sky Low Low and Little Beaver, promoted and managed by my father? Others like Pierre Lefebvre, Tarzan Tyler, Gilles Poisson, Neil Guay, Richard Charland, the Baillargeon brothers and Eddy Auger marked the history of wrestling in their own way. When I had the opportunity of becoming a promoter with the late Frank Valois, new talents were added to the list of famous wrestlers guys like Armand Rougeau, Sunny War Cloud, Phil Lafon and my own son, Gino Brito Jr. Fortunately, my friends, its still going on. Since the 1990s we have witnessed the emergence of such athletes as Pierre-Carl Ouellet, El Generico, Kevin Steen and Sylvain Grenier.

Many of these wrestlers are on the list of the top 25 Quebec wrestlers of all time that youll find at the very end of this book. I took part in the vote, and I think we have come up with an honest list that will stimulate numerous conversations and generate a lot of interest in wrestling fans. We must not forget that Quebecers have contributed as much as any other party, if not more, to the advancement of professional wrestling. They have wrestled all over the world and filled rings week in, week out.

DINO BRAVO AND GINO BRITO, GRAND PRIX TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS (GINO BRITO COLLECTION)

I really think that this book does justice to our sport. Wrestling is a well-established institution in Quebec and has been loved by Quebecers for more than 100 years. I really hope that fans all over the world will enjoy reading this history. And to Patric and Bertrand, I really wish you both all the success in the world. Thank you!

Those who live are those who wrestle. Victor Hugo

Forever passionate,

Gino Brito

INTRODUCTION

Wrestling in the province of Quebec has a rich history, mainly because of its metropolis, Montreal; hence the use of the name of Montreal territory when someone speaks about it. Although wrestling is popular in all the regions of the province, Montreal, with its population, accessibility and position on the Canadian and North American chessboard, has always been a core city when it comes to professional wrestling. Historically Montreal was only behind New York, Tokyo, Mexico and Chicago as far as ranking as one of the biggest cities for the sport. Its right there with cities with a long tradition of wrestling such as St. Louis, Los Angeles, Boston and Toronto. From 1953 to 1957 Montreal dominated the North American wrestling scene as it had the biggest crowd of the year, every year. During that period the Montreal Forum and Delorimier Stadium were the buildings where the fans came to see their heroes. Lou Thesz, one of the greatest world champions in the history of pro wrestling, has always insisted to make it clear in our conversations that Montreal was the best city for wrestling in North America in the 1950s, but the specialized magazines have never spoken about that because of the linguistic barrier, affirms Dave Meltzer, who has published for 30 years what is considered the