Edouard Carpentier Passes Away

[Phil Parent]

The trainer of most Montreal-based wrestlers, and a former world heavyweight champion has passed away. Per many Montreal media outlets.

Mr. Carpentier was 84.

He was a decorated World War II French Resistance member, also.

He was an innovator in the ring, one of the first men of smaller stature to hold his own in the heavyweight ranks. He was a great acrobat, and would use cartwheels, kip ups, front & back rolls, he would jump from the top when it was basically unheard of, and yes, he pulled the first moonsault ever on Lou Thesz and beat him for the world title with it.

Heaven needed a hero. He was the purest face in wrestling ever along with Ricky Steamboat.

["Hollywood" Cactus Matt]

R.I.P., sir.

I remember several years ago, Pro Wrestling Illustrated came out with an almanac of sorts that listed all the former World heavyweight champions of all the promotions up to that point in time. Carpentier's name was at the front of the list of NWA champions; that is how I'll remember him, since I never actually saw him in action.

[strykerdarksilence]

Sad news, but at least a full and happy life.

[Angus Mcloud]

Man I remember Gorilla Monsoon talking about this guy all the time.

[jobber2thestars]

I'm not trying to sound rude, but I'm more surprised that he was still alive. Honestly, I though he died years ago. Either way, it's sad to read of his death.

[neal]

Eduoard's impact on pro wrestling is far larger than most folks realize. If it were not for him the AWA and WWWF would have never existed or would have come about in considerably different ways.

Here's a link to a french-canadian documentary from 1961 that features Mr. Carpentier.

www.onf.ca/film/La_lutte/

and a short match with interview from the late 1950's. It's cool to see legendary manager Eddie "The Brain" Creachman ref'ing the match as well as Lord Layton on pbp.



He was before my time but thanks to the miracle of videotape I've been able to watch more than a few of his matches. For his day he was innovative and, in spite of his limited mic abilities due to the language barrier, exuded a likeable charisma. RIP, champ.

[Deleted]

Never saw him in action but, he is obviously a legend. RIP Monsieur Carpentier

[Big L]

RIP Sir

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2010 18:34:48 GMT -5 jobber2thestars said:

I'm not trying to sound rude, but I'm more surprised that he was still alive. Honestly, I though he died years ago. Either way, it's sad to read of his death.

He faded away from the wrestling scene because he didn't like the direction it was headed. That's probably why you would think that way.

This is a man who took his controversial 76-day reign as NWA World champion and turned it into gold. Name a World champion in the late-'50s to the '60s, and this was the man who put them over and made their claim to the World championship credible.
Carpentier put over a handsome, young man from Minnesota by the name of Verne Gagne to help kick-start the territory that was known as the American Wrestling Association. He also put over a young Fred Blassie to give the Los Angeles territory their first World champion.

Like many, I've never seen him in person, but just in the way he conducted himself in and out of the ring makes him an all-time legend.

Rest in peace, good friend.

[PrimeTyme]

Never saw any of his work, but I believe he is the man who trained Andre the Giant. I remember my Mom saying she used to see him wrestle when she was younger. I'll have to let her know he has passed away.

R.I.P

[dlg3000]

May he rest in peace.

[El Pollo Guerrera]

I've seen a few clips of him in the ring on documentaries. He's probably one of the first wrestlers that people would call a high-flyer.

Thank you, sir, and may you rest in peace.

[Spankymac is sick of the swiss]

Never saw much of his work, but what I did see impressed me. Also, old school pro wrestler before the term old school had any meaning, AND a member of the French Resistance in WWII? Dude must have spoken fluent badass.

[Chainsaw]

Aw, man, I didn't even know he passed away. My friend used to crack me up with his impersonations of Edouard and talking about Tarzan "The Boot" Taylor.

RIP sir.