Stories That Must Be Told
Chapter Two: Robert Gibson
#PWHS #Article #StoriesThatMustBeTold #STMBT #RobertGibson
It was in a small community exposition center, Augusta Expo, located in rural Fishersville, Va. right off the exit of I-64 in Virginia. Augusta County had been a hotbed for pro wrestling since the early ‘60s and tonight it was Smoky Mountain Wrestling with all its stars rolling in. The main event would see the Rock 'n' Roll Express in action. Included in the bleachers were a large contingent of deaf students from a near-by specialized school. Little did they know they would be touched by a special gesture by a main event veteran.
I was an eye-witness to the events that night and had no idea that Robert Gibson was a hearing child of two deaf parents. Being part of the local promotion that sponsored the event, I had no idea why Robert seemed interested to hear about the many students in attendance that night…that was, until the main event began.
In the introductions by the ring announcer, Robert made a special effort to “sign” to the section where the students were. They were astounded and everyone in attendance could tell how delighted, as they witnessed many of the students began to sign back toward Gibson with larger-than-life smiles on their face. Throughout the match at appropriate times, Robert would continue to sign to his new fans, even while having his opponent in different holds. Even Ricky was seen signing to them at one point of the night.
The Express left the night with their hands raised, but there were a group of smiling students from the Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind that left with a large smile and animated gestures of sign language. What started out to be another night for a veteran tag team and teenage students, ended up being a SPECIAL MEMORY in both of their lives….and I got to be an eye-witness to this special evening.
I was an eye-witness to the events that night and had no idea that Robert Gibson was a hearing child of two deaf parents. Being part of the local promotion that sponsored the event, I had no idea why Robert seemed interested to hear about the many students in attendance that night…that was, until the main event began.
In the introductions by the ring announcer, Robert made a special effort to “sign” to the section where the students were. They were astounded and everyone in attendance could tell how delighted, as they witnessed many of the students began to sign back toward Gibson with larger-than-life smiles on their face. Throughout the match at appropriate times, Robert would continue to sign to his new fans, even while having his opponent in different holds. Even Ricky was seen signing to them at one point of the night.
The Express left the night with their hands raised, but there were a group of smiling students from the Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind that left with a large smile and animated gestures of sign language. What started out to be another night for a veteran tag team and teenage students, ended up being a SPECIAL MEMORY in both of their lives….and I got to be an eye-witness to this special evening.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Stories That Must Be Told: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: July 2014.
Article: #40.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Stories That Must Be Told: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: July 2014.
Article: #40.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Stories That Must Be Told: Chapter One - Read Here.
Other articles by Terry can be Read Here.