Rick Martel

[Waterproof]

One of the most gifted wrestler ever to lace up the boots...Rick Martel had it all great mat skills, amateur wrestling background, the face to carry a company and women fan fare, a fan favorite who held the AWA Heavyweight Championship for 2 years in a row, part of one of the most popular teeny bopper tag team in the 80's with Tito Santana as Strike Force and Can Am Connection with Tom Zenk. Long overdue appericaton for RICK MARTEL.

Ric Flair vs Rick Martel AWA/NWA Unification Match


Martel is from a family of wrestlers, and made his professional debut at age sixteen when his brother Michel, a wrestler, asked him to replace an injured wrestler. Martel was already a skilled amateur wrestler, and quickly adapted to professional wrestling.

Martel wrestled throughout the world, winning titles in Canada (in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling and Vancouver-based NWA All Star Wrestling), New Zealand and Puerto Rico. His first real success in America came in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)'s Portland affiliate, Pacific Northwest Wrestling, where he became a top talent, holding the Canadian and PNW tag team titles simultaneously. He left PNW on August 16, 1980, when he lost a Loser Leaves Town match to Buddy Rose. Martel also served a stint as a booker for a wrestling territory in Hawaii.

Stan Hansen vs Rick Martel AWA World Title Match


World Wrestling Federation (1980–1982)Martel debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in July 1980. That fall, he formed a tag team with Tony Garea. On November 8, they defeated The Wild Samoans to capture the WWF Tag Team Championship. They successfully defended the title until dropping the belts to The Moondogs on March 17, 1981. They regained the title from The Moondogs on July 21. Their second reign came to an end on October 13, when they lost to Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito. Though they would challenge the champions numerous times, Martel and Garea were unable to recapture the belts, and Martel left the WWF in April 1982.

Nick Bockwinkle vs Rick Martel (1983)


American Wrestling Association (1982–1986)Martel signed with the AWA in 1982 and quickly ascended through the ranks, defeating Jumbo Tsuruta to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on May 13, 1984. His reign as champion lasted nearly nineteen months, during which time he wrestled several matches with NWA World Champion Ric Flair, as well as with Jimmy Garvin, Nick Bockwinkel and King Tonga. His finishing move alternated between the slingshot splash and the combination atomic drop/back suplex. On December 29, 1985, Martel lost the title to Stan Hansen, who forced him to submit to the "Brazos Valley Backbreaker" (Hansen's version of the Boston crab



Rick Martel vs Nick Bockwinkle (1984)

 

[Waterproof]

The Can-Am Connection (1986-1987)

Hart Foundation vs Can Am Connection


In 1986, Martel returned to the WWF, with his tag team partner Tom Zenk. They were billed as the Can-Am Connection. The Can-Am Connection had been formed by Martel in the Montreal-based International Wrestling Association in 1986. Zenk was the boyfriend of Martel's sister-in-law, and had been introduced to Martel in the AWA by Curt Hennig.

The Can-Am Connection quickly garnered the affection of fans, and they looked likely to win the WWF Tag Team Title in the near future. The team made their televised debut in WWF on the November 15, 1986 episode of Superstars against the team of Steve Lombardi and Moondog Spot which they won. The Can Am Connection contested a series of matches with former tag-team champions The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine), the team of Kamala and Sika, and the team of Magnificent Muraco and "Ace" Cowboy Bob Orton, whom they would face and defeat in the opening match of WrestleMania III. The Can Am Connection's last feud would be against The Islanders, a feud that began on WWF Superstars of Wrestling in the summer of 1987. In this match, the Islanders turned heel by revealing their association with manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

Can Am Connection vs Sika and Kamala

• 
  
  
  However, the team split shortly after WrestleMania III; Zenk claimed Martel had secretly negotiated an individual contract worth three times more than his partner's contract (traditionally, tag teams are paid roughly equal salaries).
  
  Martel claimed Zenk "...was overwhelmed by it all... Wrestling is very hard on your body. Hard on you also mentally. It's hard physically. Tom wasn't mentally or physically hard as I thought he would be.
  
  Shortly after this match Tom Zenk left the WWF due to a pay dispute, wrestling their last match together on July 9, 1987 against the Islanders
  
  Can Am Connection vs Islanders
  
  

 

[LurkNowitzki]

This is a dope thread. Never knew about his career before WWF. Salute.

 

[Waterproof]

This is a dope thread. Never knew about his career before WWF. Salute.

Greatly Appreciate it brother, that's what it's all about giving respect to great wrestlers

 

[TransJenner]

I only know of him from one of the WWF video games on the Genesis

 

[Waterproof]

Strike Force (1987–1989)

Strike Force is born

After Zenk's departure, Martel formed a new tag team with Tito Santana, called Strike Force. The duo quickly captured the WWF World Tag Team Title from The Hart Foundation, holding it for five months before losing to Demolition at WrestleMania IV.

Hart Foundation vs Strike Force for WWF Tag Team Championship (1987)


STRIKE FORCE wins WWF TAG TEAM TITLE

Shortly afterward, Martel (kayfabe) took time off due to injuries sustained in a title rematch at a Prime Time Wrestling taping in Oakland, California on June 1, 1988 (aired July 11). Smash hit Martel with a steel chair, then both members of Demolition performed their "Decapitation" finisher on him at ringside, leaving him unconscious on the floor. On the June 18 Superstars, it was announced he suffered back injuries and a concussion. In reality, Martel took the extended leave of absence to help take care of his wife, who was severely ill.

Strike Force vs The Islanders


Martel returned in January 1989 as a singles wrestler, before reforming Strike Force with Santana at WrestleMania V to face The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard). During the match, Santana accidentally hit Martel with his signature flying forearm smash and knocked him out of the ring. A frustrated Martel refused to tag in and walked away, leaving Santana to be beaten down and pinned.Later, in an interview with Gene Okerlund, Martel said, "I'm sick and tired. Sick and tired of him. I was doing great as a singles wrestler, but Mr. Tito wants to ride my coattails some more."

WWF Strike Force Theme "Girls In Cars"

 

[Waterproof]

I only know of him from one of the WWF video games on the Genesis

He was a great wrestler that could wrestle and wrestled the best

 

[GiantGonzalez]

French Canadian wrestlers in general are slept on

edit - minus that fat ass KO and heeb Sami Zayn

 

[Hey_zeus]

Martel was extremely talented. His late 90s WCW run had some heat too. Dude was fukkin good.

 

[Waterproof]

Martel was extremely talented. His late 90s WCW run had some heat too. Dude was fukkin good.

T.V. Champion

 

[Waterproof]

The Model (1989–1995)

In late 1989, Martel adopted a narcissistic gimmick, as "The Model." Just before the 1989 Survivor Series, he introduced his own (fictional) brand of cologne called Arrogance, which he carried in a large atomizer and sprayed in the eyes of his opponents to blind them. He wore a turquoise sweater tied around his neck to the ring (later replaced by a turquoise sportcoat), with a large lapel pin that read "Yes, I am a model.".Martel made his pay-per-view singles match debut at WrestleMania VI, where he defeated Koko B. Ware via submission with his signature Boston Crab.


Rick "the Model" Martel - Arrogance Vignettes


Martel's most high-profile feud during his stint as "The Model" was with Jake "The Snake" Roberts, sparked when he blinded Roberts with Arrogance on "The Brother Love Show" in October 1990. Martel and Roberts captained opposing teams at the Survivor Series. The Visionaries (Martel, The Warlord and Power and Glory) defeated The Vipers (Roberts, Jimmy Snuka and The Rockers) in a clean sweep, 4-0. Martel continued to have the upper hand in the 1991 Royal Rumble match, eliminating Roberts from the match en route to lasting (a then-record) 53 minutes, before being eliminated by The British Bulldog. Roberts would ultimately get his revenge at Wrestlemania VII, defeating Martel in a blindfold match.

Rick The Model Martel vs Rocker Marty Jannetty At Survivor Series


In early 1992, Martel began a feud with Tatanka, leading to WrestleMania VIII, where Tatanka pinned him.

That summer, Martel had a brief feud with Shawn Michaels, as both men sought the affections of Sensational Sherri. The feud ended with a chain of events that resulted in a double countout at SummerSlam 1992. The match carried a "no punching in the face" stipulation (mutually agreed upon by the two narcissistic heels).Martel then resumed his rivalry with Tatanka by stealing his sacred eagle feathers, to add to his wardrobe. The feud was resolved at the 1992 Survivor Series, where Tatanka again defeated Martel and reclaimed the feathers.

The Model Rick Martel vs Tito Santana


By 1993, Martel mainly appeared on the lower undercard, and rarely on television. However, at the September 27 Monday Night Raw taping, he was the co-winner (with Razor Ramon) of a battle royal (aired October 4) to decide the competitors in a match for the vacant Intercontinental Championship. He lost that match (aired the next week) to Ramon.

By the summer of 1994, Martel dropped out of the WWF picture and would not be seen again until participating in the 1995 Royal Rumble (he was a substitute for Jim Neidhart).Martel's wrestling career began to slow as he pursued a career in real estate.

In a later shoot interview with RF video, Martel claimed that he and Don Callis were set to return to the WWF as 'The Supermodels' in 1997, and Callis was to eventually turn on Martel, making him a babyface for the first time since 1989. However, after a pay dispute with Vince McMahon, Martel signed with WCW.

 

[Waterproof]

World Championship Wrestling (1997–1998)


Brad Armstrong Vs Rick Martel


Martel debuted for World Championship Wrestling in 1997, feuding with Booker T for the WCW World Television Title and winning it on the February 16, 1998 Nitro. Martel's comeback was cut short during his rematch with Booker T at SuperBrawl VIII on February 22, when he landed badly on a throw, hitting his leg on one of the ring ropes. He tore an inside ligament of his right knee, fractured his leg and suffered cartilage damage, effectively ending his in-ring career. He was originally booked to retain the Television Title in the match, intended to be a gauntlet match, by beating Booker and then Perry Saturn. Martel and Booker worked out a finish in the ring (by which Martel suffered a further injury after a botched Harlem Sidekick), and then Booker and Saturn worked the second half of the match entirely on the fly. Martel was out of action for several months.

After suffering another injury in his first match back (on the July 13 episode of Nitro, against Booker T's tag team partner, Stevie Ray), Martel retired from the ring. He then worked for WCW as a trainer, and as host of the French versions of WCW programming

Rick Martel vs Saturn

 

[robb]

"That summer, Martel had a brief feud with Shawn Michaels, as both men sought the affections of Sensational Sherri. The feud ended with a chain of events that resulted in a double countout at SummerSlam 1992. The match carried a "no punching in the face" stipulation (mutually agreed upon by the two narcissistic heels)."

LOL fakkits.

dude had the goat arrogance theme.

 

[Waterproof]

"That summer, Martel had a brief feud with Shawn Michaels, as both men sought the affections of Sensational Sherri. The feud ended with a chain of events that resulted in a double countout at SummerSlam 1992. The match carried a "no punching in the face" stipulation (mutually agreed upon by the two narcissistic heels)."

LOL fakkits.

dude had the goat arrogance theme.

 

[Waterproof]

Championships and accomplishments

American Wrestling Association
AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Georgia Championship Wrestling
NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tommy Rich

Lutte Internationale (Montreal)
Canadian International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

NWA All-Star Wrestling
NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time) – with Roddy Piper

NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions
NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (1 time)

NWA New Zealand
NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (New Zealand version) (3 times)
New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Pacific Northwest Wrestling
NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Roddy Piper

Stampede Wrestling
Stampede International Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Lennie Hurst

Universal Superstars of America
USA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Championship Wrestling
WCW World Television Championship (1 time)

World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Larry O'Dea

World Wrestling Council
WWC North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Pierre Martel

World Wrestling Federation
WWWF/WWF World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Tony Garea (2), and Tito Santana (1)


Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI ranked him # 48 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003
PWI ranked him # 70 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI years with Tito Santana in 2003