Grand prix wrestling
Encyclopedia
Grand Prix Wrestling is a wrestling
promotion
run and owned by Emile Duprée
. Grand Prix Wrestling has currently stopped touring due to heavy traveling costs. When the promotion was active, it would tour parts of New Brunswick
, Prince Edward Island
, and Nova Scotia
.
. AGPW was mostly in Moncton, New Brunswick
during Monday nights, Halifax, Nova Scotia
during Thursdays, Berwick, Nova Scotia
on Saturday evenings and along other small towns in New Brunswick
, Nova Scotia
, and Prince Edward Island
.
Every summer, there were two big titles
in challenge, those being: The United States Heavyweight Title and the North American Tag Team Title. Other titles being the European Heavyweight Title and the Maritime Heavyweight Title. The European Heavyweight Title was held more by Killer Karl Krupp
than any other superstar and The Maritime Heavyweight Title was held more by Stephen Petitpas
. During the late 1980s, the United States Heavyweight Title was changed to the International Heavyweight Title.
to provide as a training ground for new talent in the Maritimes and to also allow WWE talent to take place in the shows. The 2008 tour of Grand Prix also has included Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
talent, most recently former TNA wrestler, A1
made an appearance in the first show in the main event of Grand Prix's 2008 tour fighting against René Duprée. Robert Maillet
(also known as Kurrgan in the world of professional wrestling) who acted in the film 300
, recently made an appearance for current promoter and founder of Grand Prix, Emile Duprée. This is not the first time Kurrgan would wrestle in the Grand Prix ring as Kurrgan is Maritime born and actually became well known in the professional wrestling world because of Grand Prix when Grand Prix was in its prime, in which the WWE became interested in Kurrgan and was signed to a contract with them.
After a July 2008 tour that had both large and small crowds, Grand Prix elected not to run a second tour in August 2008. Emile Dupre has not yet ruled out a tour in 2009.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
promotion
Promotion (marketing)
Promotion is one of the four elements of marketing mix . It is the communication link between sellers and buyers for the purpose of influencing, informing, or persuading a potential buyer's purchasing decision....
run and owned by Emile Duprée
Emile Duprée
Emile Duprée is a former professional wrestler and promoter. He is also the father of former WWE professional wrestler, René Duprée and currently lives in Pointe-du-Chene, New Brunswick.-Professional wrestling career:...
. Grand Prix Wrestling has currently stopped touring due to heavy traveling costs. When the promotion was active, it would tour parts of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, and Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling
Originally known as Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling (AGPW), the promotion has been around since the early 1960s. During the 60s and the 70s AGPW was so popular it became a hit in the MaritimesMaritimes
The Maritime provinces, also called the Maritimes or the Canadian Maritimes, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. On the Atlantic coast, the Maritimes are a subregion of Atlantic Canada, which also includes the...
. AGPW was mostly in Moncton, New Brunswick
Moncton, New Brunswick
Moncton is a Canadian city, located in Westmorland County, New Brunswick. The city is situated in southeastern New Brunswick, within the Petitcodiac River Valley, and lies at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces...
during Monday nights, Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
during Thursdays, Berwick, Nova Scotia
Berwick, Nova Scotia
Berwick is a Canadian town in Kings County, Nova Scotia. The town is located in the eastern part of the Annapolis Valley on the Cornwallis River. The town site stretches south from the river and Exit 15 of Highway 101 to Highway 1...
on Saturday evenings and along other small towns in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, and Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
.
Every summer, there were two big titles
Championship (professional wrestling)
A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...
in challenge, those being: The United States Heavyweight Title and the North American Tag Team Title. Other titles being the European Heavyweight Title and the Maritime Heavyweight Title. The European Heavyweight Title was held more by Killer Karl Krupp
Killer Karl Krupp
George Momberg , better known by the ring name Killer Karl Krupp, was a Dutch-born professional wrestler famous during the 1970s and early 1980s.-Early life:...
than any other superstar and The Maritime Heavyweight Title was held more by Stephen Petitpas
Stephen Petitpas
Stephen Petitpas , is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Big" Stephen Petitpas.-Career:...
. During the late 1980s, the United States Heavyweight Title was changed to the International Heavyweight Title.
2005–present
Since making its big return in 2005, Grand Prix has teamed with World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
to provide as a training ground for new talent in the Maritimes and to also allow WWE talent to take place in the shows. The 2008 tour of Grand Prix also has included Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
talent, most recently former TNA wrestler, A1
Alastair Ralphs
Alastair Charles Ralphs , better known as A-1 , is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder.-Early life:...
made an appearance in the first show in the main event of Grand Prix's 2008 tour fighting against René Duprée. Robert Maillet
Robert Maillet
Robert Maillet is a Canadian professional wrestler and actor. He is known for his tenure in the World Wrestling Federation, as a member of the Truth Commission and the Oddities, wrestling under the name Kurrgan....
(also known as Kurrgan in the world of professional wrestling) who acted in the film 300
300 (film)
300 is a 2007 American fantasy action film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. It is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant...
, recently made an appearance for current promoter and founder of Grand Prix, Emile Duprée. This is not the first time Kurrgan would wrestle in the Grand Prix ring as Kurrgan is Maritime born and actually became well known in the professional wrestling world because of Grand Prix when Grand Prix was in its prime, in which the WWE became interested in Kurrgan and was signed to a contract with them.
After a July 2008 tour that had both large and small crowds, Grand Prix elected not to run a second tour in August 2008. Emile Dupre has not yet ruled out a tour in 2009.
Roster/alumni
- Randy "Macho Man" Savage
- Leaping Lanny PoffoLanny PoffoLanny Mark Poffo , better known by his ring name "Leaping" Lanny is an American professional wrestler. Poffo was born in Calgary, Canada, to Angelo Poffo, an Italian American Catholic, and Judy, a Jewish American. He is also the brother of wrestling legend "Macho Man" Randy Savage...
- Hubert GallantHubert GallantHubert Gallant is a retired Canadian professional wrestler and trainer who competed in North American regional promotions during the 1970s and early 1980s including Stampede Wrestling and Emile Dupree's Grand Prix Wrestling as well short stints in the National Wrestling Alliance, specifically the...
- Bobby Kay
- Rudy KayRudy KayJean-Louis Cormier was a Canadian professional wrestler best known by his ring name Rudy Kay. Cormier competed primarily in Canada and often formed a tag team with his brothers; together, they are known as the Cormier wrestling family...
- Willie Davis
- Killer Karl KruppKiller Karl KruppGeorge Momberg , better known by the ring name Killer Karl Krupp, was a Dutch-born professional wrestler famous during the 1970s and early 1980s.-Early life:...
- Leo BurkeLeo BurkeLeonce Cormier is a retired Canadian professional wrestler. He was born in Dorchester, New Brunswick. He competed across Canada, in several American promotions, and wrestled internationally for both Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council and the National Wrestling Alliance in New Zealand...
- Hercules Ayala CortezRuben CruzRuben Cruz , known by his ringname Hercules Ayala, is a retired Puerto Rican professional wrestler who has competed in Canadian and international wrestling promotions including the eastern Canadian Grand Prix Wrestling, the Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling and the World Wrestling...
- Stephen PetitpasStephen PetitpasStephen Petitpas , is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Big" Stephen Petitpas.-Career:...
- Antonio Rico
- Bulldog Bob Brown
- The Great Malumba
- Rocky Stone
- The BeastThe Beast (wrestler)Yvon Cormier was a Canadian professional wrestler. Competing primarily under the ring name The Beast, he and his three wrestling brothers made up the Cormier wrestling family. He wrestled in many countries but regularly returned to Canada, where he competed for the Eastern Sports Association and...
- Emile DupréeEmile DupréeEmile Duprée is a former professional wrestler and promoter. He is also the father of former WWE professional wrestler, René Duprée and currently lives in Pointe-du-Chene, New Brunswick.-Professional wrestling career:...
- Rick MartelRick MartelRichard Vigneault is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1980 and 1995 under the ring name Rick Martel...
- Johnathan Holliday
- Rip RogersRip RogersMark Sciarra whose professional name is Rip Rogers is a former professional wrestler and trainer for Ohio Valley Wrestling. He is currently a trainer for Derby City Wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky.-Career:...
- The Cuban AssassinAngel AcevedoAngel Acevedo is an American filmmaker.-Biography:Acevedo attended Hofstra University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and Production and won Best Screenplay for his thesis film Cheesecake...
- The Carpet Bagger
- Gary "Wildman" Williams
- Goldie Rogers
- Rotten Ron Starr
- Dino Ventura
- The "Alaskan Bear" Jay York
- Chin Lee
- David Von Shultz
- "No Class" Bobby Bass
- "Stompin'"Paul Peller
- The Sheik of Arabia
- Sweet Daddy SikiSweet Daddy SikiReginald Siki is a former professional wrestler and was born on June 16 in Montgomery, Texas.Sweet Daddy Siki started wrestling in 1955 in Artesia, New Mexico. He also did some training in Los Angeles with Sandor Szabo and Ray Ortega...
- Red Shadow
- Ryan Storm
- Spider-ManSpider-ManSpider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
- TitusTitusTitus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
- Julien Young
- Mike Tolar
- Brian Mackay
- Chad WicksChad WicksCharles "Chad" Wicks is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with the World Wrestling Entertainment...
- Farmer BrooksFarmer BrooksClifford Fraser is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, known as the midget wrestler Farmer Brooks, and was a major participant in Grand Prix Wrestling throughout the 1980s and a longtime rival of Sky Low Low...
- Haystacks Calhoun
- Eric Pomeroy
- Freddie Sweetan
- Haystacks Calhoun Jr.
- Rick The Bruiser
- James SteeleJames SteeleJames B. Steele is an American investigative journalist and author. With longtime collaborator Donald L. Barlett he has won two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Magazine Awards and five George Polk Awards during their thirty five years of service at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Time, and Vanity Fair...
- Michael Corvin
- Dazzling Dick Durning
External links
- Wrestling-Titles.com: Grand Prix Wrestling
- SLAM! Wrestling: Grand Prix does down by Greg Oliver
- SLAM! Wrestling: Grand Prix stares down newcomer Real Action - The pending fight over The Maritimes by Greg Oliver
- SLAM! Wrestling: Grand Prix a learning environment by Greg Oliver
- SLAM! Wrestling: Grand Prix restarts June 7 in Maritimes by Greg Oliver
- SLAM! Wrestling: Pat Casey's Grand Prix Photo Gallery
- Regional Territories: Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling by Serge Niles
- Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling at Online World of Wrestling