Hi all, and welcome to this installment of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling.

Last month, we went through the year in review of 1980. I was planning on bringing to you the review of 1981. However, I thought that I would bring you a little history and information of the stars of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, and some of their accomplishments here, and elsewhere.

This month we’ll be looking at the Fan Favorites of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling.

Leo Burke

Burke made is pro debut in the mid 60's. He’s wrestled in Calgary, Toronto, Kansas-City, etc... However, he probably gathered is best success in the Maritimes. Being a local boy from Memramcook, NB. It was natural for the fans to cheer for him when he won, and to cry, when he lost. He was the perfect example of a fan favorite. He would always wrestle and follow the rules in the ring, until his opponent made him lose is cool, then it was fire with fire. Burke held every single title and tag title in the Maritmes accept one, which was the Maritime Heavyweight Title, which was held by is best friend Stephen Petitpas. He spent every summers fighting the lights of "Bulldog" Bob Brown, Kerry Brown, David Shultz, Cuban Assassin, Ron Starr and many others.  

Stephen Petitpas

Another local wrestler that was amongst one of the most popular stars in the Maritimes. Petitpas wrestled all over the world, in Japan, and also in Quebec as Sheik Ali. Petitpas, also held mostly every title in the Maritimes. He formed a great tag team with Leo Burke, and together they held the North American Tag Team Titles on several different occasions. Some of Petitpas, greatest feuds where against Killer Karl Krupp, where he won the European Title from Krupp on TV. He also feuded against Bobby Bass and his stable of men. One of Petitpas greatest Matches came in 1984, when he wrestled the NWA World Heavyweight Champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair . Petitpas gave Flair a great match, and came close on several different occasion of pinning Flair for the title, however Flair got the win thanks to the Figure Four Leg Lock. Petitpas featured one of the best Standing Drop Kicks that I’ve ever seen. 

Ronnie Rich

Better known in Canada as Ron Ritchie. He came in the Maritimes in 1984, and quickly became a favorite of the Maritimers. He fought with great courage, and even though he never held any titles in the Maritimes, he was still featured in some Main Events. He notably feuded with Bulldog Bob Brown, and gave Brown several great matches. Rich also teamed with Stephen Petitpas on several different occasions. 

The Beast (Yvon Cormier)

When talking about legends and fan favorites, how can you not talk about the The Beast. The Beast who is the eldest of the Cormier Brothers wrestled in the Maritimes for most of his career and was involved in the 70's in a vicious feud against Frenchy Martin and Mad Dog Lefebvre. They battled all over the Maritimes, and spilled blood in the ring, yet in the end, the Beast would still be begging for more. The Beast also had an long standing feud with the Cuban Assassin. The Beast and the Cuban never got along, and if they are on the same card, make sure, that you have security around to make sure that they do not destroy everything in the arena. These 2 where still feuding in 1999, with both men past their primes, they still battled in the Maritimes with the fans being treated to some of the best brawling. 

Steve Casey