Turned Pro: 1972

Trained By: Benny Mendeblis

Hometown: Jersey City, NJ

Height: 6'3"

Wrestling Weight: 255 pounds

Territories Worked In: Arizona & New Mexico

Toughest Opponents: Bob Yuma, Benny Mendeblis and Tito Montez.

Best Match: versus Bob Yuma.

Favorite Move: Reverse Neck-Breaker

Titles Held: North American Heavyweight Championship, Arizona Heavyweight Championship, Arizona Tag Team Championship.

Years before Randy Savage would use the nickname, John Ringer was wrestling's "Macho Man." According to the reports we have, he more than lived up to the name.

Originally from the East Coast, Ringer came out west to survey the territory. Rumors persisted that he had not come out on his own, but that he was part of a organizd group who had sent him out to "get a feel for the Arizona wrestling scene." These rumors were never confirmed however.

One thing that was confirmed was that John Ringer was one tough sonofagun. His matches were brutal and, quite often, very bloody. It's been said that when John Ringer hit the ring blood flowed like liquor at a Texas barbecue. This tough customer was hardcore long before ECW made it a household word.

Whether he was from an "East Coast family" or not, he did form alliances here in Arizona. His most notable "friendships" were with the Lumberjacks and The Monster. In fact, he used to threaten to send the "Monster" after those who didn't bend to his wishes.

Over the years, he had feuds with many of the area greats such as Benny Mendeblis, David Rose, Pedro El Grande, Eddie Sullivan and "Cowboy" Bob Yuma.

It was against Bob Yuma that Ringer had his most legendary match. Yuma and Ringer faced each other in the very last wrestling match ever held at Phoenix's Madison Square Garden Arena. The two wrestled for 86 minutes (of a 90 minute time limit) for the Western States Junior Heavyweight title. Unfortunately for John, Yuma came out the victor that night, handing Ringer a rare defeat.

Cowboy Bob Yuma had this to say when we asked him for a comment about his foe, "You had to keep an eye on him. He was sneaky and he was ready to go from the time the bell rang. If you turned your back for two seconds, it was over.  He had you."

These days, the "Macho Man" is away from the wrestling business, but in talking to him, you can tell that it's still very much a part of him.

Fans wishing to contact John Ringer may send fan mail to:

John Ringer
C/O AZ Wrestling Legends
P.O. Box 1884
Glendale, AZ 85311-1884