James Dean
All Star
Previous Write Up Here: Unsung Wrestlers 3: Sailor Art Thomas
BirthPlace: Texas 1/13/1932
Height: 6’ 6”
Weight: 290 lbs
Debut: 1952
Retired: 1975
Finisher/Signature: The Claw & Dropkick
Titles & Accomplishments: Held titles in IWA. NWA & WWA Promotions.
Death: 08/28/1982
Edward Wright just may be one of the most forgotten wrestlers of his time. Up until this point, we touched based on some of his peers and other popular African American champions. But the man that would go on to become Bearcat, is and should be looked at as THE first Black World Champion.
Edward Wright was the son of former Boxer Ed Wright. He took up in his fathers profession before he entered the world of wrestling. Going into a solid 8-0 run in the sport during the 1950s. His time as a boxer was short lived however, as he would soon enter into a new profession. Wrestling. Getting his start into the local indy scene proved to be a great deal for Bearcat. As promoters would soon flock to bring him into their respective promotions. Bearcat was a tag team specialist during his early days but would soon move onto singles competition. He often teamed with Bobo Brazil. Touring across the US, Australia, and Canada.
In the US, he was a hero of the south. He often battled against The Shiek, Kenji Shibuya, and Johnny Valentine.
Bearcat was tall and weighed close to 300lbs. Bearcat would often rip telephone books as a show of strength. He was also known for his dropkicks and leaps off the top rope. Making him one of the first big men to adopt an aerial style. On top of that, his finisher was that of a claw hold. Bearcat could play both sides of the fence. He was a lovable good guy who’s size and quick moves dazzled the crowd. Or he could play the bad guy that you could not stand. Either way, he is one of the men who helped desegregate wrestling. Prior to Bearcat, there were not many black men receiving this much support and fanfare from the fans and the wrestling business.
Bearcat was a blunt man and upfront. He went so far as to tell a crowd in Gary Indiana one night that he would no longer perform in front of segregated crowds, promoters or businesses. His stance wounded up getting him suspended by the Indiana State Atlantic Commission. After his suspension Bearcat returned to make history. Facing off against Killer Kowalski in April of 1961 for the BTPW World Title. Bearcat defeated Kowalski and became the true first black World Heavyweight champion. He would repeat world title success two years later by defeating Classy Freddie Blassie for the WWA World Heavyweight Title. This was a controversial win as he refused to drop the title to Ed Carpenter, who was planned to drop it back to Freddy Blassie a few months later. Thus, WWA blackballed Wright into dropping the title. Going so far as to hire known shoot fighter, Gene LeBell to battle Wright for a rematch for Blassie in place of Blassie. Wright refused to enter the ring so WWA, stripped him of the title and awarded it to Carpenter. Had Wright battled LeBell, a real life shoot fight would have taken place in the ring as punishment for Wright. Wright knew of this plan which is why he refused to step into the ring.
Wright left WWA and continued to wrestle elsewhere before retiring in 1975.
He passed away on 08/28/1982 from Sickle Cell Anemia at the age of 50.
BirthPlace: Texas 1/13/1932
Height: 6’ 6”
Weight: 290 lbs
Debut: 1952
Retired: 1975
Finisher/Signature: The Claw & Dropkick
Titles & Accomplishments: Held titles in IWA. NWA & WWA Promotions.
Death: 08/28/1982
Edward Wright just may be one of the most forgotten wrestlers of his time. Up until this point, we touched based on some of his peers and other popular African American champions. But the man that would go on to become Bearcat, is and should be looked at as THE first Black World Champion.
Edward Wright was the son of former Boxer Ed Wright. He took up in his fathers profession before he entered the world of wrestling. Going into a solid 8-0 run in the sport during the 1950s. His time as a boxer was short lived however, as he would soon enter into a new profession. Wrestling. Getting his start into the local indy scene proved to be a great deal for Bearcat. As promoters would soon flock to bring him into their respective promotions. Bearcat was a tag team specialist during his early days but would soon move onto singles competition. He often teamed with Bobo Brazil. Touring across the US, Australia, and Canada.
In the US, he was a hero of the south. He often battled against The Shiek, Kenji Shibuya, and Johnny Valentine.
Bearcat was tall and weighed close to 300lbs. Bearcat would often rip telephone books as a show of strength. He was also known for his dropkicks and leaps off the top rope. Making him one of the first big men to adopt an aerial style. On top of that, his finisher was that of a claw hold. Bearcat could play both sides of the fence. He was a lovable good guy who’s size and quick moves dazzled the crowd. Or he could play the bad guy that you could not stand. Either way, he is one of the men who helped desegregate wrestling. Prior to Bearcat, there were not many black men receiving this much support and fanfare from the fans and the wrestling business.
Bearcat was a blunt man and upfront. He went so far as to tell a crowd in Gary Indiana one night that he would no longer perform in front of segregated crowds, promoters or businesses. His stance wounded up getting him suspended by the Indiana State Atlantic Commission. After his suspension Bearcat returned to make history. Facing off against Killer Kowalski in April of 1961 for the BTPW World Title. Bearcat defeated Kowalski and became the true first black World Heavyweight champion. He would repeat world title success two years later by defeating Classy Freddie Blassie for the WWA World Heavyweight Title. This was a controversial win as he refused to drop the title to Ed Carpenter, who was planned to drop it back to Freddy Blassie a few months later. Thus, WWA blackballed Wright into dropping the title. Going so far as to hire known shoot fighter, Gene LeBell to battle Wright for a rematch for Blassie in place of Blassie. Wright refused to enter the ring so WWA, stripped him of the title and awarded it to Carpenter. Had Wright battled LeBell, a real life shoot fight would have taken place in the ring as punishment for Wright. Wright knew of this plan which is why he refused to step into the ring.
Wright left WWA and continued to wrestle elsewhere before retiring in 1975.
He passed away on 08/28/1982 from Sickle Cell Anemia at the age of 50.
