Bios
Red Berry
Nickname: Wild; The Mayor of Pittsburg; The Brain
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 179 lbs.
From: Pittsburg, KS
Birthday: Nov 20th
Aliases: Ralph Berry
Feds Worked For: NWA, WWWF, Texas, Los Angeles, Central States (KS/MO), Arkansas
Finisher: Gilligan Twist
Signature Moves: Big Boot, Side Slam, Guillotine Leg Drop
Career Highlights: -California Light Heavyweight Champion (2x)
-New York State Junior Heavyweight Champion
-NWA Arkansas Junior Heavyweight Champion
-NWA Central States Champion (2x)
-NWA International Television Tag Team Champion (3x; 2 w/ Bob Orton, 1 w/ Tosh Togo)
-NWA (Los Angeles) World Junior Heavyweight Champion (3x)
-NWA (Los Angeles) World Tag Team Champion (w/ Tosh Togo)
-NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
-NWA Texas Champion (2x)
-NWA Tri-State Champion
-NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
-NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion (9x)
-Texas Junior Heavyweight Champion
Affiliates: Gorilla Monsoon, Hans Mortier, Toru Tanaka, Bull Ramos, Al Costello, Roy Heffernan, Tosh Togo, Bob Orton, Leroy McGuirk
Notable Feuds: Pedro Morales, Tor Yamoto, Bob Corby, White Owl, Ted Christy, Sammy Cohen, Mike London, Frank Hickey, Leo Newman, Bobby Lane, Dennis Clary, Danny McShain, Leroy McGuirk, Dick Trout, Gorgeous George, Jesse James, Rito Romero, Billy Varga, John Swenski, Gorilla Ramos, Leo Garibaldi, Billy Raborn, Jimmy Lott, Lee Grable, Angelo Savoldi, Black Guzmán, Al Galento, Sonny Myers, Al Lovelock, Ricky Romero, Sandor Szabo, Frank Murdoch, Danny Savich, Monte LaDue, Michele Leone, Paavo Ketonen, Paul Bozzell, Tony Morelli, George Dusette, Dizzy Davis, Cyclone Mackey, Karol Kalmikoff
Other Facts: -Real name was Ralph Lee Berry.
-Made his in-ring debut as a boxer in 1923. Made the change to wrestling after breaking both of his hands.
-Won the Kansas State Middleweight Boxing Title
-During World War II, Red Berry toured the Army camps giving Judo and hand-to-hand combat exhibitions.
-In the early 1960s, Berry was the top heel manager in the World Wide Wrestling Federation. His gimmick was a sawed-off cane which he often used as a weapon to interfere for his men.
-Got the name "Wild" Red Berry after climbing a tree in front of Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS.
-Said to be one of the first wrestlers to wear a vest into the ring rather than a robe.
-Very active in politics in Pittsburg, KS. He was elected Parks Commissioner once and served as acting member twice. Was acting mayor while the actual mayor was traveling.This gained him the nickname "The Mayor of Pittsburg".
-A species of Echinopsis, a large genus of South American cacti developed by Bob Schick, is named after Berry.
-Barry Orton (aka Barry O) was named for Red Berry. His first name was actually spelled "Berry", but changed for wrestling purposes.
-Appeared in the 1953 movie "My Wife's Best Friend"
-Inducted into the Tulsa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1972.
-Passed away on July 28, 1973 at the age of 66 as a result of a heart attack. He was a nondrinker and died after having a glass of milk on his front porch following a game of golf.
-Posthumously inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996
-Posthumously inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2010
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Ron Garvin and Bob Roop: How Stealing a Title Led to Rebellion
On June 2, 1979, Ron Garvin hadn’t shown up to TV. The man with the hands of stone had defeated Alexis Smi... Read More
The Scoop
NEWS Jinder Mahal says he quits, and he has reportedly parted ways with WWE. Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was back in the spotlight in January, as h... Read More
“Make yourself undeniable” – Bodyslam.net speaks with Walker Stewart of NJPW
In the realm of professional wrestling, I wear two hats – one as a wordsmith for Bodys... Read More
- AEW’s Ricky Starks recalls sneak-eating king cakes, washing cars for money ahead of champions’ homecoming show
- Mickie James on Her Next Chapter In Impact Wrestling & ‘Bound for Glory’
- Ric Flair Interview Recap
- AEW ‘Grand Slam’: Sammy Guevara on His Journey from Working at Taco Bell to Facing Chris Jericho
Polling Booth
Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?
Oklafan Quiz
Which was NOT a participant in the 4 Men, 4 Corners, 4 Poles, 4 Weapons Match for the NWA Universal X Division Title?