Lutte Internationale

Lutte Internationale / International Wrestling
Founded1980
DefunctJune 1987
HeadquartersMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Founder(s)Frank Valois, André the Giant and Gino Brito
Owner(s)Frank Valois (1980–1986)
André the Giant (1980–1984)
Gino Brito (1980–1987)
Dino Bravo (1982–1986)
Rick Martel (1984–1986)
Tony Mule (1984–1986)
Eddie Creatchman (1986–1987)[1]
Floyd Creatchman (1986-1987)[1]
FormerlyPromotions Varoussac (1980–1984)

Lutte Internationale (French pronunciation: [lyt ɛ̃tɛʁnɑsjɔnal]; "International Wrestling") was a professional wrestling promotion based in Montreal from 1980 until 1987. The promotion was founded by Frank Valois, André the Giant and Gino Brito as Promotions Varoussac (VAlois, ROUSSimoff, and ACcocella Promotions).[2] Lutte Internationale succeeded All-Star Wrestling and Grand Prix Wrestling as Quebec's top wrestling promotion for most of the 1980s.

It was the second of Canada's three major wrestling promotions, along with Maple Leaf Wrestling and Stampede Wrestling, to be put out of business by the World Wrestling Federation (now known as WWE).[3][4] Many French Canadian professional wrestlers of the 1980s wrestling boom came to the U.S. from Lutte Internationale including, most notably, Dino Bravo, Rick Martel, Ronnie Garvin and The Rougeaus. The promotion's close in 1987 marked the end of the fifty-year "Golden Age of Wrestling" in Quebec.[5][6]

  1. ^ a b "Federal Corporation Information: Promotion de Lutte Internationale (Montreal) Canada". Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Government of Canada. April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  2. ^ Laflamme, Steve (2004). "Regional Territories: International Wrestling – Montreal". KayfabeMemories.com.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference 411mania was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference RSPW-FAQ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Howell, Nolan (February 20, 2013). "Montreal history book hard to put down". Canadian Online Explorer. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Hébert, Bertrand and Pat Laprade (Producers) (2013). The Golden Age of Quebec Wrestling (DVD). Quebec: Highspots.com.