Leo Burke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leo Burke (June 29, 1948, Dorchester, New Brunswick, Canada) is a professional Wrestler

[edit] Biography

Leo Burke (real name Leonce Cormier, aka: Tommy Martin, Bobby Kay, the Bat) is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is a legend to wrestling fans in Atlantic Canada. He became a star there during the 1970s with Eastern Sports Association's International Wrestling, where he had matches against former world champions Pat O'Connor, Harley Race, Dory Funk Jr. & Lou Thesz. he also challenged reigning champions, Jack Brisco(75) & Terry Funk(76). He was also a multitime North American Heavyweight Champion & International Tag Team Champion with his brothers, Yvon (The Beast), and Romeo (Bobby Kay), Third brother Jean-Louis (Rudy Kay) & Leo were the only combination, of the Cormier brothers not to hold the Tag Team trophy. In the off-season (Winter) he would sometimes wrestle in the Mid Atlantic promotion (Carolinas & Virginia), using the name Bobby Kay - the same name his brother Romeo used in Atlantic Canada!

In 1977 he returned to Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary (where he had first broke into the business), and became a star there as well, being their North American Champion eight times. He often returned to the Maritimes, during the summer months to work for Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling (circa 79-89, except 84), and in the 1990s with Canadian Championship Wrestling of which he was a partner (circa 90-93). During the 1990s he was also a trainer for the WWF and WCW (World Championship Wrestling) in Calgary. He was often tag teamed with Big Stephen Petitpas, Hubert Gallant and his brothers, during the Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling days of the 1980s. In 83-84 he appeared with Toronto's Maple Leaf Wrestling as their North American Champion, until the promotion was purchased by the WWF (circa June, 1984), he then took the North American title to the Maritimes, and defended it on Al Zinck's revived International Wrestling. He has wrestled all over Canada, also in Puerto Rico, New Zealand and in the USA, (Mid-Atlantic, Texas & Central States). He has held numerous championships both as a single and as a tag team wrestler.

He borrowed the name Burke from a boxing friend because he didn't want to wrestle in the shadow of his older brothers Yvon and Jean-Louis. After retiring from full-time wrestling, he went to Calgary in the early 1990s he has helped train Glenn Kulka and Test.

[edit] Title History

Leo Burke's first title was the Central States Heavyweight Title, he was wrestling under the name Tommy Martin, he won the belt from Bob Brown on Oct.11/68 and lost it to Dusty Rhodes on Dec 13/68. During this time he also teamed with Terry Martin (brother Romeo) To win the Central States North American Team Title from Bob Brown and Bob Geigel on Oct.31/68, losing it to Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdock on Nov.7/68, Tommy Martin also won a battle royal in St Joe, December 20/68. Over the next 30 years, Leo Burke held an array of titles (they might not all be listed here):

At least 6 time North American champion (ESA/International Wrestling), 1971-76 & 84

1 time North American champion (Trans-Canada Wrestling), 1977

At least 8 time North American champion (Stampede), 1978-83

2 time North American champion (Tunny/Toronto), 1982-84

defended this title (Zinck/Maritimes) after Tunny sold to WWF

ESA/International tag champion (Maritimes), with Bobby Kay, 1972-73

ESA/International tag champion (Maritimes), with The Beast, 1974

ESA/2X Taped Fist Champion 1973-76

Maritime champion, (ESA & TCW) 1976-77

Maritime Tag champion (TCW) with Hubert Gallant, 1977

2X Western States Tag Team Champion, with the Beast 1974 & 76 (tournament win in 76)

2 time International tag champion (Stampede), with Keith Hart, 1977, 79

2 time International tag champion (Stampede), with Bobby Burke (Kay), 1977 & 80

British Commonwealth Heavyweight Title (New Zealand), 1979

Central States Champion (second time) 1981

International tag champion (Stampede), with Bret Hart, 1982

Television Title (Montreal Area),(tournament win) mid-80's?

WWC Universal champion (Caribbean), 1989

WWC Caribbean champion, 1990

WWC Television Title, 1990

2 time United States Heavyweight champion (AGPW), 1983

At least 5 time International Heavyweight champion (AGPW), 1985-90

International tag champion (Stampede), with Ron Ritchie, 1986

North American Tag champion (AGPW) with Hubert Gallant, 1980

2 time North American Tag champion (AGPW) with Steven Pettipas, 1980 & 88

2 time North American Tag champion (AGPW) with Cuban Assassin, 1986 & 88

North American Tag champion (AGPW) with Bobby Kay, 1990

Maritime Championship tag with Stephen Pettitpas 1991 (2x)

Canadian Championship tag with Stephen Pettitpas 1992

Canadian Championship Heavyweight 1992

    Leo Burke challenged at least five World Champions: 
1)Oct 28/1975 Halifax Form, Nova Scotia, Jack Brisco N. W. A. - Leo won the only fall off the best two out of three falls match.
2) 1976 Maritime circuit (one week tour),Terry Funk N. W. A.. - July 7 at Halifax Form, Funk gets disqualified. 
  (I don't have the results from the other six matches, but Funk left with his belt!)
3)July 13 1978 Regina, AB Harley Race N. W. A.
  July 14 1978 Calgary, AB Harley Race N. W. A.
  July 15 1978 Edmonton, AB Harley Race N. W. A.
4)April 22/83 Calgary, AB, Nick Bockwinkle A. W. A.- Leo Burke loses due to interference by David Schultz.
5)July 3, 1984 Halifax Form, Nova Scotia, Rick Martel A. W. A.  - Leo won the only fall off the best two out of three falls match.

[edit] References

• Archives

Categorys:Stampede Wrestling,Eastern Sports Association