Bob Caudle

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.