Quick Facts
Biography
Yvon Robert (October 8, 1914 - July 12, 1971) was a French Canadian professional wrestler who was best known to fans as Yvon "The Lion" Robert.
Career
American Wrestling Association (1932-1935)
Yvon Robert started wrestling in 1932 at age 17. He got his first stint in Boston with promoter Paul Bowser's American Wrestling Association. He was trained by Emil Maupas. He was billed as The French Canadian Lion. He made his professional wrestling debut on April 4, 1932. During his early career, Robert feuded with wrestlers such as Rasputin, Joe Cox and Ernie Dusek.
National Wrestling Association (1935-1936)
In 1935, he made his National Wrestling Association debut as Yvon "The Lion" Robert. It was a territory of National Boxing Association to sanction professional wrestling. He got his first big exposure after attacking world champion Danno O'Mahony during a match. He left the promotion in 1936.
Montreal (1936-1944)
In April 1936, he started wrestling in Montreal, Quebec. During his time with Montreal, he won the Montreal International Heavyweight Championship 16 times between 1936 and 1956. During 1943, he won the Montreal British Empire Heavyweight Championship.
American Wrestling Association (1936-1940)
Yvon returned to American Wrestling Association in July 1936. Just two weeks after his return, Yvon defeated Danno O'Mahony to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in Montreal. He claimed his first World Title after winning this match. He was recognized as the World Champion in New England and by the Montreal Athletic Commission. Robert was stripped in December 1937 for not defending against Lou Thesz. In 1940, he left AWA for a second time.
National Wrestling Association (1940-1943)
In 1940, he started his second stint with National Wrestling Association. In his second run with NWA, he got his biggest victory of his career on October 7, 1942. On this day, he beat "Wild" Bill Longson to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Montreal, Quebec. On November 27, he lost the title to Bobby Managoff in Houston, Texas. In 1943, he left NWA.
American Wrestling Association (1944)
On November 23, 1944, he returned to American Wrestling Association. He defeated Gino Garibaldi to recapture the AWA Championship.
Returning to Montreal (1944-1959)
He returned to Montreal, Quebec in 1944, and became a successful wrestler during this time. In 1948, he wrestled Gorgeous George to a draw at Montreal-record gate of $21,000 and broke that record within a year. In 1953, he formed a successful tag team with Whipper Billy Watson and won the Canadian Tag Team Championship. On November 12, Watson and Robert defeated Al Mills and Tiny Mills at a wrestling event held in Toronto with boxing champion Joe Louis as the special guest referee. On January 5, 1958, he teamed with Billy Wicks to defeat Corsica Joe and Corsica Jean in Memphis for the Mid-America Tag Team Championship, in what would be Robert's final title. In 1959, he came out of retirement.
Family
Robert was married to Leona. They had two daughters, Leona and Suzanne, and one son, Yvon Jr., who became a professional wrestler and promoter.
Death
On July 12, 1971, Yvon Robert died at his home in Laval, Quebec.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Roll-through into an arm trap headscissors
- Signature moves
- Dropkick
Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Association (Boston)
- AWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Whipper Billy Watson
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version)
- National Wrestling Association
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2017
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
- Other titles
- International Heavyweight Championship (Montreal version) (16 times)
- British Empire Heavyweight Championship (Montreal version) (1 time)
