R. Bruce Tharpe's Pro Wrestling Page

Raised in the Wrestling Business
R. Bruce Tharpe was raised in the pro wrestling business. His father, Chet Tharpe, was a wrestling ring announcer in Florida while serving on the Tampa Fire Department.

R. Bruce Tharpe and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

Some of Bruce's earliest memories are of going to matches with his father, where he interacted with wrestling legends such as:

Lou Thesz, Eddie Graham, Karl Gotch, Duke Keomuka, Don Curtis, Jack Brisco, Sailor Art Thomas, Danny Hodge, and many others.

Terry Funk and R. Bruce Tharpe

Classic Pro Wrestling Ribs

Danny Hodge's Legendary Grip!
Former NWA World Junior-Heavyweight Champion Danny Hodge is one of the few men that other wrestlers were afraid of in the ring. Read the rest of the story

R. Bruce Tharpe and legendary German superstar Baron Von Rasche compare claw holds

Bruce Tharpe Pro Wrestling Photos

R. Bruce Tharpe entering the ring In 1979 Bruce Tharpe entered the wrestling profession himself by working as a ring announcer, television commentator, and referee while attending college at the University of South Florida.

While attending law school in Houston, Tharpe worked for legendary promoter Paul Boesch. And while serving as a prosecutor with the D.A.'s office in South Texas, he entered the ring and wrestled under a mask in Mexico.

Tharpe later promoted his own live wrestling events and produced his own biweekly pro wrestling television program, Wrestling International, at the Matamoros, Mexico, Televisa affiliate.

Tharpe working as a ring announcer

It's only fitting that we have a Pro Wrestling Page for Pro Wrestling fans to access!