Red Berry (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Ralph L. Berry 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.
in 1923, eventually winning the Kansas State Middleweight Championship. After breaking both of his hands, he decided to change his sport to wrestling
. His first recorded match was in 1926 but wrestled at carnivals prior to that date. 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, trading it often with Danny McShain
. Berry and McShain feuded for years in Southern California.
In 1947, Berry suffered an arm injury and infection that made him sit out for a year. 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. In his feuds, Berry usually played the heel
, or villain, except in his hometown of Pittsburg, where he was well-beloved.
Berry began managing wrestlers in 1958, including The Fabulous Kangaroos
(Al Costello
and Roy Heffernan
). He also managed Gorilla Monsoon
and Hans "The Great" Mortier
. He was often seen at ringside wearing a warm up jacket with the phrase, "I am Right" emblazoned 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
.
Outside of the ring, Berry was active in Pittsburg political circles. He was elected Parks Commissioner once. 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. In his later life, he was both an active Mason
and Shriner
.
A year and a half before he died, Berry suffered a stroke which inhibited his ability to speak. In 1973 he died of a heart attack. A species of Echinopsis
, developed by Bob Schick, was named after Berry. In addition, a softball field in Pittsburg is named after Berry.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler known by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
"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
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
in his later years.
Professional wrestling career
Berry started off as a boxerBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in 1923, eventually winning the Kansas State Middleweight Championship. After breaking both of his hands, he decided to change his sport to wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
. His first recorded match was in 1926 but wrestled at carnivals prior to that date. By 1937, he had won his first title, the National Wrestling Association
National Wrestling Association
The National Wrestling Association was an off-shoot of the National Boxing Association, formed to sanction professional wrestling. This NWA is not the same organization as the National Wrestling Alliance, which was formed in 1948....
's World Light Heavyweight Championship
World Light Heavyweight Championship (National Wrestling Association)
The National Wrestling Association World Light Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship sanctioned by the National Wrestling Association, an offshoot of the National Boxing Association , and was contested for with a weight limit of 175 lb...
. Berry held the World Light Heavyweight Championship nine times between 1937 and 1947, trading it often with Danny McShain
Danny McShain
Danny McShain was an American professional wrestler who competed in the Southern United States from the 1930s to the 1960s.-Early life:...
. Berry and McShain feuded for years in Southern California.
In 1947, Berry suffered an arm injury and infection that made him sit out for a year. After the advent of the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
(NWA), in 1948, he held several regional championships for NWA member promotions, including the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
The NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title that has existed since the 1930s. Though its exact date of creation isn't known, it is among the oldest championships used in professional wrestling today...
, twice in 1949, the NWA Arkansas Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1954, and the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship
NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship
The NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship a professional wrestling championship that currently serves as the main title for the National Wrestling Alliance promotion, NWA Midwest. For most of its existence, however, the title was defended in the NWA affiliate Central States Wrestling from...
, in 1952 and 1957. In his feuds, Berry usually played the heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
, or villain, except in his hometown of Pittsburg, where he was well-beloved.
Berry began managing wrestlers in 1958, including The Fabulous Kangaroos
The Fabulous Kangaroos
The Fabulous Kangaroos is a former professional wrestling tag team that existed in various forms from 1957 until 1983. The first incarnation of The Fabulous Kangaroos was formed when Italian Australian Al Costello teamed with Australia native Roy Heffernan and adopted an "Ultra Australian" gimmick...
(Al Costello
Al Costello
Giacomo Costa was an Italian Australian professional wrestler best known by his ring name, Al Costello. Costello was the first professional wrestler to be nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Holds" because of his innovative and very technical style.Costello was the creator and original member of the...
and Roy Heffernan
Roy Heffernan
Laurence Roy Heffernan was an Australian professional wrestler. Roy Heffernan toured all over the world, but is most famous for being one half of the original version of the tag team the Fabulous Kangaroos...
). He also managed Gorilla Monsoon
Gorilla Monsoon
Robert James "Gino" Marella , better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play announcer, and booker...
and Hans "The Great" Mortier
Hans Mortier
Jacob "Jaap" Grobbe , better known as Hans Mortier, was a Dutch professional wrestler best known for his stint in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and his feud with WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino in the 1960s.-Professional wrestling career:Before becoming a professional wrestler, Grobbe worked...
. He was often seen at ringside wearing a warm up jacket with the phrase, "I am Right" emblazoned 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
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
.
Personal life
Berry dropped out of school at age 12 to work in a coal mine to support his family. He had two younger siblings.Outside of the ring, Berry was active in Pittsburg political circles. He was elected Parks Commissioner once. 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
The Abbott and Costello Show
The Abbott and Costello Show is an American television sitcom starring the popular comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello that premiered in syndication in the fall of 1952 and ran until May 1954....
" as Wild Red Berry but is credited as Red Barry. In his later life, he was both an active Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
and Shriner
Shriners
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States...
.
A year and a half before he died, Berry suffered a stroke which inhibited his ability to speak. In 1973 he died of a heart attack. A species of Echinopsis
Echinopsis
Echinopsis is a large genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cacti, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. One small species, E. chamaecereus, is known as the peanut cactus. The 128 species range from large and treelike types to small globose cacti...
, developed by Bob Schick, was named after Berry. In addition, a softball field in Pittsburg is named after Berry.
In wrestling
- Finishing move
- Gilligan Twist (Double arm pull with a knee to the back of the neck)
- Nicknames
- "The Wildman"
- "The Brain"
- "The Mayor of Pittsburg"
- Wrestlers Managed
- Gorilla MonsoonGorilla MonsoonRobert James "Gino" Marella , better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play announcer, and booker...
- Hans MortierHans MortierJacob "Jaap" Grobbe , better known as Hans Mortier, was a Dutch professional wrestler best known for his stint in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and his feud with WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino in the 1960s.-Professional wrestling career:Before becoming a professional wrestler, Grobbe worked...
- Toru Tanaka
- Bull Ramos
- The Fabulous KangaroosThe Fabulous KangaroosThe Fabulous Kangaroos is a former professional wrestling tag team that existed in various forms from 1957 until 1983. The first incarnation of The Fabulous Kangaroos was formed when Italian Australian Al Costello teamed with Australia native Roy Heffernan and adopted an "Ultra Australian" gimmick...
(Al CostelloAl CostelloGiacomo Costa was an Italian Australian professional wrestler best known by his ring name, Al Costello. Costello was the first professional wrestler to be nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Holds" because of his innovative and very technical style.Costello was the creator and original member of the...
& Roy HeffernanRoy HeffernanLaurence Roy Heffernan was an Australian professional wrestler. Roy Heffernan toured all over the world, but is most famous for being one half of the original version of the tag team the Fabulous Kangaroos...
)
- Gorilla Monsoon
Championships and accomplishments
- BoxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
- Kansas State Middleweight Champion
- Central States WrestlingHeart of America Sports AttractionsHeart of America Sports Attractions, also known as the Midwest Wrestling Association, Central States Wrestling and the World Wrestling Alliance, was an American professional wrestling promotion that ran shows mainly in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa...
- NWA Central States Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Central States Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship a professional wrestling championship that currently serves as the main title for the National Wrestling Alliance promotion, NWA Midwest. For most of its existence, however, the title was defended in the NWA affiliate Central States Wrestling from...
(2 times)
- NWA Los AngelesNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA International Television Tag Team ChampionshipWWA International Television Tag Team ChampionshipThe WWA International Television Tag Team Championship was the tag team title in the Los Angeles-based World Wrestling Association from the promotion's formation in 1954 until 1964 when it was unified with the WWA World Tag Team Championship. -Title history:...
(1 time) - with Tosh TogoHarold SakataToshiyuki "Harold" Sakata was a Japanese American professional wrestler and film actor most famous for his role as the villain "Oddjob" in the James Bond film Goldfinger.-Career:... - NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version)NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version)The Los Angeles, California version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1957 to 1958, and from 1979 to 1982, when the Los Angeles promotion closed.-Title history:...
(1 time) - with Tosh Togo
- NWA Tri-StateNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Arkansas Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- National Wrestling AssociationNational Wrestling AssociationThe National Wrestling Association was an off-shoot of the National Boxing Association, formed to sanction professional wrestling. This NWA is not the same organization as the National Wrestling Alliance, which was formed in 1948....
- NWA World Light Heavyweight ChampionshipWorld Light Heavyweight Championship (National Wrestling Association)The National Wrestling Association World Light Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship sanctioned by the National Wrestling Association, an offshoot of the National Boxing Association , and was contested for with a weight limit of 175 lb...
(9 times)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Pioneer Era (Class of 2010)
- Southwest Sports, Inc.World Class Championship WrestlingWorld Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
- NWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title that has existed since the 1930s. Though its exact date of creation isn't known, it is among the oldest championships used in professional wrestling today...
(2 times)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameThe Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
(Class of 1996)