Austin Wesley Rogers (born Austin Wesley Rapes; February 27, 1929 – August 13, 1981) was an American
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...
, better known by the
ring name "Killer" Buddy Austin.
He is best known for his appearances with the
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
-based
Worldwide Wrestling Associates promotion in the mid-1960s, where he held the
WWA World Heavyweight Championship and the
WWA World Tag Team Championship on three occasions each.
Early life
Rogers was born Austin Wesley Rapes in
Lovejoy, Georgia. Prior to beginning his professional wrestling career, he served in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
.
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Rogers was trained by Roy Graham, making his professional wrestling debut in 1956.
Early in his career, he wrestled under the ring name "Frankie Gabor",
teaming Teaming may refer to:
* Link aggregation, in computing, known more specifically as NIC teaming or Network teaming
* the practice of being a teamster
* the formation of a team
A team is a group of individuals (human or non-human) working togeth ...
with Johnny Gabor as "The Gabor Brothers". By the late-1950s, Rogers had adopted the ring name "Buddy Austin", nicknaming himself "The Golden Gladiator" in reference to his
bleached blond
Blond (male) or blonde (female), also referred to as fair hair, is a hair color characterized by low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin. The resultant visible hue depends on various factors, but always has some yellowish color. The color can ...
hair.
During this time, he trained future
NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race while working for Gust Karras in the Midwest.
In 1961, Austin began wrestling for
Heart of America Sports Attractions
Heart of America Sports Attractions, also known as the Midwest Wrestling Association, Central States Wrestling and the World Wrestling Alliance, was an American professional wrestling promotion that ran shows mainly in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska ...
as "Bulldog Austin", briefly holding the
NWA Central States Tag Team Championship. In mid-1961, he reverted to "Buddy Austin", and in June 1961 he was awarded the vacant
NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship. He held the championship until November 1961, when he was defeated by
Sonny Myers. Austin won the championship a second time that month, defeating
Tarzan Tyler, His second reign lasted until February 1962, when he lost to Ray Gordon.
Austin made his first tour of Japan with the
Japan Wrestling Association in 1962, competing in the fourth annual World Big League. In June 1962, Austin and Mike Sharpe defeated
Rikidōzan and
Toyonobori to win the
All Asia Tag Team Championship. They held the championship for slightly under a month before losing to Rikidōzan and Toyonobori in a rematch.
In late-1962, Austin adopted the nickname "Killer" and was given credit for injuring
Buddy Rogers, who had been involved in a car accident. He built the character of an "arrogant heel" and "ruthless rule-breaker".
In March 1963, Austin and
Great Scott
"Great Scott!" is an interjection of surprise, amazement, or dismay. It is a distinctive but inoffensive exclamation, popular in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, and now considered dated.
It originated as a min ...
defeated Buddy Rogers and
Johnny Barend for the
NWA United States Tag Team Championship ''(northeast version)''. During their reign, the
Capitol Wrestling Corporation withdrew from the NWA, and the championship was renamed the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. In May 1963, Austin and Great Scott were defeated for the championship by
Brute Bernard and
Skull Murphy.
At this time, Austin was one of the major challengers to WWWF Champion Buddy Rogers.
Austin subsequently travelled to Ottawa, where later that month he won a tournament for the vacant Canadian Heavyweight Championship.
Worldwide Wrestling Associates (1962–1969)
In 1962, Austin joined the
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
-based
Worldwide Wrestling Associates promotion, where he achieved his greatest success. In April 1966, he and
El Mongol defeated
Alberto Torres
Alberto Torres (Itaboraí, 1885 - Rio De Janeiro State, 1917) was a politician and a Brazilian social thinker who was concerned about national unity and the organization of the society of Brazil.
In his work, he opposed the ideas of socialism ...
and
Thunderbolt Patterson for the
WWA World Tag Team Championship. They lost the championship to Luis Hernández and
Pedro Morales in June 1966.
Austin went on to compete for the
WWA World Heavyweight Championship. His first reign began in August 1966 when he defeated
Pedro Morales. He lost the championship to
Bobo Brazil in September 1966, but regained it in a rematch two weeks later. His second reign ended in October 1966 when he was defeated by
Lou Thesz. Austin won the championship for a third and final time in August 1967, defeating
Iron Mike DiBiase. During his reign, he formed a tag team with
Freddie Blassie, and the duo defeated Pedro Morales and
Victor Rivera for the WWA World Tag Team Championship a second time in September 1967. In December 1967, Austin and Blassie were defeated by Morales and
Antonio Pugliese, but they defeated them in a rematch later that month to regain the championship.
Austin's third reign as WWA World Heavyweight Champion ended in January 1968 when he lost to Bobo Brazil, while his third reign as WWA World Tag Team Champion ended in May 1968 when he and Blassie lost to Los Medicos de Mexico.
Austin and Blassie subsequently began feuding, facing one another in a
stretcher match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...
that sold out the
Grand Olympic Auditorium in November 1968.
Later career
In May 1967, Austin won a 16-man tournament for the vacant
NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship, defeating Paul DeMarco in the final. He held the championship until August 1967, when he lost to Buddy Moreno.
In April 1969, Austin and
Ripper Collins defeated
Bobby Shane and
Nick Bockwinkel for the
NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship. Their reign ended in August 1969 when they lost to
Ed Francis and
Pedro Morales.
In December 1969, Austin and
King Curtis Iaukea defeated
Mario Milano and
Spiros Arion for the
IWA World Tag Team Championship, with their reign lasting until early 1970.
In June 1971, Austin and
Bob Orton defeated
Archie Gouldie and
Bob Geigel for the
NWA North American Tag Team Championship. Their reign ended in August 1971 when they lost to Steve Bolus and
Rufus R. Jones
Carey L. Lloyd (July 4, 1933 – November 13, 1993), also known by his ring name Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones, was an American professional wrestler who competed in the Central States, St.Louis and Mid-Atlantic regional promotions of the Nationa ...
.
Austin retired on March 30, 1977.
Personal life
Born Wesley Austin Rapes, Rogers legally changed his name to Austin Wesley Rogers.
Rogers was married to Carmelita, with whom he had several children.
In June 1968, Rogers' 15-month-old twin daughters drowned in the swimming pool of his home in
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
.
On January 1, 1969, Rogers was shot in the stomach and Pedro Morales was slashed with a broken bottle during an altercation at a party held in a penthouse in
King's Cross,
Sydney, Australia.
Rogers recovered but bore a distinctive scar on his abdomen for the remainder of his life.
Rogers was a heavy drinker. In the mid-1960s,
Freddie Blassie refused to continue teaming with Rogers due to his propensity to wrestle while inebriated.
Death
Rogers died on August 12, 1981 from a
myocardial infarction
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ...
.
Championships and accomplishments
*
50th State Big Time Wrestling
**
NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
Ripper Collins
*
All Japan Pro Wrestling
(AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established on October 21, 1972 when Giant Baba split away from the Japanese Wrestling Association and created his own promotion. Many wrestlers had left with Bab ...
**
All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mike Sharpe
*
Big Time Wrestling
**
NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
[*]
*
Capitol Wrestling Corporation
**
NWA United States Tag Team Championship ''(northeast version)'' (1 time) – with
Great Scott
"Great Scott!" is an interjection of surprise, amazement, or dismay. It is a distinctive but inoffensive exclamation, popular in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, and now considered dated.
It originated as a min ...
*
Championship Wrestling from Florida
**
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Florida version)''
*
Heart of America Sports Attractions
Heart of America Sports Attractions, also known as the Midwest Wrestling Association, Central States Wrestling and the World Wrestling Alliance, was an American professional wrestling promotion that ran shows mainly in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska ...
**
NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
**
NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
Tarzan Kowalski/Don McClarity
**
NWA North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
Bob Orton
*
Ottawa Wrestling
**Canadian Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of Natio ...
**
IWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
King Curtis Iaukea
*
Worldwide Wrestling Associates
**
WWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
**
WWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with
Freddie Blassie (2 times) and
El Mongol (1 time)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Austin, Buddy
1929 births
1981 deaths
20th-century professional wrestlers
All Asia Tag Team Champions
American male professional wrestlers
IWA World Tag Team Champions (Australia)
NWA Americas Tag Team Champions
People from Clayton County, Georgia
Professional wrestlers from Georgia (U.S. state)
Shooting survivors
United States Navy sailors