BASIC INFORMATION

Ring Name: Ray Robinson
Nickname(s): The Working Man, The Backbone
Origin: Flint, Michigan
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 255 lbs
Finishing Move: Punch-Out Press (Military press into a gut-check powerslam)
Entrance Music: "Work to Do" – The Isley Brothers (1972)

PROFILE

Background

Born in the industrial heartland of Flint, Michigan in 1946, Ray Robinson grew up in a union household where hard work and dignity were everything. His father worked double shifts at Fisher Body Plant while his mother organized for laid-off workers. When a factory injury sidelined his father, Ray dropped out of trade school to support the family. His path to wrestling came through necessity when a traveling show needed a last-minute replacement. His raw talent and authenticity caught the eye of GWA talent scouts. Since his 1975 debut, Robinson established himself as the promotion's most reliable performer - the guy who made everyone else look good while maintaining his own credibility. He quickly became the locker room's respected elder statesman, known for teaching rookies and keeping egos in check.

Personality Traits

• Stoic and measured, rarely showing emotion except through calculated sarcasm
• Fiercely principled with an uncompromising code of ethics
• No-nonsense approach to both life and wrestling
• Surprisingly wise and philosophical when speaking on serious matters

PRESENTATION

Physical Appearance

Robinson carries himself with the composed dignity of a man who's faced real struggle. His muscular frame isn't sculpted for show but built through labor. He wears classic navy blue trunks with black piping, basic knee pads, and black lace-up boots with a small union sticker on the heel. His trademark satin Starter jacket with "GWA" across the chest is worn to every match. He sports a well-maintained natural afro and is always clean-shaven, reflecting his disciplined approach to life. During promos, he often carries a steel thermos or lunch pail, reinforcing his blue-collar persona.

Ring Style

Robinson's wrestling approach emphasizes fundamentals, power, and legitimate technique. He's not flashy but devastatingly effective, with a style built around impactful power moves and technical holds. His matches tell stories of endurance and resilience, wearing down opponents methodically before finishing them with his devastating Punch-Out Press. Signature moves include the Lunch Break Lariat (short-arm clothesline), Shop Floor Suplex (belly-to-belly), and Union Jackhammer (stalling vertical suplex). His ring psychology is impeccable, making every move look credible and painful.

AUDIENCE CONNECTION

Catchphrases

• "I don't punch clocks—I punch people."
• "You want fame? Go sing in a disco. You want legacy? Take this hammer, kid—your shift starts now."
• "Call me 'Sugar' one more time, and you'll find out why I'm called 'Working Man'."

Fan Interaction

Unlike most wrestlers who play to the crowd, Robinson acknowledges fans with quiet respect rather than flamboyant gestures. After victories, he raises one clenched fist—never both—a subtle nod to labor solidarity. While never the most merchandised performer, his respect from the crowd transcends t-shirt sales.

LEGACY

Robinson's impact on GWA transcended championships. His betrayal moment remains one of the most genuinely shocking turns in GWA history, resonating because it came from a man whose principles seemed unbreakable. Behind the scenes, he trained countless wrestlers who carried his fundamentals-first philosophy forward. The GWA established the Ray Robinson Fundamentals Award after his retirement, presented annually to wrestlers who exemplify technical excellence and locker room leadership.