Certainly, its history in Quebec dates back just as far as hockey's, and during the 1940's and 1950's, Yvon Robert was just as popular here as was the NHL's legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard. "The Lion Of Quebec," as Robert became known, was even approached at one time to run for mayor of Montreal. 

Around the same period, the Catholic Church complained frequently that the regular Wednesday night wrestling cards televised from the Montreal Forum were drawing parishioners away from the houses of worship. Although much has changed both socially and politically in the province since that era, the old passions have remained the same.

1980 was definitely a watershed year in Quebec on all of these fronts. The social dominance of the church was in full decline while all Canadians were gearing up for what would be the first of two referendums on whether or not the province of Quebec would separate to become its own country. Upheaval also ruled the local sports front as the Quebec Nordiques were one of four teams from the defunct World Hockey Association to join the NHL, sparking an instant rivalry with the venerable Montreal Canadians. To put it bluntly, confrontation was the order of the day.