1. Early Life and Background
Robert Lee Schoenberger was born on August 25, 1945. His father, Gus Schoenberger, was a well-known professional wrestling referee in St. Louis.
1.1. Childhood and Wrestling Interest
From a young age, Shane was an avid fan of professional wrestling. He began training in amateur wrestling at the age of eight, demonstrating an early passion for the sport.
1.2. Entry into Professional Wrestling
Shane entered the professional wrestling world through his local promoter, Sam Muchnick, who recognized his potential. He started as an office boy at the St. Louis Wrestling Club. He received coaching from Wild Bill Longson, a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, before making his professional wrestling debut in 1963.
2. Professional Wrestling Career
Bobby Shane's professional wrestling career spanned over a decade, taking him through various territories across the United States and internationally, where he evolved from a popular young babyface to a prominent heel.
2.1. Debut and Early Career
Upon his debut in 1963, Shane initially wrestled under the name Bobby Schoen, later changing it to Bobby Shane. He was known as "Wonder Boy" due to his youthful appearance and agile style, primarily working as a babyface in the Midwestern United States. He competed in the American Wrestling Association in Minnesota and achieved success in the Midwest and Hawaii. On March 21, 1965, in Waterloo, Iowa, he defeated Rocky Hamilton to win the NWA US Heavyweight Championship (Central States version). On March 4, 1967, in Omaha, Nebraska, he captured the Nebraska Heavyweight Championship from Dale Lewis. During his time in Hawaii, he formed a tag team with a young Nick Bockwinkel, winning the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship from Ripper Collins and Luke Graham on March 12, 1969.
2.2. Career in Major Territories and Promotions
In the 1970s, Shane expanded his reach into various Southern territories. In Georgia Championship Wrestling, he briefly adopted the masked persona of The Challenger starting in April 1970. As The Challenger, he teamed with Doug Gilbert (also known as The Professional) to form a masked tag team, engaging in a feud over the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship with The Assassins. After shedding the mask, he continued his success in Georgia, defeating his former Hawaiian tag partner, Nick Bockwinkel, for the NWA Georgia Television Championship on August 15, 1970.
In November 1971, Shane made a significant move to Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF), where he transitioned into a heel and became a major name. On November 23, he captured the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version). He successfully defended this title against formidable opponents such as Hiro Matsuda, Boris Malenko, Johnny Walker, Bob Roop, and Tim Woods. While holding the Southern Heavyweight title, Shane challenged Dory Funk Jr. for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Miami Beach on January 12, 1972. He also held the NWA Florida Television Championship twice, defeating Bob Roop and Tim Woods in 1972. Shane won the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship three times between 1972 and 1974, partnering with Bearcat Wright, Chris Markoff, and Gorgeous George Jr.. He had a notable rivalry with Jack Brisco during his time in Florida, frequently challenging Brisco for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship.
In 1974, Shane ventured to World Championship Wrestling (Australia) in Australia, where he feuded with Mario Milano. Before the plane crash that took his life, Shane famously handed over his signature crown and cloak to Jerry Lawler for Lawler to use while Shane was away. This gesture inadvertently contributed to Lawler's eventual adoption of the "King" moniker, as Shane never returned to reclaim his items.
2.3. Ring Personas and Nicknames
Throughout his career, Bobby Shane utilized several ring personas and earned notable nicknames. He started as "Wonder Boy" Bobby Schoen, reflecting his youthful and agile babyface image. He later simplified his name to Bobby Shane. For a period in Georgia, he wrestled as the masked "The Challenger." In Florida, he became widely known as the "King of Wrestling." From 1972 onwards, he also proclaimed himself the "Monarch of the Mat" (マット界の君主Matto-kai no KunshuJapanese, meaning "Monarch of the Mat World"), using a crown and a cape as part of his ring attire. This regal persona predated similar characters adopted by future wrestling legends like Jerry Lawler and Harley Race.
2.4. Participation in Japanese Wrestling
In February 1971, Bobby Shane participated in the "Dynamic Big Series" tour for Japan Pro-Wrestling. During this tour, he competed in single matches against prominent Japanese wrestlers such as Kintaro Ohki, Kotetsu Yamamoto, Kantaro Hoshino, Great Kojika, and Genji Oki. He also teamed with Mil Máscaras in a tag match against Antonio Inoki.
2.5. Notable Rivalries
Bobby Shane was involved in several significant rivalries throughout his career. In Georgia, he and The Professional (Doug Gilbert) had a notable feud with The Assassins over the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. In Florida, he engaged in a long-standing rivalry with Jack Brisco, frequently challenging him for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship. His time in Australia also saw him in a feud with Mario Milano.
3. Wrestling Style and Signature Moves
Bobby Shane was recognized for his distinctive wrestling style, which allowed him to transition effectively from a babyface to a heel. He utilized several signature moves to defeat his opponents.
His notable signature moves included:
- Rolling cradle
- Figure-four leglock
- Abdominal stretch
4. Championships and Accomplishments
Bobby Shane achieved considerable success throughout his professional wrestling career, winning numerous championships across various promotions:
- American Wrestling Association
- AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Nebraska Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Posthumous Award (2006)
- Heart of America Sports Attractions
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version) (1 time)
- NWA Iowa Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ron Etchison
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)
- NWA Florida Television Championship (2 times)
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Bearcat Wright, Chris Markoff, and Gorgeous George Jr.
- Georgia Championship Wrestling
- NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Georgia Television Championship (1 time)
- City of Mobile Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with The Professional (Doug Gilbert) and Gorgeous George Jr.
- NWA Macon Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Gorgeous George Jr.
- Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
- NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Nick Bockwinkel
- Superstar Championship Wrestling
- SCW Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ricky Gibson
- World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
- NWA Austra-Asian Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with The Original Mr. Wrestling (George Barnes)
5. Death
Bobby Shane's life and promising career were tragically cut short on February 20, 1975. He was a passenger in a Cessna 182 light aircraft piloted by fellow wrestler Buddy Colt. Also on board were wrestlers Gary Hart and Austin Idol (Mike McCord). The group had departed from Opa-locka Airport in Miami and were en route to Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa.
The aircraft crashed into Tampa Bay after Colt attempted a go-around and the plane stalled. The Tampa Police Department recovered the aircraft from the water. Shane's body was found inside, and his death was attributed to drowning. It is believed that his foot became entangled in the wreckage, preventing his escape. Bobby Shane was 29 years old at the time of his death.
The other wrestlers on board survived the crash, though with varying degrees of injuries. Gary Hart was thrown from the plane and sustained severe injuries, including a broken arm, wrist, knee, back, sternum, collarbone, and vertebrae, as well as a dislodged right eye, a partially severed nose, and head trauma. Despite his critical condition, Hart managed to locate Austin Idol and swim him to shore before returning to rescue Buddy Colt. However, on a third attempt, Hart was unable to find Shane. Hart was reportedly haunted by the memory for decades, questioning if he had done everything possible to save Shane. Buddy Colt and Gary Hart were forced to retire from professional wrestling due to their injuries. Austin Idol, though injured, managed to return to wrestling three years later.
Shane's last professional wrestling match took place the day before the crash, on February 19, 1975, in Miami Beach Auditorium. He teamed with Buddy Colt against Dominic DeNucci and Tony Parisi.
6. Legacy and Impact
Bobby Shane was widely considered a rising star with immense potential in professional wrestling at the time of his untimely death. His transition from a popular "Wonder Boy" babyface to a charismatic "King of Wrestling" heel demonstrated his versatility and ability to connect with audiences. His adoption of a regal persona, complete with a crown and cape, significantly influenced future wrestling figures, most notably Jerry Lawler, who inherited Shane's crown and cloak and went on to become one of wrestling's most iconic "Kings."
The plane crash that claimed Shane's life also had a profound impact on the careers of the survivors, Buddy Colt and Gary Hart, both of whom were forced into early retirement due to their severe injuries. Shane's death left a void in the Florida wrestling scene and is remembered as one of the tragic incidents in professional wrestling history. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Bobby Shane was posthumously honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2006.