20 Facts About Bob Geigel

Robert Frederick Geigel was an American professional wrestling promoter and professional wrestler.

Bob Geigel operated the Kansas City, Missouri-based Heart of America Sports Attractions promotion from 1963 to 1986, and served three terms as the president of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1978 to 1980, from 1982 to 1985, and finally from 1986 to 1987.

Bob Geigel was born on October 1,1924, in Algona, Iowa to Frederick Samuel and Leota May Bob Geigel.

Bob Geigel served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of World War II as a Seabee.

Bob Geigel graduated in 1950 with a degree in physical education.

Bob Geigel was a champion amateur wrestler during his college years, coming in third place during the 1948 NCAA Championships in the 191 pounds weight division.

Bob Geigel wrestled as "A-Bomber" while working under a mask in Amarillo.

Bob Geigel frequently held tag team championships in his home promotion, holding the NWA Central States World Tag Team Championship four times, and the NWA North American Tag Team Championship nine times.

Bob Geigel officially retired from the ring in 1976, but continued to wrestle sporadically in the 1980s.

Bob Geigel became a promoter in 1963, when he took over management of the Kansas City office.

Bob Geigel then took his place on the board of the National Wrestling Alliance.

In that same year, Bob Geigel was cited as a co-defendant in an anti-monopoly case brought against the Central States territory by previous owner Pinkie George.

In 1978, Bob Geigel became President of the NWA, his first term lasting until 1980.

Bob Geigel served a second and third term as NWA President from 1982 to 1985 and 1986 to 1987.

Bob Geigel sold Heart of America Sports Attractions to Jim Crockett Jr.

Bob Geigel repurchased the promotion in February 1987 but closed it in 1988.

Bob Geigel owned a bar in Kansas City called The Tender Trap.

Bob Geigel worked security at The Woodlands racetrack in Kansas City, Kansas after retiring from wrestling, until suffering a broken hip in early 2014.

Bob Geigel met his wife Vera at the University of Iowa, and they were married for more than 65 years.

Bob Geigel died on October 30,2014, in a nursing home in Kansas City.