They were never defeated after winning this title, but the appellation was abandoned after about five years. Oops, something didn't work. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Antonino Rocca Also known as Antonio Rocca, Argentina Rocca. The ethnic factor also played a big part. In the early 1950s, he held two regionally recognized versions of professional-wrestling's world heavyweight singles-championship while still headlining nationwide, frequently in territories where other wrestlers were the recognized champs. [4], As a soccer and rugby player when he moved to Argentina before World War II, Rocca was known for his unique, acrobatic, off-the-ground, flying wrestling style. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. His funeral was attended by thousands and made the front page of New York newspapers. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Kwariani had just broken away from his partnership with Vince McMahon, Sr. Rocca then set the post-World War II record for wrestling-attendance at Madison Square Garden's 49th50th Street location, drawing 21,950 fans in a singles-match against an obscure wrestler named "the Amazing Zuma," a/k/a "Argentina Zuma," on January 2, 1960, as was reported by the New York Times. Rocca started his American professional wrestling career in 19481949 in Texas, and his earliest days wrestling in the business are still not known. Argentina Rocca Roles: Singles Wrestler Color Commentator Beginning of in-ring career: 1941 End of in-ring career: 1976 In-ring experience: 35 years A native of Italy whose adopted country was Argentina, Rocca died at Roosevelt Hospital of undetermined causes. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The 1976 horror film Alice, Sweet Alice, featuring child actress Brooke Shields, includes Rocca in a bit part. Professional Wrestling Online Museum, Copyright 2020 Adscape International, LLC - All Rights Reserved, Dr. George Zahorian Convicted Of Selling Steroids To WWF Wrestlers. See the article in its original context from. Together, they captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship, which was the top tag team title used in the CWC, and like so many other titles, was a regional one. Rocca was of Italian heritage and hailed from Latin America, making him a drawing card for two of the New York area's largest populations. Weve updated the security on the site. Merchandise Daniela Rocca came from a working class neighbourhood but Acireale is a city with a wealth of culture and many beautiful buildings, some with clear Muslim influences dating back to the Arabic conquest of Sicily in the ninth century, after which the Muslim forces remained in charge until the Normans took control in the 11 th century. Last Known Residence . After a demotion, and with the arrival of Buddy Rogers as the featured star at MSG in 1961, within a few years Rocca left the WWWF and briefly set up a competing promotion (supported by Jim Crockett, Sr. and others) based at the Sunnyside arena in Queens, NY. 155 (August 1962) comic book. There was a problem getting your location. Antonino Rocca was born on April 23, 1923 and died on March 15, 1977. Treviso, Provincia di Treviso, Veneto, Italy, New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA. Gender: male. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Antonino Rocca, a worldfamous barefooted wrestler who claimed the "secret of life" would enable him to live to 150 years of age, died last night at 49. Verify and try again. It will open the lungs, strengthen and steady the heartbeat, tighten the skin, and improve over-all appearance. Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend. Kwariani had just broken away from his partnership with Vince McMahon, Sr. Rocca then set the post-World War II record for wrestling-attendance at Madison Square Garden's 49th50th Street location, drawing 21,950 fans in a singles match against an obscure wrestler named "The Amazing Zuma", also known as "Argentina Zuma", on 2 January 1960, as reported in The New York Times. This, along with his use of television, allowed McMahon to gain enough leverage to become the major player in the territory. Please try again later. His funeral was attended by thousands and made the front page of New York newspapers. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. He is best known for his work for the Capital Wrestling Corporation, which was the precursor to WWE. Browse 25 antonino rocca stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Weight Antonino Rocca is a member of the following lists: 1921 births, 1977 deaths and 1927 births. He was recruited at the University of Rosario and was a star player for three years before drifting into pro wrestling. Birthplace: Treviso, Italien. [citation needed], McMahon Sr. eventually took back the New York territory and built it by first featuring "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers and then, a few years later, the by-then charismatic Sammartino as its champion. Gimmick: Year: Promotion: Region: Location: Arena: Event type: He said that he would live to be 150 because the secret of long life is good circulation of the blood.. 224 lbs (102 kg) [1] He achieved his greatest success in WWWF where he was a 1-time WWWF United States Tagteam Champion along with Don McClaritty. Rocca died on March 15, 1977, at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City after complications following an infection. Antonino La Rocca Antonino La Rocca (1926 - 1993) . There are no volunteers for this cemetery. However, when this team failed to sell-out the Garden, the pair was split up to wrestle each other in the hopes that business would pick up, but it did not. Additionally, Rocca would often tie his opponent up in pretzel holds, to the delight of his fans, of which there were legions. Other foes of Rocca, the likes of Johnny Valentine and Classy Freddie Blassie, fought not necessarily over titles, but rather pride and respect, not to mention the large payoffs each received after main-eventing with a superstar the caliber of Argentina Rocca. Hurricanranas, flying dropkicks, victory rolls and flying body presses dazzled 1950s audiences used to seeing athletes who almost never left their feet. You can always change this later in your Account settings. He did this right up until his untimely death in 1977. Eventually McMahon Sr. took the New York territory back and built it by first featuring "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers and then, a few years later, the by-then charismatic Sammartino as its champion. Great Female Inventors As successful as he may have been inside the ring, though, Rocca did not always make the best business decisions outside of it. The legendary veteran had an announcing style that was all his own, to say the least, and, for better or worse, his unique commentary added greatly to the popular programs. But Rocca was the first major Superstar promoted by the McMahon family, and no such list would be complete without him. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Antonino Buenaventura died on January 25, 1996. Rocca became one of the most well-known wrestlers in America during the golden age of television. This is a carousel with slides. They captured the defunct WWC North American Tag Team Championship on September 11, 1976 by defeating Los Infernos. Career. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. He was even described by then National Wrestling Alliance generally recognized champion Pat O'Connor as the "uncrowned champion" in New York City, and it was O'Connor who, on television, challenged Rocca to a match (not held in New York City) to determine who was better. His fan following was passionate, as is evidenced by the famous riot that erupted at Madison Square Garden on a night in 1957 when Rocca was busted open by Dick the Bruiser. Plus, get every WWE Premium Live Event, your favorite shows, new movies, live sports, and more. January 16, 2023 Monday Night RAW results, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Appearances in Japan (late 1960s-early 1970s), Championship Wrestling From Florida alumni, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation, CWC/WWWF International Heavyweight Championship, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, MAC World Heavyweight Championship (1 time). Rocca later formed a tag team with Jose Miguel Prez in 1957. [2] Championships and accomplishments [ edit] A Jacksonville, Florida, poster advertises Rocca Montreal Athletic Commission How do the protagonist assert conflicts and resolutions on the hierarchical state of affairs of the country. In the 1970s, he returned to WWE as an announcer, calling the action with a very young Vincent K. McMahon. Ring names Angelino Rocca girlfriend, wife list. Inducted into the WWE hall of fame in 1995, and also recognized by the Stampede and Wrestling Observer halls of fame. Unconfirmed. Stemming from complications related to a urinary infection, Antonino Argentina Rocca passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 1977 at the age of 55. Click to reveal He is survived by his second wife, Joyce, and his children, Mark, Eric and Natella. United States Tag Team Champion; International Heavyweight Champion; several regional NWA Championships; WWE announcer in the late 1970s; 1995 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee. He eventually had to retire due to injuries from his explosive wrestling style. [3] His main work was for the World Wide Wrestling Federation 1963-1968 and various territories of the National Wrestling Alliance, most notably, Championship Wrestling from Florida and Georgia Championship Wrestling.[4][5]. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Champions like Thesz, Rogers, and Carpentier all faced Rocca in sold out arenas around the country. Just a few months in his stint in the CWC, he teamed up with Johnny Valentine to win the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship from the team of the Fabulous Kangaroos(AL Costello and Roy Hefferman). Antonino Argentina Rocca is one of the most influential performers that the sport of professional wrestling has ever known and a legitimate trailblazer in the genre of the high flying wrestler. He refereed a number of matches for the Japan Pro Wrestling Association (JWA), and later followed Antonio Inoki to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1972. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Maestro Arturo Toscanini, a wrestling fan, was good friends with Rocca. This browser does not support getting your location. Innovated the "high-flying" style of wrestling with his dropkicks and flying body presses, and was recognized as world heavyweight champion by the MAC in Montreal and the AWA in Ohio in the early 1950s. History of Spies The Times called the largest turnout of these three matches the all-time record for wrestling attendance at Madison Square Garden, although there is some question whether a Jim Londos-led event in the 1930s drew a few hundred more fans. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Antonino,RoccaAntonino,Rocca,born,Antonino,Biasetton,,April,13,,1927,-,March,15,,1977,was,an,Italian,professional,wrestlerRocca,was,a,popular,fan,favorite,an. Antonino Rocca is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame (1995), Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1995), Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (1996), and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2003). Day of death: 15.03.1977 (at the age of 53) Cause of death: Nierenversagen. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Height [citation needed]. Resend Activation Email. He was responsible for the revival of the New York City Metropolitan-Area territory in the late 1940s, which would eventually become part of the modern day World Wrestling Entertainment. Year should not be greater than current year. Antonino Rocca: def. It is believed to have failed and it ceased operations. Argentina Rocca Roles: Singles Wrestler Color Commentator Beginning of in-ring career: 1941 End of in-ring career: 1976 In-ring experience: Rocca had also been provided with new wrestler Bruno Sammartino as a tag team partner. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Antonino Rocca is sometimes left off lists of the greatest Superstars in WWE historysimply because he was around before the letters were. Retired Please enter your email and password to sign in. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Rocca was born Antonino Biasetton on April 13, 1921 in Treviso, Veneto, Italy and moved to Argentina in the years just prior to World War II. Furthermore, only a small portion of the work, totaling 16 pages, is devoted to self defense. They lost the championship to Higo Hamaguchi and Gordon Nelson on 16 October. Anyone can read what you share. In his autobiography Hooker: An Authentic Wrestlers Adventures Inside the Bizarre World of Professional Wrestling, Lou Thesz wrote about Rocca, saying, The picture really came into focus when I learned his deal with the New York thieves (Vincent J. McMahon, Toots Mondt and Kola Kwariani) gave Rocca 25% of the office. Rocca died on 15 March 1977 at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City after complications following a urinary infection. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Antonino Rocca (29542038)? ; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; ; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; Antonino Rocca; ; Antonino Rocca; luchador profesional italiano; lutador italiano; ; ; Italiaans professioneel worstelaar; argentinischer Profiwrestler (19281977); Italian professional wrestler; cora gairmiil Iodlach; wrestler italiano; Antonino Biasetton; Argentina Rocca; Angelino Rocca; Antonio Biasetton; Angelino Rocca; Antonino Biasetton; Antonino Biasetton; Argentina Rocca; Antonio Rocca; Angelino Rocca; Antonino Biasetton; Antonino Biasetton, Last edited on 15 November 2020, at 08:41, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, Argentine Rocca - Olympic Auditorium Wrestling News 31 January 1962 (cropped).jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Antonino_Rocca&oldid=512706368, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Before it was ever known as WWE, Antonino Rocca was the top Superstar in the company. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Trainer What equipment do you need to exercise with Rocca? In the mid-1970s, he teamed up with Vince McMahon to handle the color commentary on the WWWF's weekly television show. Back then, it was simply the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, and Rocca was the star of the show, drawing packed houses throughout the Northeast for Vincent J. McMahon. Date Of Death: Mar 15th 1977: Cause of Death: urinay tract infection: Place of Death: New York, New York, United States : Ring Name(s): Antonino Rocca: . Contribute Who is Angelino Rocca dating? All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. We have set your language to During the 1950's, Rocca was wrestling's biggest gate attraction, especially among Latin Americans. Antonino Rocca Birthday and Date of Death. 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