Stampede wrestling star charged

By PETER SMITH -- Calgary Sun
Former Stampede Wrestling star "Slick" Robbie Dick was nabbed in a dramatic arrest at Calgary International Airport yesterday.

Dick, 31, who's now connected with the World Wrestling Federation in Memphis, Tenn., was arrested seconds after getting out of a cab with luggage in hand.

City police have charged the 6-ft. 2-in., 230-lb. wrestler and film stuntman with assault and unlawful confinement.

It's alleged the wrestler assaulted his Calgary girlfriend in her southwest Westwood home before holding her against her will in the home for 12 hours.

"When the suspect left, the victim went immediately to District 2 police station to report it, and after investigation, a warrant was issued and a suspect was arrested at the airport," said Insp. Paul Manuel.

"The victim was very traumatized but suffered only a minor assault."

Ross and Bruce Hart, of the famed Calgary Hart wrestling family, shared drinks with Dick two weeks ago

"He wrestled with us at Stampede Wrestling for about a year under the name 'Slick Robbie Dicks' and he left in the fall of 1998 to get a tryout with the WWF in the States," said Ross.

"When I talked with him a couple of weeks ago, he said he was wrestling more in the Alabama area now."

Dick is involved with the WWF development centre in the U.S., which is geared to bringing on new wrestling talent to become television stars.

Ross said he was shocked to hear Dick had been arrested.

"He's a very talented wrestler now, and was a top-notch amateur wrestler, and a pretty good all-round athlete.

"He's done boxing, football and was very good at basketball."

As they shared drinks with him two weeks ago, Dick told the Harts he'd been in some movies.

"He told me he was a stuntman and double for Michael Jordan in some films," said Ross.

"I know he was a showman and has great charisma."

Dick is slated to appear in provincial court later today.