Big Jim Wright was a capable wrestler in the 1950s, both as fan favorite and villain, depending on whom he was pitted against. He had a rough, stiff style, showing he could hold his own with the toughest in the game. Yet in spite of his prowess, while alive, and the way he died, very little can be found in print concerning him.

Wright died in Phoenix at the old Madison Square Garden on 7th Avenue & Van Buren, but again, details have been shaky. The incident took place sometime in 1963, during a tag team bout. Wright was worked over in the corner, as often happened in tag team bouts, tagged out and slumped against the ropes. Suddenly, he pitched backward, fell off the ring and struck his head on the hard wooden floor. He had evidently suffered a fatal heart attack as he rested in his corner and died on the spot. Either the heart or the blow to his head would have presumably been enough to kill him, but this one-two combination so to speak, sealed his fate.

For a while, Wright made a tag team combo with his "brother" Rube Wright, though no one seems sure if they were real relatives or not. he also teamed with Don Arnold from time to time, as well as Chuck Karbo.

During his stay in Arizona, Wright had made certain enemies in the locker room and there was gossip circulating that more than one grappler was less upset than he might have been, upon seeing the man collapse. The fans, however, grieved for the fallen grappler, then forgot about him. This, again, was par for the course as others came on the scene to take his place.