29 Wrestlers Who Died In 2019

11. Rene Goulet (25 May)

Ashley Massaro
WWE

'The Number One Frenchman' Rene Goulet died on 25 May, though his death remained private until the Cauliflower Alley Club confirmed his passing in December. He was 86 years old.

Goulet, born Robert Bédard in Quebec City, Canada, spent much of his early career in Verne Gagne's AWA, before going on to enjoy tag team success alongside Karl Gotch in WWE. The pair became the company's second ever tag team champions when they beat Luke Graham & Tarzan Tyler at a New York house show in 1971.

Throughout his tenure in the industry, Goulet achieved a number of other significant accomplishments. He appeared in the USA Network's first ever televised wrestling match, and he was the first person to defeat Ric Flair at the start of the future 'Nature Boy's career.

Goulet hung his boots up in 1986, after which he worked as a road agent for WWE for the next 11 years. Modern fans will most likely recognise him as one of a phalanx of officials who could regularly be seen breaking up fights whenever they erupted.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.