Real Name - Henri DeGlane
Lifespan - 6/22/1902 - ?/?/1975
??? - Paris, France
Aliases - none
Athletic background - Greco-Roman Wrestling [1924 Olympics - Gold Medal]
Peak Years - 1930-1934

Place in History - France has only produced a handful of pro-wrestlers who have come to North America and most have been hugely successful. From Eduoardo Carpentier to Andre “The Giant,” these men had qualities that set them apart from their peers and Henri DeGlane carved that path. An Olympic medallist in the 1920s, DeGlane was one of many ethnic stars of the late 20s and early 30s. Boston promoter Paul Bowser pushed DeGlane strongly in the Northeastern United States and Quebec with his legit credentials and unique heritage. French-Canadians ate it up and DeGlane was a huge star in his adopted home of Montreal. Given a monster push like many of Bowser’s charges, DeGlane soon found himself in an unenviable position in 1931. Ed “Strangler” Lewis had taken Paul Bowser’s version of the World Championship off Ed Don George and DeGlane was supposed to get it back into the fold. He and Lewis split a fall apiece when, in the third fall, DeGlane claimed Lewis had bitten him. After a disqualification, DeGlane was named the new World Champion, although the manner in which he acquired tainted his legacy. DeGlane known to be selfish and limited in the ring was not Bowser’s prime choice for champion as was made evident when dropped the belt to Ed Don George. DeGlane continued to be a persistent challenger to Bowser’s various champions and he helped draw huge crowds in matches against Gus Sonnenburg, Jim Browning and his rival Ed Don George. DeGlane wrestled into the 1940s and had successful tours of Europe, but his true time on top of the heap was quite brief and the blemish of the “Battle of the Bite” has been and always be attached to his name.