Bobby Davis
|
|
Bobby was born in Columbus, Ohio around 1937. Originally he was trained by Al Haft in his local Ohio based territory in the 1950's. The first recorded match for Bobby Davis I can find took place on November 21, 1956 in a losing effort with his tag-team partner Don Stevens against Don Eagle and Billy Two Rivers.
He would continue to compete around the Ohio area for the next couple of years until he suffered a serious neck injury ending in-ring career. Bobby would not be deterred in his dream to pursue a career within the realms of professional wrestler. He would transform himself into a loud-mouth, charismatic manager, making himself one of the very first managers to take on what is now considered the stereotype for any wrestler's manager.
During 1959 'Nature Boy' Buddy Rogers would pass through Ohio and it appears that it's around this time Bobby Davis would side with Buddy Rogers and become his manager over the next several years. It would be Davis who would be Rogers manager as he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1961 and then for a second time in 1962.
The duo would remain mainly in the North East of America in the Capitol Wrestling Corporation and the other smaller promotions in that area. It would be here that Bobby Davis would really make a name for himself drawing the anger of many fans across the region and can be seen in old clippings being labelled "The most hated manager in wrestling."
In 1963 when the Capitol Wrestling Corporation was re-branded the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1963 Bobby Davis would add a whole host of wrestlers to his stable including Johnny Valentine, Dr. Bill Miller, Johnny Barend, Magnificent Maurice, and the Graham brothers, The Beast, and Prince Iaukea.
During his time for Vince McMahon Sr. Bobby Dais would on occasion put on his wrestling boots to help culminate a storyline. In 1962 he battled fellow manager Red Berry and in 1966 he would compete in two six-man tag-team matches. In both matches he would be with his stable members The Beast and Prince Iuakea, in the first match on March 10 they'd do battle with Bruno Sammartino, Antonio Pugliese and Johnny Valentine. For the second match on March 24 Johnny Valentine would be replaced by Arnold Skaaland.
Shortly after these encounters Bobby Davis would wrap up his career in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and travel to Minnesota to work for the American Wrestling Association. Although his tenure here was only short lived it is clear he managed Jay York who was competing as The Alaskan.
By 1969 Bobby Davis had returned to his home of Ohio and hosted a TV show for a local small-time promotion, however, the promotion was short lived and following it's closure Bobby officially retired from the wrestling business. It is reported that following his retirement he opened up a Wendy's in Bakersfield, California to much success. Although it was not the first Wendy's ever, it was the first to be opened in Bakersfield.
Even though he was neglected a place on the WWE's Greatest Managers DVD release he does get a mention in their latest Encyclopedia; "Together the arrogant pairing of Rogers and Davis verbally tore down the champ's opposition on a routine basis. Of course, if Rogers ever found himself in trouble at any point during the match, Davis was not above employing some underhanded tactics to ensure his client picked up the win."
Unfortunately Bobby Davis has been all but forgotten due to his relatively short tenure in the wrestling business of around twelve years followed by completely walking away and never looking back. He is often left off lists of greatest managers of all times, if anyone deserves a place on that list, he does, for being one of the first prototypes for the modern manager.
Bobby was born in Columbus, Ohio around 1937. Originally he was trained by Al Haft in his local Ohio based territory in the 1950's. The first recorded match for Bobby Davis I can find took place on November 21, 1956 in a losing effort with his tag-team partner Don Stevens against Don Eagle and Billy Two Rivers.
He would continue to compete around the Ohio area for the next couple of years until he suffered a serious neck injury ending in-ring career. Bobby would not be deterred in his dream to pursue a career within the realms of professional wrestler. He would transform himself into a loud-mouth, charismatic manager, making himself one of the very first managers to take on what is now considered the stereotype for any wrestler's manager.
During 1959 'Nature Boy' Buddy Rogers would pass through Ohio and it appears that it's around this time Bobby Davis would side with Buddy Rogers and become his manager over the next several years. It would be Davis who would be Rogers manager as he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1961 and then for a second time in 1962.
The duo would remain mainly in the North East of America in the Capitol Wrestling Corporation and the other smaller promotions in that area. It would be here that Bobby Davis would really make a name for himself drawing the anger of many fans across the region and can be seen in old clippings being labelled "The most hated manager in wrestling."
In 1963 when the Capitol Wrestling Corporation was re-branded the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1963 Bobby Davis would add a whole host of wrestlers to his stable including Johnny Valentine, Dr. Bill Miller, Johnny Barend, Magnificent Maurice, and the Graham brothers, The Beast, and Prince Iaukea.
During his time for Vince McMahon Sr. Bobby Dais would on occasion put on his wrestling boots to help culminate a storyline. In 1962 he battled fellow manager Red Berry and in 1966 he would compete in two six-man tag-team matches. In both matches he would be with his stable members The Beast and Prince Iuakea, in the first match on March 10 they'd do battle with Bruno Sammartino, Antonio Pugliese and Johnny Valentine. For the second match on March 24 Johnny Valentine would be replaced by Arnold Skaaland.
Shortly after these encounters Bobby Davis would wrap up his career in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and travel to Minnesota to work for the American Wrestling Association. Although his tenure here was only short lived it is clear he managed Jay York who was competing as The Alaskan.
By 1969 Bobby Davis had returned to his home of Ohio and hosted a TV show for a local small-time promotion, however, the promotion was short lived and following it's closure Bobby officially retired from the wrestling business. It is reported that following his retirement he opened up a Wendy's in Bakersfield, California to much success. Although it was not the first Wendy's ever, it was the first to be opened in Bakersfield.
Even though he was neglected a place on the WWE's Greatest Managers DVD release he does get a mention in their latest Encyclopedia; "Together the arrogant pairing of Rogers and Davis verbally tore down the champ's opposition on a routine basis. Of course, if Rogers ever found himself in trouble at any point during the match, Davis was not above employing some underhanded tactics to ensure his client picked up the win."
Unfortunately Bobby Davis has been all but forgotten due to his relatively short tenure in the wrestling business of around twelve years followed by completely walking away and never looking back. He is often left off lists of greatest managers of all times, if anyone deserves a place on that list, he does, for being one of the first prototypes for the modern manager.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Bobby Davis.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler
Published: May 16, 2016.
Biography: #165.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Bobby Davis.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler
Published: May 16, 2016.
Biography: #165.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.