After graduating from high school in 1963, Bobby was sent to Portland, OR to start his pro career (under the name Bobby Schoen). He gained valuable experience in the ring with such greats as Pampero Firpo, Pat Patterson, and Tony Borne. From there he journeyed to the Central States territory. Appearing now as Bobby Shane, he hit main event status, feuding with such notables as Mongolian Stomper, Bob Geigel, and Bulldog Bob Brown. He earned the nickname “Wonder Boy,” and the fans were quite taken with the talented young wrestler.

He then went on to Georgia where he and Mario Galento held the Southern Tag Team title and had a major feud with the Infernos. This was followed by stints in Nebraska, Hawaii, California, the Eastern States (Mid Atlantic), as well as tours of Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

By 1971 Bobby yearned to move from his mid-card/semi main event status up to the main events. He needed something that would take him to the next level, and he accomplished that in the Gulf Coast as he entered that territory as a heel. With his hair bleached blond, wearing flashy ring attire, puffing a now ever-present cigar, and with pretty valet (and real life wife) Miss Sherri at his side, Bobby christened himself the King of Wrestling, and the once soft spoken Shane now would rant on interviews, extolling his own greatness, while berating everyone from the wrestlers to the fans. He had a major feud with Cowboy Bob Kelly and a memorable angle with promoter Lee Fields. Within months, he had transformed himself into one of wrestling’s greatest villains.

In late 1971, Bobby entered Florida and his great success continued. He won the Southern title, the television title (twice), and the tag team championship on three occasions. His major feuds were with Tim Woods, Jack Brisco, and Eddie and Mike Graham. On the list of most loved-to-hate villains, Bobby name was at or near the top.

He proved to be a popular heel, though, and the Tampanella Cigar Factory even named a cigar after him (“Shane – a truly fine cigar” was the ad slogan). .

In 1973, Shane was among several Florida grapplers who sent to Georgia as a result of a promotional war between Paul Jones’ NWA Georgia territory and Ann Gunkel’s All South Championship Wrestling. While in that territory, he worked behind the scenes as an assistant writer for the Ringsider (the Georgia wrestling program), and he served as an assistant to booker Jerry Jarrett.

In early 1974, a booking position opened up in Australia, and Jerry Jarrett recommended Bobby for the job. Bobby spent what would be the last full year of his life there, booking behind the scenes, and appearing as a wrestler/manager was well.

Bobby Shane came a long way from that five-year-old boy who sat in an arena, mesmerized by the action in the ring. He faced a long, hard road to the top, but he made it, and he always gave the fans their money’s worth in the ring. He accomplished more in eleven years than many wrestlers did in twenty, and he was rightfully proud of his accomplishments, but sadly, it ended much too soon. As many of his colleagues have stated, wrestling suffered a tremendous loss the day that Bobby died.

Titles Held: