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It became known this week that Richard Eugene Landrum, known within professional wrestling circles as Rich Landrum passed away on 8/14. He was 77 years old.
Landrum, a native of Richmond, Virginia, broke into broadcasting while still just in High School, originally as a reporter for WLEE before moving to WTVR-AM. He moved to WXEX-TV as a field reporter and began hosting sporting events and game shows, including Dialing for Dollars.
It was a chance visit to a professional wrestling event in Virginia that led him to Mid-Atlantic Wrestling. When the usual ring announcer did not appear, the promoter of the show, Joe Murnick, approached the local TV personality and offered him the chance to ring announce for a payment. Landrum ended up the regular ring announcer for the weekly events.
Landrum was later approached by then-Crockett Promotions booker George South to come to Raleigh. NC to work on promos and other material for the promotion's TV series. Landrum agreed and joined the pro wrestling circus. He eventually moved to a lead announcing and hosting role alongside the late Johnny Weaver for World Wide Wrestling. Dubbed "The Voice" by Weaver, the pair were really good together and had a great chemistry.
Landry remained with Crockett Promotions until they moved their TV HQ from Raleigh to Charlotte, NC. He later worked for WWF for a short period of time in the early 1980s and also worked for The Savoldi's International Championship Wrestling. He had long been out of professional wrestling, but made at least one appearance for Greg Price's Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Fanfests about a decade ago.
PWInsider.com sends our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Rich Landrum.
You can read an excellent interview with Landrum on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway website at this link.
PWInsiderElite.com subscribers can listen to our July 2013 interview with Landrum at this link.
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