WWE’s 10 Greatest Canadian Wrestlers of All Time
By Tim Sherry
Credit: WWE.com
10. Rick Martel
Without question one of the most colorful personalities of the 80’s, Quebec’s Martel had a solid, if not spectacular WWF career. He first arrived in the company in 1980 and quickly won two tag team championships with legend Tony Garea. After 2 years in the WWF, Martel left for the American Wrestling Association and that’s where he seemed to blossom into a star, carrying that promotion’s world heavyweight championship for 19 months.
His ascent in the AWA did not go unnoticed and Martel was once again hired to the WWF in 1986, quickly striking up a tag team with Tom Zenk known as the Can-Am Connection. After that team fizzled out, he partnered with Tito Santana. Strike Force as they’d be known as, would turn out to be much more successful as the duo captured the WWF tag team titles at Wrestlemania IV from The Hart Foundation.
Martel’s success in babyface tag teams was no surprise. He had unlimited charisma and that perfect come back energy that can energize any crowd. So it actually comes as a surprise when Martel turned heel, labeling himself “The Model” and playing the role of a self-centered, narcissistic pretty boy. But you know what? This worked too as Martel quickly became one of the most hated villains in the entire company.
“The Model’ gimmick lasted until 1995 when Martel left the WWE. He may possibly go down as a bust but Martel had a very solid career and he takes number 10 on this list.