| Ralph Berry | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Wild Red Berry |
| Billed height | 173 cm (5' 8")[1] |
| Billed weight | 195 lbs[1] |
| Born | November 20, 1906[2] Conway Springs, Kansas[1] |
| Died | July 21, 1973 (aged 66)[3] Pittsburg, Kansas |
| Debut | 1926[3] |
| Retired | 1965[1] |
Ralph L. Berry[1] (November 20, 1906–July 21, 1973) was an American professional wrestler known by his ring name "Wild" Red Berry. He was a multiple time World Light-Heavyweight Champion and an important smaller wrestler of the 1930s to the 1950s, as well as a famous wrestling manager in his later years.
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Berry started off as a boxer in 1923, eventually winning the Kansas State Middleweight Championship. After breaking both of his hands, he decided to change his sport to wrestling.[1][2] His first recorded match was in 1926 but wrestled at carnivals prior to that date.[3] By 1937, he had won his first title, the National Wrestling Association's World Light Heavyweight Championship. Berry held the World Light Heavyweight Championship nine times between 1937 and 1947,[1] trading it often with Danny McShain. Berry and McShain feuded for years in Southern California.[3]
In 1947, Berry suffered an arm injury and infection that made him sit out for a year.[3] After the advent of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), in 1948, he held several regional championships for NWA member promotions, including the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship, twice in 1949, the NWA Arkansas Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1954, and the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, in 1952 and 1957.[4] In his feuds, Berry usually played the heel, or villain, except in his hometown of Pittsburg, where he was well-beloved.[5]
Berry began managing wrestlers in 1958, including The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan).[1][3] He also managed Gorilla Monsoon and Hans "The Great" Mortier.[3] He was often seen at ringside wearing a warm up jacket with the phrase, "I am Right" emblazoned on the back. When the Fabulous Kangaroos were feuding with the Scufflin' Hillbillies in the northeast, Hillbillies manager "Cousin alfred" appeared with a jacket that said "He's Wrong!" on the back.
Berry was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in Tulsa in 1972. In 1996 Berry was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Berry dropped out of school at age 12 to work in a coal mine to support his family.[1][3] He had two younger siblings.[3]
Outside of the ring, Berry was active in Pittsburg political circles. He was elected Parks Commissioner once.[1] He also twice served as acting mayor. He also tried acting on at least one occasion, appearing in the 1953 film My Wife's Best Friend. He was also in the episode "Well Oiled" of "The Abbott and Costello Show" as Wild Red Berry but is credited as Red Barry.[6] [2] In his later life, he was both an active Mason and Shriner.[2]
A year and a half before he died, Berry suffered a stroke which inhibited his ability to speak.[3] In 1973 he died of a heart attack.[1] A species of Echinopsis, developed by Bob Schick, was named after Berry.[7] In addition, a softball field in Pittsburg is named after Berry.[3]