Buddy Rogers
Awards & Honours
6
Awards Won
4
Honours
2
Rankings
2
Covers
3
Records
Buddy Rogers's influence on professional wrestling is immeasurable. He created the Nature Boy persona that Ric Flair later took to legendary status, and he invented the figure-four leglock, one of wrestling's most iconic holds. He was a two-time world champion and headlined major events across North America. His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994, just two years after his death, recognized his foundational role. He is also enshrined in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and the NWA Hall of Fame. Rogers is consistently ranked among the greatest wrestlers of all time by historians and publications.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
WWE Hall of Fame
Inducted posthumously as a founding member.
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Inducted for his contributions to the sport.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Inducted posthumously.
NWA Hall of Fame
Inducted posthumously.
Rankings & Lists
Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years
Greatest Wrestlers of All Time
Magazine Covers
Wrestling Revue
1960
Buddy Rogers cover
Ring Magazine
1962
Wrestling feature
Records & Feats
Shortest world title match in NWA history
Defeated Pat O'Connor in 23 seconds for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on June 30, 1961.
First WWWF World Heavyweight Champion
Awarded the inaugural WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1963.
Inventor of the figure-four leglock
Credited with creating the finishing hold that became synonymous with Ric Flair.