Bob Roop is a name spoken highly of a lot in US wrestling podcasts, media etc. A former Olympic wrestler and one that toured the UK in his early career (early 1970s). Anyone with any memories of him when he was here ? How good was he ? Who did he wrestle and was he ever on the telly ?
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We were aware of him, must have been The Wrestler, but looking at this all up north. Dales never acknowledged him.
I thought he had been on tv but itvwrestling.co.uk suggests I'm wrong. I can't see him in The Wrestler and he didn't appear locally so I'm wondering how I knew he was around at the time, which I certainly did.
From what i've read Bob Roop appeared to be a good, tough wrestler with a solid background in the amateur ranks and not to be messed with, but i believe he was black balled in the American business towards the late 1970s having participated/released an expose documentary on professional wrestling called "Plan B" (i think) stating he'd never participated in a genuine professional contest and that the entire business was fake. There are a few of his contests on Youtube, and even the "Plan B" documentary pops up from time to time. Shame really as like Rick Hunter he looked the real deal.
I was at The Ice Rink, Nottingham, when he fought Butts Giraud. The bout was over quite quickly with Giraud signalling his retirement with a shoulder injury. It was also the opening bout. Not really a good opportunity to showcase him. I would have liked to have seen him against Wall, Robins or Yearsley.
He looks to be age 25 when he came here , so pretty early in his career. Came after touring Australia. I do have a few more than Wrestlingdata have.
I have nothing for October .
Looking at this lot , I was going to say where was he in Lancashire.
I found him at Belle Vue , but I know that I was not there on this night so I don't remember him.