Rene Dupree's Fans Say ....

2011-08-23T02:48:00.000-07:00

2011-03-31T03:57:00.000-07:00

How Rene Dupree could join the new Florida based WWP wrestling promotion in 2011

2010-09-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

by Wayne K. Wilkins

Rene Dupree is a professional wrestler that is probably best remembered for his time as the cocky young French wrestler in the World Wrestling Entertainment promotion that would come to the ring accompanied by a French poodle called Fifi. However, while Dupree is probably best remembered for this gimmick in the mainstream world, his departure from the WWE in the mid to late 2000’s saw him make his debut across the sea in Japan. Since then, Dupree has undergone a drastic change in regards to his character and has since become a flawless in-ring worker with endless potential to be pushed to the main event in the even that he returns to the American scene. Could Rene Dupree see a debut for the Worldwide Wrestling Promotion sin 2011 and beyond?

Rene Dupree has stated in interviews that the WWE limited what he was able to do. He stated he has always wanted to get tattoos, but that the WWE never let him. Followed by his WWE departure, Dupree is pretty much unrecognisable compared to his former mainstream image as he now has plenty of tattoos all over his body, as well as completely changing his look, attire and image as a whole. This however has proved to be a success for Dupree as he has become a force to be reckoned with in Japan and has took his wrestling skills and in-ring prowess to new heights.

Rene Dupree’s new found fame and success across the pond however as well as his honing of his own skills and image is an aspect that could easily see him return to America in 2011. With the WWP promotion looking to hire established names from the wrestling world, Rene Dupree is a name that could prove to be a viable asset for the promotion for a variety of reasons. Not only is he recognisable for his tenure in the WWE, but he is also a highly skilled and talented performer with endless potential, but he also has youth on his side also with him still being in his 20’s.

The list of reasons to bring in a talent such as Rene Dupree to the brand new Worldwide Wrestling Promotions roster is potentially endless. He is a wrestler that has yet to achieve his full potential in the mainstream world of professional wrestling, but his prowess and success on the Japanese circuit following his WWE departure could easily signal that he is ready for a major run in America once again. With the WWP promotion looking to make an impact felt by both the WWE and TNA, could Rene Dupree make his return to the American mainstream for the growing promotion in 2011 and beyond?

2010-08-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

Rene Dupree's passion lies in Japan, Europe

By GREG OLIVER - Producer, SLAM! Wrestling

Having recently gotten married to a Japanese woman and moved up to the All Japan roster, Rene Dupree has a message for fans in North America: Don't look for him any time soon.

"The only thing I miss, honest to God, is the crowds," Dupree recently admitted to SLAM! Wrestling from his home in Tokyo, Japan. "I have no urge, I have no passion to ever go back to America to wrestle."
That certainly doesn't mean that Dupree doesn't have any passion for wrestling.

"My life is wrestling. I eat, sleep, breathe, live wrestling 24/7. That's my life. I'm in it for the long haul," said Rene Goguen, better known to WWE fans as Rene Dupree, part of the championship tag team La Resistance.

"Wrestling is my life, it's all I know, and I know it very well. And I know it better than anybody else today. And that's the bottom line. I'm not trying to be egotistical. It's the truth."

Rene's father, Emile Goguen wrestled as"Golden Boy" Dupree(or Dupre), debuting in 1956, and traveling the world. But the Maritimes always called him home, and Emile promoted there for decades. Like most promoters, the expanding World Wrestling Federation of 1983-84 hurt business, and he eventually called it a day -- though Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling did return for shorter summer tours over the years. It was there that Rene started training at the age of 13, helping set up the ring and working out; he would debut at 14.

The history between his father and Vince McMahon is just one reason that Rene doesn't see himself returning to North America to work.

"I don't care how much money Vince McMahon has, Vince McMahon put my father out of business, for a lot of people. That was a very, very hard time in my life. That is very hard to forgive, very hard to forgive," he said.

Dupree's loyalty is very much to Japan these days.

Calling it a dream he's had since he was five years old, Dupree said that he loves "everything" about being in Japan.

"The culture, the fact that it's pure wrestling, it's not bullshit sports entertainment, where you have to talk in front of a fucking camera and have writers. It's pure wrestling. I was miserable the last three years I was in WWE, I was miserable, I hated it, because it's all politics. You have to kiss ass.

"In Japan, all you've got to do, is you've got to work hard, you've got to look good, and that's it. And that's what wrestling is all about. It's about the performance. It's not about how big you are, or how good of a promo you can cut. It's about if you can deliver in the ring. And that's pure wrestling."

Even in the more comedic promotion, HUSTLE, Dupree saw some positives. "HUSTLE was doing good, good money, but it was hokey, it was real stupid. All-Japan is never going to go away," he said. In HUSTLE, Dupree was known as René Bonaparte and under a mask, he was Dina Sharp . "It's a great company to work for, great guys, great women, they work hard. It's stiff, it's hard-hitting, it's painful, but that's the pro wrestling that I love."

Rene Dupree in action at Korakuen Hall for All Japan in January 2010. Photo by Daniel Beaumont

He also appreciates the respect that the Japanese show to the past and the current wrestlers. When Lance Cade passed recently at the age of 29, he was a regular with All-Japan. The Japanese company gave him a 10-bell salute in the ring, whereas WWE did not. Dupree laid out his feelings in a Facebook posting: "cant sleep missing my friend lance, he was an awesome talent, a great father and the best tag partner ive ever had i love you like a brother lance i know you`re in heaven lacing your boots!!!"

For a young man who is only 26, Dupree has had quite the career already.

"My first dream was to make it into WWE. Got there, and it wasn't what I expected it to be. Now I'm here in Japan, and you know what? I'm going to stay here for as long as they want me. Bottom line, look at Stan Hansen, look atAbdullah the Butcher -- he's 73 years old and he still comes over here almost every month."

Another name from the past is Masahiro Chono.

"The only Japanese wrestler that ever worked for my father was Masahiro Chono, and at the time he was called Tokyo Chono," Dupree said. "We used to play soccer together. Now I'm actually going to get a chance to work with him in Taiwan, coming up in November. Everything happens for a reason. It's a dream of mine to be able to work with Masahiro Chono, and I'm going to be able to."

Chono is a key player in one of Dupree's other plans -- bringing Japanese wrestling back to Europe, where it was once very popular. He recently met with representatives at EuroSport, the major sports channel.

"In Europe, Japanese wrestling was the highest-rated show. I'm going to bring the Japanese wrestling back to Europe," he said. "I'm going to get Japanese wrestling back on European television, and they're going to dominate, just like they always have. ... The Japanese wrestling is far superior to anything Vince McMahon or that bullshit TNA can put out."

Dupree is already popular in Europe -- France in particular, where he is the AWR champion and hugely over. "I was basically the Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin of France, okay?" he laughed. November will be his fifth tour of France, and it will be a reunion with Sylvain Grenier. Dupree has also worked often in the United Kingdom.

In Japan, he is settling in to a routine. He married his wife, Kanako, on October 14, 2009, and is learning the language. "My wife gives me one word a day," he said.

Rene Dupree in Japan.

"I've been here for 10 months. I've just got my one-year spousal visa, and I'm going to apply for my three-year spousal visa. I don't plan on going home. I'll be honest with you. That two-and-a-half hour flight from Moncton to Toronto, and a 13-hour from from Toyko to Toronto. No thank you. I don't want to do it."

In a decade or so, though, he can perhaps see himself running a dojo in the Maritimes for Japanese wrestlers to further their North American wrestling skills.
Bridging the gap between continents is made easier with a good phone plan and the Internet. If you run across Dupree on Facebook, rest assured it really is him.
"Honestly, my wife works a lot and I'm really bored because I don't have American television, so I can't understand a goddamn word going on on TV. I'm on the Internet a lot, YouTube stuff, I Facebook with my friends," he said. His website, www.renedupree.net, is run by a British man that Dupree has never even met. "He's on the ball, he's a great guy, and he's helped me out a lot."

A good shot of Rene Dupree's back tattoos. Photo by naga

Another aspect of Dupree's foresight are his tattoos.

"It's called marketability, my friend. I'm an independent contractor. It's kind of hard to just put 'Rene Dupree' on a T-shirt, and for it to sell," he said. He is an admirer of the Ed Hardy line of T-shirts, and uses them as an example of what he is going for.

"I have these tattoos on my forearms, on my calves, and on my back. Now if you print out a T-shirt, and you put your face on the T-shirt, that's not going to sell. But, if you have a long-sleeved T-shirt with the tattoos, as I have, on a T-shirt, that makes for a cool-looking shirt -- not just a wrestling shirt, but a cool-looking shirt.

"I've always wanted tattoos, ever since I was a little kid. Mind you, when I was 18 and I signed with WWE, and they had a strict policy, 'Oh no, you can't have tattoos without permission. Oh no, you can't do this, you can't do that.' Basically, when you sign a contract with WWE, you sell your soul. You can't take a shit without asking their permission. That's the bottom line, that's the truth. The hell with that shit. No. Here in Japan, I get a new tattoo, and the boys are like, 'Oh, sugoi (which means awesome), new tattoo.'"

2010-07-25T23:41:00.000-07:00

Lee Longpre: What was it like to meet Rene Dupree?

Lucky Sabiti: Meeting Rene Dupree was amazing! He was actually one of the two wrestler I was hoping to meet while going over there [the UK]! The story goes like this: it was one random night and I was staying over at the house where the wrestlers stay when they're over there, I had decided to go to the corner store to get myself something to drink and that's where I saw this blond haired Big guy that looked like Rene, at first I minded my own business but I couldn't resist and I told him "Did anybody tell you, that you look like Rene Dupree?" and he answered me very casually "This is he man." From then on we talked and I found out that he was coming back from a trip somewhere and was staying where I was staying, we quickly talked and I found out that he also shares the same passion about Japan that I have, let me tell you he is one of the coolest guy I have ever met, just very social, down to earth and fun to be around ! I remember back when La Resistance won the Tag Belts in Montreal thinking to myself that it would be cool if I ever met those guy and no less than a year later I had. Meeting Rene Dupree made me realize a very important thing, the guys who make it to the big leagues are the guys who never stop believing, and they're the guys that always believe in themselves no matter what. "Never forget your dreams, always keep pursuing them and never quit"- Rene Dupree

http://ontariowrestlingsindyelite.com/interviews/interviewluckysabiti.htm

Bring back Rene... [what the fans say]

2010-01-30T00:48:00.000-08:00

The next guy that could come back is Rene Dupree. Another one like Kendrick where you could build a division around, a great worker, far more experienced now and he knows how to wrestle a good match. He drew a load of heat during his time in WWE, and were he to come back they could use a little more foreign influence on the U.S guys in the ’E currently. The tag division requires a boost, badly - Rene is the perfect guy for the job.
http://boards.ign.com/wwe_smackdown/b6546/188935991/r188951332/

Kawada shakes gaijin's hand twice!!!

2010-01-25T03:27:00.001-08:00

HUSTLE on PPV - July 6, 2008, Fukuoka - (2 3/4 hrs)
July 6, 2008, Fukuoka International Center (4,706 fans)

4. Toshiaki Kawada -vs- Rene Bonaparte - (Hustle GP - Round 1) [* 1/4]
--- For people complaining about Kawada not shaking hands with foreigners they should watch this match as he does it twice with Bonaparte here! So does that make it Stan Hansen, Steve Williams and now.....Rene Dupree?! Anyway this match was more Dupree then Kawada. The end saw Rene grab a chair which got kicked in his face before Kawada followed up with a lariat to win this first round match.
9:32 of 9:30 - Kawada pinned Bonaparte after a lariat

2010-01-25T03:05:00.000-08:00

HUSTLE on Samurai TV - April 29, 2009, Nagoya - (2 hrs)
April 29, 2009, Nagoya International Conference Hall (2,130 fans)

5. Lance Cade & Rene Bonaparte -vs- Shiro Koshinaka & RG [*]
--- It was wonderful seeing the two big WWE guys pick on little RG. He looked so helpeless with the two muscle men! But at least he got to humiliate the girl when he pulled down his pants and rubbed his red thong'ed ass in Francoise's face!!! As payback the gaijins beat up Koshinaka.
7:08 of 7:08 - Cade pinned Koshinaka after a top rope elbowdrop

2010-01-25T03:01:00.001-08:00

HUSTLE on Samurai TV - May 4, 2009, Yokohama - (2 hrs)
May 4, 2009, Yokohama Bunka Gym (5,150 fans)
Review by PUNQ (www.wrestling.dk)

5. Shiro Koshinaka & RG & Bono-kun -vs- Lance Cade & Rene Bonaparte & Francoise [* 1/2]
--- After banging Francoise, Cade & Dupree came out with her to beat up Koshinaka & RG. Akebono wasn't expected to turn up at first, but once the heel side had buried and humiliated RG & Koshinaka enough Akebono came out and made his superman return, not passing out to getting Francoise's nickers over his face, and went on to demolish Cade & Bonaparte before trashing the trash throwing Francoise wrecklessly before splashing her with all his weight. Akebono is no longer a prisoner of Francoise's seduction! Also got to love the way Cade & Bonaparte made fun and picked on RG for getting beat up by a chick!
12:10 of 12:10 - Akebono pinned Francoise after a bodypress

Dupree shining in his superstar way

2010-01-25T02:58:00.002-08:00

HUSTLE on Samurai TV - May 27, 2009, Tokyo - (2 hrs)
May 27, 2009, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall (2,010 fans)

Review by PUNQ (www.wrestling.dk)

5. Magnum Tokyo & Tajiri -vs- Lance Cade & Rene Bonaparte [* 3/4]
--- This was the only match on the show which felt like they were giving the fans good wrestling. This was nothing more then a standard tag bout, but it's interesting to see former WWE wrestlers like Lance Cade & Rene Dupree in Japan and how they look so much better then most of their Japanese colleagues. Times have changed. The two big muscle monsters kept pounding Tajiri down most of the match until it was comeback time to give the Japanese fans something to cheer when Tajiri blew blue mist in Cade's face and Tokyo culd kick Rene's head in for the pin.
12:43 of 12:43 - Magnum pinned Bonaparte after a spinning headkick

COMMENTS: Far from a good show, but the main event had it's moments with Cade's Texas wrestling and Dupree shining in his superstar way before the local guys got their happy moment.

Rene Dupree bases himself in Japan - buy or sell?

2010-01-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

411mania.com column opines and a fan disagrees -
The proposition is - "Rene Dupree has more value as a wrestler staying in Japan, rather than coming back to the States."
http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/127668

J.D. Dunn : BUY. If by value, you mean he can be pushed in Japan to a greater extent than he can be here, then yes. TNA could probably give him more money. It takes a while to get the stink of a bad gimmick off you, and Dupree showed nothing in the ring despite having tons of hype coming out of WWE developmental. Hopefully, he can follow in the footsteps of guys like Tomko, Giant Bernard and even Chris Masters and see a career rebirth. He definitely has the look of a star. Japan is the place to turn that potential into reality.

Chris Lansdell : BUY. He never amounted to half as much over here as he has in Japan. His attitude issues won't be tolerated in Japan and he will have respect stiffed into him if he tries it. His prospects in the States are grim: he was released by WWE and TNA did not sign him, which is rare enough. Nor did they try to sign him, as far as we've heard. His former partner Sylvain Grenier has wrestled for ROH and several smaller indies since being released. Rob Conway had a decent run in the resurrected NWA. Dupree…nothing. He's getting bookings in Japan and seems to be in a decent position on the card judging by results, so why not stay put?

Comments

I respectfully disagree with you guys. I think Rene Dupree should come back to the states. TNA is PERFECT for Dupree. Why haven't they signed him?

It's like asking 29 NFL teams why they passed up on a young kid named Tom Brady back in the NFL draft in 1999. No reason.

Point being, Maybe Dupre should write a letter to TNA management and ask for a job instead of waiting for them to call you.

Posted By: Elvylanda (guest) (Guest) on January 22, 2010 at 11:00 AM

+++

Such a shame this guy was let go, he was the next Brock Lesnar pretty much, great big man. Could be main eventing if he wasn't released a few years ago.

MEETING RENE DUPREE ....

2010-01-04T02:45:00.000-08:00

The many faces of Rene Dupree....

2009-12-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

the fans have their say over here

Awesome!!

2009-11-21T03:50:00.001-08:00

Rene Dupree was a part in a 5 vs 5 elimination match in HUSTLE last month that I checked out and he looked really awesome. Stiff looking slaps and chops, took a big bump on the outside, bladed really well and took some really spectacular comedy bumps. I would love to see them try to re-sign him but I don't think it's gonna happen. I always liked Dupree though, really a fun, charismatic heel who didn't really do much wrong. I really liked his match with Cena from Judgement Day 2004. (King Steventon)

A perfect score!! The World's Most Annoying Wrestler.

2009-09-09T00:48:00.001-07:00

Despite being away from US Television screens for several years, Rene Dupree has achieved a perfect score and Number 1 ranking in the most annoying wrestler ratings for 2009.

While Rene was only moderately annoying during his WWE run with La Resistance, he has risen steadily to now perfect levels of annoyingness as a singles wrestler. It's clear that former partner Sly Grenier's was holding him back in the obnoxious stakes. Dupree has also vastly overeached former mentor Rick Martel,
who scores a modest 54.84% on the international scale of annoyingness.

As 2009 progresses, we're looking forward to a big year of heightened annoyingness for the arrogant young Fench Canadian who is alreadyin demand as awrestling legend at the modest age of 25. Vive l'annoying one!

The Resume

(December 15, 1983- )
Birth name is Rene Goguen
Former WWE Tag Team Champion (with Kenzo Suzuki)
Former WWE World Tag Team Champion (with Sylvain Grenier)
Member of La Résistance (2003-2004)

Why he might be annoying

He has a girl's name.
He entered WWE as a Frenchman who hates America, and he's still using the same gimmick.
One of his trademark moves is called the 'French Tickler,' a form of Basque dance in the ring.
He worked as a bodybuilder before taking up wrestling full-time.

Why he might not be annoying

He had his first wrestling match at fourteen.
He is the youngest WWE World Tag Team Champion and WWE Tag Team Champion of all-time, winning them at 19 and 20 years old, respectively.
The 'French Tickler' got so famous that the fans cheer when he performs it, even if he's supposed to be a heel.
While in La Résistance, he was considered to have the brightest future of the trio.

Share this link with a friend or cast your vote

http://www.amiannoying.com/view.aspx?ID=12442

Ratings in review

For 2009, as of last week, Out of 16 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 37 Votes: 70.27% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 116 Votes: 77.59% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 152 Votes: 71.05% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 427 Votes: 69.79% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 180 Votes: 69.44% Annoying

Featured in the following annoying collections -

* Chicago Tribune [November 8, 2007] (Ranked: 11)
* Hmmm's Profiles [Series 2]
* I Hosted a Wrestling Talk Show
* My Dad was a Pro Wrestler Too
* Pro Wrestlers [Male]
* Profiles 12251-12500 (Ranked: 12442)
* WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champs
* WWE Tag Team Champs

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Kommentare der CAGEMATCH Nutzer

The Main Event meint (20.02.2008, 8.0): - "eh gut. kan man garnichts sagen !"

99ergraz meint (18.01.2008, 8.0): - "Ich fand Rene auch sehr unterhaltsam, vorallem bei Smackdown im Jahr 2004 war sein Gimmick echt toll. Ring-Skills waren auch vorhanden, schade das er nachdem Tag Team Title so wenig Bedeutung hatte, bei ECW hab ich gehofft das er stark gepusht wird, doch da habe ich mich getäuscht und schnell war es vorbei. Schade, Charisma hatte er "

LexLuger4ever meint (01.12.2007, 6.0): - "Im Tag Team mit Sylvain Grenier nahezu perfekt! Als Einzelwrestler auch nicht zu verachten, nur hat man ihn kurz vor dem Durchbruch doch wieder fallen gelassen."

TheLegendkillerRandyOrton meint (28.11.2007, 6.0): - "Gefiel mir bei La Resistance noch am Beesten..."

WCWler meint (24.11.2007, 8.0): - "Kein schlechter Wrestler. Leider immer wieder Rückschläge in der Karriere bekommen. "

Bhandu meint (28.10.2007, 4.0): - "Durchaus unterhaltsam, im Ring sicherlich noch verbesserungswürdig. Wurde aber durch ständige Verletzungen, aber auch durch Disziplinlosigkeiten immer wieder zurück geworfen."

Blue Meanie meint (14.10.2007, 8.0): - "Habe Rene Dupree immer sehr gemocht. Gute In-Ring Skills und brauchbare Mic Skills. Schade, dass WWE ihn zuerst kaum eingesetzt hat und schließlich entlassen."

Clover meint (22.09.2007, 10.0): - "Nach seiner Verletzung von der WWE (wie ich finde) viel zu grob vernachlässigt worden! Guter Mic-Worker mit guter und brauchbarer Arroganz sowie technischer Grundaustattung. Schade, dass man ihm nach seinem Run 2004 bei Smackdown so hat runterfallen lassen :( 9,0 von 10 Punkten!"

RhinoRaines meint (03.08.2007, 8.0): - "Ich fand meinen Namensvetter (dazu haben wir das gleiche Kürzel) eigentlich sehr gut, nur hat er sich das Leben selbst zu schwer gemacht. Hoffe er kommt irgendwann wieder mal zurück zu WWE."

renol2007 meint (14.07.2007, 10.0): - "Er ist nicht schlecht aber die WWE hätte mehr aus ihn machen können."

Blade Bourdeaux meint (01.07.2007, 4.0): - "z.Zt definitiv nur ausreichende Leistungen in der WWE. Aber er ist noch unheimlich jung, daher kann er noch einiges bewegen. Vorausgesetzt er wird nicht zu einem der vielen aufstrebenden Wrestler, die regelmäßig irgendwas dummes machen. "

Carlito Cena meint (28.06.2007, 6.0): - "Sehr unterhaltsam, naja, der Tickler ist merkwürdig. Aber ansonsten hat er gute Anlagen dass mehr aus ihm wird. Ich hoffe auf ein ordentliches Comeback."

Schorsch Knorpel meint (27.06.2007, 6.0): - "Fand ich eigentlich ganz cool - wenn er sich nicht verletzt hätte und regelmäßig eingesetzt worden wäre, hätte er sich echt machen können... irgendwie aber sehr viele Konjunktive..."

The Mountie meint (k.A., 4.0): - "War mal ganz viel versprechend, aber das ist gefühlte 17 Jahre her. Zu früh zu hochgepusht und -gejubelt und kommt damit offenbar weder vor noch hinter den Kulissen zurecht."

belroi meint (k.A., 6.0): - "einem Wrestler wegen nichtvorhandener Sympathie ne 0-Wertung zu geben ist ja schonmal lächerlich. Maineventerqualitäten hat er zwar noch nicht, aber da hat man noch lange Zet dran zu arbeiten. Optik passt und schlecht wrestlen kann er nun auch nicht. Backstageverhalten sollte sich aber auch ändern wenn er mal was werden will."

shannonmoore meint (k.A., 4.0): - "Im Jahr 2004 habe ich ihn richtig gehasst als Heel. Alles davor und danach war von keiner Bedeutung."

Babus meint (k.A., 6.0): - "Eigentlich n unglaubliches Talent. Matches und Promos von ihm hab ich immer gerne gesehen und das La Resistance Gimmick war eigentlich etwas mit dem man ursprünglich wenig falsch machen konnte. Trotzdem ist bei seinem Aufbau irgendwie alles schief gelaufen und mittlerweile ist er halt bloß vorhanden."

Juventud meint (k.A., 10.0): - "An Dupree gibt es nichts aus zusetzen. Hätte man ihm konsequent weiter aufgebaut hätten wir nun einen Main Eventer mehr."
-----------------------------------------------------------

Matt Short

Striving For Improvement - " I gain a small measure of respect for guys like Chris Masters or Renee Dupree..."

What you see happen a lot is released WWE stars deciding to go to Japan. Most recently former WWE superstar Chris Masters appeared for the Inoki Genome Federation where he worked a brief (though not very good) match. Working in Japan is a great way for wrestlers who are serious about improving their craft to get the experience they need. The perfect example of this working is the case of current TNA star Tomko. He initially started out in the WWE as just a generic big man, acting as "The Problem Solver" for Christian. When Christian left Tomko was stuck in limbo and spent some time teaming with Snitsky on Heat before being released. So what did he do? Went to Japan. Tomko turned himself into a credible wrestler, someone who could do more than just be a heel's tough guy or a jobber. Now he's been rewarded for his work by being the current reigning IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team champion, alongside Giant Bernard another WWE castoff.

Here's what it comes down to: guys who really want to succeed in wrestling will go out of their way to better themselves. If you have to travel to a completely different continent to continue working, you're really trying to better yourself. It's why I gain a small measure of respect for guys like Chris Masters or Renee Dupree (working for Hustle). They could just as easily stay in America and get by doing small independent shows that wouldn't exactly help them. They're not going to be booked into matches that will help them actually improve.

Not to say that going to Japan will be an instant cure for guys who need a lot of work. Masters is one such case as his short bout sucked a big one. I think that if he stays away from IGF he could actually make something out of himself.

The Path to Success
So let's say you want to break into puro. The only thing going against you is the fact that you're not Japanese. Tough luck that. But there's something that can help you. First, if you're massive, congratulations you can have a future as monster foreigner. The only requirement other than being big is actually having some talent to go with the size. Take Vader for example.....

Steve Williams, Vader, and Stan Hensen all did well just by being these massive imposing forces. The tradition continues with guys like Bison Smith, Tomko, and Giant Bernard. It's like a reverse Great Khali. Every country needs the evil foreigner for wrestling. It works in the US, it works in Canada, and it works in Japan.

Of course there's room for smaller guys too. Dragon Gate is becoming quite a haven for American indy starts. Jack Evans, El Generico, and Austin Aries are all featured there fairly frequently as their styles mesh so well with the Dragon Gate style. Though at the same time, American stars here aren't used as mammoth road blocks. To be perfectly honest they can't be used that way. Instead they just augment the existing factions and change some of the dynamics of matches. Face gaijin end up with Typhoon or New Hazard, heels go to Muscle Outlaw'z.

What's the message we can take from this? If you're looking for a way to get experience to help move up into the major leagues in America, Japan's a good place to start or to hone your skills.

****

Dupree should be the cocky "I'm better than you pieces of crap." Heel (sort of like Steve Corino's anti-hardocre, king of old school gimmick). Iit'd work great.

And yes i always thought dupree was great. he even had some decent matches with cena back in 2004.

***
wilcofan
The french tickler was awesome, as are his moves. It's unfortunate that ever since his run in with Sparky Plugg he's been de-pushed into the ground. Hopefully his career can turn around, he's got a lot of potential.

***
Anyone remember his fued with Cena for the US title on Smackdown in 04? I always thought they should have gave him the belt and he should have renamed it the French title or something until Cena took it back. Haha.

***
I really believe Rene Dupree could have been a huge upper midcard heel (and occasional main event heel) for the company. The McMahon defenders will obviously point out that Dupree was a headache backstage, but when they do that, I'll just hold up a photo of Orton to shut them up.

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Japan does that to you, writes 'Stiffed WWE Superstar'
For anyone who might be interested or is a fan of Rene (like myself) …. the guy is only 23 and has done more then most in their careers. Considering he is so young, he definitely will be back in the WWE sometime down the road. He will end up being a better worker by working in Japan also. That is what wrestling in Japan does for you.

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I've always been a Dupree mark but WWE never really capitalized on his charisma. I just don't understand at times, why Orton was chosen over Dupree. Dupree is so much better than Orton in all aspects…..

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"Time to turn mean heel"

I really believe its time for Dupree to recast himself as a serious 'Ronnie Garvin style' heel and ditch the 'slipping on his own banana skin' comic routine. Rene's comedic heel stuff is great but has a definite shelf life. On the other hand, no one tires of a mean heel getting beat….

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You, Me, and Not Sylvan

The first thing I asked for Christmas was the reformation of La Résistance; the second thing I asked for was world peace; the third thing I asked for was OTC 360 Pain Reliever, also known as the official sponsor of Wrestlemania 23 on April 1, 2007 from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, North America, The World. I knew I had my priorities straight.

Rene Dupree keeps on leaving and returning to WWE programming without notice. First he had frosted hair and left, then he had shorter hair and a poodle and left, and then he came to ECW with Von Erich Hair and no knee or elbow pads and left. Once more, he's back. I bet he's still claiming he's extreme, but what is his proof? Now, I know what you're thinking, but his lack of knee and elbow pads was and is hazardous rather than extreme, at least according to the National Board of Bicycle Safety.

If Rene and Sylvan can make a name for themselves in Extreme Championship Wrestling by dominating the non-existent tag division, I fully expect them to become the number one contenders for the ECW Tag Team Championships of the Mind in no time. They will hastily win those belts conjured up in dreams and defend them to all comers who are not of this reality. Go, La Résistance, go. Be French or Canadian and prosper.

From 'The Swerved' by Stephen Rivera

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Rene Dupree - simply should've been US champ!!

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I always thought Dupree had potential. He was so much better than Sylvan Grenier when they were teaming as the original La Resistance. Grenier was so green, he was blue.The best match I ever saw Rene in was Dupree/Kenzo vs. RVD/Mysterio at Armageddon '04. RVD even busted out the legdrop from the apron to the barricade that he hasn't done in years - Chui

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I remember seeing him in a match vs The Undertaker. I'm not entirely sure if the match was that good or not, but I do know that the guy had talent and could have made it to the top if he kept training and found a better gimmick - Centra

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This guy has one helluva physique. I remember seeing a day in the life of the OVW developmental wrestler profiling this kid on Confidential and I couldn't wait to see this guy. He's fostering a cocky charisma that works for a guy flirting with a hackneyed yet thick French accent. This Maritime man has got wrestling in his blood and he's got the chance to break through on SmackDown. Sure, he has to walk a dog and host a Highlight Reel knockoff, but he doesn't have to be Jerry Lewis to get over..... but if he ever decided to run his own telethon in the WWE, that would be hilarious!!

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Extreme

So this was my first shot at seeing Rene Dupree in ECW since I had to miss last week. I kinda dug it. This is the kind of dude ECW fans would have attacked in the parking lot. He is not a "new breed," he's a pompous, egotistical and pretentious asshole that people will LOVE to hate. He is backstage taking pictures of himself and saying that not only is he the most beautiful man in Sportz Entertainment, but that he will be the most hardcore wrestler too. Tremendous. The one thing that could stop him is the fact that he isn't very good in the ring. I suppose he could have improved since he was gone, but when he left he was far from "good." Able to be carried, yes. Able to carry, no.

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'super cool friendly dude'
I've met a bunch of indy guys over the years that for the most part have been pretty cool. The only "Big Time" guy that I met was Rene Dupree, who I actually trained with for a while. That was the summer of 2001, just before he got hired by the wwe. At that time he was a super cool friendly dude who seemed much older than he was at the time(he was only 18). I would like to think he's still that cool and that he hasn't changed, ……Kid Canada

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Ever since Dupree debuted, I've been a big fan of his. His Tag Matches were always great, and he seemed to work very well in them. When he went solo, though, I became an even bigger Rene Dupree mark. He's amazing when it comes to getting heat from the crowd, and I'm very impressed with his in-ring work. He's no slouch on the mic either. Loved the whole "Simple Phenominal" gimmick..

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I'll admit, I do prefer his Dupree Driver over the Cobra Clutch, but I still do think the Cobra Clutch is a good finisher for him. I would rather it be Dupree's secondary finisher though, and the Dupree Driver to be his main finisher.... it has much more impact, and it would further solidify him as a force to be reckoned with.

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When he was using the Michinoku Driver and the Spiccolli Driver (passed down to him from Tommy Dreamer a spin into the DVD)...I thought he kicked ass, now he's using the Million Dollar Dream, awesome move.

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Yeah I'm real high on Dupree. I love him on the mic. In fact, a Dupree/Carlito tag team would be golden....There could be some great sketches between the two of them.

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I hope Dupree takes the ball and runs with it this time. He is still so young and makes some questionable decisions backstage, but hopefully he is done with all that stuff.

He has great talent, both on the mic and off. He is definitely I-C title material and could be future WWE Heavyweight material.