Ricky Romero
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| Ricky Romero | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Ricky Romero Rapid Rick Romero Mexico Grand |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Born | May 24, 1931 San Bernardino, CA |
| Died | January 15, 2006[1] |
| Billed from | Amarillo, Texas |
| Trained by | Bob Geigel Dory Funk Sr. Mike DiBiase |
| Debut | 1955 |
Ricky Romero (born Henry Romero, May 24, 1931- January 15 2006) was a professional wrestler better known as "Rapid" Ricky Romero. Romero was best known for being a huge draw in the State of Texas in the 1970s.
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[edit] Before pro-wrestling
Ricky Romero began his career as a catcher for The San Francisco Giants AAA Team.
[edit] Career
[edit] Rise to fame
He wrestled in every major market between 1955 into the 1980s. Ricky tagged with the likes of Pedro Morales in the World Wrestling Association (WWA), Terry Funk and Nick Bockwinkel in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), and Rito Romero in the WWWF. He got his huge break, when Dory Funk Sr. brought him into the Amarillo, Texas area during a time of segregation between races. A young Ricky Romero broke attendance records as well as breaking racial barriers and became loved by all people, the first Hispanic wrestler in the area that gained a top babyface spot and a fan given nickname "SuperMex".
[edit] Legacy in Amarillo
In 1972 he beat Terry Funk in a most popular wrestler contest in Amarillo, was a top draw for Gory Guerrero in El Paso, Texas as well as for Fritz von Erich in Dallas, Texas, and Paul Boesh in Houston, Texas. He was such a top draw in the Rocky Mountain area Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, that Dory Sr. invented the Rocky Mountain Title just for Ricky which he retired in the early 80s.
[edit] Singles wrestler
Ricky Romero as a singles wrestler, went up against the likes of Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, Wild Red Berry, and Jack Brisco. Romero was also one of the first pioneers to work for Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki in Japan, wearing a mask as Mexico Grand' as a heel.[1] Ricky Romero retired as a professional wrestler in The early 1980s.
[edit] Personal life
Ricky Romero was married to Stella Marrujo on December 17, 1949. He is the father of wrestling superstars Steven Romero, Mark Romero and Chris Romero. All three wrestled using the gimmick last name "Youngblood". Ricky also served as manager to sons Mark and Chris throughout the late 1980s. Ricky's grandson is also a professional wrestler who wrestles under the name "Radical" Ricky Romero III.
On January 15, 2006 Ricky Romero died at the age of 74 after years of complications due to diabetes.[1] He is now buried in Llano Cemetery by Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home in Amarillo, Texas, beside his wife Stella Marrujo and Steven Nicolas Romero (Jay Youngblood).
[edit] In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
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- Sleeper hold
- Cannonball
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
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- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version)|NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time)
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time)
- [[NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version)]] (7 times) - with Dory Funk Sr. (5), Cyclone Anaya (1), and Eric Rommel (1)
- NWA Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Championship (5 times)
- NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship (5 times) (Last)
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (8 times) - with Terry Funk (2), Moose Morowski (2), Dory Funk, Jr. (2), Silver Streak (1), and Akihisa Takachiho (1)
- World Wrestling Association (Los Angeles)
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- WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Pedro Morales
