Hundreds turn out in Berwick to honour, pay tribute to Maritime wrestling legends

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

The historic Berwick Arena became a time machine June 28 and Maritime pro wrestling fans took one heck of a trip.

Some of the greatest grapplers from the 1970s and ‘80s were on hand when Ultimate Championship Wrestling (UCW) presented its Legends of Maritime Wrestling Tour and judging by the reaction of the nearly 400 fans in attendance, the show put forth by president, promoter and CEO Chuck Martin and promoter Joe Dunlop did not disappoint.

Wrestling legends that took part in the event included Leo Burke, who is retired now and living in Calgary. Ring announcer Captain Kirk interviewed him in the ring as part of the live show.

Burke, originally from Dorchester, New Brunswick, is a long-time favourite of Maritime wrestling fans. He not only enjoyed great success at home and across Canada, but around the world.

Some of the greatest accomplishments of the “Ambassador of Maritime Wrestling” included numerous International and North American singles and tag-team championships. On at least two occasions the man many call the epitome and icon of Maritime wrestling came within an eyelash of winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, wrestling both Harley Race and “Nature Boy” Ric Flair to draws in best two-out-of-three falls matches.

Became a WWE trainer

After retiring from active competition, Burke became a trainer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and later World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Among the stars he had a hand in training include Canadian independent pro wrestling star “Wildman” Gary Williams, currently a member of the UCW roster, and current WWE Superstars Mark Henry, Edge and Christian.

When asked for his thoughts on today’s generation of wrestling stars, Burke said, in regard to their potential and the opportunities they have, “I’m jealous.”

Burke said he always loved coming the Valley and, even though he’s from New Brunswick, it always felt like coming home. Burke said he’d like to return to the Valley for another visit next summer.

Burke, a.k.a. Leonce Cormier, is a member of the famous Cormier wrestling family along with his brothers, Bobby Kay, the late Rudy Kay and the Beast.

Magic 94.9 FM announcer Jerry Neville interviewed the original Cuban Assassin. The Assassin said he was very happy to be back in Berwick and he wanted to come to see the people again. “Hello, people of Berwick, Nova Scotia,” he said. “I’ve wrestled here many times. I have come back and I will come back.”

He said his legend would live on through his son, Cuban Assassin #2, who wrestled Williams in the main event.

Poffo big Nova Scotia fan

The legendary Leaping Lanny Poffo pinned “Lumber” Jack Johnson in Berwick. Poffo, who competed also as WWE Superstar The Genius, first performed in the Maritimes for promoter Emile Dupre in 1978 and again in 1983. Poffo is a former International Heavyweight Champion.

Other career highlights of the “poet laureate of professional wrestling”, the son of wrestling legend Angelo Poffo and the younger brother of “Macho Man” Randy Savage, include serving as advisor to the late Mr. Perfect and defeating Hulk Hogan, the WWE Champion at the time, by count-out on NBC’s Saturday Night Main Event.

Poffo, who is now 54 years old and living in Florida, referenced the movie The Bucket List and said one thing he’d like to do before “kicking the bucket” is to see the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. He never had time when here in 1978 or 1983 or when later performing in Moncton and Halifax with the WWE. However, he said he finally planned to do so July 1, a day off for him. He said he would take his video camera and show vignettes on his website, www.lannypoffo.com. “If you just hit the big towns, you’re missing the Maritimes,” he said. “I’ve been to New Zealand, Australia, I’ve been all throughout Europe and I’ve been all over North America and I promise you I’ve never seen a place as beautiful as Nova Scotia.”

Former WWE and WCW Superstar Virgil, once a member of the New World Order (NWO), was another legend on hand in Berwick. He used to perform in the Maritimes on occasion when the WWE toured cities such as Halifax, Moncton and Sydney.

Perhaps best remembered as the bodyguard of “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, Virgil said he is still the WWE Million-Dollar Champion, having defeated Dibiase for the title belt at Summer Slam ’91 and never losing the championship in the ring. Virgil defeated “Commercial Free” Sexton Phoenix in Berwick with the “Million Dollar Dream” sleeper hold. • It should be noted that the video that accompanies this story is of a graphic nature. All wrestlers appearing have years of highly specialized training and are performing in the spirit of entertaining fans, not in the spirit of violence or irresponsibility. Nothing shown here should be mimicked or re-enacted by anyone who is not a trained professional wrestler. Viewer discretion is advised.