Sad to report that Rich Landrum passed away quietly back on August 14. Rich is fondly remembered as the host of Jim Crockett Promotions' World Wide Wrestling syndicated wrestling show from October 1978 until early 1982. He was 77 years old.
Long time Richmond, Virginia fans will also remember Rich as the ring
announcer in Richmond throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, introducing
matches at the Richmond Fairgrounds at Strawberry Hill, the old Richmond
Arena, and at the Richmond Coliseum.
His broadcasting career began in local radio and television in Richmond. He got his break in wrestling when
attending matches at Strawberry Hill in 1971 with family and friends and the
regular ring announcer didn't show up. Promoter Joe Murnick asked him
to fill in that night. Murnick liked him and began using him as his regular
announcer from that point forward.
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| Rich Landrum interviews Ricky Steamboat on the set of World Wide Wrestling, circa 1978. |
He replaced "Truckin'" Tom Miller as host of Wide World Wrestling in October of 1978. Jim Crockett had WRAL build a new set for the show and renamed the program World Wide Wrestling and Landrum debuted as its new host.
After moving TV production from WRAL in Raleigh to WPCQ in Charlotte in the late summer of 1981, JCP balked at the ongoing expense of flying Landrum in from
his home base in Richmond VA every week and asked him to begin driving it. Rich
was unhappy with that arrangement which led to his eventual departure
from the company in the early months of 1982. David Crockett assumed
host duties of the show at that point, eventually joined by Tony
Schiavone in 1984.
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| Johnny Weaver and Rich Landrum |
Landrum will likely be remembered best by fans for his on screen partnership with co-host (and legendary pro wrestler in that area in the 1960s and 1970s) Johnny Weaver. Landrum dubbed Weaver "the dean of professional wrestling" and the moniker stuck, and the two had great chemistry hosting the show together for several years.
Obituary on DignityMemorial.com
OTHER LINKS
More from the Studio Wrestling Website
WRAL Studio Page
WPCQ Studio Page
Rich Landrum related posts on the Studio Wrestling website