Buddy Rogers

Buddy Rogers, born Herman Gustav Rohde Jr. in 1921 and better known as Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, was an American professional wrestler from Camden, New Jersey, and one of the biggest stars of the early television era. He debuted in 1939, built a flashy platinum blond look and a bombastic persona, and became a major draw in Texas, Ohio, St. Louis and Chicago. On June 30, 1961 he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Pat O'Connor before a record North American crowd at Comiskey Park, and he later held the WWWF Championship, making him a two-time world champion. His rivalry with Lou Thesz was famous, and Ric Flair later borrowed his nickname, look and figure-four leglock. He died in 1992.