Buddy Rogers

This week’s column is dedicated to my first mentor in the wrestling business. He was born Herman C. Rhode Jr. on February 20, 1921 and legally changed his name to Buddy Rogers.

The son of German immigrant parents, Rogers was a carnival wrester before becoming a New Jersey police officer. He was discovered by a local promoter and soon became a top wrestler using the name "Dutch" Rhodes around his hometown, Camden, where he gained his first major win over Ed "Strangler" Lewis.

He went to Houston, where he assumed the name "Buddy Rogers" after the singer/actor Charles Buddy Rogers. He would get his first major taste of gold during his tenure there, winning the promotion's Texas Heavyweight title four times, one time from Lou Thesz. After his time in Houston, he went to Columbus, Ohio to join Al Haft Promotions, and the final pieces of his character were added. He bleached his hair and was given the moniker "Nature Boy" by promoter Jack Pfeffer, after the popular jazz song.

With the advent of television, Rogers' flashy look, great physique and bombastic personality instantly caught the ire of audiences. The first sign of Rogers' impact was his involvement in Sam Muchnick's promotion in St. Louis, Missouri, a major wrestling market at the time. He was pitted against the well respected Lou Thesz. In the end, Muchnick's promotion was powerful enough with Buddy Rogers as its main star that the two promotions merged.

Rogers continued control of the Midwest as a booker and wrestler, most notably in Chicago, frequently selling out the 11,000-seat Amphitheater. In the 1950's, Rogers also expanded into Vince McMahon Sr.'s Capitol Wrestling Corporation.

Buddy beat Pat O'Connor on June 30, 1961 in front of 38,622 fans at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was the largest crowd to date for an NWA event. Buddy held the belt until meeting Lou Thesz in Toronto on January 24, 1963.

A few months later, Buddy was in the WWWF territory and won their championship title but lost it shortly after in record time (48 seconds) to Bruno Sammartino.

Buddy retired to Florida and lived a life of leisure doing what he knew best. He opened a wrestling school and, for a while, was content to do an excellent job of being a teacher.

He returned to face a newcomer by the name of Ric Flair in North Carolina. A standing feud between the two "Nature Boys" lasted a while until Ric Flair got the best of Buddy.

Buddy returned to the WWF and became a manager for Jimmy Snuka and others. He also wrestled part-time, and, in a match against Lou Albano and Ray Stevens, Buddy broke his hip. It was then that Buddy quit for good and returned to the sandy shores of Florida living.

In 1992, Buddy, once again, at age 71, was confronted by yet another "Nature Boy," Buddy Landell. The match never took place, as Rogers fell and broke his arm. During the time he was in the hospital, he suffered a number of strokes and eventually lost his toughest battle and passed away on June 26, 1992.

Buddy had one of the longest consistent top drawing periods of any main eventer for 15 years. He also had the ability to draw in several different territories successfully. Buddy had captured about every title there was to be had during his career in the territories he appeared in.

He faced the very best our business had to offer during his career. In 1994, he was posthumously inducted into the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame.

Buddy, you gave me the tools to be the very best I could be. You taught me how to dress, how to speak and, most of all, how to live a different life and be a winner at life. I owe you more than I can ever repay you in my lifetime.

Rest in Peace, champ.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee