Age, Biography and Wiki

Sputnik Monroe (Rosco Monroe Merrick) was born on 18 December, 1928 in Dodge City, Kansas, U.S., is an American professional wrestler. Discover Sputnik Monroe's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 77 years old?

Popular As Rosco Monroe Merrick
Occupation miscellaneous
Age 77 years old
Zodiac Sign Sagittarius
Born 18 December 1928
Birthday 18 December
Birthplace Dodge City, Kansas, U.S.
Date of death 3 November, 2006
Died Place Florida, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 18 December. He is a member of famous Miscellaneous with the age 77 years old group.

Sputnik Monroe Height, Weight & Measurements

At 77 years old, Sputnik Monroe height is 5 ft 10 in and Weight 229 lb.

Physical Status
Height 5 ft 10 in
Weight 229 lb
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Bubba Monroe

Sputnik Monroe Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sputnik Monroe worth at the age of 77 years old? Sputnik Monroe’s income source is mostly from being a successful Miscellaneous. He is from United States. We have estimated Sputnik Monroe's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Miscellaneous

Sputnik Monroe Social Network

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Timeline

1928

Roscoe Monroe Brumbaugh (born Rosco Monroe Merrick; December 18, 1928 – November 3, 2006) better known by his ring name Sputnik Monroe, was an American professional wrestler and civil rights activist.

He was a Headliner in many territories, and was best known in Memphis, Tennessee, where he and Billy Wicks set an attendance record that lasted until the Monday Night Wars boom period.

Monroe was born in Dodge City, Kansas.

His father was killed in an airplane crash one month before his birth.

His formative years were spent living with his grandparents.

Later, his mother remarried, and his stepfather, whose last name was Brumbaugh, adopted him at age 17.

As a result, Monroe's legal name became Roscoe Monroe Brumbaugh.

He had a brother, Gary "Jet" Monroe, who was his manager during certain parts of his career.

1945

Debuting as "Rock Monroe" in 1945, Monroe began his career by wrestling in travelling carnivals.

1949

He changed his name to "Rocky Monroe" in 1949, and adopted the nickname "Sputnik" in 1957 in reference to the Russian satellite Sputnik 1.

Monroe cultivated an "evil" heel gimmick.

In a wrestling-related incident he had had an opponent locked in a worked submission hold, and threatened to break his arm.

A local sheriff threatened to shoot Sputnik if he did to which Monroe replied that he would hold the opponent until he either gave up or starved to death; he eventually released him when the sheriff counted to three.

He drew heat from crowds by describing himself arrogantly as being made of "twisted steel and sex appeal".

1957

In 1957, while driving to a wrestling show in Alabama, Monroe became tired and invited a black hitchhiker he met at a gas station to take the wheel.

Upon arriving at the arena, Monroe placed his arm around the man, which drew a chorus of boos and insults from the white crowd; in response to this Monroe kissed the man on the cheek.

Monroe would later use this underlying racism as a promotional tactic and become a noteworthy figure in Memphis cultural history.

During a period where legal segregation was the norm at public events, and during a general decline in the popularity of professional wrestling, Monroe recognized that the segregated wrestling shows (whites sat in floor seats while blacks were required to sit in the balcony) were not properly marketing to black fans.

The witty, flamboyant Monroe began dressing up in a purple gown and carrying a diamond tipped cane and drinking in traditionally black bars in the black area of Memphis, where he would openly socialize with black patrons and hand out tickets to his wrestling shows.

As a result of this, he was frequently arrested by police on a variety of vague, trumped up charges, such as mopery.

In each case, he would then hire a black attorney and appear in court, pay a small fine, and immediately resume the behavior that resulted in his prior arrests.

Due to this, and in spite of the fact that he was a heel at the time, his popularity soared among the black community.

At his shows, although floor seats in arenas would be half empty with white patrons, the balcony would be packed to capacity with black patrons with many others unable to enter due to the balcony selling out.

Monroe, having become the biggest wrestling draw in the territory, soon refused to perform unless patrons, regardless of their race, were allowed to sit in any seat at the Ellis Auditorium.

As a result, the promoter was obliged to desegregate his wrestling shows, which then completely sold out with Monroe's black fans, in some cases over 15,000 at a time, filling the auditorium.

Soon, other Southern sporting events, recognizing the enormous financial benefits, began to desegregate as well.

1975

He retired from wrestling in 1975 but returned to wrestle one last match in 1988.

Monroe had three children, the youngest of them, Quentin Bell was also a pro wrestler.

Monroe trained him.

His son died on September 10, 2022, at 61.

2006

Monroe died in his sleep on November 3, 2006, in Florida.

He was 77 years old.

2007

In May 2007, HBO announced that they would make a film based on Monroe's life.

In September 2007, Julien Nitzberg confirmed that the first draft of the film's script had been completed.

The song Sputnik Monroe by the Norwegian band Gluecifer was inspired by Monroe.