"Killer" Buddy Austin

Early life Rogers was born Austin Wesley Rapes in Lovejoy, Georgia. Prior to beginning his professional wrestling career, he served in the United States Navy. During this time, he trained future NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race while working for Gust Karras in the Midwest.

In 1961, Austin began wrestling for Heart of America Sports Attractions as "Bulldog Austin", briefly holding the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship. In mid-1961, he reverted to "Buddy Austin", and in June 1961 he was awarded the vacant NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship. He held the championship until November 1961, when he was defeated by Sonny Myers. Austin won the championship a second time that month, defeating Tarzan Tyler, His second reign lasted until February 1962, when he lost to Ray Gordon.

Worldwide Wrestling Associates (1962–1969) In 1962, Austin joined the Los Angeles, California-based Worldwide Wrestling Associates promotion, where he achieved his greatest success. In April 1966, he and El Mongol defeated Alberto Torres and Thunderbolt Patterson for the WWA World Tag Team Championship. They lost the championship to Luis Hernández and Pedro Morales in June 1966. In June 1968, Rogers' 15-month-old twin daughters drowned in the swimming pool of his home in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.

On January 1, 1969, Rogers was shot in the stomach and Pedro Morales was slashed with a broken bottle during an altercation at a party held in a penthouse in King's Cross, Sydney, Australia. Rogers recovered, but bore a distinctive scar on his abdomen for the remainder of his life.

Rogers was a heavy drinker. In the mid-1960s, Freddie Blassie refused to continue teaming with Rogers due to his propensity to wrestle while inebriated.

Death Rogers died on August 12, 1981, from a myocardial infarction. Capitol Wrestling Corporation NWA United States Tag Team Championship (northeast version) (1 time) – with Great Scott Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) Heart of America Sports Attractions NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times) NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tarzan Kowalski/Don McClarity NWA North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bob Orton Ottawa Wrestling Canadian Heavyweight Championship (1 time) World Championship Wrestling IWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with King Curtis Iaukea Worldwide Wrestling Associates WWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) WWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Freddie Blassie (2 times) and El Mongol (1 time)