Ron Bass — "The Outlaw" (American professional wrestler)

Character and in‑ring style

Billed as a tough Texas outlaw, Bass used a cowboy hat, boots and occasionally a bullwhip as part of his entrance and persona. His character relied on Southern western imagery and a slow, physical brawling style rather than high‑flying moves. The gimmick was intended to make him a believable antagonist in televised storylines and house show programs.

Career highlights

Bass worked across multiple wrestling territories, combining singles matches and tag team bouts. He spent time in regional circuits and later joined larger promotions, where his persona was emphasized for television and pay‑per‑view audiences. His time in the World Wrestling Federation introduced him to a wider national audience and established the Outlaw gimmick as his signature.

• Ring name: Ron Bass ("The Outlaw").
• Notable trait: cowboy gimmick with a bullwhip.
• Promotions: regional territories and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Legacy and later life

Bass is remembered for a distinctive character that reflected wrestling's emphasis on clear, theatrical personas during the 1970s–1980s era. After stepping back from full‑time competition in later years, he was occasionally involved in wrestling conventions and retrospective events that celebrated regional era performers. Readers can find career summaries and match records through archived sources and wrestler databases: career summary, match listings, and promotional histories like those cataloged at specialist sites here.

Death

In March 2017, Heard was hospitalized in Tampa, Florida, after suffering a burst appendix and underwent surgery. He died on March 7, 2017 from complications linked to the appendicitis‑related surgery. Contemporary reports and remembrances appeared in wrestling news outlets and local media: news report and medical summaries of the condition are available at general health references appendicitis overview.

Ron Bass remains a recognizable example of the colorful characters that populated territorial wrestling and early national television, remembered for the simple but effective outlaw image that defined his career.