Carl Ray Stevens (September 5, 1935 â€" May 3, 1996), better known as
Ray "The Crippler" Stevens or Ray "Blond Bomber" Stevens, was an
American professional wrestler.Stevens was a wrestling superstar since
the early years of the television era until he retired during the
early 1990s. His performances and hard bumping style inspired
generations of villain wrestlers who have attempted to emulate his
ability to provide high quality and heat generating matches that
continuously bring in huge crowds of fans. He was well known for using
two different finishing moves in his many victories: the "Bombs Away"
knee drop (a diving knee drop from the top rope to the throat) and the
piledriver. Stevens wrestled as both a singles performer and in tag
team matches with a variety of partners.In 2006, he was inducted into
the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.Stevens began his four
decade-long career in 1950 at the age of 15. One of Stevens's mentors
was the "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, a former NWA World Heavyweight
Champion. When commenting on the ability of his longtime friend,
Rogers consistently said "Ray was one of the most talented and
graceful wrestlers I've ever watched and been a part of. He won titles
at the youngest age of any wrestler I've ever known and was a credit
to the game" (Page 3 of Whatever Happened To...?, Issue Number Twenty
One, May 1996).
Ray "The Crippler" Stevens or Ray "Blond Bomber" Stevens, was an
American professional wrestler.Stevens was a wrestling superstar since
the early years of the television era until he retired during the
early 1990s. His performances and hard bumping style inspired
generations of villain wrestlers who have attempted to emulate his
ability to provide high quality and heat generating matches that
continuously bring in huge crowds of fans. He was well known for using
two different finishing moves in his many victories: the "Bombs Away"
knee drop (a diving knee drop from the top rope to the throat) and the
piledriver. Stevens wrestled as both a singles performer and in tag
team matches with a variety of partners.In 2006, he was inducted into
the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.Stevens began his four
decade-long career in 1950 at the age of 15. One of Stevens's mentors
was the "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, a former NWA World Heavyweight
Champion. When commenting on the ability of his longtime friend,
Rogers consistently said "Ray was one of the most talented and
graceful wrestlers I've ever watched and been a part of. He won titles
at the youngest age of any wrestler I've ever known and was a credit
to the game" (Page 3 of Whatever Happened To...?, Issue Number Twenty
One, May 1996).
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