Professional wrestling history is often written by the giants — the Hogans, Flairs, and Rocks who defined eras. But beneath the bright lights of national television, in the smoky halls and high school gyms of regional promotions, there lived another breed of wrestler. Men who became heroes in their own territories, who made fans believe through sheer grit and authenticity. Bobby Blaze was one of those men.
Robert Smedley, born June 25, 1963, in Ashland, Kentucky, didn’t look like a sports entertainer molded in Vince McMahon’s factory. He wasn’t 6’7” with rippling muscles and Hollywood looks. Instead, he was an everyman — compact, hardworking, skilled — the kind of wrestler fans could imagine as their neighbor, their cousin, or the guy who coached their kid’s little league team. But in the ring, he combined technical know-how with raw tenacity, earning respect from peers and fans alike.
Early Roots and Training
Smedley broke into the business in 1988, after training with one of wrestling’s most respected families: Boris and Dean Malenko. The Malenkos were known for their technical training, shaping wrestlers who could “go” in the ring regardless of size or flash. That grounding gave Smedley a foundation he’d rely on throughout his career.
As with many aspiring wrestlers of the late 1980s and early 1990s, his first opportunities came as enhancement talent for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Working in 1991 and 1992, Smedley was the kind of opponent booked to make stars look good. He’d step into the ring with the big names of the era, knowing he wasn’t there to win, but to learn. It was thankless, but valuable. He saw how the business worked up close, taking lessons he’d later put into practice when given his own spotlight.
Smoky Mountain Wrestling: The Breakthrough
In 1993, opportunity came calling in the form of Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW), Jim Cornette’s Tennessee-based promotion that mixed old-school grit with modern storytelling. Repackaged as Bobby Blaze, Smedley fit perfectly into SMW’s ethos: a hardworking, blue-collar babyface that fans in the Appalachian region could rally behind.
Blaze quickly made an impact. On June 7, 1993, he captured the SMW Beat the Champ Television Championship by defeating the Dirty White Boy in a tournament final. The belt, defended weekly with a unique $1,000 prize incentive, was a proving ground for talent, and Blaze’s win established him as someone to watch.
True to wrestling’s unpredictable nature, Blaze’s first reign was cut short in a trick angle. The Dirty White Boy donned a mask as “The Mighty Yankee” and regained the belt. But the moment symbolized what would become a recurring theme in Blaze’s SMW run: resilience. For every setback, he fought back harder.
That same year, Blaze entered SMW’s “King of Kentucky” tournament and later won another, becoming the inaugural United States Junior Heavyweight Champion. His rival in that division was Chris Candido, and together they built one of SMW’s most compelling feuds. The two traded the title multiple times, and their battles included humiliating stipulations — notably a series of matches where the loser would be tarred and feathered.
In the rough-and-rowdy culture of SMW, Blaze thrived as the underdog fighting for respect.
The Biggest Win of His Career
The crowning moment of Bobby Blaze’s career came on February 26, 1995, at SMW’s Sunday, Bloody Sunday II event. In the main event, he defeated Jerry “The King” Lawler to win the SMW Heavyweight Championship.
For Blaze, it wasn’t just about the belt. It was validation. Lawler was a legend, a kingpin of Memphis wrestling, and to beat him — clean, in the main event — was a career-defining milestone. In that moment, Blaze was the face of the company, the flag bearer of Cornette’s territory.
Though his reign lasted only until April, when Buddy Landel dethroned him, Blaze had achieved something few wrestlers outside the national spotlight could claim: he was the top guy.
During this period, Blaze also challenged for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Dan Severn, one of wrestling’s most legitimate shooters. While Blaze didn’t capture the belt, those matches proved he belonged in the conversation with some of the toughest competitors in the sport.
Life After Smoky Mountain
When SMW closed its doors in late 1995, Blaze moved on to the independent scene and toured Japan with Michinoku Pro Wrestling (MPW). In Japan, where smaller wrestlers were often celebrated for their athleticism, Blaze showcased his technical roots and learned new styles that deepened his craft.
Back home, he continued grinding through the indie circuit, wrestling for fans who still appreciated old-school storytelling and fundamental wrestling.
WCW Years
In 1997, Blaze landed on a bigger stage: World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It was the height of the Monday Night Wars, when WCW was stacked with talent from top to bottom. For Blaze, it meant limited opportunities, but he did manage to carve out moments.
He appeared in both the 1997 and 1998 World War 3 battle royals, 60-man spectacles that featured WCW’s entire roster. While not booked as a star, Blaze provided reliable undercard performances, working the television shows and house events until his departure in 1999.
Final Years in the Ring
After WCW, Blaze returned to his roots on the independents. He wrestled until 2004, when he stepped away from in-ring competition. Like many journeymen wrestlers, his career had been less about fame and more about the love of the sport — the chance to perform, to connect with crowds, and to test himself night after night.
Life Beyond Wrestling
Unlike some wrestlers who struggle to adjust to life outside the ring, Blaze transitioned into new ventures. He became a chef, building a life beyond the punishing bumps of professional wrestling. Interestingly, he was cited as an inspiration for Blaze Pizza, a nod to his name recognition outside of wrestling circles.
In 2018, Blaze entered the world of podcasting, launching Bell to Bell with Bobby Blaze. The show allowed him to share stories from the road, reminisce about Smoky Mountain Wrestling, and give fans a firsthand look at the realities of life in the business.
He also turned to writing, becoming an author. His books, including reflections on wrestling and his own career, add another dimension to his legacy: that of a storyteller committed to preserving wrestling history.
Legacy
Bobby Blaze may not be a household name like Hogan or Flair, but within the wrestling community, particularly in the Southeast, his impact is undeniable. He was the quintessential territory babyface: earnest, hardworking, and relatable. Fans saw in him not a superhero but a man like themselves — someone who fought hard, overcame setbacks, and refused to quit.
His feud with Chris Candido remains a highlight of Smoky Mountain Wrestling’s history, remembered for its intensity and creativity. His victory over Jerry Lawler is etched in SMW lore as the night the everyman toppled the king.
Today, Blaze stands as a reminder of wrestling’s depth. Beyond the global icons, there exists a rich tapestry of performers who carried promotions, entertained thousands, and gave their lives to the business. Bobby Blaze was one of those men — a champion in every sense of the word.
Championships and Accomplishments
-
Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW)
-
SMW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
-
SMW United States Junior Heavyweight Championship (4 times, record)
-
SMW Beat the Champ Television Championship (2 times)
-
-
Independent and International
-
Competed in Michinoku Pro Wrestling (Japan)
-
Participant in WCW’s World War 3 battle royals (1997, 1998)
-
Final Word
Robert Smedley may have wrestled under the name Bobby Blaze, but the fire was always real. Whether holding the top belt in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, battling Jerry Lawler, or grinding it out on WCW’s undercards, Blaze represented the heart and soul of professional wrestling: a man who lived the dream, gave everything to the sport, and left behind a legacy of determination and authenticity.