| WWE Issues Statement On Passing Of Former NWA President Bob Geigel |
By Daniel Pena
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Bob Geigel, who ran the NWA Central States promotion (often referred to simply as “Kansas City”), passed away Thursday from advanced Alzheimer's disease, according to
official website of the Cauliflower Alley Club. He was 90-years-old.
"The wrestling community owes a great deal to Bob, and we at the Cauliflower Alley Club send our deepest sympathies to his friends and loved ones in this time of mourning," the Cauliflower Alley Club said in a statement.
WWE issued a statement on his passing Thursday night.
"WWE is saddened to learn that Bob Geigel, legendary wrestler and promoter, passed away Thursday at age 90.
"Inside the squared circle, Geigel captured multiple championships as part of the National Wrestling Alliance. Beyond in-ring competition, he also acted as NWA's president for nearly a decade.
"WWE extends its condolences to Geigel's colleagues, family and friends."
A native of Iowa, Geigel was a champion amateur wrestler during his college years, coming in at third place during the 1948 NCAA Championships. He entered professional wrestling in 1950 and quickly made a name for himself in the Amarillo, Texas territory. Geigel frequently held tag team championships in his home promotion; he held the NWA Central States World Tag Team Championship four times and the NWA North American Tag Team Championship nine times.
While still wrestling, Geigel became a promoter in 1958 when he took over management of the NWA's Kansas City-based promotion. Partnering with Gus Karras and Pat O'Connor, he renamed the promotion "Heart of America Sports Attractions, Inc." The promotion continued to be a cornerstone of the NWA with Geigel sitting on the board of directors and even served as chairman of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1978 until 1987, the period that is considered the last "glory years" of the NWA.
Both the Kansas City promotion and the St. Louis promotion (which he took over after Sam Muchnick retired in 1982) struggled after Vince McMahon expanded the World Wrestling Federation nationally. Geigel and his partners, which included Harley Race, lost a significant amount of money and both offices were absorbed by Jim Crockett Promotions.
Geigel worked as a security guard at a Kansas City racetrack until approximately 2008. He suffered a broken hip a few months ago and was also battling Alzheimer's disease in recent years.
A few of Geigel's wrestling peers are remembering him on Twitter tonight.
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