Ron Wright passes away, one of TVs greatest villains
We are extremely saddened to report that Tennessee wrestling legend "The King of Kingsport" Ron Wright passed away this morning. He had been moved to hospice over the last several days.
Best known for his time in the Knoxville territory, Wright was one of those talents who didn't move a lot around the territories on a regular basis. He performed in other areas (he even competed several times at Madison Square Garden based on my records) but the lion's share of his career saw Wright remain in the Tennessee area. He had a run of several months in Florida and popped up in other areas but never stayed long. He'll always be at the top of lists that fans make of talents who "could have succeeded" elsewhere had they ventured out for a long period of time.
Wright broke into the business in the late 1950s, working for Nick Gulas and Mickey Barnes. In the 1970s, Wright bought portions of the territory and promoted in Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport, TN.
Locally, however, he will be forever linked with the late Whitey Caldwell. Wright played the mouthy villain to oppose the likable Caldwell and when they hit the ring, there was often a big brawl with a lot of blood. The feud was so big and Caldwell such a loved babyface that when he passed away in a 1972 car accident, wrestling in the area immediately suffered a huge blow that took a long time to recover.
In the ring, Wright held the Tennessee version of the NWA Tag Team titles on numerous occasions with different partners, including Don Wright and Tommy Gilbert and held the Southeastern Wrestling championship belt.
Wright was last seen in the 1990s as a regular for Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Wright played a tremendous role initially as a heel manager who feigned needing to be in a wheelchair to get heat when he interfered or lied about needing help to anger the fans. Wright provided a bridge of legitimacy from the past to the then-present and credibility for his charge, The Dirty White Boy.
Wright returned to the ring for several tag matches when the act was turned babyface in 1994. He last wrestled in 1995 at the 1995 Fire on the Mountain event promoted by SMW, where his long-time charge Dirty White Boy had his choice of any dream match. DWB picked his mentor and then laid down for him in the ultimate show of respect.
We at UOWForums would like to send our condolences to Wrights family, friends and fans.
