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 became famous for his time with Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. This was in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also wrestled for other groups like All Japan Pro Wrestling.
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Military Service
After finishing high school, Robert Ross joined the United States Army. He trained to be a paratrooper, which means jumping out of airplanes. He also went to Ranger School. This school trains soldiers to be 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 service, he decided to become a professional wrestler.
Professional Wrestling Career
Starting Out (1986-1989)
Ranger Ross began his professional wrestling career in 1986. He wrestled for a group called Continental Championship Wrestling in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In January 1988, he won the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship. He defeated a wrestler known as Moondog Spot. However, he lost the title soon after to Jonathan Boyd.
Ross also wrestled for Southern Championship Wrestling in 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.
Big Leagues: Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW (1989-1991)
Ranger Ross joined Jim Crockett Promotions in 1989. This company later became World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He quickly became known for his exciting entrances. At Clash of the Champions VI in April 1989, he rappelled 300 feet from the top of The Superdome! He then defeated The Iron Sheik.
Ross teamed up with different wrestlers and faced many opponents. He teamed with Randy Rose and later with Ron Simmons. He also wrestled against famous names like The Great Muta and Butch Reed. He even faced Sid Vicious at Clash of the Champions VIII.
In December 1989, he teamed with "Wildfire" Tommy Rich. They won a match against Cactus Jack and Ned Brady. Cactus Jack turned on his own partner during this match.
Over the next two years, Ross continued to wrestle for WCW. He had matches against wrestlers like Mike Rotunda and Abdullah the Butcher. He also traveled to Japan to wrestle for All Japan Pro Wrestling. One of his last matches in WCW was at Clash of the Champions XIV in January 1991, where he defeated El Cubano.
Later Career (2004-2007)
In 2004, Ranger Ross returned to wrestling. He appeared in several smaller wrestling groups in the Southeastern United States. He teamed up with wrestlers like Lash LeRoux and Danny Dollar.
In 2005, he won a match against Alan Martin. He also teamed up with Lash LeRoux to win the New Age Championship Wrestling Tag Team titles. He even joined forces with wrestling legends like "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas and The Patriot. They defeated Ivan Koloff's "Russian Army."
In 2006, Ross continued to wrestle. He teamed with Ken Aldridge to defeat Kamala and Mr. Terrific.
Ranger Ross had his final match in January 2007. He teamed up with his former trainer, "The Nightmare" Ted Allen. They won their match against a team called The VIP.
Personal Life
Robert Ross was born in Acworth, Georgia. When he was in high school at North Cobb High School, he was a talented athlete. He wrestled, played basketball, and played football.
After his wrestling career, he started his own business. He also studied to become a minister and is involved in church work. Ranger Ross is married and still lives in Georgia. He helps many charities, including the MDA charity, by appearing at their summer camp every year. He is an Elder at Mission for Life Church in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Championships and Accomplishments
- 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)
