Rob Elowitch

Life and career Rob Elowitch was born on April 8, 1943.

In 2000 he started wrestling for Chikara, Innovative Hybrid Wrestling, Showcase Pro Wrestling, No Limit Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling America, Pro Wrestling Revolution, Independent Wrestling Entertainment, New England Championship Wrestling, as the grandfather of wrestler Ryan Matthews, and the Millennium Wrestling Federation. From January to November 2007, he went on tour with Italian Championship Wrestling. At age 64, he was the oldest wrestler on the roster.

He is the subject of a feature-length documentary Canvasman: The Robbie Ellis Story directed by Gary Robinov. In 2010, it was an official selection of the Maine Jewish Film Festival, Atlantic City Film and Music Festival, Camden International Film Festival, South Dakota Film Festival, and Cape Ann Film Festivals; and, during 2011, the San Diego and Toronto Jewish Film Festivals, Lewiston Auburn Film Festival, and Portsmouth (NH) Film Festival among others. On May 12, 2011, it was screened on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network preceded by a half hour interview.

In 2014, Ellis returned to Chikara as the promotion's new storyline owner.

Ellis died on August 7, 2025, at the age of 82.

Championships and accomplishments

Coastal Pro Wrestling CPW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Independent Wrestling Entertainment IWE International Championship (1 time)

New England Independent Personality of the Year (2005)

New England Pro Wrestling NEPW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him #441 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1991 and similar for several other years through 2008

Ringside Wrestling / World Independent Wrestling Ringside Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Yankee Pro Wrestling YPW Lightweight Championship (1 time)

Other titles AWA North Atlantic Cruiserweight Championship (7 times) NAWA Lightweight Championship (1 time)