Rico Constantino

Rico Constantino (also spelled as Rico Costantino) is a professional wrestler.

Profile

• Height: 6ft (1.83 m)
• Weight: 239 lbs (108 kg)
• Birthday: October 1, 1961
• Hometown: Las Vegas
• Trained by: Jesse Hernandez
• Professional Debut: 1998
• Previous Identities: Rico, The Cobra, Rico Constantino
• Previous Manager(s): Miss Jackie, Kenny Bolin
• Finishing Move: Rico Kick (Martial Arts Kick), Kneeling Neckbreaker, The Ricosault/High Hard One (Moonsault), Arm Wrench and Kick, Leaping Double-Knee Backbreaker, Middle-Rope Springboard Corner Enzuigiri

Career

Before he embarked on a wrestling career, Rico led a relatively turbulant life until his entrance to Northwest Military Academy. He would graduated at the top of his class and at one point considered enrollment at West Point, but instead, Rico returned to Las Vegas and settled into a career as a paramedic. This led to enrollment in the police academy, and graduating first in the entire state. Rico was also on the S.W.A.T. team at one point, this also paved the way for Rico's next career, as a body guard.

Rico also worked as a stuntman as Batman & Conan in a California theme park, and injured his knee doing this.

TV Shows

Rico was challenged by a member of the TV series American Gladiators "Gemini" to find out if "He had what it took" to be a contestant for the show, he would end up defeating Gladiator Gemini in his own best event, the Joust, the only person to ever do that. Rico went on to defeated all the other contestants and Gladiators to become the champion for the 1990-1991 season.

Rico's only loss on the "Wall" portion of the American Gladiators series was due to a concussion suffered in a prior event.

There are four American Gladiator trading cards featuring Rico, as well as a Red Challenger action figure that bears his image.

Rico next appeared on the European game show Capture Ft. Boyard, and a win over his former Gladiator nemesis Craig Branham. In the show, he was the first and only competitor to capture the needed key in the bungee jump challenge on an upswing. The rules were changed after that, as no one actually thought it could be done until that point, the use 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. 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.

Wrestling career

Rico Cosantino 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 Pritchard. After only 12 professional matches, Rico signed a developmental deal with the WWF.

Rico was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling for further training, before being sent up to work for the WWF (now the WWE). In the WWE he was best known as a manager of teams like Billy & Chuck (Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo) and Three Minute Warning. Since then up until he was released by WWE on November 7, 2004, Rico teamed up with Charlie Haas and had a valet, Miss Jackie.

Rico made a brief appearance at the 2005 reunion of the Cauliflower Alley Club (a non-profit fraternal organization for people involved in professional wrestling) in Las Vegas, and announced that he would be returning to his career in law enforcement. In May 2005, he announced plans to become a firefighter in Las Vegas.

Championships/Accomplishments

• 1-Time World Tag-Team Champion (with Rikishi)
• 1-Time WWE Tag-Team Champion (with Charlie Haas)
• 3-Time OVW Champion
• 1-Time OVW Southern Tag Team Champion (with John Cena)
• 1-Time AJPW All-Asian Tag Team Champion (with Bull Buchanan)
• 1-Time HWA Champion
• 1-Time EWF Champion
• 1-Time MPPW Champion
• American Gladiators Champion (1990–1991)

External links

• Fan Website
• Rico Costantino Italian Fan Club (first italian fan club of Rico Costantino)