Yvon Robert

He got his first stint in Boston with promoter Paul Bowser's American Wrestling Association.

During his early career, Robert feuded with wrestlers such as Rasputin, Joe Cox and Ernie Dusek.

In 1935, he made his National Wrestling Association (NWA) debut as Yvon "The Lion" Robert.

He got his first big exposure after attacking world champion Danno O'Mahony during a match.

On that day, he beat "Wild" Bill Longson to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Montreal, Quebec.

In 1948, he wrestled Gorgeous George to a draw before a Montreal-record gate of $21,000 and broke that record within a year.

They had two daughters, Leona and Suzanne, and one son, Yvon Jr., who became a professional wrestler and promoter.

Yvon Robert
At his tavern in Montreal in 1940 with pictures of wrestlers on the wall