Jos LeDuc
Jos LeDuc | |
---|---|
Atlanta, Georgia, United States[1] | |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Butcher LeDuc[3] The Headbanger[3] Jos LeDuc |
Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[4] |
Billed weight | 280 lb (127 kg)[4] |
Billed from | Godbout, Quebec, Canada[5] |
Trained by | Jack Britton[2] Stu Hart[6] |
Debut | 1968[7] |
Retired | 1995[4] |
Michel Pigeon (August 31, 1944 – May 1, 1999)[1] was a Canadian professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Jos LeDuc.
Wrestling with a lumberjack gimmick, he debuted in Stampede Wrestling with his kayfabe brother, Paul LeDuc. The pair later won several titles in Montreal, where they feuded with the Rougeau wrestling family, and Florida, where they held the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. After an injury ended Paul's career, LeDuc competed as a singles wrestler. He was involved in a heated feud with Dusty Rhodes. LeDuc then moved to Tennessee, where he had a rivalry with Jerry Lawler over the NWA Mid-America Southern Tag Team Championship, notably legitimately breaking Lawler's leg when he threw him over the top rope onto the announcer's desk.
LeDuc spent many years traveling between Florida and Tennessee, and he won belts in both locations as a singles wrestler and as a tag team competitor. He also spent time on wrestling tours of Japan and New Zealand. One of LeDuc's biggest storylines was with
Early life
Pigeon was born in August 1944 at a small village near Montreal. His parents separated at a young age, causing Pigeon to live in orphanages and with his relatives and mother.[8]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1968–1973)
Prior to entering professional wrestling, Pigeon gained combat sport experience by studying judo.[2] He worked for the Quebec Provincial Police until the mid-1960s, when he decided to become a wrestler.[8][2] His friend Paul LeDuc had competed as a professional wrestler in Mexico and wanted a tag team partner. He convinced Pigeon to train as a wrestler,[7] and Pigeon trained under Stu Hart in Calgary, Alberta.[6]
Along with Paul, Pigeon began wrestling in Hart's
After moving to the
Southern United States (1973–1980)
LeDuc's next stop was in
LeDuc made his AWA television debut on August 2, 1975, defeating Angel Rivera. LeDuc was given wins over
On August 26, 1977, LeDuc teamed with
LeDuc returned to Florida in 1978 and was given a title reign with the
During this stint in Florida, LeDuc made a scripted
Later that year, LeDuc wrestled in Japan during a brief tour. He was successful during several matches on the tour, but his wrestling style was noticeably different from the traditional Japanese style.[29] In the Japanese media, he was referred to as "maniacal" and "demented".[29]
LeDuc soon returned to the Tennessee area for a push with Southeast Championship Wrestling. He won his first NWA Southeast Heavyweight Championship in a victory over Killer Karl Kox in March 1980 before losing the belt back to Kox in a rematch.[30] In October, he regained the Southeastern Tag Team Championship while teaming with Robert Fuller.[22] They lost the belts to Super Pro and Ron Bass, but LeDuc teamed with Armstrong again to regain the belts.[22]
New Zealand (1981)
LeDuc travelled to New Zealand to wrestle in 1981. While there, he was booked in two title reigns. On April 23, he won the
Return to the Southern United States (1981–1984, 1986)
Later that year, LeDuc returned to Southeastern Championship Wrestling and was given two more tag team title reigns while teaming with Fuller.[22] Ultimately, however, the team split up and vacated the title.[22] LeDuc was then booked in singles competition, winning the Southeastern Heavyweight Championship twice more with victories over Jacques Rougeau, Jr. and Terry Gordy.[30] He was also put over Terry Gordy to win the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship in May 1982, but LeDuc dropped the title that summer to Austin Idol.[32]
In the early 1980s, LeDuc wrestled in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, where the bookers had him join Oliver Humperdink's "House of Humperdink" stable. Under Humperdink's management, LeDuc was booked to win the NWA Television Championship by defeating Jimmy Valiant in 1982.[33][34] The title reign did not last long, however, as the belt was soon taken away because of an angle that saw LeDuc cheat in a title defense against Johnny Weaver.[33] Eventually, the storyline had LeDuc claim that Humperdink had stolen his money, and LeDuc left the stable.[35] This led to a worked feud between LeDuc and the members of Humperdink's stable, although the main rivalry that was portrayed was between LeDuc and Dick Slater.[35] As part of the feud, LeDuc and Slater faced each other on April 30, 1983, in a Lumberjack match. At this time, LeDuc received a push and won the match and Slater's NWA Television Championship.[33][35]
LeDuc then returned to Florida, where he was kept mainly in the singles division. In October 1983, he was put over Scott McGhee to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship for a second time.[25] He dropped the belt to Barry Windham the following month.[25] In a rematch with Windham the following night, LeDuc won the belt once again.[25] His final reign as Florida Heavyweight Champion was short-lived, however, as the bookers had him drop the belt in a rematch with Windham the next night.[25]
Another short stint in Southeastern Championship Wrestling followed, with LeDuc being given two more reigns with the Southeastern Heavyweight title. He was put over his former partner Bob Armstrong for the belt in August 1983 and began a feud with Robert Fuller, another former partner.[30][36] During the course of this feud, the belt changed hands twice. Fuller was booked to win the belt from LeDuc, but LeDuc won a subsequent match to win the title for his sixth and final reign.[30] LeDuc held the belt until vacating the title when he left the promotion.[30]
On March 12, 1984, LeDuc teamed with former kayfabe rival Jerry Lawler to win the
Return to Montreal (1984–1986)
LeDuc returned to Montreal for the first time since 1973. Since time he was working for
Puerto Rico (1985–1986)
While wrestling in Puerto Rico, LeDuc was booked in his final championship reign. He defeated Hercules Ayala on January 6, 1986, to win the World Wrestling Council's North American Heavyweight Championship.[37] He held the belt for just over two months before dropping it to Al Perez on March 7.[37]
Return to the States (1986)
LeDuc returned to the States in early 1986 after spending time in Puerto Rico and Montreal. He worked for the Continental Wrestling Association in Tennessee and feuded with Paul Diamond. He also worked for World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas where he occasionally teamed with Rick Rude. He would quietly leave wrestling and not wrestle at all in 1987.
World Wrestling Federation (1988)
LeDuc returned to wrestling after a year's absence. He made his first appearance for the
Later career (1989–1995)
The following year, LeDuc returned to Japan for another brief wrestling tour for
Following his stint in Japan, LeDuc retired from wrestling.[40] On June 10, 1995, he wrestled one final event, teaming with Phil Hickerson to face Lawler and Valiant at the United States Wrestling Association's "Memphis Memories II" event. The match built upon the storyline feud between LeDuc and Lawler, and Lawler won the match for his team by pinning LeDuc.[40][41]
In November 1995, he was scheduled to wrestle for Smoky Mountain Wrestling, teaming with Buddy Landel in a series of matches against The Punisher and Tommy Rich, but due to LeDuc retiring, The Bullet took his place teaming with Landel.
Personal life
LeDuc's first wife died in a
LeDuc appeared in the 1989 film No Holds Barred, which starred fellow professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.[43]
LeDuc had many problems with
Championships and accomplishments
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[25]
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Paul LeDuc[17]
- NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)[20]
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (3 times) – with Thor the Viking (1), Pak Song (1), and Don Muraco[26]
- Grand Prix Wrestling (Montreal)
- Grand Prix Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Paul LeDuc[6]
- International Wrestling Association (Montreal)
- Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
- NWA Mid-America – Continental Wrestling Association
- 2 times)
- AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jerry Lawler[24][44]
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (1 time) – with Jean Louie[24]
- NWA New Zealand
- NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (New Zealand version) (2 times)[31]
- Southeastern Championship Wrestling
- Stampede Wrestling
- 1 time) – with Paul LeDuc[11]
- United States Wrestling Association
- Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)[45]
- World Wrestling Council
References
- ^ a b c d e f Oliver, Greg. "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Jos Leduc dead at 55". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d e f g "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Jos LeDuc". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "1988". The History of WWE. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
- ^ a b c "Wrestler Profiles: Jos Leduc". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2008-03-08. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c d "Jos Leduc and Paul Leduc". Canadian Pro Wrestling Page of Fame. Archived from the original on 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Paul LeDuc". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Former Quebec policeman found fame as villain in pro-wrestling team". National Post. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. May 6, 1999. p. 16. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ "Cauliflower Alley Club Posthumous Award: Yukon Eric". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- ^ ISBN 0-7434-7557-7.
- ^ a b "Stampede International Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Jos LeDuc: Lebenslauf". WrestlingData. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "World/International Heavyweight Title (Montreal)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "International Tag Team Title (Montreal)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (2003-07-12). "Remembering Grand Prix's Jack Curran". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Championship Wrestling from Florida #5". Kayfabe Memories. Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ a b c "Florida Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2012-05-31. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Wrestler Profiles: Eric Pomeroy". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ISBN 0-8317-3912-6.
- ^ a b c "NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ISBN 1-55022-708-4.
- ^ a b c d e f g "NWA Southeastern Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ "Memphis/CWA #40: Page 2". Kayfabe Memories. Archived from the original on 2007-03-23. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Florida Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c d "NWA United States Tag Team Title (Florida)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2009-02-22. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Championship Wrestling from Florida #5: Page 2". Kayfabe Memories. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ a b "25 Greatest Angles". Championship Wrestling from Florida Archives. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ a b "Event: Hollywood on October 17th, 1979". Championship Wrestling from Florida Archives. Archived from the original on 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ a b c d e f "NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ a b c "British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Title (New Zealand)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c d "NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2008-04-12. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Sir Oliver Humperdink Interview: Part 1". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Archived from the original on November 16, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- ^ ISBN 0-8317-3912-6.
- ^ "SECW #6: Page 2". Kayfabe Memories. Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- ^ a b c "WWC North American Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c "Kampfbilanzen für Jos LeDuc". WrestlingData (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ a b "Memphis/CWA #21: Page 2". Kayfabe Memories. Archived from the original on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ "Memphis Memories II". Pro Wrestling History. Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ "Profil von Jos LeDuc". Cagematch: The Internet Wrestling Database (in German). Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Wrestler Actor Database". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Southern Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Memphis Hall of Fame". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
External links
- Jos LeDuc biography at SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame[usurped]
- Jos LeDuc obituary at SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame[usurped]
- Jos LeDuc's profile at Cagematch.net , Internet Wrestling Database
- Jos LeDuc at IMDb