Bob Caudle
Encyclopedia
Bob Caudle is an American professional wrestling
announcer
most notable for his time with The National Wrestling Alliance-NWA. He started working with Jim Crockett Promotions
in the late 1950s for promoter Jim Crockett, Sr. Bob is known for his trademark "Hello Wrestling Fans..." greeting and his "Fans, that`s all the time that we have for now, see you next week and so long for now..." closing remarks on every telecast. He is known for constantly addressing the viewers as "fans" many times on each broadcasts. Caudle was the weatherman at WRAL-TV 5 in Raleigh, NC (where Crockett's then NWA Atlantic Coast Wrestling) was taped every week. Bob continued as both the weatherman for WRAL and the voice of NWA Atlantic Coast Wrestling for many years. He called some of the most famous NWA matches of all times and interviewed every top NWA star in the area. Caudle continued to host the flagship NWA Crockett program which was renamed NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1973 (after the death of Jim Crockett, Sr.). Bob had many "sidekicks" over the years including David Crockett and Johnny Weaver. In 1986, his show changed its name to "NWA Pro Wrestling". In 1988, Jim Ross joined the show and worked well with Caudle. Bob continue to work for the promotion after it was sold to Ted Turner in late 1988. He worked several live "Clash Of The Champions" telecasts on Superstation WTBS along with some pay-per-view events. Slowly, the promotion grew away from the NWA and became WCW
. By late 1991, Caudle left WCW and joined SAPW-South Atlantic Pro Wrestling as lead announcer. The promotion was attempting to be like the old Mid-Atlantic area. Within a few months, the promotion closed and Bob went to work for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling
. The acclaim for Smokey Mountain Wrestling was great in the South. Caudle remained with SMW for all of its run. At one point, Jim Ross left the WWF briefly and joined Caudle on the SMW telecasts. In late 1995, the promotion was shut down by owner Jim Cornette. Bob continued to make personal appearances at NWA indy events and reunion shows. He suffered two heart attacks on June 14, 2007 but has completely recovered and returned to appearing regularly at NWA/Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling reunions and other NWA Wrestling events. He introduced Ric Flair at the annual NWA Fanfest in 2009 in Charlotte, NC.
. His television broadcasting career began in Wilmington, North Carolina
. He then moved to another broadcasting position in Savannah, GA. While in Savannah in the late 1950s, Caudle hosted a televised studio wrestling show. He worked for Jim Crockett Sr. who was a long-time big NWA/National Wrestling Alliance Promoter. The territory was then known as NWA Atlantic Coast Wrestling and in 1973, changed to NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling after the death of Jim Crockett Sr. His son Jim Crockett Jr. Then took over as the promoter for a very successful run. Caudle had worked as a weatherman and an anchorman for the late news for Raleigh, North Carolina
's WRAL-TV
(Channel 5) in the 1950s. Jim Crockett Promotions held weekly tapings for their televised wrestling shows took place at the WRAL studios. Jim Crockett Promotions tapped Caudle to be their play-by-play announcer. Caudle worked for WRAL until 1981 when Jim Crockett Promotions moved the television tapings to Charlotte, North Carolina
at WPCQ. Caudle commuted weekly from Raleigh to Charlotte to continue his role as lead announcer. In 1983, Jim Crockett Promotions began utilizing mobile production and started taping matches at different arenas, typically in Shelby, NC, Raleigh, North Carolina
, Greensboro, NC, Greenville, SC and Spartanburg, SC. In the late 1980s the promotion began taping at arenas outside of the Carolinas. Caudle hosted the syndicated All-Star Wrestling, Wide World Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and World Wide Wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW World Wide Wrestling after Jim Crockett Promotions was purchased by Ted Turner
. Caudle was also the lead announcer for the closed circuit events known as Starrcade
in the 1980s. Caudle was also an announcer for most of the early NWA
/WCW pay per views and Clash of the Champions
shows.
After leaving WCW, Caudle went to work for Jim Cornette
's Smoky Mountain Wrestling
in Morristown, TN, acting as that promotion's lead announcer.
or heels
(although he often showed his disgust for cheating). Caudle was not a personality in and of himself, but he let the wrestlers be the stars of the show. As such, he wasn't involved in angles where heels would attack him. Over the years Caudle was teamed with Bill Ward, David Crockett
, Johnny Weaver
, Gordon Solie
, Les Thatcher
, Tony Schiavone
, Dutch Mantel
and Jim Ross
among others.
, contributed to the campaigns of Senator Jesse Helms
. He became a legislative assistant for Senator Jesse Helms
after he left WRAL in 1980, working in Helms' office in Raleigh. He remained in that position until 1996. Caudle and Helms worked together at WRAL before Helms ran for the United States Senate
in 1972. He has remained close with Helms and his family.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
announcer
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
most notable for his time with The National Wrestling Alliance-NWA. He started working with Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions was a professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett, Jr. until the late 1980s. It was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance and was the forerunner to World Championship Wrestling .-Early history:...
in the late 1950s for promoter Jim Crockett, Sr. Bob is known for his trademark "Hello Wrestling Fans..." greeting and his "Fans, that`s all the time that we have for now, see you next week and so long for now..." closing remarks on every telecast. He is known for constantly addressing the viewers as "fans" many times on each broadcasts. Caudle was the weatherman at WRAL-TV 5 in Raleigh, NC (where Crockett's then NWA Atlantic Coast Wrestling) was taped every week. Bob continued as both the weatherman for WRAL and the voice of NWA Atlantic Coast Wrestling for many years. He called some of the most famous NWA matches of all times and interviewed every top NWA star in the area. Caudle continued to host the flagship NWA Crockett program which was renamed NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1973 (after the death of Jim Crockett, Sr.). Bob had many "sidekicks" over the years including David Crockett and Johnny Weaver. In 1986, his show changed its name to "NWA Pro Wrestling". In 1988, Jim Ross joined the show and worked well with Caudle. Bob continue to work for the promotion after it was sold to Ted Turner in late 1988. He worked several live "Clash Of The Champions" telecasts on Superstation WTBS along with some pay-per-view events. Slowly, the promotion grew away from the NWA and became WCW
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
. By late 1991, Caudle left WCW and joined SAPW-South Atlantic Pro Wrestling as lead announcer. The promotion was attempting to be like the old Mid-Atlantic area. Within a few months, the promotion closed and Bob went to work for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling
Smoky Mountain Wrestling
Smoky Mountain Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the Appalachian area of the United States from October 1991 to December 1995, when it was run by Jim Cornette...
. The acclaim for Smokey Mountain Wrestling was great in the South. Caudle remained with SMW for all of its run. At one point, Jim Ross left the WWF briefly and joined Caudle on the SMW telecasts. In late 1995, the promotion was shut down by owner Jim Cornette. Bob continued to make personal appearances at NWA indy events and reunion shows. He suffered two heart attacks on June 14, 2007 but has completely recovered and returned to appearing regularly at NWA/Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling reunions and other NWA Wrestling events. He introduced Ric Flair at the annual NWA Fanfest in 2009 in Charlotte, NC.
History
Caudle was born in Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. His television broadcasting career began in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
. He then moved to another broadcasting position in Savannah, GA. While in Savannah in the late 1950s, Caudle hosted a televised studio wrestling show. He worked for Jim Crockett Sr. who was a long-time big NWA/National Wrestling Alliance Promoter. The territory was then known as NWA Atlantic Coast Wrestling and in 1973, changed to NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling after the death of Jim Crockett Sr. His son Jim Crockett Jr. Then took over as the promoter for a very successful run. Caudle had worked as a weatherman and an anchorman for the late news for Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
's WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
(Channel 5) in the 1950s. Jim Crockett Promotions held weekly tapings for their televised wrestling shows took place at the WRAL studios. Jim Crockett Promotions tapped Caudle to be their play-by-play announcer. Caudle worked for WRAL until 1981 when Jim Crockett Promotions moved the television tapings to Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
at WPCQ. Caudle commuted weekly from Raleigh to Charlotte to continue his role as lead announcer. In 1983, Jim Crockett Promotions began utilizing mobile production and started taping matches at different arenas, typically in Shelby, NC, Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, Greensboro, NC, Greenville, SC and Spartanburg, SC. In the late 1980s the promotion began taping at arenas outside of the Carolinas. Caudle hosted the syndicated All-Star Wrestling, Wide World Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and World Wide Wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW World Wide Wrestling after Jim Crockett Promotions was purchased by Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
. Caudle was also the lead announcer for the closed circuit events known as Starrcade
Starrcade
Starrcade was an annual professional wrestling event held from 1983 to 2000 by the National Wrestling Alliance and later World Championship Wrestling as their flagship event equal to WWE's WrestleMania , and featured the largest feuds of the promotion...
in the 1980s. Caudle was also an announcer for most of the early NWA
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
/WCW pay per views and Clash of the Champions
Clash of the Champions
The Clash of the Champions were a series of professional wrestling television specials aired by World Championship Wrestling. The specials were supercards intended to feature pay-per-view caliber matches, similar to World Wrestling Federation's Saturday Night's Main Event.The first Clash of the...
shows.
After leaving WCW, Caudle went to work for Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
's Smoky Mountain Wrestling
Smoky Mountain Wrestling
Smoky Mountain Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the Appalachian area of the United States from October 1991 to December 1995, when it was run by Jim Cornette...
in Morristown, TN, acting as that promotion's lead announcer.
Style
Caudle was a traditional type of wrestling announcer, meaning that he did not advocate for facesFace (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
or heels
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
(although he often showed his disgust for cheating). Caudle was not a personality in and of himself, but he let the wrestlers be the stars of the show. As such, he wasn't involved in angles where heels would attack him. Over the years Caudle was teamed with Bill Ward, David Crockett
David Crockett (wrestling)
David F. Crockett is a former professional wrestling announcer and executive from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the son of Jim Crockett and brother to Jim Crockett, Jr. He was usually paired in announcing duties with Tony Schiavone, with Crockett providing color commentary and Schiavone...
, Johnny Weaver
Johnny Weaver
Kenneth Eugene Weaver was a professional wrestler and wrestling commentator in the National Wrestling Alliance, better known by his ring name, Johnny Weaver...
, Gordon Solie
Gordon Solie
Jonard Frank Labiak , better known as Gordon Solie, was a Florida-based professional wrestling play-by-play announcer working for World Championship Wrestling...
, Les Thatcher
Les Thatcher
Leslie Alan Malady better known by the name Les Thatcher is a former professional wrestler who achievied many accolades over his career...
, Tony Schiavone
Tony Schiavone
Noah Anthony "Tony" Schiavone is an American sports broadcaster. He is the play-by-play broadcaster for the Gwinnett Braves of the International League...
, Dutch Mantel
Dutch Mantel
Wayne Keown is an American professional wrestler, and author better known by his ring name, Dutch Mantel or Dutch Mantell. He currently is semi-retired but still makes occasional wrestling appearances. He was previously with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a writer behind the scenes...
and Jim Ross
Jim Ross
James William "Jim" Ross is a professional wrestling commentator, former professional wrestling referee, restaurateur, occasional wrestler, and former company executive of WWE, where he currently works as a commentator on the WWE Raw brand...
among others.
Personal life
Caudle, an avowed RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, contributed to the campaigns of Senator Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
. He became a legislative assistant for Senator Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
after he left WRAL in 1980, working in Helms' office in Raleigh. He remained in that position until 1996. Caudle and Helms worked together at WRAL before Helms ran for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1972. He has remained close with Helms and his family.