Rene Dupree - Destination Canada

REWIND - A YOUNG RENE TAKES ON THE WILDMAN GARY WILLIAMS IN 1998

2011-07-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Rene Dupree and Jeff Dupre vs Chad Wicks and Cuban Assassin

2010-11-11T23:23:00.000-08:00

Grand Prix Wrestling

A great cage-match developing

2009-09-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

The trademark cocky turn of the head ....

....has been used all week by Sylvain Grenier's TOW promotion [see image below] to tease Rene Dupree's appearance with PCO against La Resistance at Friday's TOW match.

But despite weeks of negotiations, it looks like Rene won't be there.

All the more galling for Grenier who tried booking Dupree nothwithstanding comments last year that he would never work with Rene again.

A summary of Sylvain's commenary on the Main Event radio show appears below. ...

Promoters take note .... this is building into a great grudge match somewhere down the line....

On Rene Dupree - Rene has never been too organized in his life. Nothing has changed - I even stepped on my own pride and called him for my last show...I hope things are doing well for him but I don't think we will ever work together again.

Comments on the TOW Event: The first three events of mine were phenomenally successful which is why we're doing this one and another one in March. We're also working on a pilot for French TV show in Montreal. Pat [Patterson] paved the way for us and is still the right-hand man of Vince McMahon. It's such an honor to have him on our show. We're going to have a little tribute to him. My good friend Simon Dean is flying in from the United States to show the Canadians how to do it the American way with the "Simon System". The big giant Matt Morgan from TNA. Honky Tonk Man and Jay Phenomenon - two singers, very different styles. Honky's been the man for so many years, what a great guy. With tickets starting at $5, it's a steal!

Whether there is any interest from WWE to bring him back: I talked with them at Breaking Point, I had a good conversation with the people in charge, and it's a matter of time until we could talk some more. I have a lot of things going on in Montreal though - I'm on RDS, I'm on TV every week, I have my own promotion now, I have my wrestling school happening. So I'm really busy but if WWE needs me I'll be there for them. I brought one of my students and they really liked him and offered him a contract.

On Working with Ring of Honor in April: I pulled out all my hairs. It was totally different. They go 100 miles an hour, I was not brought up this way. I learned to tell a story and entertain people and I don't think it's possible over there. They don't draw any money, they have a different product and it's hard, impossible, to compete with a product like WWE. They tried to go on a league of their own and I don't think it's attracting a new audience because it's not entertaining. They need some more characters, some more mic skills, and some storylines. Everybody can do a brainbuster. Why you're doing it, how you're doing it, what time, it makes the difference. I think they're missing the boat.

How his skills have improved since leaving World Wrestling Entertainment: I was just talking with Chris Jericho at the Pay-Per-View, and I said man I did my career backwards. I did my first match in front of 20,000 people and my last match was in front of 250 people. And he said, Sly, if you can entertain 20 people than you can entertain 20,000. So I did a year in Montreal, now I'm going to be wrestling in New Brunswick, autograph signings in the States, and I'm going to be wrestling more in the states. Without TV time limits on the indy circuit, I was able to do whatever I want. I was able try stuff - sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. So now if I go back to the WWE, I'll be ready for the new challenge.

2009-07-22T04:24:00.001-07:00

Maritime wrestling legends booklet available at meet-and-greet, show in Berwick

by Kirk Starratt/The Advertiser

Article online since June 23rd 2009

Maritime wrestling legends booklet available at meet-and-greet, show in Berwick

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Fans will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with some Maritime professional wrestling legends prior to the Ultimate Championship Wrestling (UCW) show in Berwick this weekend.

Linda Pinch of Waterville, who has been helping UCW president, promoter and CEO Chuck Martin promote the Berwick event by distributing posters, says there will be a meet-and-greet with several wrestling legends at the Side Track in Berwick on Sunday, June 28 at 4 p.m. The show takes place at the arena, with the doors opening around 7 p.m. and the opening bell expected around 8 p.m. Admission is payable at the door and advance tickets are available at the Side Track.

Several long-time Maritime wrestling favourites are expected to take part in the UCW legends tribute tour, including the legendary Leo Burke, Bobby Kay, Hubert Gallant, the original Cuban Assassin, Leaping Lanny Poffo and more. Some of the best up-and-coming stars of Maritime wrestling will be part of the tour as well.

Pinch said she wanted to do something special for the legends, so she went to work and developed a booklet in honour of the wrestling stars. The booklet is a trip down memory lane for long-time Maritime wrestling fans. Pinch, now 25 years old, has been watching live wrestling since she was a little girl three of four years old. Her father used to take her to see the shows.

“My favourite was Leo Burke,” she said. “I still have a dollar bill he signed for me years ago.”

The booklet, which will be available at the meet-and-greet and the live show, features a treasure trove of historic photos, a list of legendary Maritime wrestlers and the dates of their respective debuts and space for autographs. Pinch thanks long-time promoter Emile Dupre for his assistance with the book, as well as www.onlineworldofwrestling.com

2009-07-22T04:20:00.002-07:00

Past performances define legend of Grand Prix Wrestling

by Kirk Starratt/The Advertiser

Article online since March 26th 2009

Grand Prix Wrestling heavyweight champion Jeff Dupre, left, says the promotion is still reaping the benefits of stellar performers of the past, such as the legendary Dynamite Kid, one half of the British Bulldogs with the late Davey Boy Smith.

Looking forward to a fresh year and a new start, one headliner of Grand Prix Wrestling can’t help but reflect on some of the top performances of the past that have helped to define the legend of the 52-year-old Maritime squared circle dynasty.

Grand Prix Wrestling heavyweight champion Jeff Dupre says the summer of 1989 was particularly hot on the local wrestling circuit. Just a boy at the time, he recalls the likes of seven-time National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) hall-of-famer “King” Harley Race, former world heavyweight champion The Original Spoiler, former WWE Superstar “Maniac” Frenchy Martin and former WWE World Tag Team Champion Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington); all came for tours of the Maritimes. Dynamite Kid was the partner of the late Davey Boy Smith in the legendary British Bulldogs and was a veteran of Wrestlemania II, III and IV.

One night stands out

One night that stands out in Dupre’s mind was a taping for the weekly ATV broadcast in Montague, PEI that featured Dynamite Kid defending his title against a man Dupre describes as a Grand Prix legend, “Bad Boy” Eddie Watts.

Dynamite Kid was the newly-crowned International Heavyweight Champion, defeating “Rotten” Ron Starr for the title in a “loser leaves the Maritimes” match.

The arena was jam-packed, as the popular Kid was drawing huge crowds, fueled by exposure on the weekly TV show. The event drew one of the largest gates of the season.

After the introductions by ring announcer Joe Selig, Watts gave an impressive showing, but soon wound up on the short end of the stick following a series of clotheslines, side suplexes and snap suplexes.

Watts regained his composure temporarily and tried a high-risk move from the top rope. Kid caught him with a shot to the midsection before he could execute the move and Watts was crotched on the top turnbuckle. Kid climbed up to join him and pulled off a beautiful superplex to finish Watts off.

Kid grabbed a microphone from the announcer’s table where Gair Maxwell and the late, great “Bulldog” Bob Brown were offering commentary. Kid said, if there were any more challengers in the dressing room, come to the ring. When nobody responded, Brown jumped up from the table and whacked Kid on the back of the head with a chair.

Brown returned to the table to resume his announcing duties, but wasn’t expecting Kid to make such a quick recovery. Kid returned the chair shot and chased Brown back to the dressing room.

Dupre recalls, along with Leo Burke, a member of the legendary Cormier family of New Brunswick and one of the longest reigning champions in Grand Prix Wrestling history; Brown was a long-time program manager of the ATV show and they put together some stellar events. For about 10 years, Grand Prix Wrestling ran two shows nearly every day when legendary promoter Emile Dupre, Jeff’s father, had the show on the road.

Dupre recalls Watts has performed as part of the WWE on a number of occasions, and he himself had the opportunity to wrestle Watts in a main event as part of Grand Prix’s 50th anniversary tour in 2006.

Watts once wrestled under a mask as part of the Super Bees tag team with Pierre Carl Ouellette, best remembered for teaming with the legendary Jacques Rougeau as the Quebecers in the WWE and the Amazing French Canadians in World Championship Wrestling. They were World Tag Team Champions on multiple occasions.

Dupre said both Watts and Kid were trying to establish themselves as the top name in the territory in 1989.

Still reaping the benefits

“We’re still reaping the benefits of what has been done in the past,” the second-generation star said, pointing out the most recent season of Grand Prix Wrestling was deemed a success and featured some of the top names currently not under contract to the big wrestling companies in the United States.

This included his brother, former WWE Superstar Rene Dupre, the youngest titleholder in WWE history. He was a co-holder of the WWE World Tag Team Championship at age 18 and went on to hold the title on a number of occasions. Jeff said his younger brother recently completed a tour of Japan, featured regularly on TV.

Former WWE Superstar Kurrgan, a.k.a. the Acadian Giant, made appearances on the 2008 tour. The 7’1”, 350-pound giant was part of the Human Oddities in the WWE. One of his teammates in the Oddities, Luna Vachon, is also a veteran of the Grand Prix Wrestling ATV era. Dupre said Kurrgan, a.k.a. Robert Maillet, is currently working on another movie. He appeared in the 2007 Hollywood blockbuster 300.

Some of the other stars featured as part of the 2008 tour included former TNA Wrestling star A1, Phil Atlas, Spiderman and women stars Erin Angel of Manchester, England and “The Fabulous” She Nay Nay.

2009-07-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

Headliner says 2008 Grand Prix Wrestling Tour a success

by Kirk Starratt/The Advertiser

Article online since October 8th 2008, 11:09

Grand Prix Wrestling headliners Jeff Dupre (left), the GPW heavyweight champion, and former WWE superstar Rene Dupre, with their father, legendary promoter Emile Dupre (right), consider their 2008 tour a success.

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

They’ve wrapped up their live shows for another season, but the headliner of the 2008 Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling (GPW) tour says he, the rest of the roster and the promoter all consider it a success.

GPW heavyweight champion Jeff Dupre says the promotion, celebrating its 52nd anniversary and still operated by his father, legendary promoter Emile Dupre, delivered top-notch professional wrestling action to fans across the Maritime provinces and Eastern Quebec. Although it has been nearly two decades since the promotion had regular weekly TV coverage on ATV, it still boasts a loyal following.

“Once again, Grand Prix Wrestling offered one of the best wrestling programs in Canada and the world,” Jeff Dupre says, pointing out they hope to tour again in the late spring and summer of 2009. “We’re trying to deliver good, home-grown family entertainment.”

He says the entire roster is thankful to fans in the Valley for continuing to turn out and support shows held at the Berwick Arena. The wrestlers enjoy performing in Berwick and two live shows were held there during the 2008 season. The 27-year-old Dupre, hailing from Parlee Beach, New Brunswick, successfully defended his championship at each of the Berwick shows.

Jeff’s younger brother, 25-year-old Rene, headlined part of the tour as well, including the first Berwick show. Rene, a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar who performed as part of all three WWE brands - Raw, Smackdown! and ECW - is recognized as the youngest champion in WWE history, having co-held the world tag-team championship at age 18. He spent several months prior to the tour performing in Japan, where he appeared regularly on TV.

The stars came out in 2008

Although he didn’t make it to Berwick as was first planned due to scheduling difficulties, former WWE superstar Robert “Kurrgan” Maillet, a.k.a. the 7’1”, 350-pound Acadian Giant, performed as part of the tour in some venues in New Brunswick and Quebec. Maillet, now a bona fide movie star, made a huge impact in the controversial 2007 Hollywood blockbuster 300 as Uber Immortal.

Women wrestling stars “The Fabulous” She Nay Nay from Jamaica and Erin Angel from Manchester, England were huge draws on the tour, as was former Total Non-Stop Action (TNA) wrestling star Alistair “A1” Ralphs.

“Wildman” Butcher Vachon, a legendary GPW star from the ATV era, and the second-generation Cuban Assassin helped keep fans entertained.

Other stars appearing on the shows included The Rebel, guest referee during the first show in Berwick and a competitor in the over-the-top-rope battle royal as part of the second. The Wrestling Spider-Man, trained by the legendary Big Stephen Pettipas, competed and was victorious in the battle royal. “The Pirate of the Caribbean” Phil Atlas and the masked French Mystique, a.k.a. Alexander North, played integral roles as well.

They visited some venues they hadn’t been to in several years, including Parrsboro, and were pleasantly surprised by the crowds, giving the wrestlers a renewed sense of confidence.

Although they’re better known to the world as the Dupres, their actual family name is Goguen. Paula Goguen served as secretary for the tour and Ron Goguen, legendary referee for the promotion during the ATV era, managed the ring crew.

Jeff Dupre says the promotion is thankful to the Valley’s own referee Kenny Flint, announcer “Captain” Kirk and the staff and volunteers at the Berwick Arena for helping to make this year’s shows a success. He says the promotion is grateful as well to local media for continuing support and NovaNewsNow.com for video coverage.

Bret Hart on "the great French Canadian Sensation Rene Dupree."

2009-01-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

Bret & Rene Dupree

"I had the pleasure of hanging out with the great French Canadian sensation Rene Dupree. He was schooled by his father, Emile Dupree, who was one of my all-time favorite wrestlers as a kid. He too was lucky enough to grow up watching the legendary Cormier family, The Beast Ivan, Leo, Rudy and Bobby Burke (all wrestling as the famous Burke Bros.), not to mention The Cuban Assassin and numerous other other Stampede Wrestling stalwarts. Rene was a huge fan favorite in France but still managed to show great versatility working in Ireland as a heel. Why the WWE let this talent go is a baffling mystery to me." (Bret Hart, writing on his recent European Tour )

'It's just business' - a re-encounter of La Resistance?

2008-07-22T03:35:00.000-07:00

In an interview with SLAM! Wrestling 17 July, 2008, former La Resistance member, Sylvain Grenier told Slam! reporter Jason Celvett -

He won't rule out a reunion of La Resistance on the independent scene, as he speaks to both of his former partners regularly.
There wouldn't be a problem, we are all professionals and if business is good why not?
I talk to Rob every other week. Rene and I just got back in touch because he was in England for a while. I may see him around September or so.
Grenier will be in action in September in Montreal, as part of a new promotion launching this fall. Grenier gave SLAM! Wrestling the scoop on what to expect.
"I am starting a company with [fellow TNA on RDS announcer] Marc Blondin called TOW. They had a show last summer that was a success and we are going to do it with a bigger picture. We have a show September 6th in Montreal with a lot of former WWE stars, but I cannot tell you who. It is going to be a great show, and I have four former WWE stars signed," he said
Keep checking this site for upcoming details.

No regrets for Sylvain Grenier by Jason Clevett - SLAM! Wrestling 17 July, 2008

The show goes on.........

2008-06-23T23:46:00.000-07:00

June 20 - Lameque, NB
Rene may have been eating sushi somewhere in Asakusa Tokyo, but back in Lameque, New Brunswick, the show went on ... with our stringers Eric Lanteigne and offsider Remi were there to capture all the action.....

Eric (words) and Remi (camera) with Butcher Vachon the Second

What a great AGPW show in Lamèque last Friday! The opener was a barn burner with legendary bad-mouth Butcher Vachon II facing a determined Shawn. Vachon was heavily booed from the start by a very engaged crowd. Later, he put fuel on the fire when he told everybody to “shut their damn mouths”. Essentially, Butcher beat the hell out of Shawn, with fast knee strikes in the corner and a clothesline that sent his hapless opponent flying over the ropes. Despite a quick comeback by the babyface, Vachon dominated and pinned him for the three count. This match set the crowd on fire for the rest of the show. Great opener!

Next, was the local hero and fan favourite, Marko Estrada facing the Caribbean Pirate in a athletic showdown. In this back and forth match, Estrada used the crowd energy to block a top-rope suplex and execute one of his own on the Pirate. A very loud and happy crowd celebrated as Estrada pinned Pirate’s shoulders for the win.

The Pirate moves in on Estrada, taking refuge in the corner.

It was time for the title match between reigning champion, Jeff Dupre and Cuban Assassin II. Dupre had a hard time with the experienced Assassin using every dirty tricks in the book to his advantage. After a solid brawl, Dupre rolled Assassin in a perfectly executed small package for the three count.

Dupre on the ropes

After a short break,the next match was a mixed tag team event with Atlas and the Fabulous She nay-nay up against Spiderman and Erin Angel. In the match of the night, we saw high-flying action by all wrestlers, including a brutal modified facebuster, a reverse DDT and a fast hurricanrana. At one point Angel faced Atlas, who had tried to seduce her earlier in the match, making She nay-nay boil down with jealousy. After a chaotic brawl, with all four wrestlers in the ring, Angel hit her top-rope moonsault on Atlas for the finish.

Atlas clutches his trampled dignity

In the final contest of this spectacular night, New-Brunswick’s giant Kurrgan faced Nature Boy Austin accompanied by the Cuban Assassin II. The match began with a contest of strength easily won by the giant. Later in the match, Kurrgan had a lot of problems containing both wrestlers, with Assassin distracting the referee any time he could. In one spot, stolen from the original nature boy, Kurrgan slapped Austen repeatedly on the chest with the whacks echoing around the ice-rink. Kurrgan won the match with a massive chokeslam.

Everyone in the arena went home happy and fulfilled by this great show!

More of Eric's photos below ......

RENE HEADS TO RISING SUN

2008-06-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

Rene Dupree is in Tokyo for tours with Hustle (Hustle 37, 18 June, 2008 at Tokyo Korakuen and for the Grand Prix 08 tournament commencing July 6 (Sunday) at Fukuoka International Center ).

Additionally he will be competing in the All Japan Pro Wrestling (Cross Over '08) tournament.

check it out here

IIMAGES FROM FLORENCEVILLE

2008-06-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling in Florenceville, NB. June 11th, 2008

There are great images of the entire Florenceville card by Chris Duffield here

Chris's images from Florenceville are also featured on Rene's photo site here

Finally, Jeffrey Bento-Carrier's images for the Woodstock Bugle-Observer can be found her e.

FINALIZED TOUR DATES - 2ND HALF OF JUNE TOUR

2008-06-15T14:47:00.001-07:00

News from the excellent Jeff Docherty, AGPW's #1 fan.

Hi Everyone!

As promised, these are the dates for the second half of the June Tour. I got these straight from Emile Dupre at 6:40PM on Sunday June 15th....so they are as final and current as you can get!

These are the final dates of the tour.

TOUR DATES:

June 16 - Cocagne, NB
June 17 - Sackville, NB
June 19 - Sunny Corner, NB
June 20 - Lameque, NB
June 21 - New Carlisle, Quebec
June 22 - Petit Rocher, NB
June 23 - Cocagne, NB
June 24 - TBA
June 25 - East Hants Arena - Pennfield, NS
June 26 - Parrsboro, NS
June 27 - Bridgewater, NS (Re-Scheduled!!)
June 28 - Berwick, NS

Watch for posters in your area for more information and be sure to catch former WWE Raw, SmackDown! and ECW Superstar Rene Dupree as he tours with Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling after a very successful tour of Japan and Mexico! Also, see Jeff Dupre, Cuban Assassin, The Amazing Spiderman, The Pirate of the Caribbean, and many more stars of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling when they come to YOUR town!!.....Don't You Dare Miss It!

Cheers!

Jeff & Kristi
AGPW

GRAND PRIX WRESTLING

2008-06-15T04:03:00.000-07:00

highlight pictures from the Atlantic Grand Prix Show in St George NB

images and video by Mark Melanson

Ring Legends Return to Florenceville

2008-06-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Woodstock Bugle-Observer

13 June, 2008

An appreciative crowd of 350 fans rocked the Northern Carleton Civic Center on Wednesday night for Grand Prix Wrestling's triumphant return to Florenceville.

PHOTO BY JEFFREY BENTO-CARRIER

Former WWE superstar Rene Dupre is seen here pummeling Nature Boy (Buddy) Austin en route to a victory at a Grand Prix Wrestling card in Florenceville on Wednesday. More than 350 fans cheered on their heroes, and villains, at the two-hour event held at the Northern Carleton Civic Center.

The two-hour event had thrills, spills, chills, and high-risk moves which those on hand cheered, and booed, at every turn.

The show was part of the GPW's 52nd year in business as the Atlantic Provinces' top touring squared circle attraction.

In the card's main event, former WWE superstar and world tag team champion Rene (The Phenom) Dupré, the son of event promoter Emile Dupré, was hard-pressed in his non-title match against Nature Boy (Buddy Austin), but eventually won via pinfall.

Dupré, also known as the French Tickler, became the latest Acadien assassin to defeat the Nature Boy on the tour.

Dupré said he recently returned to New Brunswick from a grueling international schedule of matches for the event.

"It's been busy, that's for sure," he said. "It's good to be home, though."

Rene's brother, up-and-coming mat general Jeff Dupré, successfully defending his Grand Prix belt with a pinfall victory over the beloved, and hated, Cuban Assassin II.

The Cuban entered the ring proudly by bearing a Cuban flag - much to the derision, and delight, of those in the rink.

The Cuban held the advantage for much of the early going, but the champ eventually retained the belt after a series of crisp mat moves which stymied Fidel Castro's favourite wrestler.

In other action, the Pirate of the Caribbean lost to the Wrestling Spiderman; Butcher Vachon made French Mystique submit after 10 hard-fought minutes, and - in the best match of the evening, according to the fans - the U.K.'s Erin Angel won by pinfall over Jamaica's Fabulous Shey-Nay-Nay in an unofficial Commonwealth ladies championship match.

Emile Dupré, who has been Grand Prix's main promoter for decades, said GPW's summer, 2008 tour is allowing the federation to mix a bit of the old with the new.

"Everyone loves it when we come to town, because our wrestlers give it their best every night," he said. "Rene and Jeff are young wrestlers who have been in the sport for years, since they were teens. The other up-and-coming wrestlers we have on tour with us also love what we do. We'll be making other stops in the Atlantic Provinces over the coming days and we're hoping the fans come out in big numbers for the great shows we will be hosting."

Jeff Dupré said he's proud of GPW and being its champion.

"It's for the fans," he said. "We get to give them a great show every night."

St John, NB - June 9

2008-06-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

images by Chris Duffield

"For a small promotion [Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling] was really a lot of fun. Everyone gave it their all and the fans truly had a great time! I got to speak with Jeff Dupre a few times and he was a great guy! Really down to earth, plus he put on a great match. ..... BTW, I hear AGPW will be back in August. If so I’ll definitely be attending."

check out Chris's website for more great images of the entire St John card.

Chaotic scene ends Grand Prix event in Berwick

2008-06-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Wrestling stars to return June 28
by Kirk Starratt/The Advertiser
Article online since June 17th 2008, 13:51
kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com
go here for great video of the show, including some great spots in Rene's main event!

An old fashioned donnybrook ended the first Grand Prix Wrestling show of the 2008 season at the historic Berwick Arena.

The June 7 spectacular held plenty of surprises for fans, including the scene that ended the show.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar Rene Dupre, the youngest titleholder in WWE history, took on former Total Non-Stop Action (TNA) star “Nature Boy” Buddy Austin in the main event. The upper hand went back and forth until guest referee The Rebel disqualified Austin for the blatant use of a steel chair.

Some of the more unsavory characters in the locker room - including the Cuban Assassin, “The Pirate of the Caribbean” Phil Atlas and the legendary “Wildman” Butcher Vachon - ran to ringside and joined Austin in his attack on Dupre.

Luckily for Dupre, the Wrestling Spider-Man, the French Mystique and his brother, Grand Prix Wrestling heavyweight champion Jeff Dupre, ran to Rene’s assistance as the brawl spilled over into the historic wrestling venue.

Only after legendary promoter Emile Dupre restored order - coming from out of nowhere swinging the steel chair and running Assassin, Vachon and Atlas back to the dressing room. For many fans, the sight of the 70-year-old Emile bringing things in line brought back a lot of memories - and left them wondering what would be in store when Grand Prix Wrestling returns to the Berwick Arena June 28.

In other action June 7, Jeff Dupre successfully defended the GPW Championship against Vachon after referee Kenny Flint disqualified Vachon. Before the match-up, Dupre said there’s an open contract on his championship.

“I’m issuing an open challenge to defend the title against anyone in the dressing room,” he said backstage.

In singles action, the Wrestling Spider-Man took on the Cuban Assassin. Assassin, who took his wrestling name from his legendary father, showed he has picked up a few of his dad’s old tricks as well, continuously going into his army fatigues for a foreign object to gain the upper hand - while managing to conceal the indiscretion from referee Flint.

Mystique took on Atlas and, later in the card, Mystique and Spider-Man gained a measure of revenge on their crafty opponents, squaring off against Assassin and Atlas in a tag-team match.

In perhaps one of the most intriguing match-ups, “The Fabulous” She-Nay-Nay competed against an opponent Rene helped recruit from Manchester, England: Erin Angel. It was Angel who ended up with her arm raised.

The doors open at 7 p.m. for the June 28 show in Berwick, with the opening bell sounding around 7:30 p.m. All the stars are expected to return, and Emile says negotiations continue to bring the 7’1,” 350-pound Robert “Kurrgan” Maillet (a.k.a. The Acadian Giant), a former WWE Superstar and silver screen performer in last year’s controversial Hollywood hit 300, to Berwick before the end of the 2008 season.

Hailing from Parlee Beach, champ Jeff (Goguen) Dupre says he’s proud to be coming back to Berwick to defend his title.

Long-time Grand Prix fans probably recognized another familiar face in Berwick: legendary referee Ron Goguen who, along with Bernie Richard, always refereed on ATV during the 1970s and ‘80s. Goguen now lends his expertise to the ring crew and greets fans at the merchandise table.

Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, Berwick, Nova Scotia, June 7, 2008

2008-06-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

(image Robert Hawley)

Images and report from Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling (Maritimes) website

Brad Dykens (Online Wrestling World) writes -

"I had a great time at Emile Dupre’s Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling show tonight (June 7th) in Berwick, Nova Scotia before roughly 150 fans.

The Wrestling Spider-Man beat The Cuban Assassin despite Cuban’s foot being on the ropes

(image Robert Hawley)

“The Pirate of the Caribbean” Phil Atlas beat The (masked) French Mystic

Jeff Dupre beat Butcher Vachon (not the original) by Countout to retain the AGPW Heavyweight title

Jeff Dupre (image David MacNeil)

Erin Angel (from the UK) beat “The Fabulous” She Nay Nay in a Ladies match,

Wrestling Spider-Man & French Mystic beat Cuban Assassin & Pirate of the Caribbean in a tag team match

“The French Phenom” Rene Dupre beat “Nature Boy” Buddy Austin (formerly A-1 in TNA) in the main event.

(image Robert Hawley)

(images by David MacNeil)

The show ended with all the heels attacking Rene Dupre and the fan-favorites making the save including Emile Dupre chasing the heels swinging a steel chair!

Emile Dupre with foreign object (image Brad Dykens)
and (below) the faces clean house over a fallen Rene Dupree to conclude one show and set up the next (image Robert Hawley)

(Images by David MacNeil)

Results from Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, June 5 - Sussex, NB

2008-06-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of Mariah Lirette

Results from Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling
Sussex, New Brunswick
5 June, 2008

Spider-man df. the Cuban Assassin with a flying cross body
Pirate of the Caribbean df. the French Mystique with a roll-up pin off the turnbuckle
Jeff Dupre (Champion) df. Butcher Vachon
Erin Angel df. She Nay Nay with a flying drop kick off the top turnbuckle
Spider-man and French Mystique df. The Cuban Assassin and the Pirate of the Caribbean
Rene Dupre df. the Nature Boy Buddy Austin

(source:Troy Carruthers, Saint John, NB)

Jeff and Rene - Cocagne show, 2 June 2008

2008-06-05T01:39:00.000-07:00

Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling
2 June 2008 - Cocagne, New Brunswick

Jeff Dupree vs Butcher Vachon
Rene Dupree vs A1/Nature Boy Austen

images courtesy of Martin Marshall

Video from Mariahhx

GEORGETOWN RESULTS - 1 JUNE 2008

2008-06-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

Images from June 1 show in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island by Mason Khreskov and Sara Jane and Jeff Docherty [Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling (Maritimes) site] Kudos guys!!

Baie Ste Anne, NB

Rene and Jeff Dupree, Grand Prix Wrestling, 30 May, 2008

images by Martin Marshall (kudos!!)

also located at Rene's Flickr site

Photographers and videographers needed

2008-06-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

We're looking for photographers and/or videographers to cover Rene and Jeff Dupre's matches in the current Grand Prix Wrestling tour - (dates lists in the posts below) For fees, please email rene.dupree@renedupree.net
Image and video donations also welcomed
(above - SheNayNay hamming it in a Dupre sandwich)

MAIN EVENT
MUSCLE ON MUSCLE
Rene Dupree vs A1

REVIEW - MEDIA FROM THE 2006 TOUR

2008-05-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

Jeff Dupre - photo by Mark Boles

Jeff Dupre vs Duke MacIsaac (The Spolier) vs Grand Prix Wrestling August 2006 - Bridgewater (newscott.com)

Jeff Dupre and Spiderman vs Chad Dick and Cuban Assassin (photo Steve Doussaud)

ATLANTIC GRAND PRIX WRESTLING

2008-05-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

Buck 65 and a tribute (ironic nostalgia) for Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling

"Dang" by Buck 65, from the album "Situation," out now on Strange Famous Records. http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/

Legendary promoter to feature two star sons on 2008 Grand Prix Wrestling tour

2008-05-31T01:57:00.000-07:00

by Kirk Starratt/The Advertiser
Article online since May 26th 2008

[inset - 2006 tour poster]

His name is synonymous with professional wrestling throughout the Maritimes and beyond, and legendary promoter Emile Dupre is proud to feature both his wrestling star sons on the same tour for the first time in 2008.

Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling takes to the road again this summer some 52 years after Emile first laced up a pair of wrestling boots and the line-up for the upcoming tour is sure to be considered nothing short of spectacular by Maritime squared-circle fanatics.

The tour makes its return to the historic Berwick Arena Saturday, June 7. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the opening bell rings around 7:30. Admission is payable at the door.Many fans will remember that Grand Prix Wrestling last came to Berwick in 2006 with three 50th anniversary spectaculars. The first in early June drew the largest crowd for a live pro wrestling show in Berwick in the last two decades, close to 300 fans.

Of particular interest is the fact that both of Emile’s sons - Rene Dupre, a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar featured on all three WWE brands, Raw, Smackdown! and ECW, and Jeff Dupre, a rising wrestling star who has been on tours of WWE developmental territories on several occasions - will wrestle on the same Grand Prix tour for the first time this year.“It’s the first time we’ve had that,” Emile said during a recent telephone interview from his home in New Brunswick. “It’s looking very good everywhere we’ve been advertised.”

Emile said it’s a relaxing experiencing for Rene to be back in the Maritimes with the Grand Prix roster and tour the way they used to years ago, especially considering the success of Rene’s recent multi-year run with the WWE. Rene became the youngest champion in WWE history when he co-held the world tag-team championship at age 18.

In what would be a major coup for Grand Prix, Emile said they’re hoping to have Robert Maillet, the Acadian Giant, a.k.a former WWE superstar Kurrgan, make several appearances on the second leg of the tour. There will likely be second and possibly third visits by Grand Prix in some locations. Maillet’s success has transcended the world of wrestling to the bright lights of Hollywood, as he was featured prominently in the controversial box office hit 300 last year.

Women’s wrestling stars will prove to be major attractions again this year, including a somewhat mysterious yet-to-be identified female competitor Rene saw on a recent tour of England. Emile said Rene was impressed with her ability and she will be flying in for the tour.A female star who was a hit on the last tour, She-Nay-Nay, will return and possibly national TV star Krysta Kinisky, who was also a popular attraction on the 2006 tour.

Other stars to be making appearances during the 2008 tour include Grand Prix legend “Wildman” Butcher Vachon, “Nature Boy” Buddy Austin, Pirate of the Carribean, Mighty Atlas, the Wrestling Spider-Man and more.

Buck 65 singing the theme to old TV show Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling.

Behind the Scenes With Buck 65
Leah Collins
Published: Monday, February 11, 2008
Someone's giving Buck 65 a bloody nose. The Nova Scotia rapper is taking the abuse with good humour. It helps, of course, that this particular injury is being applied out of a bottle of fake blood - it's mint-flavoured, in fact, a comforting bit of info should any of it dribble below his '70s handlebar moustache.
Once Buck 65 looks sufficiently beaten and bruised, the cameras begin roll. The rapper is shooting the video for "Dang!" his latest single from Situation - a record that's at No. 3 on the campus charts the day the rapper, his production crew, a gaggle of label reps, friends, photographers and sundry media types all cram together in a living-room-sized Toronto studio for the shoot.
For the afternoon, the camera is all on Buck 65. But when the video appears Feb. 18, he'll be just one member of an entire league of out-of-this world wrestlers including lucha libre little people and lightning-shooting goddesses. Buck 65 plays the part of a retro-styled colour commentator - complete with plaid suit, '70s bling and Bob Barker microphone. Today, he's making it very hard for the packed room to suppress their laughter as he puts on his crazed announcer act for the camera. As for the bloody nose and black eyes, he explains off-camera: "Some of the characters I'll be interviewing get a little overzealous."
The reason for the on-set wrestlemania derives from the crazy bongo beat that rumbles underneath the rhymes on "Dang!." Officially, the sample is a track by a forgotten Vancouver outfit known as the Incredible Bongo Band. But to most who'll recognize it, it's the theme song for Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, a regional rock-em-sock-em show that holds a special place in Buck 65's heart.
"I don't know if it exists anymore, but it seems to me its real glory days were in my youth, when I was a kid," says Buck 65 while taking a break from filming. "Quite honestly, my favourite part of it was really this theme music. I'd tune in, even just for the first minute, just to watch the opening credits. It was really exciting," he says.
The show didn't have the big-budget flash of Hulkamania, but Buck 65 lists off the colourful characters - a veritable rainbow of pain - that stuck in his childhood imagination: Sweet Daddy Siki, No Class Bobby Bass, The Great Malumba.
The likes of Killer Karl Krupp wouldn't have had to put Buck 65 in a headlock for the musician to figure a Grand Prix theme was right for this video, and it was the first idea he pitched to the clip's director, Christopher Mills.
Mills, who's known for his distinctive "2 and a half-D" videos (Modest Mouse's "Float On," Interpol's "PDA"), had a slightly different idea in mind. For one thing, the MuchMusic Video Award-winning director was hoping to give the song a more psychedelic treatment (an homage to Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's surreal cult film, The Holy Mountain). For another, Mills didn't exactly grow up watching No Class Bobby Bass duke it out, like Buck 65.
"I don't think he was familiar with it in a firsthand sort of way," says Buck 65. "But luckily we live in the age of the Internet YouTubes, so I was able to scare up some video clips to reference."
The two met half-way for the video treatment, with Mills focusing on playing up "the mythology in the world of wrestling" for the storyline.
"If we focus on the mythology of the world that means we can do crazy things that are wrestling inspired but even bigger than that," he says. "Like we'll have an army of little people tackling gigantic wrestlers who breathe fire and we'll have the goddess of thunder and lightning taking on her opponent in the ring as well, and they have actual supernatural and arcane powers and things like that. It really just blew the door open to having a hell of a lot of fun making the video."
And joining in on the fun is something that Buck 65's been itching to do since he first caught Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling's opening credits.
"Honestly, there was something about the music that really grabbed me. And after the show went off the air I searched for a long time to figure out what the music was and to track down a copy for myself," says Buck 65.
He found it, but getting the song on the record required some heavy legal wrangling, he says, "and a bit of a game of badminton, hitting the old shuttlecock back and forth a few times before we were able to iron out all the details."
Those details entail just about every cent made off of "Dang!" going to the Bongo Band. And that's OK by Buck 65 - especially considering he now gets the added bonus of not just playing the Grand Prix's theme tune, but joining its ranks.
"Yeah, absolutely [it's a bonus]. I mean, this really was a big part of my childhood fantasy world."--The video for Buck 65's "Dang!" premieres Feb. 18

First dates for Grand Prix tour

2008-05-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

First dates for the 2008 Grand Prix tour

May 30 - Baie Ste Anne, New Brunswick

May 31 - O'Leary, Prince Edward Island

June 1 - Georgetown, Prince Edward Island

June 2 - Cocagne, New Brunswick

June 4 - Minto, New Brunswick

June 5 - Sussex, NB

June 6 - Church Point, NS

June 7 - Berwick, Nova Scotia

June 8 - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

June 9 - St. John, NB

June 10 - St. George, NB

June 11 - Florenceville, NB

June 12 - Truro, NS

June 13 - Borden, PEI

June 14 - Souris, PEI

THE FABULOUS DUPRE BROTHERS

2008-05-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

Jeff Dupre (far right) and above in action in Grand Prix wrestling - 6 foot 1 and 240 pounds - so who's the better looking brother?

Canada's musclemen take to the road in June as Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling commences it's six week summer tour. This time Rene Dupree will be booking the show for promoter Emile Dupre and the booking options are endless - a tag team featuring two brothers with 'the look'; one brother dominating the other, until tempers fray, then it's 'brother vs brother' for control of the book; babyblue babyfaces who break all the rules, until the heels come in and clean them up with support of the fans ....all this and more is possible - don't miss out as Atlantic Grand Prix comes to a hall near you.

Rene vs Chad Dicks in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, Canada for Grand Prix Wrestling, June 21, 2006

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Dupre taking Atlantic Grand Prix back on the road
BY KIRK STARRATT

Kings County Register
May 13rd 2008

When he looks back over the history of his legendary father’s pro wrestling promotion, Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling headliner Jeff Dupre sees similarities between the biggest star to ever compete in the Maritime ring and a current star with enormous potential. Dupre says this is instilling confidence in him to get the promotion back up and running. He hopes to hold another tour of the Maritimes this summer.

Although the tour and line-up have yet to be confirmed, Dupre says all the stars of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling are excited to return to the Valley - as soon as possible. They’re still talking about the strong show of support from fans in the Berwick area during the promotion’s 50th anniversary tour in 2006.

A major Maritime wrestling star - the 7’1”, 350-pound Robert Maillet, better known as The Acadian Giant or Kurrgan - has indicated his willingness to participate. Maillet was under contract with World Wrestling Entertainment in 1997/1998 and enjoyed worldwide exposure when he appeared in the controversial Hollywood hit 300.

Dupre says, when you look back over the five-decade history of the promotion his father, Emile Dupre, operated, you’d find the largest wrestler to ever compete in Grand Prix Wrestling - and perhaps the biggest star - was the late, great Andre the Giant, “The Eighth Wonder of the World.” Hailing from the French Alps and, at his peak, standing 7’4” and weighing 500 pounds, Andre was introduced to the Dupre family by the legendary Eduard Carpentier, “The Flying Frenchman.”

Andre competed in a number of memorable matches in the Maritime ring, including a series of handicap matches where he’d take on two or even three different opponents at once. Grand Prix Wrestling legend Frenchie “Rider” Lamont, one of the most recognizable midget wrestlers in the world who competed on the 50th anniversary tour, recalls working alongside Andre The Giant several years ago.

“A friend and a consummate professional,” he says of Andre.

Maillet could be considered a legitimate giant and, like Andre, has witnessed his stardom grow beyond wrestling into the realm of Hollywood.

Dupre says they keep hearing from fans and people are excited about the possibility of a tour this summer. “

We’re hoping to offer another season of the best in professional wrestling,” he says.

--------------------------
Jeff Dupre continues family legacy [article from 2006]

By Richard Kamchen - Slam! Wrestling

You could call it business as usual -- another summer tour of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling and a Dupre son grappling in the ring.

But this time it's promoter Emile Goguen's (a.k.a. Emile Dupre) son Jeff getting a bit of the limelight.

The East Coast's biggest circuit will kick off August 3 in Nova Scotia, and Emile will see his 25-year-old son Jeff compete during the five week run.

Jeff, who wrestles under the 'Dupre' moniker brother René used in the WWE, said he isn't intimidated by Grand Prix's seven nights a week grind, and looks forward to working again with peers like Chad Dick (formerly of WWE's Smackdown!) and Cuban Assassin #2 (Richie Acevedo, son of the original Cuban Assassin).

"Even the WWE doesn't have seven nights a week," Jeff said, pointing out that the hectic pace is part of what makes the Grand Prix tours so special.

Having worked in the last tour earlier this summer, Jeff realizes that it's a hard schedule to maintain, having matches everyday, training, and still managing to keep up some semblance of a personal life.

Still, there can't be many surprises left for Jeff, who prior to his in-ring Grand Prix employment, followed his father's promotion for years working in non-wrestling roles, including putting up the ring, selling merchandise, and whatever else was required of him.

"We've been hanging around the wrestling scene our whole lives," Jeff said.

At around 14 or 15 years of age, his training began as he joined René to drop in on Emile's sessions with other would-be wrestlers. It helped it was in their backyard.

Jeff's first wrestling match came against Eddie Watts in Grand Prix in 2003. Jeff went over, but more important than that, he said, the match taught him to have more confidence in what he could deliver.

Jeff said the Dupre name is one that those in the industry remember, and added people expect him to be as good or better than his father and brother. But the family name and pressure it comes with drive him to excel not overshadow or hold him back.

Now, close to 300 matches into his career, the lean and muscular 6-foot-1, 240-pounder said he's come a long ways from where he started. "I'm not the same wrestler I was the first day I walked in there. I'm a lot more comfortable with what I'm doing."

Brother René agreed. René, who made up one-half of the former WWE Raw Tag Team Champions La Resistance, (and later won the Smackdown! tag belts with Kenzo Suzuki), said Jeff has progressed very far and has now come into his own in the ring.

Jeff called his style an "old-school" one, and noted his influences include Ric Flair, Curt Hennig, Terry Funk, and Leo Burke.

Emile said old-school mat wrestling is what he's been teaching for years and is currently in short supply. He suggested more traditional wrestlers would be a welcome contrast in the business. "I don't know if I'm right but I think I'm right," said the veteran of more than 50 years in the business.

Jeff has his sights set on getting into the WWE, with TNA a distant second choice.

"I've always thought about the WWE and (if) that hope is lost, then I'll think about TNA," he said. "But never say never -- TNA is gaining momentum and could be the second WCW. You never know in this industry."

Getting to the WWE wasn't originally Jeff's goal until after René got signed. While visiting his brother a couple of years ago, Jeff decided to take a look at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), the WWE's developmental territory. He trained there for two weeks, and returned there last year for a month.

He said OVW guys want to get booked for Grand Prix to practice in front of big crowds, and pointed out his dad's promotion has proven to be a training ground for future stars, the most recent being Edge, Christian Cage, Don Callis, and Kurrgan, all of whom at some point signed with WWE.

Included in his training down south was Jeff's chance to tag with René during a WWE dark match.

"It's something I always dreamed of doing," he said of tagging with his brother, as they wrestled as two brothers from France.

René admitted the match was far from a mat classic and Jeff conceded the same.

"You can always be better. But with the experience I had at the time, I thought I did pretty good," Jeff said.

René, however, added they have tagged since then for Grand Prix, and those matches revealed the brothers developed a good chemistry in the ring. René hoped the two could keep working together in the future.

"Why not have second generation brothers tag-team? There's money to be had there," René said, pointing out the success of the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers during their heyday.

"He has wrestling in his blood -- he's lived around it his whole life, just like me," René said, believing Jeff has a chance to make it to the WWE.

But he added that he's repeatedly reminded his brother that he has to work for everything he desires. "Nothing comes for free."

Emile also felt Jeff is capable of joining the WWE, but stressed that given there are so many wrestlers vying for a position there, it's difficult to get someone's attention over the din.

Being in the business for so many years has given Emile the ability to pick out wrestlers who would stand out and Jeff, he said, is one of them, the proof being his strong merchandise sales and ability to induce crowd reaction.

"He gets over. And that's the bottom line in this business."