Michel Vigneault Wrestler
Michel Vigneault (October 1944 – June 30, 1978) was a Canadian professional wrestler, known by his ring name Michel "Mad Dog" Martel, who competed in North American and international regional promotions including Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, Stampede Wrestling, International Wrestling Enterprise and the World Wrestling Council during the late 1960s and 70s. He was also one half of The Mercenaries with Frenchy Martin. One of the most popular Canadian stars wrestling in Puerto Rico during the mid-1970s, his mysterious death in 1978 has long been subject of controversy and speculation. Heavily promoted by WWC promoter Carlos Colon that Martel had died as a result of a "heart punch" used by wrestler Jose Gonzalez during his last match, it has long been the subject of rumor that Martel's death had been caused by an injury suffered in the ring, ranging from a ruptured aorta to a broken rib which punctured his heart. This has since been revealed as "kayfabe" used to promote Gonzalez's feud with Frenchy Martin and Michel Martel's younger brother Rick Martel.