77. Not everything is right about Wright
Had it not been for Wright’s issues with Freddie Blassie, his legacy would be flawless. Edward Wright, also known as Bearcat has been one of the best wrestlers in the history of professional wrestling. He was known for his charisma and a wide repertoire of moves few fighters had in them. He was also fighting for the rights of African-Americans in the country, and he became the first African-American world heavyweight champ in 1963.
Bearcat won the World Wrestling Associates’ top title from Freddie Blassie, which he was supposed to drop later in the year, but he refused to do so. Mike LeBell, the promoter of then WWA didn’t like that, and he hired his brother Gene LeBell to take care of Wright. Wright, aware that the defeat was inevitable refused to show up for the match, and he was stripped of the title.
