Antonino Rocca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antonino Rocca |
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Rocca in 1956
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| Birth name | Antonino Biasetton |
| Born | 13 April 1921 Treviso, Veneto, Kingdom of Italy (now Italy) |
| Died | 15 March 1977 (aged 55) New York City, U.S. |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Antonino Rocca Argentina Rocca |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 224 lb (102 kg) |
| Billed from | Argentina |
| Trained by | Stanislaus Zbyszko |
| Debut | 1942 |
| Retired | 1976 |
Antonino Rocca (born Antonino Biasetton; 13 April 1921 – 15 March 1977) was a famous professional wrestler. He was born in Italy and later became an Argentinian citizen. Rocca was known for his amazing, acrobatic wrestling style. He often wrestled with his tag team partner, Miguel Pérez. After he passed away, he was honored in the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996.
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Antonino Rocca's Wrestling Journey
Antonino Rocca was a talented athlete. Before becoming a wrestler, he played soccer and rugby in Argentina. He was famous for his unique, high-flying wrestling moves. He started his wrestling career in the United States in the late 1940s. A former World Heavyweight Champion, Stanislaus Zbyszko, trained him in Argentina. In the early 1950s, Rocca won several important wrestling championships. He was a top star across the country.
Wrestling in New York City
In 1949, Rocca began wrestling in New York City. He worked for promoters who controlled wrestling at Madison Square Garden. This arena was a very important place for wrestling. The company that ran these shows was called Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC). Today, this company is known as WWE.
Teaming Up with Miguel Pérez
Rocca formed a popular tag team with Jose Miguel Pérez in 1957. They won the NWA World Tag Team Championship. This was the top tag team title in the CWC at the time. They were never defeated for this title. The championship was eventually retired after about five years.
Madison Square Garden Records
In 1959–1960, Rocca became very important in New York wrestling. He helped manage the wrestling shows at Madison Square Garden. On January 2, 1960, Rocca set a huge attendance record. He drew 21,950 fans to Madison Square Garden for a match. This was a record for wrestling after World War II. He wrestled against a lesser-known opponent called "The Amazing Zuma."
Rocca also teamed up with a new wrestler named Bruno Sammartino. However, their tag team did not attract as many fans as hoped. So, they were split up to wrestle each other. This also did not boost ticket sales much.
Moving On from WWWF
In 1963, the CWC changed its name to the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). This company later became WWE. For a time, Rocca left the WWWF. He started his own wrestling promotion in Queens, New York.
In the mid-1970s, Rocca returned to the WWWF. He joined Vince McMahon to commentate on their weekly TV show. He explained the matches to viewers from 1972 to 1976.
Wrestling in Japan and Puerto Rico
Rocca also wrestled and refereed matches in Japan. This was during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He worked for the Japan Pro Wrestling Association (JWA). Later, he followed Antonio Inoki to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1972.
In 1973, Rocca joined the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico. He teamed up with Miguel Pérez again. They won the WWC North American Tag Team Championship. They defeated Los Infernos for the title on September 11, 1976. They lost the championship about a month later.
Other Appearances
Antonino Rocca was famous beyond the wrestling ring. He was even shown wrestling Superman! This happened on the cover of the Superman comic book, issue No. 155, in August 1962.
He also appeared in the 1976 horror film Alice, Sweet Alice. In this movie, he had a small role. Rocca was interviewed by many newspapers and magazines. He even met President Richard Nixon. He also appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Personal Life
Maestro Arturo Toscanini, a famous conductor, was a big fan of wrestling. He was also a good friend of Antonino Rocca.
Rocca passed away on March 15, 1977, in New York City. He had complications from a urinary infection. Thousands of people attended his funeral. His passing was even reported on the front pages of New York newspapers.
Championships and Accomplishments
- Montreal Athletic Commission
- MAC World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- American Wrestling Association (Ohio)
- AWA World Heavyweight Championship (Ohio version) (1 time)
- Stampede Wrestling
- Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)
- Capitol Wrestling Corporation/Worldwide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Northeast version) (1 time, final) – with Miguel Pérez
- NWA/WWWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time, inaugural)
- WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)
- Southwest Sports, Inc.
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- World Wrestling Council
- WWC North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Miguel Pérez.
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (2023) - with Miguel Pérez
See Also
In Spanish: Antonino Rocca para niños
- List of premature professional wrestling deaths
