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Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel

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Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel
AcronymFFCP
Founded1933
Defunct1989 (reactivated 2006)
StyleProfessional wrestling, Sports entertainment
HeadquartersParis, France (1933–1989)
Wissous, France (2006–)
Founder(s)Raoul Paoli
Owner(s)Raoul Paoli (1933–1960)
Roger Delaporte (1960–1989)
Marc Mercier (2006–)
Websiteffcatch.fr


Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel (French pronunciation: [fedeʁɑsjɔ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛːz də katʃ pʁɔfɛsjɔnɛl]; lit. 'French Federation of Professional Wrestling'; FFCP) is a professional wrestling promotion based in France, originally active from 1933 until 1989.[1] and later revived in the 21st century. The organization was founded by Raoul Paoli and functioned as a governing body somewhat similar to the U.S.-based National Wrestling Alliance, the British Joint Promotions, the German VdB or the Spanish CIC (Corporación Internacional de Catch). With Henri Deglane as its headliner,[2] the promotion set a number of attendance records in the 1930s[3][4] that remained unbroken in France and continental Europe until the arrival of the World Wrestling Federation in the late 1980s.[5] In 2006, the promotion was revived by former FFCP wrestler Marc Mercier who ran several national tours in conjunction with his Catch Academy wrestling school in 2007–08,[6] and again in 2018.

Creation

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Raoul Paoli
Henri Deglane
Raoul Paoli (left) and Henri Deglane (right), both French Olympic champions, co-founded the Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel in 1933.

In 1933, Raoul Paoli, a French rugby player and all-round athlete, helped his friend Henri Deglane, a Greco-Roman wrestling gold medalist at the 1924 Summer Olympics, to popularize wrestling in France.[7][6] In 1933 the two men co-founded the FFCP.[7] The style of wrestling which was promoted by the FCCP was a flashy American style known as "Catch" as it was based on catch wrestling.[8]

With their friends Charles Rigoulot and Julien Duvivier, both top athletes, they introduced wrestling at the Velodrome d'Hiver in Paris. They became affiliated with the Fédération Française de Lutte (FFL), effectively becoming the professional branch of wrestling within the organization at that time. That same year, a French troupe of wrestlers performed in Madrid, Spain, and introduced "modern" catch and U.S.-style pro wrestling to Spanish audiences for the first time. Five months later, the FFCP held the earliest-known catch wrestling show in Barcelona on 25 October 1933, headlined by Henri Deglane and Sailor Arnold.[9]

Deglane was the country's top star throughout the 1930s. His bouts against Dan Koloff, Charlie Santen and Ed "Strangler" Lewis drew a record 15,000 people at the Palais des Sports during 1933–34. One Palais des Sports show featuring Dan Koloff vs. Charles Rigoulot on 22 January 1934 topped 18,000.[3][4] The promotion set a number of attendance records for pro wrestling in Western Europe during the 1930s. As of 2022, the Koloff vs. Rigoulot bout still remains the most attended pro wrestling event in France. Dan Koloff went on to become Deglane's main rival for the French-version of the European Heavyweight Championship.[2][10]

Raoul Paoli became the first president of the Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel (FFCP), and the first wrestling matchmaker in France.[7] Raoul Paoli died on 23 March 1960, in Paris, leaving his chair empty.[11]

The Golden Age

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Andre the Giant began his wrestling career in the FFCP.

From 1960 until the 1980s, wrestling was at its peak in France. During this period, no less than seven venues held shows in Paris every week: the Élysée Montmartre, the Salle Wagram, the Stadium, the Palais des Sports de Paris, La Mutualité, the Cirque d'hiver and the Vel d'Hiv. The Élysée Montmartre is the scene of many television broadcasts on the ORTF). Its owner and star wrestler of the time Roger Delaporte – later a referee with a reputation for physically imposing order in matches – was one of the great wrestling bookers of France. He successively directed the Fédération Française de Lutteurs Indépendants (FFLI) and then the Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel following the death of Raoul Paoli.[7] Robert Lageat, a promoter for the FFCP, is credited with discovering Andre the Giant (then known as Jean Ferré) who made his pro wrestling debut for the promotion in Rouen on 25 January 1966.[12]

At the end of the 1980s, Roger Delaporte retired and sold the Élysée Montmartre[13] to the production company Garance Productions.[14] The Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel remained in limbo for nearly 20 years.[7]

Revival

[edit]

In 2006, Marc Mercier, a former wrestler from Delaporte's company who in 1987 – through talent exchanges between Delaporte and Max Crabtree – had appeared on ITV in the UK to unsuccessfully challenge Marty Jones for his World Mid Heavyweight championship, made agreements with the latter to reactivate the federation,[7] which was one of the first wrestling associations in the world. Indeed, wrestling, already popular in the United States in the 1930s, waited until 1948 to have its first national association: the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Mercier created the Catch Academy in 2006 in Wissous, a school designed to train a new generation of French wrestlers.[6] Several waves of men and women learned the rudiments of wrestling through the various facilities of the school (from Wissous to Villejuif through Chennevières, Choisy-le-Roi and Ris-Orangis). The FFCP held its first national tour during the summer of 2007, showcasing its Catch Academy students, and received coverage from a number of mainstream publications including, most notably, Le Télégramme.[15] During this period, Mercier and his Catch Academy students participated in a number of television and radio public service announcements as well as public appearances at schools, colleges and community centers raising awareness of French children who had suffered serious injuries attempting to imitate American-style professional wrestling moves.[16][17] In July 2009, the FFCP opened a training facility in Angers with a focus on helping children from low-income households.[18] In July 2012, Catch Academy held a summer training program for teenagers in Laparade.[19]

President Marc Mercier's goal is to revitalize and reorganize the sport through appealing and media-friendly events. If the Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel is now back in the news, the fact remains that a huge work of general restructuring of wrestling still remains to be done in France, and this while awaiting a state legislation aiming at supporting the profession. Shows produced by the FFCP in 2013 were covered by Midi Libre,[20] La Provence[21][22] and Les Inrockuptibles. Around this time, Mercier pitched a reality tv-style series following students at Catch Academy but was considered too expensive to produce.[23]

In February 2014, Marc Mercier decided to entrust the presidency of the FFCP to the young referee and ex-wrestler from Bordeaux, Artémis d'Ortygie, appointing in turn Norbert Feuillan as vice-president.[24] In March 2014, the promotion was profiled by Sud Ouest.[25] D'Ortygie left the position of president in May 2014 to pursue personal projects, Marc Mercier resumed her position as president of the FFCP.[26] On 22 May 2017, referee Jérémy Grand joined Marc Mercier as vice president, replacing Norbert Feuillan who also resigned.[27][28] Feuillan went on to become a French-language commentator for AEW Dynamite with Alain Mistrangelo on the Toonami channel.[29]

In October 2017, the Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel announced another national tour, the Catch Academy Tour 3, which is based on the model of the first Catch Academy Tour of 2007 to train a new generation of wrestlers,[30] and was scheduled to visit at least 20 cities across France starting in March 2018.[31] Despite low turnout for its April shows,[32][33] the promotion finished the tour holding its finale in Saint-Germain-le-Gaillard on 22 September 2018.[34]

Mercier retired from the FFCP presidency, aged 65, in February 2024 after 49 years in the wrestling industry.

Dispute with Wrestling Stars promotion

[edit]

Today, FFCP is one of two main promotions in France to cater for the "traditional"/"old school" style of European professional wrestling, the other being Wrestling Stars, formerly the International Wrestling Stars Federation (IWSF) run by veteran wrestler Jacky Richard and starring Flesh Gordon (Gérard Hervé). Relations between the two promotions are extremely poor with each accusing the other of being fraudulent and refusing to speak to journalists who interview the other side.[6]

Championships

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World Championships

[edit]

European Championships

[edit]

French Championships

[edit]

Revived Championships

[edit]

References

[edit]

General

  • Hébert, Bertrand; Laprade, Pat (2020). The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant. Toronto, Ontario: ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-77041-466-2.
  • "La fantastique épopée du catch français" [The fantastic story of French wrestling]. Radio France (in French). 18 December 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

Specific

  1. ^ Wheeler, Jimmy, ed. (16 October 2019). "Results from France: 1933–1936". Professional Wrestling Historical Society. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "FRANCE: European Heavyweight Title". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Waterloo, ON: Archeus Communications. p. 418. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  3. ^ a b Lions, Phil (20 November 2014). "Results: Paris, France (1933–1939)". WrestlingClassics.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Wheeler, Jimmy, ed. (16 October 2019). "France: 1933–1936". Professional Wrestling Historical Society. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022.
  5. ^ Cawthon, Graham (16 January 2023). "Yearly Results: 1987". TheHistoryOfWWE.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d Gaillard, Barthélémy (13 June 2017). "Le catch français tente de ressusciter" [French wrestling tries to resuscitate]. Vice.com (in French). Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f John Grasso (6 March 2014). Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. Scarecrow Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-8108-7926-3. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  8. ^ Hornbaker, Tim (2016). Legends of pro wrestling : 150 years of headlocks, body slams, and piledrivers (Revised and updated ed.). New York, NY: Sports Publishing. ISBN 9781613218754. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  9. ^ Lions, Phil (27 October 2019). "Results: Barcelona, Spain (1943–1968)". WrestlingClassics.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  10. ^ Lions, Phil (20 July 2022). "Dan Koloff bust unveiled in Bulgaria". SlamWrestling.net. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  11. ^ "RAOUL PAOLI EST MORT" [RAOUL PAOLI IS DEAD]. Le Monde (in French). 25 March 1960.
  12. ^ Hébert, Bertrand; Laprade, Pat (2020). "Chapter 2: The Birth of Jean Ferré". The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant. Toronto, Ontario: ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-77041-466-2.
  13. ^ Hernandez, Anthony (15 May 2015). "Popoff, the French wrestler who can't cast off his cape". TheGuardian.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Paris: l'Elysée-Montmartre change de main" [Paris: the Elysée-Montmartre changes hands]. Le Monde (in French). 2 February 1988. Garance Productions, société spécialisée dans les tournées de groupes rock en France, vient d'acheter à l'ex-catcheur Roger Delaporte l'Elysée-Montmartre, [Garance Productions, a company specializing in rock band tours in France, has just bought the Elysée-Montmartre from the ex-wrestler Roger Delaporte,]
  15. ^ "Catch. Du lourd sur le ring de poullan" [Wrestling. Heavyweights in the ring of poullan]. Le Télégramme (in French). 12 July 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Quand le catch attaque" [WHEN WRESTLING ATTACKS]. BFMTV (in French). 2 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  17. ^ Rivière, Dr Jean-Philippe (27 October 2010). "Le catch n'est pas un jeu d'enfant !" [Wrestling is not child's play!]. Doctissimo (in French). Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Une école de catch à Angers" [A wrestling school in Angers]. Angers Villactu (in French). 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  19. ^ "La catch academy débarque" [The Catch Academy comes to town]. Le Républicain (in French). 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Gala de catch à Roquemaure" [Wrestling show in Roquemaure]. Midi Libre (in French). 2 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Du catch ce soir dans les arènes" [Wrestling tonight in the arena]. La Provence (in French). 3 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Le catch entre dans l'arène à Saint-Rémy" [Wrestling enters the arena at Saint-Rémy]. La Provence (in French). 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  23. ^ Adejes, Alice (26 September 2013). "Catch français, la relève" [French wrestling, the next generation]. Les Inrockuptibles (in French). Paris, France: Les Nouvelles Editions Indépendantes. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  24. ^ Fog, Darren (26 February 2014). "Artémis Ortygie et Norbert Feuillan prennent la tête de la FFCP" [Artémis Ortygie and Norbert Feuillan take over the leadership of the FFCP] (in French). Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  25. ^ Lapoyade, Camille de (12 March 2014). "Catch : ils veulent mettre les clichés KO" [Catch: they want to knock out clichés]. Sud Ouest (in French). Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  26. ^ Fog, Darren (14 May 2014). "FFCP : Artémis Ortygie quitte (déjà) son poste de présidente" [FFCP: Artémis Ortygie leaves (again) her position as president] (in French). Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Est nommé N°2 de la FFCP Jérémy Grand qui devient Vice-Président FFCP le 22 Mai 2017" [Is appointed No. 2 of the FFCP Jeremy Grand who becomes Vice President FFCP on 22 May 2017.]. FFCatch.fr (in French). May 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  28. ^ Grand, Jérémy (22 May 2017). "Communiqué FFCP de Mai 2017" [May 2017 FFCP Press Release]. Facebook.com (in French). Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  29. ^ Leroy, Marc-Antoine (11 August 2022). "NORBERT FEUILLAN : « QUAND ON EST COMMENTATEUR, ON EST UN VECTEUR DE NORMES »" [NORBERT FEUILLAN: "WHEN YOU ARE A COMMENTATOR, YOU ARE A BEARER OF STANDARDS]. L'Avant-Garde (in French). Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  30. ^ Marc, Mercier (26 October 2017). "The "Catch Academy Tour", which crossed France in 2007 and 2008, had made known to the public but also in the media, young and new wrestlers..." [The "Catch Academy Tour", which crossed France in 2007 and 2008, had made known to the public but also in the media, young and new wrestlers...]. Facebook.com (in French). Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  31. ^ Mercier, Marc (26 January 2018). "Chers Amis, Le calage définitif des premières villes de notre tournée 2018. D'autres viendront se rajouter à cette liste" [Dear Friends, The first cities of our 2018 tour have been finalized. Others will be added to this list.]. Facebook.com (in French). Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  32. ^ "Avec seulement une vingtaine de spectateurs, le gala de catch renvoyé dans les cordes" [With only twenty spectators, the wrestling gala was sent back on the ropes]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 12 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  33. ^ "Un 3e Catch Academy tour époustouflant! Un public peu nombreux mais amusé a assisté au gala de catch haut en couleurs" [An amazing 3rd Catch Academy tour! A small but amused audience attended the colorful wrestling gala.]. L'Est Eclair (in French). 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  34. ^ Mercier, Marc (18 September 2018). "Samedi 22 Septembre 2018, la Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel et toute l'équipe de la Catch Academy vous donnent rendez-vous à Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard" [Saturday, September 22, 2018, the Fédération Française de Catch Professionnel and all the team of the Catch Academy invite you to Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard.]. Facebook.com (in French). Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  35. ^ "World Heavyweight Championship Title (France)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  36. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "SPAIN: World Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Waterloo, ON: Archeus Communications. p. 418. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  37. ^ "World Light Heavyweight Title (Spain)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  38. ^ "European Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  39. ^ "European Mid-Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  40. ^ "European Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  41. ^ "European Middleweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  42. ^ "European Welterweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  43. ^ "French Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  44. ^ "French Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  45. ^ "French Middleweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  46. ^ "French Welterweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  47. ^ "French Lightweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  48. ^ "French Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
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