Robert Lee Ross Jr. (born July 15, 1959) is an American former professional wrestler and former United States Army Ranger known by his ring name, Ranger Ross. Ross is best known for his appearances with Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also wrestled with All Japan Pro Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and Continental Championship Wrestling. Ross got his start at Deep South Championship Wrestling.
Military career
After graduating high school, Ross enlisted in the United States Army, where he was trained as a paratrooper, graduated Ranger School and eventually becoming a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. During his eight-year military career, Ross participated in several combat and rescue missions including Operation Urgent Fury[1] before becoming a professional wrestler.[2]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1986-1989)
Ross made his professional wrestling debut in 1986 under the ring name "Ranger Ross".
After leaving WCW on bad terms, he later filed a discrimination suit against the organization. Working as private investigator as well as a part-time probation officer in Acworth during the early 1990s, he also collected fines and probation fees in the local area.
In February 1996, Ross was arrested at his home in Acworth and formally charged with bank robbery as the "Motorcycle Bandit", an unidentified man who made his escape on a Honda motorcycle. Following the robbery of a bank in downtown Acworth, Ross surrendered to federal agents on February 9.[16]
Later career (2004-2007)
In early 2004, he began wrestling for several Southeastern independent promotions including appearances the North American Wrestling Alliance and Wrestling Xtreme Overload teaming with Lash LeRoux & Danny Dollar in a 6-man tag team match and later on teamed with Lash LeRoux defeated The Turbulators by disqualification at a televised event for Wrestling Xtreme Overload on August 21, 2004.
In 2005, he defeated Alan Martin at a Wrestle Inc. event on August 12 [17] and, the following night, lost to Rainman in a four-way match with Brad Armstrong and Simon Sermon at an event for Pro Wrestling Evolution. During the next two months, he and Leroux would also win the New Age Championship Wrestling Tag Team titles [18] and, the following month, teamed with "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas, The Patriot and The Stro defeating Ivan Koloff's Russian Army.[19][20] Returning to Pro Wrestling Evolution in early 2006, Ross defeated Adam Raddick by disqualification on April 22 and, at an event for TNT Pro Wrestling, teamed with Ken Aldridge to defeat Kamala and Mr. Terrific on May 6, 2006.
In January 2007, Ranger Ross tagged with his former enemy and his trainer: "The Nightmare" Ted Allen in his final match at Georgia Wrestling Promotions in Ellijay Georgia. They faced and beat an up-and-coming tag team known as The VIP (Violence In Progress) which consists of Tommy Lee and Loco Motive.
Ross attended seminary and is in the ministry. Ross is married and still lives in Georgia where he is a small business owner. Ranger Ross is very involved with many charities, including the MDA charity in which he appears yearly at their summer camp in Georgia.
Ross is an Elder at Mission for Life Church in Kennesaw, Georgia.
^ abcdefCawthon, Graham (2014). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 4: World Championship Wrestling 1989-1994. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN978-1499656343.
^Mooneyham, Mike (February 18, 1996). "Ranger Ross hits rock-bottom". The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). p. C,12. Ross, 36, was arrested last week at his home in Acworth, Ga., near Atlanta, and has been charged with being the notorious "motorcycle bandit" who roared away on a Honda after hitting local banks. Ross, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, surrendered to the FBI after the robbery Feb. 9 at a bank in downtown Acworth. Ross, at the time of his arrest, was a private investigator. He had also been a part-time probation officer for the city of Acworth, responsible for collecting fines and probation fees for the city.