There were several professional wrestlers who used the nickname, Nature Boy. The three most famous are Buddy Landell, Ric Flair and Buddy Rogers. Rogers was the first of these three to use the ring name.
Rogers was born in 1921 to German parents. His name was Herman C Rodhe, Jr. Herman grew up in a rough section of New Jersey in the 1930’s and 40’s. The crime was set up and Hermann’s father pushed his son into sliding. He was watching Herman during the races by a local wrestling supporter and would approach to try his hand at wrestling. Herman wasn’t too interested, at first, but decided to put a positive image of the police on the impressionable young people who were following the match. Hermann gave his name while wrestling around New York and New Caesarea. His biggest win was Ed “Strangler” Lewis. This victory brought him to the attention of the authorities around the country. Once he moved out of his house to create an alter-ego.
In Houston, Texas, Herman Rodhe was dressed as Buddy Rogers in the ring. The Houston area promoter wanted his newest All-American star to have a sounding name. He thought that the scars of World War II were still fresh, and the rise of German Hermann could be a powerful denial. for the up and coming star. At least one story has the nickname Rogers came from Steve Rogers, the alter-ego of the comic book hero, Captain America.
In Houston, Rogers began a long-term feud with Lou Thesz. Thesz, along with many other wrestlers, did not care for the “neck” way that Rogers worked in the ring. Many of Rogers’ opponents were legitimately injured due to Rogers’ rough wrestling. Rogers never apologized for his style. “You should expect to get a few bumps and bruises if you want to buy fan tickets,” was Rogers’ attitude.
Rogers followed Thesz to Columbus, Ohio where they continued their rivalry. It was in Ohio that the last portion of Roger’s character came into place. Promoter Jack Pfeiffer encouraged Rogers to dye his hair, style George Splendid and embrace the “bad guy” or “heel” mentality. Pfeiffer christened Rogers “The Nature Boy.” The name came from a popular jazz song of the 1950’s.
Rogers was a natural in front of the cameras. With bleached hair, a huge body and excellent communication skills, the crowd immediately hated him. They were not alone. Rogers just about alienated the scene. When he started winning titles, he got very selective in his title defenses.
On at least two occasions, Rogers was confronted and injured by other wrestlers. Rogers’ angry supporters/wrestlers Karl Gotch and Bill Miller in the Columbus, Ohio territory. He refused to defend his NWA title against the top star. They grab Rogers in the cell and proceed to break his hand. Killer Kowalski also used his powers to injure Rogers. Some claim that Kowalski used his claws to break Rogers’ ribs in the ring. Other reports say that Kowalski and several other wrestlers stopped Rogers on stage. Either way, Rogers ended up on the disabled list twice in his shortest time.
The NWA, which held Rogers’ championship at the time of his injuries, became concerned about the frequent attacks against Rogers. They felt the need to put a belt around the waist of some “boys” to be respected. It was decided that Rogers would drop the title to Lou Thesz, the most respected male wrestler of all time. Rogers balked at the idea, but Rogers’ supporters flashed him in the corner. Sam Muchnick turned the city title into a one-off match, which was almost unheard of at the time. He also threatened to withdraw Rogers’ $25,000 deposit on the NWA title if he did not follow through with the plan. Buddy Rogers reluctantly dropped the NWA title to Lou Thesz on January 24, 1963, in Toronto, Canada. Rogers had left the NWA that night and Vince McMahon, Sr.
McMahon, Toots Mondt and several other regional promoters in North America and Southern Canada sought to pull out of the NWA due to their displeasure with Thesz. the world McMahon and Mondt turn their goals into a new partnership, called the World Wide Wrestling Federation. As Rogers had a huge draw in his areas, the two men decided to put the belt on Rogers. They felt the need to create the appearance that Rogers had fought bravely against wrestlers from all over the world, so that the sound of being a legitimate part of the company’s World Wide name would sound. Rogers apparently fought in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. beating numerous, nameless, wrestlers before finally taking the title. This whole tournament was fake. Title Rogers in Washington, D.C. The Capitol sports offices were formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation.
McMahon and Mondt found themselves up against a unique problem, given Rogers’ title. Many wrestlers perished in the field, owing to Rogers’ excessive hatred. Within a month, Rogers decided to lose the title. Rogers had a meeting with Mondt and McMahon and came away with the opinion that Rogers was “a href=”https://e-info.vn/tag/heart-attack-symptoms”>suffering a heart attack. Rogers was detained at a local hospital and several vignettes were produced to make the attack look legitimate in heart.
On May 17, 1963, Rogers was “forced from his hospital bed” to defend his title against Bruno Sammartino. Sammartino took the WWWF title from Buddy in just 48 seconds, still one of the fastest title changes in the books. By the end of the year, Rogers “retired due to health issues” and worked alone from time to time with Ed. “The Sheik” Farhat promotions in Detroit, Michigan and Montreal.
Rogers Farhat has started working as a scout new talent agent. Rogers was working less and less in the ring. He continues to deal with health issues as a way to “save face”. Rogers was operating as a “novelty” in various smaller territories throughout the midwestern and southern states.
In 1978, Rogers accepted a position wrestling for the Grahams in Florida. Unusually, Rogers was targeted one of the few times in his career. Within a few months, Rogers was promoted to Carolina Beach by Jim Crockett. Realizing that his struggle was over, Rogers switched to management. Rogers’ 50-year reign took on numerous wrestlers in “heel” territory, including Jimmy Snuka, “Big” John Studd, Ken Patera and Gene Anderson. Rogers still wrestles from time to time, usually in tag matches. A memorable battle was held during Jim Crockett Promotions’ “Battle of Nature Boys” on July 9, 1978. Rogers moved on, and lost, Ric Flair. It was a “passing the torch” moment in wrestling.
In the early 80’s, Rogers returned to the WWWF, which is now known as the WWF. He became a manager, again this time to “make” a manager. His main charge was Jimmy Snuka, who had ventured into Jim Crockett territory. Rogers was also one of the first wrestlers to host an interview segment. Before Pepper’s Pit or Cutting Edge, there was Rogers Corner. While managing Snuka, Rogers agreed to match Snuka with Lou Albano and Ray Stevens. In that match, Rogers suffered a broken hip and left the ring, this time with legitimate injuries.
Rogers spent the last twelve years of his life in a dying world. He acted as a “Priyatum” road manager for WWF/E. He had said that conventions and visas were smaller venues.
In 1991, Rogers crossed swords with another “Nature Boy”. This time it was Buddy Landell. Landell worked for the Tri-State Wrestling Federation, the forerunner of ECW. Landell and Rogers were scheduled to fight in early 1992, but Tri-State folded before the match could take place. Other areas of the fight were explored, and WCW was even approached about the concept. Unfortunately, both never took the opportunity. While training, Rogers seriously injured his arm. While recovering from a broken arm, Rogers suffered a series of strokes. After suffering two strokes on the same day in June 1992, Rogers was hospitalized and placed on life support. He died on June 26, 1992. The man who was born Herman Rodhe, Jr. He was actually buried with the title that had the name Buddy Rogers.
Hated by most, admired by many, this was Buddy Rogers. Rogers’ cocky persona is still seen in Ric Flair, Edge, Carlito and countless others who rose up after being one of the first men in the business to truly hate him. He is a true example of a true wrestling legend.
