Juanita Wright

Infobox Wrestler
name=Juanita Wright


names=Sapphire
Princess Dark Cloud
height=height|ft=5|in=2
weight=convert|155|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = birth date|1935|10|24|mf=y [cite news|title=Sapphire Online World of Wrestling profile|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sapphire.html]
death_date = death date and age|1996|9|10|1935|10|24|mf=y [cite news|title=Gary Will's Wrestling History: Deceased Pro Wrestlers|url=http://www.garywill.com/wrestling/decwres.htm]
birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri [cite news|title=Sapphire Online World of Wrestling profile|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sapphire.html]
resides=
billed=
trainer=
debut=1989
retired=1990|

Juanita Wright (October 24, 1935 - September 10, 1996) was a professional wrestling valet best known as "Sweet" Sapphire in the World Wrestling Federation where she managed Dusty Rhodes in 1989 and 1990. She also wrestled on the independent circuit as Princess Dark Cloud.

Early life

Juanita Wright was born on October 24, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri. She became a huge wrestling fan and began to drive wrestlers to arenas in the St. Louis area.cite book|title=Dusty: Reflections of an American Dream|last=Rhodes|first=Dusty|coauthors=Howard Brody|pages=128|Sports Publishing LLC|date=2005|isbn=1582619077] Wright gained a wrestling referees licence, the first woman in the Missouri to do so, before entering the ring as a wrestler. She appeared under the name Princess Dark Cloud and once wrestled a bear. [cite news | first = Darla | last = Taylor | title = Sapphire Online World of Wrestling profile | url = http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sapphire.html| work = | publisher = | date = | accessdate = 2007-06-30 ] Prior to signing a contract with the World Wrestling Federation, Wright worked as a saleswoman for a clothing company in St. Louis. [Dave Meltzer article in "The National", late 1990]

World Wrestling Federation

Wright debuted in 1989 under the name "Sweet" Sapphire. Sapphire began to manage Dusty Rhodes, both adorned in black outfits with yellow polka dots. Sapphire later appeared in the ring, teaming with Dusty to take on Randy Savage and Sensational Sherri. Sapphire pinned Sherri, with some help from Miss Elizabeth, who had allied herself with Sapphire and Rhodes after a previous incident that precipitated the match.

Sapphire, in the Spring and Summer of 1990, began to receive gifts from a mysterious benefactor. At the 1990 SummerSlam pay per view, Sherri defeated Sapphire via forfeit after Sapphire failed to show. Seconds before Rhodes' match against Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase revealed that he had bought Sapphire. A puzzled Rhodes lost to Savage because he did not have the heart to continue. Sapphire would begin appearing in skits where she would do favors for DiBiase, including ironing his money. Shortly afterwards Sapphire left the WWF.

In a later shoot interview, Sherri Martel revealed that Wright's admiration for Rhodes was legitimate, and that she literally broke down crying when the office told her that they were severing Wright and Rhodes' on-screen partnership. Martel believes that Wright lost complete interest in the company after this, which is why she left the company not long after Summerslam.

Rhodes revealed on his WWE DVD "The American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story" that he once went into Vince McMahon's office and said that he liked Sapphire, but having her around was pointless and that she should be released. McMahon told Rhodes that she "made" Rhodes' character and that she should stay. After extensive thought, Rhodes agreed.

Death

Little is known about Juanita from the time she left the WWF and the time she died in St. Louis, of a heart attack on September 11 1996. [cite news|title=Gary Will's Wrestling History: Deceased Pro Wrestlers|url=http://www.garywill.com/wrestling/decwres.htm]

Legacy

A character called "Sweet Sapphire" has recently been adopted by Earl Douglas, a male African American radio producer for XM Radio's Ron and Fez Show due to his uncanny resemblance to Juanita, and his pairing with the new sensational show producer, The Midnight Rider. Dusty Rhodes, whom Sapphire had managed in the WWF, has wrestled under the name The Midnight Rider.

Personal life

Juanita Wright had two children, named Wanda and Ricco. [cite news|title=Sapphire Online World of Wrestling profile|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sapphire.html]

References

External links

* [http://imdb.com/name/nm1147058/ Juanita Wright] at the Internet Movie Database
* [http://www.warned.net/Sapphire.html Warned.net - Sapphire Wrestling Profile]
* [http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sapphire.html Online World Of Wrestling Profile]