Ranger Ross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ranger Ross |
|
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Lee Ross Jr. |
| Born | July 15, 1959 Acworth, Georgia, U.S. |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | The Pearl Ranger Ross |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)} |
| Billed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Billed from | Acworth, Georgia |
| Trained by | Ted Allen |
| Debut | 1986 |
| Retired | 2007 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Unit | 75th Ranger Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Operation Urgent Fury |
Robert Lee Ross Jr. (born on July 15, 1959) is an American former professional wrestler. He was also a United States Army Ranger. He is best known by his wrestling name, Ranger Ross.
Ross was famous for his time with Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). This was in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also wrestled for other groups like All Japan Pro Wrestling.
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Ranger Ross's Military Service
After finishing high school, Robert Ross joined the United States Army. He trained to be a paratrooper, which means he learned to jump from airplanes. He also went to Ranger School. This training helped him become part of the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.
During his eight years in the military, Ross took part in important missions. One of these was called Operation Urgent Fury. After his military career, he decided to become a professional wrestler.
Ranger Ross's Wrestling Career
Starting His Wrestling Journey (1986-1989)
Ranger Ross began his professional wrestling career in 1986. He quickly became known for his military background.
He wrestled for Continental Championship Wrestling in Knoxville, Tennessee. In January 1988, he won the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship. He defeated Moondog Spot for the title. However, he lost it shortly after to Jonathan Boyd.
Ross also wrestled for Southern Championship Wrestling in Atlanta, Georgia. He won the SCW Tag Team Championship twice in 1988. He held the title once with Joey Maggs and another time with Mr. Wrestling II.
Time with WCW (1989-1991)
Ranger Ross joined Jim Crockett Promotions in 1989. This company later became World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He had a short rivalry with The Iron Sheik. Ross won their match at Clash of the Champions VI in April 1989. Before this match, he made a memorable entrance. He rappelled 300 feet from the top of The Superdome.
Later that month, he teamed up with Randy Rose. They faced Jack Victory and Rip Morgan. Ross also wrestled in single matches. He faced wrestlers like The Great Muta and Butch Reed. He lost to Reed at Wrestlewar '89 in May.
In May, Ross and Ron Simmons joined a tournament. They competed for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. They lost to the Samoan Swat Team in the first round. Ross and Simmons later started a rivalry. Ross defeated The Terrorist at Clash of the Champions VII in June. He also took part in a battle royal at Great American Bash in July.
Ross continued to wrestle against various opponents. He faced Sid Vicious and The Cuban Assassin. He also teamed up with different partners. He wrestled alongside Eddie Gilbert and "Wildfire" Tommy Rich.
Over the next two years, Ross wrestled less often for WCW. He had matches against Mike Rotunda and Abdullah the Butcher. He also toured Japan and wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In one of his last WCW appearances, he defeated El Cubano at Clash of the Champions XIV in January 1991.
After WCW and Later Career (2004-2007)
After leaving WCW, Ranger Ross worked as a private investigator. He also worked part-time as a probation officer in Acworth, Georgia.
In early 2004, Ross returned to wrestling. He appeared in several independent wrestling promotions. These included the North American Wrestling Alliance. He also wrestled for Wrestling Xtreme Overload. He teamed with Lash LeRoux and Danny Dollar in a six-man tag team match. He later teamed with Lash LeRoux to defeat The Turbulators.
In 2005, he continued wrestling for various promotions. He won a match against Alan Martin. He also teamed with Lash LeRoux to win the New Age Championship Wrestling Tag Team titles. The following month, he teamed with "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas, The Patriot, and The Stro. They defeated Ivan Koloff's Russian Army.
In 2006, Ross continued to wrestle. He defeated Adam Raddick by disqualification. He also teamed with Ken Aldridge to defeat Kamala and Mr. Terrific.
Ranger Ross had his final match in January 2007. He teamed with his former trainer, "The Nightmare" Ted Allen. They faced and defeated a team called The VIP.
Ranger Ross's Personal Life
Robert Ross was born in Acworth, Georgia. He went to North Cobb High School. There, he was active in sports, playing basketball and football, and wrestling.
After his time with WCW, he started his own business. Ross also studied at a seminary and is involved in ministry. He is married and still lives in Georgia. He owns a small business there. Ranger Ross is very involved in charity work. He supports the MDA charity and attends their summer camp in Georgia every year. He is also an Elder at Mission for Life Church in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Championships and Achievements
- Continental Championship Wrestling
- NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Deep South Wrestling
- Deep South Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Peach State Wrestling
- PSW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him # 231 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in 1991
- Southern Championship Wrestling
- SCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Joey Maggs (1) and Mr. Wrestling II (1)
