Bartley Alan “Bart” Batten Obituary, STAMBAUGH, Ky. — Bartley Alan “Bart” Batten, a former professional wrestler and one half of the longtime tag team The Batten Twins, lost her life at his home in Stambaugh, Kentucky, on October 1, 2026, at the age of 68.
Born in New Martinsville, West Virginia, on September 8, 1958, Bart grew up alongside his identical twin brother, Brad. The brothers developed a strong athletic background, playing football from junior high through college. Bart attended West Virginia State University, later taught school and played semi-professional football for the West Virginia Rockets before beginning his professional wrestling career.
Bart and Brad entered professional wrestling in 1983 after Bart approached Lanny Poffo at an International Championship Wrestling event. Lanny, Randy Savage and Angelo Poffo trained the twins, recognizing the unusual opportunity presented by identical brothers entering the wrestling business. The Batten Twins made their debut on May 12, 1983, beginning a career that would span more than two decades.
The twins became a familiar and popular tag team throughout the Southern United States, competing for promotions including Central States Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Association, International Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, Texas All-Star Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling and the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. Their identical appearance became one of the defining features of their act as they competed against many notable teams of the era.
Bart and Brad achieved considerable championship success during their career. The Batten Twins won the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship four times, including victories over established teams such as The Midnight Express and The Midnight Rockers. In Puerto Rico, they captured the WWC World Tag Team Championship four times and the WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship twice, becoming major figures in the territory during their late-1980s run.
Bart also competed as a singles wrestler, including a 1992 World Championship Wrestling match against Brian Pillman. The Batten Twins later appeared in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where they faced teams including The Heavenly Bodies and The Thrillseekers. They continued competing on the independent circuit into the early 2000s and won championships in several regional promotions.
The brothers concluded their wrestling career with a retirement tour across West Virginia in April 2005. Their final match took place on May 21, 2005, when Bart and Brad teamed with Bart’s son, Brent Batten. Following his retirement from active competition, Bart remained involved in regional wrestling as a color commentator for All Pro Wrestling and host of Mountain State Wrestling TV on Network West Virginia. He also appeared at wrestling reunion events alongside former Smok
Originally published at ObitNewsTrendy.
