Gene Petit

Gene Petit (c. May 19, 1949 – September 29, 2013) was an American professional wrestler best known for his portrayal of Cousin Luke in the World Wrestling Federation. He also competed under several other gimmicks and competed for several promotions in the United States as well as Australia, Japan, Nigeria and Puerto Rico.

Career

Early career Petit attended the University of Tampa, where he played for the football team. While there, he met former Olympic wrestler Dale Lewis. They became friends, and Lewis paid Petit to drive him to his bookings at professional wrestling events. Petit stated that he began wrestling after spending a couple of weeks practising in a gym.

At one of Lewis' events, the company did not have enough wrestlers and Petit was asked to fill in. He teamed with Lewis and Gypsy Joe Rosario in a six-man match. After his first match, in which he wrestled under his real name, he competed with the ring name Gene Lewis. He and Dale Lewis competed as kayfabe (storyline) brothers due to their similar appearance.

World Wrestling Federation During a conversation with George Scott, a booker from the World Wrestling Federation, Petit received an unenthusiastic response to his query about joining the promotion. Petit then showed Scott a picture he had taken of himself as a joke, in which he wore "cutoff jeans, overalls, and a floppy hat". After seeing the picture, Scott offered Petit the role of Cousin Luke, a member of the Hillbilly Family led by Hillbilly Jim.

He joined the other hillbillies in their feud with Roddy Piper, Bob Orton, Jr., and Jesse Ventura. Shortly after joining the company, Petit broke his ankle due to a problem with a defective wrestling ring. He was asked to compete at WrestleMania 2 against Adrian Adonis, the WWF's biggest show of the year, but had to decline due to the injury. Instead Uncle Elmer faced Adonis.

Later career After leaving the WWF in 1987, Petit went to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling as Texas Red. For the rest of his career he worked in the independent circuit mainly in New Jersey and the New York City area under the name "Hillbilly Cousin Luke" to avoid confusion from Bushwhacker Luke whom his tag team partner Bushwhacker Butch referred to as "Cousin Luke." His last match was in 2002.

Retirement and death In 2000, Petit retired from wrestling due to back problems. He died on September 29, 2013, and was believed to be in his mid-60s. His son wrestled on the Indy circuit for EPW, UWC and WCW as Big Kuntry aka Darrin Severs, and resides in New Jersey.

Championships and accomplishments National Wrestling Alliance NWA Central States Television Championship (2 times) World Class Championship Wrestling WCCW Television Championship (1 time)