Robert F. Jeaudoin was an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name of "Hangman" Bobby Jaggers. Most of his renown as a wrestler came from his appearances in various National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated promotions. In particular, he found his greatest success in Championship Wrestling from Florida and Pacific Northwest Wrestling, the latter near his hometown of Vancouver, Washington. His wrestling gimmick was of a cowboy from Kansas, where he spent the later years of his life.
Early life
Born Robert F. Jeaudoin in Vancouver, Bobby Jaggers attended Hudson's Bay High School. In December 1966, he joined the United States Army and spent a year and a half in Vietnam. He was in the "A" Battery of the 1/30 Artillery 1st Cavalry, and fought in battles in Hue, Khe Saah, A-Shau Valley, and the Tet offensive. Upon returning home, he worked at a NABISCO cookie factory in Washington, until he met Sandy Barr, whom he credited for saving his life. Jeaudoin suffered after Vietnam, so when Barr asked him if he wanted to be a wrestler, he immediately said yes.
Pro wrestling career
Early years (1972-1977)
Debuting under the name Bobby Mayne in 1972 in the Pacific Northwest against Al Madril, Bobby Jaggers learned his craft. Soon after debuting, he moved to Memphis, where he teamed with Charlie Fulton and was managed by Sir Steve Clements. In 1973, he moved to Kansas City, where he caught the eye of Dory Funk, Jr., who wanted him in his Amarillo territory, in which he did split his time between the two territories. In 1975, after a brief stint in San Francisco, he went to Louisiana to work for Bill Watts, where he formed a team with Jerry Brown. He later moved up to Canada in Vancouver, working for Al Tomko and All-Star Wrestling, but didn't last long, as he left after a falling-out with Gene Kiniski. He then moved down to Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling, where he teamed up with Sterling Golden, who would go on to become one of the most iconic wrestlers in the world, Hulk Hogan. He would also wrestle in Knoxville for while, before moving down to Florida.
Peak years (1977-1988)
It was in Florida, where Bobby Jaggers found his niche. He feuded with Dusty Rhodes all over the territory. During that time, he would wrestle on and off for World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico, wrestle eighteen tours of Japan, and some shows in South Africa. In 1984, he went to Portland for Don Owen and Pacific Northwest Wrestling. While there, he won four Heavyweight titles and two Tag Team titles, with one partner each, before leaving for the Mid-Atlantic area ran by Jim Crockett Promotions. While there, he formed his well-known tag team The Kansas Jayhawks with Dutch Mantel. In 1986, they lost to Ivan Koloff and Krusher Khrushchev in a tournament final to determine the inaugural NWA United States Tag Team Champions. Jaggers would remain in JCP until 1988.
Final years (1988-1991)
By 1988, Bobby Jaggers wrestled actively in Puerto Rico for WWC. But on July 16, 1988, one incident changed his life forever. After a show, Bruiser Brody was murdered in the shower in the locker room. Jaggers was in the heel locker room when Brody was in the face locker room. The murder made him slowly phase his career out, before finally retiring in 1991.
Jaggers died on September 30, 2012 from renal failure after a prolonged period of ill health from Hepatitis C, which he had contracted while in the service in Vietnam. He was buried in the Dunlap Cemetery with full military honors.
