Tragic news out of the world of pro wrestling, as Frenchy Martin has lost his battle to bladder cancer at 69
To compliment the overwhelming patriotic nature of Jim Duggan in 1988, you needed the snarky foreign bad guy. Frenchy Martin and Dino Bravo played the counterpart to Duggan. The manager Martin would come to the ring with signage disparaging the United States of America. Martin would accompany Bravo for half of the two year feud with Duggan. Most famously, Martin managed Bravo during a Flag Match between Duggan and Bravo at King of the Ring in 1988.
Martin also competed as a wrestler, doing some work with WWE. He also wrestled often on the regional scene in Canada and Puerto Rico. He once held tag-titles with Mr. Fiji, a talent also mostly known for his manager role. In Puerto Rico, Martin wrestled Ric Flair to a draw in a 60 minute bout.
WWE issued a comment on his passing, which you can see below.
Frenchy Martin passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Jean Gagné, known to WWE fans as Frenchy Martin, has passed away.
Though he began his WWE career as a competitor, Martin is best remembered for his time as the manager of the mighty Dino Bravo. Donning a brash monocle and a sequined beret, Martin helped his fellow French Canadian find success in 1987, while enraging American fans by carrying around a sign that read "USA Is Not OK." Martin's ringside antics made him a memorable face of WWE in the late '80s despite a relatively brief run.
WWE extends its condolences to Gagné's family, friends and fans.
Martin has one son who wrestled under the name Frenchy Martin Jr for a short time. Martin can be seen managing his son in this highlight video published on Martin's youtube channel. The staff of Fightful wants to offer best wishes to Frenchy Martin's surviving family and friends.
