Bob Geigel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Geigel
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Geigel in 2009
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| Born |
Robert Frederick Geigel
October 1, 1924 Algona, Iowa, U.S.
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| Died | October 30, 2014 (aged 90) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Iowa |
| Occupation | Promoter, professional wrestler, Seabee |
| Organization | NWA Central States (1963–1986) |
| Spouse(s) |
Vera June Lackender
(m. 1947) |
| Children | 3 |
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Professional wrestling career
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| Ring name(s) | A-Bomber Bob Geigel |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Billed from | Algona, Iowa, U.S. |
| Trained by | Alphonse Bisignano |
| Debut | 1950 |
| Retired | 1976 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Unit | Seabee |
| Battles/wars | World War II (Pacific Theater) |
Robert Frederick Geigel (born October 1, 1924 – died October 30, 2014) was an American pro wrestler and a promoter. He helped run a wrestling company called Heart of America Sports Attractions in Kansas City, Missouri from 1963 to 1986. He was also the president of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) three times.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bob Geigel was born on October 1, 1924, in Algona, Iowa. He went to Algona High School and finished in 1942. After high school, he joined the United States Navy. He served as a Seabee during World War II in the Pacific Ocean area.
After leaving the navy, Geigel went to the University of Iowa in 1946. He studied physical education and graduated in 1950. While in college, Geigel was a very good amateur wrestler. He placed third in the 1948 NCAA Championships in his weight class. After college, he thought about playing football for the Chicago Cardinals. But he decided to become a professional wrestler instead.
Professional Wrestling Career
Bob Geigel started his pro wrestling career in 1950 in Texas. He was trained by Alphonse Bisigniano. He mostly wrestled in Pinkie George's Midwest Wrestling Association in Kansas City, Missouri. He also wrestled in Amarillo, Texas. Geigel often played the "bad guy" or antagonist in his matches. He became a full-time wrestler in 1952.
Even though he was from Iowa, he was often called "Texas" Bob Geigel. He also wrestled as "A-Bomber" while wearing a mask in Amarillo. Geigel won many tag team championships. He held the NWA Central States World Tag Team Championship four times. He also won the NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) nine times. He had a long rivalry with his former tag team partner, Bob Brown. Geigel officially stopped wrestling full-time in 1976. However, he still wrestled a few times in the 1980s.
Promoting Wrestling
Geigel became a wrestling promoter in 1963. He took over the Kansas City wrestling office. He teamed up with Gus Karras and Pat O'Connor. They renamed the company Heart of America Sports Attractions. Geigel then joined the board of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
In 1978, Geigel became the President of the NWA for the first time. He served until 1980. During this time, he strongly supported Harley Race. Race was a part-owner of Heart of America and was the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Geigel served as NWA President two more times. His second term was from 1982 to 1985. His third term was from 1986 to 1987. He stopped promoting wrestling in 1988.
Geigel sold Heart of America Sports Attractions to Jim Crockett Jr. in September 1986. He bought the company back in February 1987. But he closed it for good in 1988.
Personal Life
Bob Geigel owned a bar in Kansas City called The Tender Trap. After he retired from wrestling, he worked security at The Woodlands racetrack. He met his wife, Vera, at the University of Iowa. They were married for over 65 years and had three daughters.
Death
Bob Geigel suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He passed away on October 30, 2014, in a nursing home in Kansas City.
Championships and Accomplishments
- American Wrestling Association
- AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bob "The Viking" Morse.
- AWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Hard Boiled Haggerty (1), Otto von Krupp (1), and Stan "Krusher" Kowalski (1)
- AWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Bill Miller
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
- Central States Wrestling
- NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (9 times) – with Bob Brown (5), Bill Miller (1), Bob "The Viking" Morse (1), The Stomper (1), and Rufus R. Jones (1)
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version) (2 times)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (4 times) – with Rufus R. Jones (2), Akio Sato (1), and Pat O'Connor (1)
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2002
- Western States Sports
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time)
- NWA Southwest Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Southwest Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Dory Funk (2), Mike Gallagher (1), and Boris Kalmikoff (1)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (2 times) - with Dory Funk
See also
- Heart of America Sports Attractions
