"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers Wrestling History

In probably 150 years of recorded professional wrestling history, few
names stand out like the name "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. There
are superstars and there are legends. Rogers is definitely a legend -
absolutely on another plateau than many of the wrestlers that he
headlined with over a several decade period. Fans today, who lived
through his heyday on the wrestling mat, have extremely vivid
recollections of his greatness, and often relate stories of his uncanny
ability to draw heat and the ire of audience members on message
boards. Rogers, however, was also able to switch gears and work as
a fan favorite. Possessing the complete package, Buddy was a
one-of-a-kind performer who generated a mint as a wrestler for
himself and for promoters, and left a lasting legacy that will never be
forgotten.

Buddy Rogers Military Record

A Western Union telegram dated March 30, 1945 from Frank J. Burke in Houston to Jack Pfefer at the Piccadilly Hotel stated,
"Have Rhode Report Houston Sunday April Eighth Prepared For Steady Bookings Beginning April Ninth. Rush Pictures Mats
Publicity Material and Confirm This Starting Date Immediately Kindest Regards."

The Houston Post on Wednesday, May 23, 1945 stated that Rogers had been a football player in high school and a "member of
the "swimming team and today holds a couple of tank records and was on the boxing and wrestling teams." The article added
that he wrestled as an amateur for a year after high school.

During his interview with the Department of Justice, Sam Muchnick said that his promotion in St. Louis didn't get a good gate
until he "got the wrestler, Buddy Rogers, who at that time was under contract with Jack Pfeffer."

Apparently, Al Haft used to talk bad about Rogers but once the availability to work with Buddy came open after the latter broke
free from Pfefer, he jumped at the chance. Haft's peers ribbed him about it later on.

Dan Parker, in the reprint of his New York Daily Mirror column in the Montreal Gazette (5/16/51), reported that "Herman Rohde"
had been suspended for acts detrimental to the best interests of wrestling.

During the early months of 1953, there was movement toward bringing Buddy to Chicago to appear on television for promoter
Fred Kohler. In a letter to Pfefer dated April 4, 1953, Muchnick wrote: "But I heard that Al Haft blocked this as he has a contract
for 2 more years." Muchnick believed Rogers would be a sensation on national TV, as did many others.

Research by Tim Hornbaker

"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers Wrestling History