Sapphire (wrestler) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sapphire
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born |
Juanita Wright
October 24, 1934 |
| Died | September 11, 1996 (aged 61) St. Louis, Missouri, United States
|
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
|
Professional wrestling career
|
|
| Ring name(s) | Sapphire Sweet Sapphire Princess Dark Cloud |
| Billed height | 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) |
| Billed weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
| Debut | circa 1976 |
| Retired | 1996 |
Juanita Wright (born October 24, 1934 – died September 11, 1996) was a famous person in professional wrestling. She was known as a valet (someone who helps a wrestler) and also as a wrestler herself. Most people remember her as "Sweet" Sapphire from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). She helped manage a wrestler named Dusty Rhodes in 1989 and 1990. She also wrestled on her own as Princess Dark Cloud.
Contents
Early Life and Wrestling Start
Juanita Wright was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 24, 1934. She loved wrestling from a young age. She even drove wrestlers to their matches in the St. Louis area.
Juanita became the first woman in Missouri to get a wrestling referee's license. Later, at 42, she started wrestling herself. She was also the first person in Missouri to join a "Men's Battle Royale" match. She and another wrestler were the last two left out of 15 people, so they both won! She wrestled under the name Princess Dark Cloud. Once, she even wrestled a bear! Before joining the WWF, Juanita worked as a saleswoman.
Her Time in Professional Wrestling
World Wrestling Federation (1989–1990)
Juanita Wright, as Sapphire, first appeared on WWF television in November 1989. She was seen cheering loudly for Dusty Rhodes. She wore black outfits with yellow polka dots, just like Dusty Rhodes.
Sapphire became Dusty Rhodes' manager. They started a storyline against "Macho King" Randy Savage and "Queen" Sensational Sherri. At WrestleMania VI, Sapphire and Dusty Rhodes had a tag team match against Savage and Sherri. Sapphire actually pinned Sherri to win, with a little help from Miss Elizabeth. Sapphire and Sherri continued to wrestle each other in many matches across the country.
In 1990, Sapphire started getting mysterious gifts. At an event called SummerSlam, Sherri won against Sapphire because Sapphire didn't show up for the match. Later, Ted DiBiase announced that he had "bought" Sapphire. This made Dusty Rhodes very upset. Sapphire then started doing favors for DiBiase. She left the WWF shortly after this. It was later explained that DiBiase took all his gifts back, which was why she left.
Friends of Juanita said she really enjoyed her time with the WWF. Even years later, people would still ask her for autographs.
United States Wrestling Association (1993)
In 1993, Juanita briefly appeared in another wrestling company called the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). She was part of a storyline with wrestlers Jerry Lawler and Bert Prentice.
Personal Life and Passing
Juanita Wright had two children, Wanda and Ricco. After leaving the WWF, she worked at a store called GrandPa Pidgeon's. She loved telling her co-workers' children stories about her wrestling days.
Juanita passed away in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 11, 1996. She was 61 years old and died from a heart attack. She is remembered by her children, her mother, her brother, and her four sisters.
See Also
In Spanish: Sapphire (luchadora) para niños
- List of premature professional wrestling deaths
