Sputnik Monroe (wrestler)
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| Rocco Monroe DiGrazio Brumbaugh | |
|---|---|
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| 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 (aged 77) |
| 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.[1]
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[edit] Life
Sputnik was born Rosco Monroe Merrick 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 Roscoe 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.[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.[1] On May 4, 2007, HBO announced they would make a movie based on Monroe's life. [4]
On September 6, 2007 Julien Nitzberg confirmed the first draft of the Sputnik movie had been completed [5]"
A Los Angeles-based rock band is named after him.
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
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- NWA Florida Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rocket Monroe
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Norvell Austin
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (2 times) - with Rocket Monroe
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- NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (2 times) (First)
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- NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (1 time) - with Norvell Austin
- NWA Tennessee Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Tommy Gilbert
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- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time) - with Ken Lucas
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Baby Blimp
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- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Danny McShain (1) and Rocket Monroe (1)
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- Memphis Hall of Fame (Class of 1994)
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Brady, Hicks. "2006: The year in wrestling", PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts, Kappa Publications, p. 27. 2007 Edition. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. (English)
- ^ Sputnik wrestled against prejudice By Thom Loverro
- ^ Sputnk Monroe, RIP
- ^ "Nitzberg Penning Sputnik Biopic"
- ^ "Interview with Julien Nitzberg about Sputnik Monroe movie
