Édouard Carpentier

Professional wrestling career

In Europe Weiczorkiewicz was introduced to professional wrestling by his friend, film star Lino Ventura. Prior to his acting career, Ventura had been a successful wrestler under the ring name "The Italian Rocket" Lino Borrini. The highpoint of his career was his NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign from 1956 to 1957. He won the title in a disputed contest against Lou Thesz on 14 June 1957. After working for WWWF, Carpentier returned to work in Europe and Canada.

In 1967, he returned to the WWWF as a popular babyface feuding with Gorilla Monsoon, Baron Mikel Scicluna, George Steele, Toru Tanaka and Luke Graham (wrestler). He sometimes teamed with Bruno Sammartino. Carpentier left the WWWF in 1968.

From 1969 to 1972, Carpentier worked for Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association in Minneapolis. During the 1970s, Carpentier worked in various territories in the States, Japan and Canada in Montreal and Toronto.

In 1980, Carpentier worked for Montreal's Lutte Internationale until 1984.

On November 16, 1987, Carpeniter returned to the World Wrestling Federation for a one-night appearance at a house show in East Rutherford, New Jersey participating in a Legends Battle Royal won by Lou Thesz. After that, he retired from wrestling at 61 years old.

Retirement After his retirement, Carpentier operated a school for teaching professional wrestling skills. Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (class of 1997)