Raymond Rougeau Then and Now

Raymond Rougeau Then

Raymond Rougeau was born on February 18, 1955, in Saint-Sulpice, Canada, into a family deeply entrenched in the world of professional wrestling. 

His father, Jacques Rougeau Sr., and his great-uncle, Eddie Auger, were both influential figures in the wrestling community, and their impact on Raymond was profound. 

At just fourteen, Raymond began his training under their guidance, laying the foundation for what would become a distinguished career in wrestling. 

By the age of sixteen, he made his debut in 1971 with his father’s Montreal promotion, initially wrestling as a babyface or hero. 

His early years in the sport were marked by significant matches, including a notable bout in 1974 against The Love Brothers in Toronto, and by 1976, he had moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to work with Jim Barnett in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), alongside his close friend Pierre Lefebvre.

Raymond Rougeau Wrestling Career

Raymond Rougeau’s professional wrestling career took off in earnest when he and his brother, Jacques Rougeau Jr., joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in February 1986. 

They made their debut during a tour of Australia, and within their first year, they competed against and defeated notable teams such as The Hart Foundation, The Moondogs, and The Dream Team. 

Their early success included a brief reign as WWF Tag Team Champions, though this was later reversed due to the use of a foreign object in the match. 

Related Article: Jacques Rougeau Then and Now

In a significant turn of events, The Fabulous Rougeaus transitioned from babyface to heel characters, adopting an “All-American Boys” gimmick that cleverly utilized their Canadian heritage to provoke American audiences. 

This period was marked by feuds with prominent teams such as The Killer Bees and The Rockers.

After a semi-retirement in 1989 and a final WWF match in 1990, Rougeau shifted to a role behind the scenes, becoming a play-by-play commentator for French-language WWF programming from 1992 until 1998. His commentary continued in various capacities until 2002. 

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Rougeau made brief returns to the ring in the late 1990s, including a boxing match against Owen Hart and a match in 1998 with Jacques and Carl Ouellet. He also participated in the “Lutte 2000” event in 2000. 

Although he left the WWF in early 2002 when French-language programming ceased, he made a comeback in 2017 as a French-language commentator for WWE Network’s PPVs, reuniting with Jean Brassard. 

However, he departed once again in April 2021 with the transition of WWE Network to Peacock.

Related Article: Ron Bass Then and Now

Raymond Rougeau Wrestling Competition

• Montreal Promotion (1971–1974)
  • Debut match in Joliette
  • Match against The Love Brothers in Toronto
• National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) (1976)
  • Competed in Atlanta, Georgia
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF) (1986–1989)
  • Debut during a tour of Australia
  • Matches against The Hart Foundation, The Moondogs, Jimmy Jack and Dory Funk Jr., and The Dream Team
  • WrestleMania III match against Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake
  • Tag Team Championship match against The Hart Foundation
• Various Independent Shows (1989–1996)
  • Final WWF match at the Royal Rumble in 1990
  • Dark match on WWF Shotgun Saturday Night in March 1998
  • “Lutte 2000” event in 2000
• WWE Network (2017–2021)
  • French-language commentator for WWE Network PPVs
• Additional Appearances:
  • Boxing match against Owen Hart at the Montreal Molson Centre in August 1996

Raymond Rougeau Now

Raymond Rougeau, at 69 years old, has transitioned from his notable career in professional wrestling to a prominent role in Canadian politics.

After an impressive tenure with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1986 to 2002, where he gained fame as one half of The Fabulous Rougeaus, Rougeau’s career took a new direction. 

His wrestling career, which included significant feuds and memorable matches, established him as a prominent figure in the wrestling world. 

Related Article: Ken Patera Then and Now

Post-wrestling, he continued to contribute to the industry as a French-language commentator for WWE Network’s programming.

In 2021, Rougeau embraced a new challenge by entering the political arena. 

He was elected as the mayor of Rawdon, Quebec, marking a significant shift from his previous public roles. 

Related Article: Brutus Beefcake Then and Now

His move into politics reflects his continued commitment to public service and community involvement. 

As mayor, Rougeau focuses on local governance and community development, leveraging his experience and leadership skills gained from his diverse career. 

This new chapter highlights his versatility and dedication to serving his community in a different capacity.

Related Article: Greg Valentine Then and Now

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