Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, a famous wrestler in Europe as well as in North
America.  Robert held the esteemed heavyweight title on more then ten occasions and
defended his title in America, Canada and in France.  He made his professional wrestling debut
in 1931.  Robert defeated Joe Kojut in two-straight falls on February 2, 1934 in Lewiston, Maine.

At 21-years old, Robert defeated Danno O’Mahoney in Montreal, Quebec on July 16, 1936 in a
match recognized as being for the AWA World Heavyweight Title.  The Montreal Athletic
Commission promoted the two-of-three-fall event.  O’Mahoney had lost a claim to his
championship in March at New York City, but promoters in Montreal continued to recognize him.  
Officials in Boston pulled Robert’s card in February 1938 for not wrestling Lou Thesz, but again,
Montreal Promoters looked upon Robert as the top man.  He traded the title several times with
Vic Christy and the Masked Marvel.  Robert traveled to Europe and had his AWA Claim taken
away from him.

On January 9, 1939, Robert was billed as the Heavyweight Champion of the World in a defeat of
Henri DeGlane of France in front of 18,000 fans after 1 hour and twelve minutes of wrestling.  
Yvon defeated Mike Steinborn on January 23, 1939 in Paris with two-straight falls.  He drew with
Charlie Rigoulot of France on February 13, 1939 with each wrestler holding a fall in Paris.  
Robert wrestled DeGlane again on April 3, 1939 in Paris.  This time, he was billed as the “World
Champion 1938.” DeGlane pinned Robert twice in three-falls to win the contest.  The losing
streak continued on April 17, 1939 in Paris, France at the Palais des Sports.  Felix Miquet of
France took two-of-three-falls from Robert.  Robert returned to Quebec and found Ernie Dusek
to be the World Champion.  Robert beat him on October 3, 1939 to regain the championship.  
He lost the title in early 1940.  Robert wrestled Steve Casey to a draw after each scored one fall
each in Hartford on March 7, 1940.

In September of ’41, Robert captured his fifth World Title after beating Lou Thesz.  While
recognized in Quebec as the World Champion, Robert set his sights on Bill Longson, the
National Wrestling Association World Champion.  Longson ventured into Montreal on October 7,
1942 and gave him a chance to win the belt.  Robert beat Longson and captured the NWA
World Title.  On November 27th, Robert went to Houston, Texas and lost the title to Bobby
Managoff.  Promoters still viewed him as the champ in Montreal.

Between 1942 and 1951, Robert captured the World Title in the northeast parts of America and
eastern Canada a total of 13 times.  He wrestled the likes of Buddy Rogers, Thesz, Frank
Sexton, Maurice Tillet and Yukon Eric, some of the top talent in the country.  Robert competed
in the famous Madison Square Garden several times.  He was a fixture in Canadian Sports and
a huge star in Montreal and Paris.  Robert retired from grappling in 1957.  After leaving the trail,
he trained his son Yvon Robert Jr. for his pro debut.  He also returned occassionally to act as a
special referee.  In 1971, Yvon was awarded the “Medaille d’Or” Award for his achievements in
sport.  It was the highest honor a French-Canadian sportsman could receive and quite
impressive.  Mr. Robert earned it.  His legendary status had been achieved.

Robert died on July 12, 1971 in Montreal.  In March of the following year, the Wrestling Writers
Association of America named Robert to the Official Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.  A ceremony
was held in Montreal at the Forum in which members of his family and friends along with the
promoters, referees and trainers who had worked with him over the years, went to the ring to
pay tribute.  WWAA President, Norman H. Kietzer presented the plaque to Robert’s children.  
Yvon Robert was the sixth man named to the WWAA Official Hall of Fame.
+

Other Historical Notes:


The Toronto Globe and Mail, on Wednesday, February 3, 1960, reported that Yvon Robert had
suffered a slight heart attack the weekend before.  He was 45 years of age and had reportedly
given up active wrestling two years earlier and often worked as a wrestling official.  He was
recovering in a Montreal hospital.











Research by Tim Hornbaker
Yvon Robert Wrestling History
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