Dominic DeNucci is a retired Italian-American professional wrestler.[1] After his career as an active professional wrestler ended, he trained former World Heavyweight champions Mick Foley and Shane Douglas, as well as referee Brian Hildebrand, among others.[2]
[edit] Career
[edit] World Wide Wrestling Federation
On June 18, 1971, DeNucci won his first WWWF title, the WWWF International Tag Team Championship, with Bruno Sammartino by defeating The Mongols.[3] They lost the title back to The Mongols three days later.[3]
On May 13, 1975, DeNucci and Victor Rivera won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship from Jimmy and Johnny Valiant.[4][5] In June, however, Rivera left the WWF, and Pat Barrett became DeNucci's replacement partner.[4][5] They lost the title approximately three months later to The Blackjacks on August 26.[4]
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.[4] They held the title until June 26 when they dropped it to The Yukon Lumberjacks.[4]
DeNucci also wrestled for Big Time Wrestling out of Detroit; he was very popular in the Michigan/Ohio territory in the early 1970s.
[edit] Trainer
After ending his career as an active professional wrestler, he trained Mick Foley, Shane Douglas, and Brian Hildebrand, among others.[2] 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'.
[edit] Personal life
DeNucci can speak in at least four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Italian.[6]
[edit] In wrestling
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Alliance
- Other titles
- West Virginia Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Apache Lou[9]
[edit] References
- Mick Foley (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. HarperCollins. p. 511. ISBN 0061031011.
[edit] External links
