Former NWA president, wrestling star Bob Geigel passes away

[Big Red Machine]

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Thursday, 30 October 2014 15:36


Bob Geigel

By Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer editor/founder

Bob Geigel, the former owner of the Central States Wrestling office, former NWA President, and a pro wrestling star from 1950 through the late 70s, passed away Thursday at the age of 90.

Geigel was an amateur star at Iowa, where he also was a star football player. He went into pro wrestling in 1950, hitting it big quickly in the Amarillo territory -- a circuit populated by tough guys. Although an Iowa native, he was known for most of his career as "Texas" Bob Geigel.

However, he probably should have been known as "Kansas City" Bob as he bought into the Central States promotion and was partners with Gust Karras from 1958. He was a headliner for the promotion for the next 15 years, and became the front man for the company in the 70s after Karras' death.

He was best known as NWA President during a period when that position was more of a figurehead. He was president from 1978 to 1980, but the former job of the president (to book the world champion) had been taken over by Jim Barnett. He was president again from 1982 to 1985, although by that point, the power was in the Southeastern part of the U.S., notably Jim Crockett Jr. In his role as the babyface promoter, it made sense for Crockett Jr. to not to be President and issue the sometimes semi-heel rulings.

Geigel had a later run as President in 1986 and 1987. Both the Central States office and the St. Louis office (which he took over after the 1982 retirement of Sam Muchnick) fell on hard times after the WWF's expansion in 1984. He and his partners, which included Harley Race, lost significant money the last few years and both offices closed down.

He did security at a local racetrack until about 2008. Geigel suffered a broken hip a few months back and was also battling Alzheimer's in recent years.