Rico Constantino

Infobox Wrestler
name=Rico Constantino

Amarico Sebastiano Constantino (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.

Television career

Rico was a contestant on "American Gladiators".cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182413/bio|title=Rico Constantino Profile|publisher=IMDB.com|accessdate=2007-09-22|quote=Trivia and Where Are They Now] 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. In the Grand Championship, Rico came up just short, losing to Craig Branham by 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.

Power Team

A chance encounter led Rico to being recruited by The Power Team. 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 allow him to counsel kids. His work with children includes the Special Olympics and 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.cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Online World of Wrestling Profile |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/rico.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ]

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. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - March 21, 2002 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/020321.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ] He was best known as a manager of teams like Billy and Chuck (Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo) [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - May 23, 2002 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/020523.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ] and Three Minute Warning, [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - 18th November, 2002 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/021118.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ] 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 Championship) [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - 22nd April, 2004 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040422.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ] and had a valet, Miss Jackie. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - 13th May, 2004 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040513.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ] He retained the essence of masculinity gimmick he shared with Gunn and Palumbo, taking it to new levels, much in the vein of Adrian Street. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - 16th June, 2003 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030616.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 ] He was unexpectedly released by WWE on November 7, 2004. After that, he went to All-Japan Pro Wrestling, where he held the All-Asian Tag Team titles with fellow former WWE superstar Bull Buchanan.

Retirement

Constantino officially retired from professional wrestling in July of 2005, causing him and Buchanan to vacate the All-Asian Tag Team titles, and is once again working as a law enforcement officer.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*Hangman's neckbreaker:*"Ricosault" / "High Hard One" (Moonsault):*Roundhouse kick:*Spin kick:*Arm twist followed by a hook kick :*Multiple shoot kicks to a cornered opponent's throat finished with a middle rope springboard corner enzuigiri:*Superkick

*Managers:*Miss Jackie:*Jason Royers

*Wrestlers managed:*Billy and Chuck:*Three Minute Warning:*Booker T

*Entrance themes:*"You Look So Good To Me" by Jim Johnston:*"3 Minutes" by 2 Skinnee J's

Championships and accomplishments

*All Japan Pro Wrestling :*AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Bull Buchanan
*Empire Wrestling Federation:*EWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Heartland Wrestling Association :*HWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Memphis Power Pro Wrestling:*MPPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Ohio Valley Wrestling :*OVW Heavyweight Championship (3 times):*OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with The Prototype
*World Wrestling Entertainment :*WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Charlie Haas:*World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Rikishi
*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
**Worst Gimmick (2003)
*Other accomplishments:*American Gladiators Champion (1990-1991)

References

External links

* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/rico.html Profile on Online World of Wrestling]