In the rough-and-tumble heyday of Detroit wrestling, the name “Leaping” Larry Chene didn’t just sell tickets—it rattled the rafters. To the Motor City faithful, Chene was more than a competitor; he was a homegrown hero with French-Italian grit in his blood, a daredevil in the ring, and a man who could make the Olympia roar just by stepping through the curtain.
FROM LOCAL BOY TO LOCKER ROOM LEADER
Arthur Lawrence Beauchene’s journey began in the working-class neighborhoods of Detroit, where toughness was as essential as the air you breathed. A standout amateur wrestler in high school and college, Chene’s mat skills were forged early. But life would pull him away from the squared circle briefly—World War II called, and he answered, serving in the Air Force in 1945.
When the postwar boom brought wrestling back into prominence, Detroit promoter Bert Ruby saw something in the agile, broad-shouldered Beauchene. In 1950, after rigorous training, Chene hit the pro ranks. The Michigan-Indiana-Ohio circuit, plus Western and Southern Ontario, quickly became his proving ground. Audiences took notice—not just of his athleticism, but of his ability to bring drama to every headlock and leapfrog.
THE TEXAS TURN & LEAP INTO LEGEND
By 1954, Chene set his sights on new horizons—Texas. In a state where grit and glory are often measured in busted lips and broken bones, Chene made an immediate impact. He captured the Texas Junior Heavyweight Championship from Billy Raborn, cementing himself as more than a regional curiosity. He wasn’t just “the Detroit guy down south”—he was a champion.
From there, his career became a wrestling atlas: Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, Chicago—territory after territory fell under his bootprints. Along the way, his high-flying arsenal earned him the moniker “Leaping Larry Chene,” a name as sticky with fans as it was feared by opponents.
HOMETOWN HERO VS. THE MONSTERS
In 1960, Chene came home to Detroit—and the timing couldn’t have been better. The Motor City was on fire with wrestling fever, fueled by the villainous reigns of The Sheik Farhat and Dick the Bruiser. These weren’t just matches; they were wars for the soul of the city.
The September 1960 bout against Dick the Bruiser at Olympia Stadium became an instant legend: 15,000 fans packed the arena, the atmosphere thick with tobacco smoke and anticipation. The fight? Bloody, brutal, and unforgettable. Chene wasn’t just the underdog; he was the embodiment of Detroit resilience, standing toe-to-toe with one of wrestling’s most feared brawlers and refusing to back down.
THE GOLDEN RUN
The pinnacle of Chene’s career came in 1963. On January 8, he defeated Pat O’Connor for the IWA United States Heavyweight Championship—a crown jewel for any grappler in the territory era. While his reign was tested—dropping the belt to the mysterious Great Mephisto in May, regaining it in November, and eventually surrendering it back to O’Connor in August 1964—Chene proved he was no transitional champ. He was a fighting champion, willing to defend against any challenger, anytime.
FINAL CHAPTERS IN THE AWA
After his Detroit run, Chene took his talents to Minneapolis for the American Wrestling Association. There, among future legends like Verne Gagne and Larry Hennig, he sought to carve out a new chapter. His final match, against Hennig on October 1, 1964, ended in defeat—but no one in the audience suspected it would be the last time they’d see “Leaping” Larry in action.
TRAGIC END TO A ROARING CAREER
On October 2, 1964, tragedy struck. Driving through Ottawa, Illinois, Chene’s car flipped after striking a telephone pole. Authorities cited speeding—finding a ticket from earlier that day still in the car. Just like that, at the age of 40, Detroit lost one of its brightest wrestling sons.
Four days later, he was laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery, mourned by family, fans, and peers alike. The ring bell tolled ten times, but for those who had seen him soar from turnbuckles and dive onto opponents, the echoes of his career would ring much longer.
THE LEGEND LIVES ON
Nearly six decades later, in 2022, author G.J. Rowell released a book chronicling Chene’s life and career, ensuring that a new generation would know the man who could bring 15,000 screaming fans to their feet and leave them breathless.
Chene’s story is pure wrestling lore—small-town boy makes good, becomes a local icon, battles giants, holds championship gold, and leaves the stage too soon. But legends aren’t measured in years; they’re measured in moments. And Larry Chene gave Detroit—and every territory he touched—moments they’d never forget.
