Bob Caudle, the broadcaster known as the long-time voice of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, has passed away at the age of 95. The news was announced on the morning of November 16, 2025, by the Mid-Atlantic Gateway X account. The post, which was made at 8:09 AM, shared the information from Caudle’s son, Mike.
The announcement stated: “It is with a very sad heart that I report that Bob Caudle has passed away. He was 95 years old. His son Mike wrote this morning that Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep overnight”. The Mid-Atlantic Gateway account, which chronicles the history of the promotion Caudle was famous for, concluded the post by stating, “Our thoughts, prayers, and love go out to his family. More information will be forthcoming”.
A Career in Broadcasting
Caudle’s career in broadcasting began decades before he became a fixture in professional wrestling. He started in radio before moving to television, where he became a familiar face for viewers of WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina. At WFMY-TV, he served in various capacities, including as a weatherman and sports announcer. It was through this work in local television that he became associated with promoter Jim Crockett Sr. In 1959, Caudle was selected to host Jim Crockett Promotions’ (JCP) weekly televised wrestling program, a role he would hold for the next three decades.
The Voice of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling
As the host of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and its successor, NWA World Championship Wrestling, Caudle became the definitive voice of the NWA during its 1970s and 1980s peak. His broadcast style was distinct from his contemporaries. While other announcers were known for loud, sensationalist deliveries, Caudle was known for his professional, calm, and authoritative presentation. He treated the matches as a legitimate sporting contest, which in turn grounded the often chaotic action and heightened the believability of the wrestlers’ feuds. He was the anchor who chronicled the careers of foundational stars such as Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Sgt. Slaughter, Roddy Piper, and the entire Four Horsemen saga. His famous opening line, “Hello wrestling fans, and welcome to…,” was the signal for fans across the territory that the action was about to begin.
Iconic Partnerships
Throughout his tenure with JCP, Caudle was joined by a rotating cast of color commentators, many of whom were active wrestlers. He provided the play-by-play alongside partners such as Johnny Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, and a young Jim Ross. However, his most famous and enduring broadcast partnership was with David Crockett. The duo of Caudle and Crockett became synonymous with the NWA’s national expansion on the WTBS Superstation. Their on-air chemistry defined the show, with Caudle’s steady professionalism acting as a contrast to Crockett’s often-excited reactions. Their broadcast concluded each week with one of the most recognizable sign-offs in wrestling history, with Caudle saying, “We’ll see you next week, and…” followed by Crockett’s, “so long for now.”
WCW and Later Career
When Jim Crockett Promotions was sold to Ted Turner in 1988 and was rebranded as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Caudle initially remained with the new company. He was part of the original broadcast team for the new WCW programming, maintaining his role as a link to the promotion’s past. However, as WCW began to move in a different creative direction in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Caudle was eventually phased out of his announcing duties in favor of new voices. After his departure from WCW, Caudle’s voice was heard again in Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) promotion in the early 90s.
Legacy in Wrestling
Bob Caudle’s contributions to the industry were formally recognized in 2013 when he was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame. His run as the lead announcer for Jim Crockett Promotions is one of the longest and most significant broadcast tenures in the history of professional wrestling. His steady, credible voice provided the soundtrack for an entire generation of NWA fans and helped elevate the promotion from a regional territory to a national powerhouse.
It is with a very sad heart that I report that Bob Caudle has passed away. He was 95 years old. His son Mike wrote this morning that Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep overnight. Our thoughts, prayers, and love go out to his family. More information will be forthcoming.
— Mid-Atlantic Gateway (@magateway) November 16, 2025
