| Dominic DeNucci | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Dominic DeNucci Dominic Bravo[1] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Born | January 23 Venice, Veneto, Italy |
| Resides | Freedom, Pennsylvania |
| Debut | 1963 |
Dominic DeNucci is an Italian-American professional wrestler.[2] He is also an accomplished trainer, counting former World Heavyweight champions Mick Foley and Shane Douglas, as well as referee Brian Hildebrand, among his students.[3]
Contents |
Teamed with the original Dino Bravo as Dominic Bravo forming a kayfabe brother tag team with him.
On June 18, 1971, DeNucci won his first WWWF title, the WWWF International Tag Team Championship, with Bruno Sammartino by defeating The Mongols.[4] They lost the title back to The Mongols three days later.[4]
On May 13, 1975, DeNucci and Victor Rivera won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship from Jimmy and Johnny Valiant.[5][6] In June, however, Rivera left the WWF, and Pat Barrett became DeNucci's replacement partner.[5][6] They lost the title approximately three months later to The Blackjacks on August 26.[5]
DeNucci became a second time WWWF World Tag Team Champion when he and his partner Dino Bravo defeated Professor Tanaka and Mr. Fuji on March 14, 1978.[5] They held the title until June 26 when they dropped it to The Yukon Lumberjacks.[5]
DeNucci also wrestled for Big Time Wrestling out of Detroit; he was very popular in the Michigan/Ohio territory in the early 1970s.
After ending his career as an active professional wrestler, he trained Mick Foley, Shane Douglas, and Brian Hildebrand, among others.[3] DeNucci is featured in Mick Foley: "Madman Unmasked", where he is seen training Mick Foley and reminiscing about Foley in the days of his training. He is also featured prominently in the opening chapters of Mick Foley's autobiography, 'Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks'.
DeNucci can speak in at least four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Italian.[7]