Bob Caudle was a Southern gentleman of wrestling announcers who brought dignity and calm to an often wild sport.
Bob Caudle Death – Undisclosed Causes
1930-2025 (Age 95)
Bob Caudle’s death marked the end of an era in pro wrestling announcers. He, along with Lance Russell and Gordon Solie epitomized the soft-spoken, steady voice that fans came to appreciate.
Breaking Into Broadcasting
In his must-read tribute to Bob Caudle, Mid-Atlantic Wrestling historian Richard Bourne writes of Bob’s amazing career in broadcasting:
Over the decades of the 60s and 70s, Bob at different times did news, sports, and weather at the station. It was veteran sports personality and Hall of Fame broadcaster Ray Reeve that asked Bob to take his place as wrestling announcer for the shows taped at WRAL in the early 1960s, and a star was born.
When he first appeared on All-Star Wrestling, (the precursor to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling), viewers immediately recognized a rare quality—someone they could trust. Caudle never talked down to fans. He never insulted their intelligence.
Bob reflected the professionalism of peers such as Gordon Solie and Lance Russell. He never let his ego overshadow the action. It was all about the wrestler and he made them seem larger than life, whether they were faces or heels.
Bob Caudle once remarked:
“Nobody turned on the TV to watch me,” he said. “They turned on the TV to watch the wrestlers. The wrestlers were the stars. It was really my job, in essence, to put them over. It wasn’t about me.”
A Staple of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling
Bob’s pairing with color commentator David Crockett became a staple of Mid-Atlantic television. Jim Crockett Promotions (aka Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling) featured several weekly TV shows and Mr. Caudle was a fixture.
Promoter Jim Crockett Jr.’s confidence in the Caudle and Crockett team was evident by their long run together. The two called some of the greatest angles in the promotion’s history including the battle of the bullies between “The Dream Team” of Ric Flair and Greg Valentine and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Gene and Ole Anderson), Blackjack Mulligan’s babyface turn, Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood’s many wars over the promotion’s World Tag Team Championship, and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper’s campaigns as a hated heel and surprise turn into a babyface.
Jim Crockett Promotions would feature a who’s who of talent and Bob Caudle would make sure they shined. Legends and future legends including Ivan Koloff, Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Jack Brisco, Jimmy Valiant, Ricky Steamboat, and many others would be given time to develop and/or showcase their microphone skills.
Mr. Caudle continued his wrestling career after Ted Turner purchased Jim Crockett Promotions and it became World Championship Wrestling. He also called the action in Smokey Mountain Wrestling and as noted by WRAL TV, he even called Ric Flair’s retirement match at the tender age of 92.
Outside the ring, Mr. Caudle worked as a staff member for United States Senator Jesse Helms from 1980 to 1996.
A Respected Figure
Despite the booming, sometimes outrageous energy of wrestling in the 1970s and ’80s, Caudle remained the eye of the storm: calm, courteous, and unfailingly professional. Wrestlers universally respected him.
Many recalled that Caudle treated everyone backstage the same way he treated viewers — with kindness, curiosity, and a quiet sense of humor. In an industry known for outsized personalities, Bob Caudle proved that dignity could be just as memorable.
In retirement, he remained a beloved figure at fan gatherings and reunions, always humble and grateful to those who remembered his work. He often said he never imagined he’d become part of wrestling folklore — but folklore is exactly where he now resides.
Entering Wrestling Folklore
Despite the booming, sometimes outrageous energy of wrestling in the 1970s and ’80s, Caudle remained the eye of the storm: calm, courteous, and unfailingly professional. Wrestlers universally respected him.
Many recalled that Caudle treated everyone backstage the same way he treated viewers — with kindness, curiosity, and a quiet sense of humor. In an industry known for outsized personalities, Bob Caudle proved that dignity could be just as memorable.
In retirement, he remained a beloved figure at fan gatherings and reunions, always humble and grateful to those who remembered his work. He often said he never imagined he’d become part of wrestling folklore — but folklore is exactly where he now resides.
The Death of Bob Caudle
Outside the ring, Bob Caudle was married to his wife Jackie for 76 years, until her passing in April 2025.
Bob Caudle passed away on November 16, 2025 at age 95.
“Nature Boy” Ric Flair was just one of many wrestling legends who would pay their respects following Bob Caudle’s death.
Bob Caudle Was A Great Friend, And Someone Who Helped Me Develop My Interview Skills. You Were A Great Man Bob, And You Will Be Remembered Forever As One Of The Greatest Announcers Of All Time. I Cherish All The Time That I Got To Spend With You. Rest In Peace My Dear Friend! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/TP4wxOu8yo
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) November 16, 2025
Bob Caudle’s TV sign-off “So long for now” — became a ritual for Mid-Atlantic fans and it’s never been more appropriate as fans envision him calling matches in the squared circle in the sky.
What are your favorite memories of Bob Caudle? Let us know in the comments below.
Other wrestlers who died in the 2020s include Adrian Street, Bray Wyatt, Sid Vicious, and Virgil.
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