Rico Constantino
| Rico Constantino | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 1, 1961[1] Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Rico Rico Constantino |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Billed weight | 230 lb (100 kg; 16 st) |
| Billed from | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Trained by | Jesse Hernandez OVW |
| Debut | 1998 |
| Retired | July 2005 |
Amarico Sebastiano Constantino [1] (born October 1, 1961), better known as Rico Constantino or Rico, is an American retired professional wrestler and wrestling manager of Italian origin. He worked for World Wrestling Entertainment from 2002 - 2004.
Career
Prior to embarking on his wrestling career, Rico entered Northwestern Military & Naval Academy. He graduated near the top of his class and at one point considered enrollment at West Point. Instead, Rico returned to Las Vegas and settled into a career as a paramedic. This led to enrollment in the police academy, from which he graduated first in the entire state of Nevada. Rico was also on the SWAT team at one point, paving the way for his next career as a bodyguard.[2]
Television career
Rico was a contestant on American Gladiators.[3] He was challenged by Gemini (Michael Horton) to find out if "he had what it took" to be a contestant for the show. He would end up defeating Gemini in his best event, the Joust, one of the few contenders to do so (Horton lost only 8 of his Jousts on his three seasons of AG).
Rico went on to defeat all the other contestants and Gladiators to become the champion for the first half of the 1990-1991 season.[3] In the Grand Championship, Rico came up just short, losing to Craig Branham by a mere two seconds in the Eliminator.
Rico next appeared on the European game show Capture Ft. Boyard, with a win over his former Gladiator nemesis Craig Branham. On the show, he was the first and only competitor to capture the needed key in the bungee jump challenge on an upswing.[3]
The rules were changed after that, as no one actually thought it could be done until that point. The use of their clothing to carry the valuable coins was not allowed, so Rico picked up one of his female teammates and filled her lap.
Power Team
A chance encounter led Rico to being recruited by The Power Team.[3] A two week tryout lasted almost two years as Rico traveled the world impressing young people with feats of strength. At one point while with the Power Team, he was ordained as a minister to further allow him to counsel kids. His work with children has been vast - from the Special Olympics and various other children's charities.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Rico began to train with the Empire Wrestling Federation for a career in the wrestling business. Rico was discovered by WWF officials Terry Taylor and Dr. Tom Prichard. After only 12 matches, Rico signed a developmental deal with the WWF.[2]
Rico was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling for further training, before being sent up to work for WWE. He debuted in WWE on the March 21, 2002 episode of SmackDown! as a heel.[4] He was best known as a manager of teams like Billy and Chuck (Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo)[5] and Three Minute Warning,[6] portraying a homosexual stylist as his gimmick. Later in his WWE stint, Rico turned face due to fan reaction to his over-the-top gimmick, teaming up with initially-reluctant partner then baby face, Charlie Haas (with whom he held the WWE Tag Team Championships)[7] and had a valet, Miss Jackie.[8] He retained the homosexual gimmick he shared with Gunn and Palumbo, taking it to new levels, much in the vein of Adrian Street.[9] His comedic antics in the ring garnered him much fan reaction and popularity before he was unexpectedly released by WWE on November 7, 2004.
Constantino officially retired from professional wrestling in July of 2005 and is once again working as a law enforcement officer.[3]
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Rico Kick (Spinning leg lariat)[2]
- Roundhouse kick
- Ricosault / High Hard One (Moonsault)[2]
- Hangman's neckbreaker [2]
- Arm twist followed by a hook kick
- Leaping double knee backbreaker[2]
- Middle-rope springboard corner enzuigiri
- Theme Music
- You Look So Good To Me by Jim Johnston
- 3 Minutes by 2 Skinnee J's
Championships and accomplishments
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Bull Buchanan[2]
- HWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[2]
- Memphis Power Pro Wrestling
- MPPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[2]
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[2]
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with The Prototype[2]
- WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Charlie Haas[2]
- World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rikishi[2]
- Other Accomplishments
- American Gladiators Champion (1990-1991) [2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Rico Constantino Profile". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
Date of Birth, Birth Name, and Height
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Online World of Wrestling Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d e "Rico Constantino Profile". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
Trivia and Where Are They Now
- ^ "SmackDown - March 21, 2002 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "SmackDown - May 23, 2002 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "RAW - 18th November, 2002 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "SmackDown - 22nd April, 2004 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "SmackDown - 13th May, 2004 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "RAW - 16th June, 2003 Results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
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