Robert Bédard
Biography
Robert Bédard was a Canadian professional wrestler. better known by his ring name, the "Number One Frenchman" Rene Goulet. Robert Bedard was born on July 12, 1932 in Quebec City and played hockey as a defenseman, and nearly dying after an opponent’s skate cut into his throat. In addition to hockey, Bedard trained as a bodybuilder and a boxer, but decided to try out wrestling after another boxer warned him he’d be "punch-drunk" by the time he was 25. Goulet began his career in Quebec City, Quebec, in 1957, with his first match being against Gerard Dugas. Bedard adopted his ring name Rene Goulet when he began working in Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo’s Minneapolis territory. Gagne and Karbo changed Bedard’s name to capitalize on his good looks (and the popularity of singer Robert Goulet). Despite not knowing English, he succeeded, and he and his wife would both work hard to learn the language. He spent the early part of his career traveling the territories, spending a significant amount of time in the AWA. He achieved his greatest fame in the 1970s and 1980s with the World Wrestling Federation, winning the WWWF Tag Team Championship with Karl Gotch on December 6, 1971 by defeating “Crazy” Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler. Karl and Goulet dropped the belts to Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea at the next television taping on February 1, 1972, staying on a few more months before looking for new opportunities. Goulet worked briefly in Germany in the early ’70s, with promoters deciding to name him Buddy Rogers, Jr. He was in the first WWF match ever televised on the USA Network, with his opponent being Tito Santana. Goulet was well known as a very dependable wrestler who could always be trusted to have a good match. As a result, he was often selected to have matches with rookie wrestlers so he could carry the match. The list of wrestlers who had either had their first match or one of their first matches against Goulet includes Ric Flair, Chris Taylor, the Iron Sheik, Jim Brunzell, Greg Gagne and Ken Patera. He was the subject of a full-page photo in the third issue of People Magazine of March 11, 1974. The photo was taken of Bédard in a bear hug from Chris Taylor in Taylor's first professional match. While in the AWA in the early 1980s he was known as "Sgt. Jacques Goulet" and used a claw hold he called "le scorpion". He worked as a road agent for the WWF until 1997 and could frequently be seen coming to the ring to maintain control when wrestlers got into fights. He had a recurring role in the classic wrestling show, TNT, as the host of "Cafe Rene". Goulet died on May 25, 2019 at the age of 86. His death was reported that December.
Known For & Full Filmography13 Titles
Drama Series - 1993, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.
Drama Series - 1986, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
WWE's flagship show of the early-90s featuring great in-ring action, news from the world of sports-entertainment, and more.
Drama Series - 1985, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
A professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation banner on NBC airing in place of Saturday Night Live. The series was made up entirely of star vs. star bouts in a time when weekly programming consisted primarily of established stars dominating enhancement talent.
Drama Series - 1975, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
The greatest WWE Superstars of the 1975s & 1982s, including Andre the Giant, Bob Backlund, and Bruno Sammartino compete in exciting matches.
Drama Series - 1981, 16 episodes • as Sgt. Jacques Goulet
Relive the glory days of the National Wrestling Alliance through Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling's weekly television show.
Drama Series - 1973, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
Discover rarely-seen matches from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s featuring countless WWE Hall of Famers such as Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
Drama Series - 1984, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
Hosts Vince McMahon and Lord Alfred Hayes welcome the popular WWE Superstars and feature entertaining segments in WWE's original talk show.
Drama Series - 1980, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
The first nationally syndicated WWE television series, Championship Wrestling features numerous WWE Hall of Famers and Legends in action.
Drama Series - 1985, 16 episodes • as Rene Goulet
WWF Prime Time Wrestling was a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It aired on the USA Network from 1985–1993. A precursor to Monday Night Raw, Prime Time Wrestling was a two-hour long, weekly program that featured stars of the World Wrestling Federation. The program featured wrestling matches, interviews, promos featuring WWF wrestlers, updates of current feuds and announcements of upcoming local and pay-per-view events. WWE Hall of Famers Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan highlight the best of early-1985s WWE in Prime Time Wrestling.
Movie - 1985, 2h 15m • as Rene Goulet
A collection of some of the best WWF matches.
Movie - 1985, 2h 15m • as Rene Goulet
Jesse "The Body" Ventura takes the WWE Universe on a trip down memory lane with some of the wildest matches in history; this presentation features everything from battle royals and lumberjack matches to an unforgettable bout inside a steel cage.
Movie - 1984, 2h 15m • as Rene Goulet
The Brawl to End It All was a professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and broadcast live on MTV. It took place at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on July 23, 1984. The show was a major event in the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection in the mid-1980s WWF. The main event featured The Fabulous Moolah defending the WWF Women's Championship against Wendi Richter. Richter pinned Moolah to win the Women's Championship. It was the only match of the event that was shown on national television. The entire event was recorded and shown on the Madison Square Garden network however.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Rene Goulet
This documentary is a must have for "old school" wrestling fans! It's loosely focused on the career of 23 year old Vivian Vachon during her first professional tour, and the wrestling legends she shares the ring with. Through interviews with wrestling superstars, the promoters, the fans, and the critics, Wrestling Queen will give you a snapshot of a rarely seen part of 70’s culture, along with a healthy dose of wrestling nostalgia!