Martel wins AWA world title

At the beginning of his career

The Model in the WWF

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Rick Martel

Real name: Richard Vigneault

AWA world champion (1984) and a 3-time WWF tag team champion -- twice with Tony Garea (1980-81) and once with Tito Santana (1987-88). Looked to be headed for another reign in 1986-87 with Tom Zenk as the Can-Am Connection when Zenk left the promotion.

Martel was a good, agile wrestler with a good physique. Many found him an odd choice for the AWA title -- especially when Verne Gagne wouldn't give the belt to Hulk Hogan, but Martel had much more talent in the ring than Hogan.

A regular performer in Montreal in the early 80s, with a memorable "good guy vs good guy" feud against Dino Bravo in 1983. The Montreal promotion never recovered from the loss of Bravo and Martel in 1986.

Later became The Model, wrestling as a heel in the WWF, although he had lost a lot of the athleticism he showed in his prime. Still works independent shows.

The younger brother of Mad Dog Michel Martel, who wrestled in a brother tag team with Frenchy Martin. No relation to AWA Women's champion Sherri Martel.

"Rick Martel has lost his marbles. He broke a beer bottle over his head on an interview to show how tough he is. Roddy Piper had done that (both in Vancouver and Atlanta), but nobody ever accused Piper of being intelligent. Blood flowed from Martel's head after the stunt." (by Dave Meltzer, WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER, Aug. 18, 1986)

Prominent Titles:

• AWA World champion, 1984-85
• 3-time WWF tag champion, 1980-81, 87-88
• 2-time Commonwealth champion (New Zealand), 1977, 79
• NWA Pacific Northwest champion, 1980
• 2-time NWA Pacific Northwest tag champion, with Roddy Piper, 1980
• Canadian tag champion (Vancouver), with Roddy Piper, 1980
• International champion (Montreal), 1982