Berry, "Wild" Red:

Berry reportedly, at the age of 12, began working in a coal mine and trained at the local Pittsburgh YMCA in both boxing and wrestling.  He had a formal education ending in the seventh grade, but was very intelligent.

The following is research by historian Don Luce:

Pittsburg Headlight: February 28, 1929

Wrestling fans of Pittsburg will flock to Girard tonight to see Ralph Berry of Pittsburg clash on the mat with Ernie Stevens of Girard, claimant to the middleweight championship of eastern Kansas. They have been mat rivals for the past few years, and are anxious to settle their argument on the mat. The fact that Stevens has defeated Berry three times is no indication that the Girard cauliflower artist is going to have any easy time with the red-haired Berry. Berry has been training consistently and his condition is said to be superb. He is a more experienced wrestler than when he met Stevens last and his determination to win is backed by years of effort to build himself up to a point where he could flop the Girard grappler.

Girard, Kansas: February 28, 1929

(Eagle’s Hall) … Ernie Stevens beat Ralph “Red” Berry (utc-second fall) … Orville Cox vs Bert Guatney

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Berry has earned the title of legend as both a wrestler and a manager.  He was great behind the microphone and excellent at getting his protégés over as strong heels.  His height has been reported as height as 6’0’’.  Before he became a wrestler, Berry was a middleweight boxer and champion in Kansas.  After he broke both hands, he turned to wrestling where he quickly excelled.  Berry managed the legendary Fabulous Kangaroos, Al Costello and Roy Heffernan, to great success.

Red Berry beat Hugh Nichols in 1937 and captured the World Light Heavyweight Title.  He would go on to win the championship a total of nine times between ’37 and ’47.  Berry also held the Texas Heavyweight Championship.