Jean Rougeau (June 9, 1929 – May 25, 1983) was a professional wrestler better known as Johnny Rougeau. Rougeau started wrestling in 1951 as Johnny Rougeau after an amateur wrestling career. In 1956, he was joined by his brother, Jacques Rougeau, Sr.. He had feuds with Abdullah the Butcher, The Sheik, Ivan Koloff, Hans Schmidt and Killer Kowalski. He founded All-Star Wrestling in Montreal in 1964.
Amateur wrestling[]
Rougeau began his amateur wrestling career in 1943.
Professional wrestling career[]
Rougeau was also one of the premier promoters in Quebec. In the late 1960s, Rougeau gave Ivan Koloff his ring name.
Ice hockey[]
Rougeau also coached ice hockey with the Laval National in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and he later served as the league's president from 1981 to 1983. The Jean Rougeau Trophy was named in his honor and is awarded to the team that records the most points in the regular season.
Personal life[]
He was also at times a bodyguard, nightclub owner, and politician. Most notably, he was the bodyguard and chauffeur of future Quebec Premier René Lévesque during the 1960 Quebec election when Lévesque ran for office as a member of the Quebec Liberal Party.
In 1982, he was awarded the Bene Merenti de Patria, a silver medal awarded by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society every year to a native of Quebec who has demonstrated service to the province.
He died of cancer on May 25, 1983. His funeral was attended by about 7,000 people. He was buried at the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.
In wrestling[]
- Wrestlers managed
- Hollywood Blonds (Dale Valentine and Jerry Brown)
Championships and accomplishments[]
- All-Star Wrestling (Montreal)
- ASW World/International Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
- ASW International Tag Team Championship (1 time - with Jacques Rougeau, Sr.)
- Lutte Internationale
- Other titles
- Montreal World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Finishing Move: The Sleeper Hold Favorite Moves: The Japanese Armlock