Jump to content

Bobby Shane: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Changed ‘a’ to ‘an’
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Citation bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
5,438,343 edits
Added date. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers | #UCB_Category 669/919
 
(55 intermediate revisions by 39 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American professional wrestler}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2015}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
Line 7: Line 9:
| birth_name = Robert Lee Schoenberger
| birth_name = Robert Lee Schoenberger
| names = Bobby Shane<br />Bobby Schoen<br />The Challenger
| names = Bobby Shane<br />Bobby Schoen<br />The Challenger
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}<ref name=OWOW/>
| height = 5 ft 9 in<ref name=OWOW/>
| weight = {{convert|224|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=OWOW/>
| weight = 224 lb<ref name=OWOW/>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1945|8|25}}<ref name=OWOW/>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1945|8|25}}<ref name=OWOW/>
| birth_place = [[St. Louis]], Missouri<ref name=OWOW/>
| birth_place = [[St. Louis]], Missouri<ref name=OWOW/>
Line 16: Line 18:
| trainer = [[Wild Bill Longson]]
| trainer = [[Wild Bill Longson]]
| debut = 1963
| debut = 1963
|image=Bobby Shane.jpeg
}}
}}
'''Robert "Bob" Schoenberger''' (August 25, 1945 – February 20, 1975),<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/b/bobby-shane/|title=Bobby Shane Profile|accessdate=2015-11-14|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> better known as '''Bobby Shane''' was an American professional [[wrestler]] known for his time in NWA Florida in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a well-known "[[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]" in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] and considered a future wrestling star at the time of his death.<ref name="Guzzo">{{cite news |author=Guzzo, Paul |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Wrestlers recall plane crash off Tampa that changed their careers |url=http://www.tbo.com/news/wrestlers-recall-plane-crash-off-tampa-that-changed-their-careers-20150201/ |newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |location= |publisher= |accessdate= }}</ref>
'''Robert Lee Schoenberger''' (August 25, 1945 – February 20, 1975),<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/b/bobby-shane/|title=Bobby Shane Profile|accessdate=2015-11-14|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> better known as '''Bobby Shane''', who also wrestled as '''Bobby Schoen''' and as '''The Challenger''', was an American professional [[wrestler]] known for his time in NWA Florida in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a well-known "[[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]" in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] and considered a future wrestling star at the time of his death.<ref name="Guzzo">{{cite news |author=Guzzo, Paul |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Wrestlers recall plane crash off Tampa that changed their careers |url=http://www.tbo.com/news/wrestlers-recall-plane-crash-off-tampa-that-changed-their-careers-20150201/ |newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624174617/http://www.tbo.com/news/wrestlers-recall-plane-crash-off-tampa-that-changed-their-careers-20150201/ |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Professional wrestling career==
==Professional wrestling career==
He started his career in the [[American Wrestling Association]] in Minnesota. Eventually winning titles in the Mid-west and Hawaii. By 1968 he went to Georgia where he became popular. In 1970, he was the masked Challenger teaming up with The Professional (Doug Gilbert) winning the [[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship|NWA Georgia Tag Teams titles]] in a tournament. Later that year he defeated [[Nick Bockwinkel]] for the [[NWA Georgia Television Championship]].
The son of St. Louis referee Gus Schoenberger, he started his career in the [[American Wrestling Association]] in Minnesota. Eventually winning titles in the Mid-west and Hawaii. By 1968 he went to Georgia where he became popular. In 1970, he was the masked Challenger teaming up with [[Doug Gashouse Gilbert|The Professional]] winning the [[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship|NWA Georgia Tag Teams titles]] in a tournament. Later that year he defeated [[Nick Bockwinkel]] for the [[NWA Georgia Television Championship]].


In 1971 he moved the NWA's [[Championship Wrestling from Florida|Florida territory]] where he became a big name. He won the [[NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)|Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship]] from George Gaiser, as well as the [[NWA Florida Television Championship]] winning it two times from [[Bob Roop]] and [[Tim Woods]] in 1972. Shane won the [[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship]] with Chris Markoff, [[Bearcat Wright]] and Gorgeous George, Jr. from 1972–1974. [[Jack Brisco]] would have a feud with Shane during his time in Florida. He became known as the "King of Wrestling". In 1974 he went to [[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]] in Australia and feuded with [[Mario Milano]].
In 1971 he moved to the NWA's [[Championship Wrestling from Florida|Florida territory]] where he became a big name. He won the [[NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)|Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship]] from George Gaiser, as well as the [[NWA Florida Television Championship]] winning it two times from [[Bob Roop]] and [[Tim Woods]] in 1972. Shane won the [[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship]] with Chris Markoff, [[Bearcat Wright]] and Gorgeous George, Jr. from 1972–1974. [[Jack Brisco]] would have a feud with Shane during his time in Florida. He became known as the "King of Wrestling". In 1974 he went to [[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]] in Australia and feuded with [[Mario Milano]]. Before the plane crash he handed over his crown and cloak to Jerry Lawler to use whilst he was away. Jerry was meant to give these back to Bobby, this of course never happened therefore creating Jerry "The King" Lawler.


== Death ==
== Death ==
On February 20, 1975, Shane was accompanied by [[Gary Hart (wrestler)|Gary Hart]], [[Austin Idol]] and Buddy Colt, who was piloting the [[Cessna 182]], when they took off from [[Opa Locka Airport]], located in Miami to [[Peter O. Knight Airport]], located in Tampa. The aircraft crashed into the [[Tampa Bay]] following a stall after Colt attempted a [[go-around]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = What Ever Happened To . . . Buddy Colt?|url = http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2000-10-06/entertainment/0010060063_1_buddy-colt-championship-wrestling-mike-mccord|website = tribunedigital-orlandosentinel|accessdate = 2015-11-15}}</ref> Amidst the crash, the [[Tampa Police Department]] retrieved the aircraft from the water where they found Shane's body and announced that Shane had died from drowning. Shane died at 29 years old and the other wrestlers survived with minor and critical injuries.<ref name="Guzzo" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/cwf/cwf9-2.htm |title=CWF #9 Page #2 |author=Siege, Mike |date=2004 |website=KayfabeMemories.com |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Manager|url = http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20080318/PC20/303189939|website = Post and Courier|accessdate = 2015-11-15}}</ref>
On February 20, 1975, Shane was accompanied by [[Gary Hart (wrestler)|Gary Hart]], [[Austin Idol]] and [[Buddy Colt]], who was piloting the [[Cessna 182]], when they took off from [[Opa Locka Airport]], located in Miami to [[Peter O. Knight Airport]], located in Tampa. The aircraft crashed into the [[Tampa Bay]] following a stall after Colt attempted a [[go-around]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = What Ever Happened To . . . Buddy Colt?|url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/10/06/what-ever-happened-to-buddy-colt/|website = tribunedigital-orlandosentinel| date=October 6, 2000 |access-date = 2015-11-15}}</ref> Amidst the crash, the [[Tampa Police Department]] retrieved the aircraft from the water where they found Shane's body and announced that Shane had died from drowning. It is believed his foot was caught in the wreckage of the aircraft. Shane died at 29 years old, and the other wrestlers survived with minor and critical injuries.<ref name="Guzzo" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/cwf/cwf9-2.htm |title=CWF #9 Page #2 |author=Siege, Mike |date=2004 |website=KayfabeMemories.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Manager|url = http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20080318/PC20/303189939|website = Post and Courier| date=March 18, 2008 |accessdate = 2015-11-15}}</ref> Hart was thrown from the plane and had suffered serious injuries (broken arm, wrist, knee, back, sternum, collarbone and vertebrae; right eye knocked loose; a partially severed nose; head trauma). Despite this, he managed to locate Idol and swim him to shore, then swim back and rescue Colt. However, swimming out a third time, Hart was unable to find Shane; reportedly he was plagued by the memory and for decades wondered whether he had done everything he could.


⚫
== Championships and accomplishments ==
==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing moves'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**Rolling reverse cradle<ref name=OWOW/>
*'''Signature moves'''
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Figure-four leglock|Figure four leglock]]<ref name=OWOW/>

⚫
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[American Wrestling Association]]'''
*'''[[American Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship]] ([[AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**[[AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship]] ([[AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**[[Nebraska Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Nebraska Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ne/ne-h.html |title=Nebraska Heavyweight Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[Nebraska Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Nebraska Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ne/ne-h.html |title=Nebraska Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
⚫
*'''[[Heart of America Sports Attractions#Heart of America Sports Attractions forms|Central States Wrestling]]'''
**Posthumous Award (2006)<ref name="Cauliflower2006">{{cite web|last=Oliver|first=Greg|title=Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2006/06/11/race-hennig-go-over-at-cauliflower-alley-club-banquet/|work=Slam Wrestling|date=June 11, 2006|accessdate=September 27, 2020}}</ref>
⚫
**[[NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version)]] (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-us-h.html |title=NWA United States Heavyweight Title (Central States) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
⚫
*'''[[Heart of America Sports Attractions]]'''
⚫
**NWA Iowa Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ron Etchison<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ia/ia-t.html |title=Iowa Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
⚫
**[[NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version)]] (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/nwa/cs-us-h.html |title=NWA United States Heavyweight Title (Central States) |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
⚫
**NWA Iowa Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ron Etchison<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ia/ia-t.html |title=Iowa Tag Team Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]'''
*'''[[Championship Wrestling from Florida]]'''
**[[NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)|NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Florida version)'']] ([[NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa/fl-south-h.html |title=NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)|NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship ''(Florida version)'']] ([[NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa/fl-south-h.html |title=NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA Florida Television Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Television Championship#Title history|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/fl-tv.html |title=NWA Florida Television Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Florida Television Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Television Championship#Title history|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/fl-tv.html |title=NWA Florida Television Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) - with Bearcat Wright, Chris Markoff and Gorgeous George, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/fl-t.html |title=Florida Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) - with [[Bearcat Wright]], [[Chris Markoff]] and Gorgeous George, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/fl-t.html |title=Florida Tag Team Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Georgia Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-h.html |title=NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-h.html |title=NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**NWA Georgia Television Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/nwa/ga-tv.html |title=NWA Georgia Television Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**NWA Georgia Television Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/nwa/ga-tv.html |title=NWA Georgia Television Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**City of Mobile Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/gc/mobile-h.htm |title=City of Mobile Heavyweight Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**City of Mobile Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/gc/mobile-h.htm |title=City of Mobile Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with Gorgeous George, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-t.html |title=NWA Georgia Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with Gorgeous George, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/ga-t.html |title=NWA Georgia Tag Team Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Gorgeous George, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/nwa/macon-t.html |title=NWA Macon Tag Team Title (Georgia) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Macon Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Gorgeous George, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/nwa/macon-t.html |title=NWA Macon Tag Team Title (Georgia) |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Continental Championship Wrestling|Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/al-h.html |title=NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/al-h.html |title=NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions]]'''
*'''[[NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions]]'''
**[[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Nick Bockwinkel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/hi/hi-t.html |title=NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Nick Bockwinkel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/hi/hi-t.html |title=NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''Superstar Championship Wrestling'''
*'''Superstar Championship Wrestling'''
**SCW Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ricky Gibson<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/wa/scw/scw-ws-t.html |title=SCW Western States Tag Team Title (Washington) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**SCW Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Ricky Gibson (wrestler)|Ricky Gibson]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/wa/scw/scw-ws-t.html |title=SCW Western States Tag Team Title (Washington) |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
*'''[[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[World Championship Wrestling (Australia)|World Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship]] – with The Original Mr. Wrestling (George Barns)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/australia/wcw/aa-t.html |title=NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title (Australia) |author= |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
**[[NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship]] – with [[George Barnes (wrestler)|The Original Mr. Wrestling]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/australia/wcw/aa-t.html |title=NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title (Australia) |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of premature professional wrestling deaths]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Robert Lee Schoenberger}}
*[http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/bobbyshanetribute/bobby_shane_bio.htm Bobby Shane – In Memory of a Legend]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050219074644/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/bobbyshanetribute/bobby_shane_bio.htm Bobby Shane – In Memory of a Legend]
*{{Find a Grave|7409569}}
*{{Find a Grave|7409569}}
*[http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=3129 Bobby Shane at Cagematch.net]
*[http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=3129 Bobby Shane at Cagematch.net]
Line 71: Line 73:
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Florida]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Florida]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Missouri]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Missouri]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from St. Louis, Missouri]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from St. Louis]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1975]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:Deaths by drowning in the United States]]
[[Category:NWA Florida Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Florida Television Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Macon Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:NWA Georgia Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA National Television Champions]]

Latest revision as of 20:41, 23 December 2024

Bobby Shane
Birth nameRobert Lee Schoenberger
Born(1945-08-25)August 25, 1945[1]
St. Louis, Missouri[1]
DiedFebruary 20, 1975(1975-02-20) (aged 29)[1]
Tampa, Florida[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bobby Shane
Bobby Schoen
The Challenger
Billed height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)[1]
Billed weight224 lb (102 kg)[1]
Trained byWild Bill Longson
Debut1963

Robert Lee Schoenberger (August 25, 1945 – February 20, 1975),[1] better known as Bobby Shane, who also wrestled as Bobby Schoen and as The Challenger, was an American professional wrestler known for his time in NWA Florida in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a well-known "heel" in the National Wrestling Alliance and considered a future wrestling star at the time of his death.[2]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

The son of St. Louis referee Gus Schoenberger, he started his career in the American Wrestling Association in Minnesota. Eventually winning titles in the Mid-west and Hawaii. By 1968 he went to Georgia where he became popular. In 1970, he was the masked Challenger teaming up with The Professional winning the NWA Georgia Tag Teams titles in a tournament. Later that year he defeated Nick Bockwinkel for the NWA Georgia Television Championship.

In 1971 he moved to the NWA's Florida territory where he became a big name. He won the Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship from George Gaiser, as well as the NWA Florida Television Championship winning it two times from Bob Roop and Tim Woods in 1972. Shane won the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship with Chris Markoff, Bearcat Wright and Gorgeous George, Jr. from 1972–1974. Jack Brisco would have a feud with Shane during his time in Florida. He became known as the "King of Wrestling". In 1974 he went to World Championship Wrestling in Australia and feuded with Mario Milano. Before the plane crash he handed over his crown and cloak to Jerry Lawler to use whilst he was away. Jerry was meant to give these back to Bobby, this of course never happened therefore creating Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Death

[edit]

On February 20, 1975, Shane was accompanied by Gary Hart, Austin Idol and Buddy Colt, who was piloting the Cessna 182, when they took off from Opa Locka Airport, located in Miami to Peter O. Knight Airport, located in Tampa. The aircraft crashed into the Tampa Bay following a stall after Colt attempted a go-around.[3] Amidst the crash, the Tampa Police Department retrieved the aircraft from the water where they found Shane's body and announced that Shane had died from drowning. It is believed his foot was caught in the wreckage of the aircraft. Shane died at 29 years old, and the other wrestlers survived with minor and critical injuries.[2][4][5] Hart was thrown from the plane and had suffered serious injuries (broken arm, wrist, knee, back, sternum, collarbone and vertebrae; right eye knocked loose; a partially severed nose; head trauma). Despite this, he managed to locate Idol and swim him to shore, then swim back and rescue Colt. However, swimming out a third time, Hart was unable to find Shane; reportedly he was plagued by the memory and for decades wondered whether he had done everything he could.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Bobby Shane Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Guzzo, Paul (February 1, 2015). "Wrestlers recall plane crash off Tampa that changed their careers". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018.
  3. ^ "What Ever Happened To . . . Buddy Colt?". tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. October 6, 2000. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  4. ^ Siege, Mike (2004). "CWF #9 Page #2". KayfabeMemories.com.
  5. ^ "Manager". Post and Courier. March 18, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  6. ^ "Nebraska Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  7. ^ Oliver, Greg (June 11, 2006). "Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (Central States)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  9. ^ "Iowa Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  10. ^ "NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  11. ^ "NWA Florida Television Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  12. ^ "Florida Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  13. ^ "NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  14. ^ "NWA Georgia Television Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  15. ^ "City of Mobile Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  16. ^ "NWA Georgia Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  17. ^ "NWA Macon Tag Team Title (Georgia)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  18. ^ "NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  19. ^ "NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  20. ^ "SCW Western States Tag Team Title (Washington)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  21. ^ "NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Title (Australia)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Lee Schoenberger.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Shane&oldid=1264841641"