Real Name: Richard Wilson
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 255 lbs.
Date of Birth: October 19, 1965
Date of Death: February 23, 1999
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Resided: Cobb County, Georgia
Pro Debut: 1990
Retired: 1998
Trained By: Richard Byrne
Finishing Move: Renegade Splash
Biography
– Wilson began his career in the NAWA in May 1990, working under his real name
– In 1992, Wilson joined the IWF as ‘Rio, Lord Of The Jungle’, a Tarzan-inspired gimmick
– In early 1993, Rio wrestled several times for Japan’s WAR promotion
– Wilson signed with WCW in early 1995 and was given the gimmick of ‘The Renegade’, a blatant rip-off of The Ultimate Warrior
– At the 1995 Great American Bash, The Renegade defeated Arn Anderson to win the WCW Television Title
– On the following episode of WCW Pro, The Renegade defeated Bunkhouse Buck to retain the WCW Television Title
– At Bash At The Beach 1995, The Renegade defeated Paul Orndorff to retain the WCW Television Title
– At Clash Of The Champions 31, The Renegade again defeated Orndorff to retain the WCW Television Title
– In late 1995, Wilson returned to the look of Rio, though retained his Renegade name
– Over the remainder of his WCW run, The Renegade was used primarily as an enhancement talent, with Wilson also working as the stunt double for The Ultimate Warrior during his WCW run in 1998
– Wilson was released by WCW at the end of 1998
– Wilson committed suicide by gunshot on February 23, 1999. He was just 33