Paul Vachon

Born

October 7, 1937

Died

February 29, 2024 · age 86

From

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Paul Vachon (Butcher Vachon) was a Canadian professional wrestler born on October 7, 1937, in Montreal, known for his aggressive style and ring name "Butcher Vachon." A member of the famous Vachon wrestling family, he began his career in 1957, following in the footsteps of his brother Maurice, and wrestled for various organizations such as the American Wrestling Association (AWA), WWF (now WWE), NWA, and Georgia Championship Wrestling. He was part of the AWA World Tag Team Champions alongside his brother Maurice. In the 1970s, Vachon also made appearances in film, starring in Wrestling Queen, and wrestled under the mask "Spoiler #2" for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1975. He retired in 1985 after a period of being a "jobber" (a wrestler who loses to elevate others). Outside the ring, Vachon was the adoptive father of wrestler Luna Vachon and had a personal life marked by multiple marriages and a brief political career, running for the New Democratic Party in three federal elections. He faced numerous health challenges, including colon cancer in 1993 and throat cancer in 2003, both of which he overcame through extensive treatments. After retiring, Vachon became involved in selling therapeutic products with his wife and published his autobiography, When Wrestling Was Real. He passed away on February 29, 2024, at the age of 86 in Mansonville, Quebec.