Sputnik Monroe (wrestler)

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Rocco Monroe DiGrazio Brumbaugh


Statistics
Ring name(s)	Elvis Rock Monroe Rock Monroe Pretty Boy Roque Sputnik Monroe
Billed weight	235 lbs.
Born	December 18, 1928 Dodge City, Kansas
Died	November 3, 2006
Billed from	Sputnik Monroe
Trained by	Jack Nazworthy
Debut	1945
Retired	1998

Sputnik Monroe (December 18, 1928–November 3, 2006) was a professional wrestler from the mid 1940s through the early 1970s. Monroe was a headliner in many territories, and was best known in Memphis, where he and Billy Wicks set an attendance record that lasted until the Monday Night Wars boom period.

[edit] Early life

Sputnik was born Rocco Monroe DiGrazio in Dodge City, Kansas. His father had been killed in an airplane crash a month before his birth and his formative years were spent living with his grandparents. His mother remarried, and his stepfather, whose last name was Brumbaugh, adopted him at age 17. Monroe's legal name became Rock Monroe Brumbaugh.

Debuting as "Rock Monroe" in 1945, Monroe began his career by wrestling in traveling carnivals. He changed his name to "Rocky Monroe" in 1949, and adopted the nickname of "Sputnik" in 1957.

Monroe was a noteworthy figure in Memphis cultural history. During a period where segregation was the norm at public events, he, as the biggest wrestling draw at the time, refused to perform unless black patrons were allowed to sit in any seat at the Ellis Auditorium. At the time, at wrestling matches, as well as any public events, African-Americans were being limited to sit in what was at the time known as the "colored" section.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Monroe worked mostly as a heel, and was known for being flamboyant and for possessing a quick wit.

He died in his sleep on November 3, 2006 in Florida.