Rockin' Robin (wrestler)
Rockin' Robin | |
---|---|
Birth name | Robin Denise Smith |
Born | October 9, 1964 |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Rockin' Robin[3] |
Billed height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)[3] |
Billed weight | 136 lb (62 kg)[3] |
Billed from | Charlotte, North Carolina |
Trained by | Nelson Royal[3][5][4] |
Debut | 1986[3] |
Retired | 1992[3] |
Robin Denise Smith (born October 9, 1964), better known by her
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1986–1987)
Smith grew up in a wrestling family and enjoyed going to wrestling shows, where she claims she and her siblings were treated like celebrities.
World Wrestling Federation (1987–1990)
When the
On October 7, 1988, she defeated Sensational Sherri, who had held the title for fifteen months prior, for the Women's Championship in Paris.[10][11][12] At the Royal Rumble in 1989, she defended the title against Judy Martin.[13] Smith defended the belt against Martin for the first six months of 1989.[14] In the meantime, at WrestleMania V, she sang "America the Beautiful" to open the show.[8][15][10] Smith continued to defend the Women's title against Martin throughout the summer of 1989. She held the championship until 1990, when she left the company. At that time, the title was retired by the WWF due to inactivity. Smith is still in possession of the title belt.[10][12] The title remained inactive until 1993.[8][10]
Late career (1990–1992)
Unlike some former WWF wrestlers, Smith was able to continue using her ring name after leaving the company because she owned the rights to it.
In the United States, Smith defeated
She retired in 1992.
Personal life
Smith and her brother
After leaving the WWF in 1990, Smith was married to a man named Harvey Zitron.[17] Zitron was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison for 10 counts of filing false tax returns, identity theft and access device fraud. After divorcing, she moved to Louisiana and opened a telemarketing company that sold industrial chemicals and precious metals.[7][17] During this time, Smith had a drinking problem but eventually was able to quit altogether.[17]
In 2005, Smith's home and all of her belongings were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.[17] During the aftermath of the hurricane, she stayed with family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[17] She now runs a real estate appraisal business in Hammond, Louisiana.[7]
Filmography
Television | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2021 | Dark Side of the Ring | Herself | Season 3 episode 6: "In the Shadow of Grizzly Smith" |
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Women's Wrestling (Retired) Award (2011)[7]
- Great Lakes Wrestling Association
- Ladies Major League Wrestling
- LMLW International Championship (1 time)[7]
- Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams)
- 1 time)[7]
- Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2024[21]
- World Wrestling Federation
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-77305-014-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-1754-4.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Rockin' Robin". Cagematch.net. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Elliott, Brian (July 8, 2010). "Baby Doll: From star attraction to single mom". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-77090-269-5.
- ^ a b Van Der Griend, Blaine (December 10, 2009). "Family matters in pro wrestling". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "2011 Women's Wrestling Award: Rockin' Robin". Cauliflower Alley Club. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
- ^ World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the originalon 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (June 15, 2007). "Sherri Martel dead at 49". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-06-001258-8.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
- ^ Johnson, Steven (August 8, 2007). "Judy Martin: Return of a "Glamour Girl"". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ Artus, Matthew (March 16, 2018). "34 fun facts you need to know about WrestleMania 34". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
While her rendition might not be as memorable as Aretha Franklin's version in 1987 or her encore two decades later, Rockin' Robin is the only one of 20 "America the Beautiful" performers at WrestleMania who was also an active champion.
- ^ Brody, Howard. Swimming with Piranhas, p.190.
- ^ a b c d e f Brody, Howard. Swimming with Piranhas, p.403–405.
- ^ "Request Info for Booking Rockin Robin Appearance". Athlete Promotions.com. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- ^ a b c d Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg (June 12, 2010). "Grizzly Smith dies at 77". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ Wilkinson, Nick (January 17, 2024). "Jacqueline, Rockin' Robin, Lisa Marie Varon, and More Inductees WWHOF 2024". Diva Dirt. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
Notes
References
- Brody, Howard (2009). Swimming with Piranhas: Surviving the Politics of Professional Wrestling. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-867-0.
External links
- Rockin' Robin's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database
- Robin Smith at IMDb