Hubbry Logo
Gene PetitGene PetitMain
Open search
Gene Petit
Community hub
Gene Petit
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Gene Petit
Gene Petit
Gene Petit
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Gene Petit (c. May 19, 1949 – September 29, 2013) was an American professional wrestler best known for his portrayal of Cousin Luke in the World Wrestling Federation.[2] He also competed under several other gimmicks and competed for several promotions in the United States as well as Australia, Japan, Nigeria and Puerto Rico.

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Petit attended the University of Tampa, where he played for the football team. While there, he met former Olympic wrestler Dale Lewis. They became friends, and Lewis paid Petit to drive him to his bookings at professional wrestling events.[3] Petit stated that he began wrestling after spending a couple of weeks practising in a gym.[4] At one of Lewis' events, the company did not have enough wrestlers and Petit was asked to fill in. He teamed with Lewis and Gypsy Joe Rosario in a six-man match. After his first match, in which he wrestled under his real name, he competed with the ring name Gene Lewis. He and Dale Lewis competed as kayfabe (storyline) brothers due to their similar appearance.[3]

While wrestling in Florida in the 1980s, Petit joined a stable named the Army of Darkness. As a member of the group, which used a devil-worshipping gimmick, he used the ring name Kharma.[5][6]

World Wrestling Federation

[edit]

During a conversation with George Scott, a booker from the World Wrestling Federation, Petit received an unenthusiastic response to his query about joining the promotion. Petit then showed Scott a picture he had taken of himself as a joke, in which he wore "cutoff jeans, overalls, and a floppy hat". After seeing the picture, Scott offered Petit the role of Cousin Luke, a member of the Hillbilly Family led by Hillbilly Jim.[3] As part of this gimmick, Petit was silent and expressionless and portrayed a rural Southerner who did not know how to wrestle.[7] He joined the other hillbillies in their feud with Roddy Piper, Bob Orton, Jr., and Jesse Ventura. Shortly after joining the company, however, Petit broke his ankle due to a problem with a defective wrestling ring. He was asked to compete at WrestleMania 2 against Adrian Adonis, the WWF's biggest show of the year, but had to decline due to the injury. Instead Uncle Elmer faced Adonis.[3]

Petit explained the nature of his departure from the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 to SLAM! Wrestling: "Vince [McMahon] told me that they would keep me until the end of the year, leave me off for a few months, and then figure out another gimmick, because they were just going to keep Hillbilly. There was too much back and forth with Hillbilly and he got hurt; they brought Elmer in, and he got fired; Junior left; then I came in, and Hillbilly had a little disagreement with the office, so he took off for a few weeks. We had lost the steam that we had. I finished the year with them, and then started working the independents."[8]

Later career

[edit]

After leaving the WWF in 1987, Petit went to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling as Texas Red. For the rest of his career he worked in the independent circuit mainly in New Jersey and the New York City area under the name "Hillbilly Cousin Luke" to avoid confusion from Bushwhacker Luke whom his tag team partner Bushwhacker Butch referred to as "Cousin Luke." His last match was in 2002.

Retirement and death

[edit]

In 2000, Petit retired from wrestling due to back problems.[9] Petit lived in Bernardsville, New Jersey and was a member of the board of directors for the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.[10] He died on September 29, 2013,[9] and was believed to be in his mid-60s.[1] He had had multiple sclerosis and diabetes in his later years and was residing in a long-term health facility when he died.[11] His son wrestled on the Indy circuit for EPW,UWC and WCW as Big Kuntry aka Darrin Severs resides in New Jersey

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Gene Petit

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Gene Petit (May 19, 1949 – September 29, 2013) was an American professional wrestler renowned for his portrayal of Cousin Luke, a character in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now ) during the mid-1980s. As part of the popular family stable alongside and , Petit embodied an underdog persona that resonated with audiences, competing in memorable matches against prominent heels like and Bob Orton Jr., often highlighted by his signature finishing move, the flying Big Splash. Born in Humphreys County, Mississippi, Petit began his wrestling career in 1973 after training under Olympic wrestler Dale Lewis, embarking on a 27-year journey across numerous promotions in the United States and internationally. He debuted under the name Gene Lewis and adopted various gimmicks, including The Mongol in (WCCW), where he captured the WCCW Television Championship in 1983 as part of the Devastation Inc. faction, and Texas Red during tours with (AJPW) in 1983 and 1987. Other notable personas included Bloody Ox Brody, Kharma, and El Mongol, allowing him to wrestle in territories such as NWA Central States—where he won the NWA Central States Championship twice—Mid-South Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, and international circuits in , , , and . Petit's WWF tenure from 1985 to 1987 marked his most prominent exposure, featuring appearances on programs like Saturday Night's Main Event, Superstars, and Wrestling Challenge, where he helped elevate the hillbilly storyline's appeal through his authentic down-home charisma. After leaving the WWF, he continued in independent promotions and contributed to the industry by serving on the Board of Directors for the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. His career was eventually curtailed by health issues, including multiple sclerosis and diabetes, which led to significant physical decline in the early 2000s; he passed away on September 29, 2013, at age 64 in a long-term care facility, with the exact cause of death remaining unknown. Despite his relatively brief national spotlight, Petit's versatile performances and enduring fan connection solidified his legacy as a colorful figure in professional wrestling history.

Early life

Childhood and family

Gene Petit was born on May 19, 1949, in . Details about his family are scarce, with no publicly available records of siblings or parental backgrounds that directly influenced his early interest in sports. Growing up in the rural , Petit's childhood involved the physical demands typical of the region, though specific anecdotes about farm work or early athletic activities remain undocumented. He later transitioned to the in on a football .

Education and pre-wrestling athletics

Gene Petit attended the in the early 1970s, where he played for the Spartans. During his time at the university, Petit, who stood 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall and weighed around 300 lb (136 kg), developed his athletic build through football participation. While there, he met former Olympic wrestler Dale Lewis, whose influence later sparked Petit's interest in .

Professional wrestling career

Training and debut

Gene Petit began his professional wrestling training in the early 1970s under the guidance of former Olympic wrestler Dale Lewis at the , where Petit had been a player. Lewis, a Greco-Roman heavyweight competitor in the 1956 and and a seasoned professional wrestler, mentored Petit after they met through mutual connections in the Tampa area. Petit's athletic foundation from football provided the physical conditioning necessary for the demands of wrestling, allowing for a relatively quick adaptation to the sport. Petit made his professional debut in 1973, initially competing under his real name during a six-man match in when he substituted for an absent wrestler at one of . This impromptu entry into the ring marked his only appearance as Gene Petit, as promoters quickly shifted him to a storyline portraying him as "Gene Lewis," the fictional younger brother of his mentor Dale Lewis. In this role, Petit teamed with Lewis in matches across territories, leveraging the family angle to build early audience interest and establish his presence in the ring.

Early career in U.S. territories

Following his debut in 1973 under the training of Dale Lewis, Gene Petit adopted the Gene Lewis and primarily worked in the , where he was portrayed as the younger brother of his mentor and occasional partner. There, he competed in preliminary matches, building experience through singles bouts and teaming with established wrestlers to hone his in-ring fundamentals. By the mid-1970s, Petit expanded into other NWA-affiliated territories, including a stint in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling after Lewis departed for an Australian tour, where he wrestled for approximately one year. His style during this period emphasized his imposing physical presence—at 6 feet 2 inches and 301 pounds—as a power-based brawler who relied on size advantages and aggressive striking to dominate opponents. In the Gulf Coast region around 1975, he continued under the Gene Lewis moniker, often in mid-card action, notably partnering with in matches that showcased his role as a reliable enforcer in multi-man contests. Into the late 1970s and early 1980s, Petit ventured into independent circuits around and , his home region, while maintaining bookings in southern territories to supplement his schedule. By 1981, he arrived in NWA Central States Wrestling, initially as Gene Lewis before transitioning to the "The Mongol" gimmick, a menacing foreign character that highlighted his brute force in brawling exchanges. In this promotion, he engaged in notable feuds with established stars, including intense rivalries against , marked by hard-hitting confrontations that played to his power style, and Dewey Robertson, featuring physical clashes over positioning in the territory's hierarchy. These programs solidified his reputation as a durable territorial worker capable of elevating undercard bouts through raw aggression and teamwork in early tag scenarios. Although the Mongol persona later gained traction in Texas-based promotions, Petit's foundational work in Central States involved preliminary team matches that tested his adaptability in ensemble settings against regional favorites. In 1983, Petit ventured into World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in Texas, adopting the masked heel persona of The Mongol within the villainous Devastation Inc. faction. This character emphasized a brutal, enigmatic Mongolian warrior archetype, aligning with the promotion's intense territorial style that contrasted the more theatrical national product. As The Mongol, Petit frequently clashed with WCCW's top babyfaces, including multi-man tag team encounters featuring Kerry Von Erich and his brothers against heels like the Fabulous Freebirds and other Devastation Inc. members. These bouts highlighted Petit's physicality and ability to elevate undercard rivalries through hard-hitting exchanges, contributing to the promotion's gritty atmosphere during its peak Von Erich era. Throughout these years, he floated between territories like Pacific Northwest and Kansas City, prioritizing consistent bookings that allowed him to refine his brawling approach without venturing into major national spotlight.

World Wrestling Federation

In 1985, Gene Petit joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the Cousin Luke, portraying a dimwitted relative as part of the family alongside and . This emphasized rural simplicity and brute strength, with Petit often depicted in overalls and barefoot, engaging in comedic promos that highlighted his character's folksy naivety and loyalty to his "family." His debut aligned with the stable's push as fan-favorite babyfaces during the WWF's national expansion era. Petit's most notable WWF storyline involved a high-profile feud with the heel alliance of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, "Cowboy" Bob Orton Jr., and Jesse "The Body" Ventura, who mocked the hillbilly gimmick to provoke the stable. This rivalry culminated in a six-man tag team match on the January 4, 1986, edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, where Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and Cousin Luke faced Piper, Orton, and Ventura in a chaotic brawl that showcased Petit's power moves against the veterans' technical and brawling styles. Additional encounters included tag team bouts and segments on WWF television, where promos from the heels ridiculed the family's rural roots, further endearing the stable to audiences. Building on his prior territorial experience that developed a power-based wrestling style, Petit appeared regularly on WWF syndicated programs such as WWF Superstars of Wrestling, WWF Wrestling Challenge, and WWF on NESN throughout 1985 and early 1986. However, shortly after his debut, he suffered a severe ankle injury in 1986 due to a defective wrestling ring, which limited his in-ring activity and forced him to miss opportunities like WrestleMania 2. The injury led to reduced appearances, and Petit departed the WWF in 1987.

World Class Championship Wrestling and later territories

Following his exit from the World Wrestling Federation in 1987, Petit shifted back to U.S. territorial and independent circuits, embracing edgier gimmicks suited to regional promotions. He performed under names like "Bloody Ox Brody," portraying a violent, bloodthirsty brawler in Southern independent shows, where his matches often incorporated hardcore elements such as brawling and weapon spots to thrill local crowds. Petit also took bookings in established territories like NWA Central States, drawing on his earlier experience there to deliver punishing singles and contests against regional talent. This phase of his career, spanning the late 1980s, underscored his versatility in smaller promotions, focusing on raw athleticism and storytelling through endurance-based feuds rather than mainstream spectacle.

International tours and retirement

Throughout his career, Gene Petit expanded his reach beyond North American territories with several international tours, adapting to diverse wrestling environments and audiences. In 1975, he joined a tour with , gaining early exposure to Japanese . He returned to in 1983 for All Japan Pro Wrestling's Real World Tag League, where he competed in seven matches, and again in 1987 during the Super Power Series, participating in four bouts as "Texas Red." These excursions under All Japan's promotion required Petit to adjust to the promotion's signature strong style, characterized by hard-hitting strikes and realistic submissions, often partnering with foreign heels like in contests against prominent Japanese competitors such as and . Petit also toured , competing in local promotions that emphasized athletic, high-energy matches suited to the region's sports-entertainment hybrid scene. His international footprint extended to , where he wrestled in 1982 under the masked "The Assassin" for Capitol Sports Promotions, and subsequently to following an invitation from Geto Mongol ( Tattrie) to form the Mongols during a multi-week excursion. These outings demonstrated Petit's ability to thrive in varied cultural and stylistic contexts, leveraging his robust physique and brawling foundation from U.S. territories. After accumulating injuries over a 28-year career, Petit retired from active competition in 2000 due to chronic back problems stemming from decades of high-impact wrestling. His final bout took place in 2002. In retirement, he contributed to the industry's preservation efforts as a board member of the , helping to organize inductions and promote wrestling history.

Championships and accomplishments

NWA Central States titles

Gene Petit first won the NWA Central States Television Championship on June 25, 1981, defeating in . This victory marked his entry into the territorial title picture as a singles competitor under the ring name Gene Lewis. Petit secured a second reign with the same title on February 18, 1982, by defeating Dewey Robertson. Details on the length of this second reign and specific defenses are not extensively documented in available records, but it followed closely after his initial title loss. These two championship reigns solidified Petit's position as a reliable mid-card performer within the NWA Central States territory, contributing to his steady booking in key matches across the Midwest promotions.

WCCW Television Championship

In , Gene Petit, performing under his established masked heel persona of The Mongol from prior territorial runs, achieved a career highlight in (WCCW) by winning the WCCW Television Championship. On May 30, , in , The Mongol defeated the incumbent champion to claim the title, marking his entry into the promotion's upper-midcard as a dominant foreign menace character. During his 42-day reign, The Mongol's title defenses emphasized the intensity of his masked , positioning him as a brutal in WCCW's heated landscape and contributing to ongoing heel factions like those aligned against fan favorites such as the . This period showcased Petit's physicality and in-ring aggression, elevating the Mongol persona through high-stakes matches that built territorial storylines around masked invaders clashing with local heroes, thereby solidifying his role in WCCW's narrative-driven feuds. The championship ended on July 11, 1983, when The Mongol lost to Chris Adams in a closely contested match, relinquishing the belt after a reign that underscored Petit's peak influence in the territory as a reliable midcard capable of drawing through his enigmatic, aggressive style. This title run represented a pivotal moment in Petit's career, highlighting his versatility within WCCW's competitive environment before transitioning to other opportunities.

Other achievements and recognitions

Throughout his , Gene Petit maintained an active presence in the ring for 27 years, from his debut in 1973 until his retirement in 2000, bridging the territorial era of regional promotions with the rise of national television exposure through organizations like the World Wrestling Federation. This longevity allowed him to adapt to evolving industry dynamics, performing consistently across diverse promotions while contributing to the transition from localized shows to broader mainstream appeal. In addition to his televised singles titles, Petit won the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Championship once in the mid-1970s. He also captured the NWA Gulf Coast United States Tag Team Championship three times: twice with The Rugged Russian and once with . Petit was renowned for his versatility, competing under more than ten different ring names and gimmicks to suit various storylines and territories, including Kharma as part of the devil-worshipping faction in and Tom Steele in angles involving the . Other personas encompassed The Mongol, Gene Lewis, Molokai, and Cousin Luke, enabling him to portray a wide range of characters from hillbilly relatives to menacing heels, which underscored his adaptability and reliability as a performer. In his later years, Petit served on the for the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in , where he helped preserve the history and legacy of the sport by contributing to induction processes and organizational efforts. This role highlighted his enduring commitment to wrestling beyond active competition, fostering recognition for fellow veterans and promoting the cultural significance of the industry.

Personal life and death

Petit was married to Addie Lee Petit and had two children. The couple divorced in the early 1980s following an adulterous affair by Petit.

Health issues and later years

In the years following his retirement from in 2000, Gene Petit was diagnosed with (MS), a condition that progressed significantly during the early 2000s and led to substantial . He also developed around the same period, compounding his health challenges alongside chronic back injuries sustained from his wrestling career. These ailments severely restricted his mobility, requiring him to reside in a facility in his final years. The combined effects of MS and back issues made daily activities increasingly difficult, marking a stark contrast to his physically demanding past. Petit's retirement in 2000 was influenced in part by the onset of these deteriorating health conditions.

Death

Gene Petit died on September 29, 2013, at the age of 64. The exact remains unknown, though he had been battling and in his later years. The wrestling community responded with tributes honoring his memorable portrayal of Cousin Luke in the World Wrestling Federation during the 1980s, with issuing a statement expressing condolences to his family, friends, and fans while recalling his entertaining impact on audiences. No public details regarding or services were reported.

Legacy

Gene Petit's career exemplified the transition from the regional territory system to the national expansion of in the 1980s, particularly through his role as a reliable jobber and enhancer in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Beginning in 1973 with promotions like and other territories, he adapted to the WWF's larger platform in 1985, where he helped elevate established stars by consistently delivering in enhancement matches. His durability over a 27-year tenure underscored the resilience required during this era shift, earning him recognition as a bridge between localized wrestling circuits and the burgeoning national product. As Cousin Luke in the Hillbilly Family stable alongside and , Petit contributed to one of the WWF's early prominent fictional family gimmicks, portraying a silent, rural Southerner unskilled in wrestling techniques. Following his retirement in 2000, Petit's legacy endured through his posthumous appreciation in wrestling communities for his steadfast professionalism and contributions beyond the ring. Historians and peers have highlighted his unwavering durability across decades of grueling schedules, positioning him as a foundational figure for jobbers who sustained the industry's growth. Additionally, his service on the for the Hall of Fame (PWHF) in , marked a significant off-mat impact; PWHF president Tony Vellano credited Petit as a "driving force behind the growth of the Hall of Fame," reflecting his dedication to preserving wrestling history.

References

  1. https://www.wwe.com/inside/remembering-cousin-luke
  2. http://www.oklafan.com/news/view/6864/
  3. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/09/29/former-wwe-wrestler-gene-cousin-luke-petit-dies-report-says/
  4. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/gene-petit/
  5. https://www.pwinsider.com/article/80605/gene-cousin-luke-petit-passes-away.html?p=1
  6. https://slamwrestling.net/legend/cousin-luke/
  7. https://slamwrestling.net/legend/dale-lewis/
  8. https://www.oklafan.com/news/view/6864/
  9. https://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/gccw/gccw15-2.htm
  10. https://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/gccw/gccw8-2.htm
  11. http://www.oklafan.com/bios/view/904/
  12. https://www.pwinsider.com/article/80605/gene-cousin-luke-petit-passes-away.html
  13. http://wccwmemories.blogspot.com/2013/09/rip-gene-petit-mongol.html
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18932202/
  15. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=3027&bild=0&details=7&kampfland=3&jahr=1983
  16. https://rockstargary.com/reflections/wccw080683.html
  17. https://www.wwe.com/videos/hillbilly-jim-uncle-elmer-cousin-luke-vs-rowdy-roddy-piper-cowboy-bob-orton-jesse-ventura
  18. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=15570
  19. https://www.wwe.com/superstars/jesseventura
  20. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2592641/
  21. http://www.oklafan.com/news/print/6859/
  22. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Cousin_Luke
  23. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=201
  24. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles_old/g/gene-petit.html
  25. https://courts.ms.gov/images/Opinions/Conv7531.pdf
  26. https://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/WWE_News_Former_WWE_star_Cousin_Luke_Gene_Petit_dead_printer.shtml
  27. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/hillbilly-family/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.