Paul Vachon

Paul Vachon, widely recognized by his ring persona "Butcher Vachon," was a prominent Canadian professional wrestler born on October 7, 1937, in Montreal. He hailed from the illustrious Vachon wrestling lineage and launched his career in 1957, inspired by his brother, Maurice. Throughout his wrestling journey, Paul showcased his formidable skills in several major promotions, including the American Wrestling Association (AWA), WWF (now WWE), National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), and Georgia Championship Wrestling. Notably, he captured the AWA World Tag Team Championship with Maurice, solidifying their legacy in tag team wrestling.

In addition to his wrestling accolades, Vachon ventured into film during the 1970s, appearing in the movie "Wrestling Queen," and took on the masked character "Spoiler #2" in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1975. He concluded his in-ring career in 1985 after a stint as a "jobber," where he helped elevate other wrestlers.

Beyond his wrestling achievements, Paul was the adoptive father of fellow wrestler Luna Vachon and had a diverse personal life, including multiple marriages and a brief foray into politics as a candidate for the New Democratic Party in three federal elections. Despite facing significant health battles, including colon cancer in 1993 and throat cancer in 2003, he bravely overcame these challenges. After retiring, he delved into selling therapeutic products with his wife and authored his autobiography, "When Wrestling Was Real." Paul Vachon passed away on February 29, 2024, at 86, in Mansonville, Quebec, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the wrestling world.