Photo Credits: Tim Greenway of The Blue Room, Timothy A. Walker of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Wayne McCarty of Pro Wrestling Illustrated,
Philippe Taillon, and Kyle C. Williams. Some photos have been edited or adapted from their original source.
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ntil several months ago, his neighbors in Portland, Maine knew Rob Elowitch only as the urbane and rather scholarly co-owner of the city’s respected Barridoff Galleries. Elowitch, a cum laude graduate of Amherst College, has for years devoted much of his time to developing artistic and cultural programs throughout Maine; his gallery has sold works by such renowned American painters as Eakins and Homer. Elowitch also belongs to one of Portland’s most accomplished families. His sister is a former mayor of the city, and his father is cofounder of a thriving manufacturing company. Yet for the last 20 years Rob Elowitch has led a secret life—as a professional wrestler. He (as Robbie Ellis) has competed in rings throughout the U.S. and Europe, playing the hero [a persona that has undergone radical changes since this article] against the likes of Lord Herculon and Killer Kowalski. Elowitch, who has grappled for Amherst was concerned about his image. He hid his mat career from his customers, parents and most of his friends by never competing in Portland; he often squeezed in matches while on business trips. His secret became public when he reluctantly agreed to be listed on a wrestling card in Portland, and local papers put him on the front page. To his relief, Elowitch has found that the publicity about his wrestling career hasn’t hurt his gallery business at all. In fact, in the art world he’s now admired more than ever. Sports Illustrated

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“Robbie Ellis is a splendid athlete and showman.”
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT

“The Walter Mitty of the Mat”
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

“The Sports Illustrated legend
… arguably the most influential art figure in the state!”
PORTLAND MONTHLY (Portland, Maine)