Frank Stalletto
Encyclopedia
Frank Stalletto is an American professional wrestler
. He was a mainstay of the East Coast
and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit
for much of the 1990s and early 2000s.
One of the most popular stars of Pittsburgh's Steel City Wrestling, he had successful stints in T. Rantunla's American Commonwealth Wrestling, Cueball Carmichael
's Independent Pro Wrestling Alliance and Doug Flex's International Pro Wrestling as well; he also formed notable tag teams with Adam Flash
, Axl Rotten
, Brick Bronsky
, Stevie Richards
, Futureshock, and "Beef Stew" Lou Marconi winning the SCW Tag Team Championship with the latter three.
In recent years, he has been affiliated with Marconi as part of his 216 Clique in NWA: East and in GOUGE Wrestling where he is currently holds the tag team championship as one-half of Bad Romance with Mickey Gambino.
. After nearly two years on the local independent circuit, he won his first major singles title in Mike Collins and Charlie Fulton's All-Star Wrestling Alliance by pinning then ASWA Light Heavyweight Champion Kid Collins at the ASWA supercard "Rumble On The River" in Belpre, Ohio
, on August 12, 1994. He lost the title back to Collins a month later at the Dallas Nightclub in Parkersburg, West Virginia
. That same month, Stalletto also made his first appearance in the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE, as a preliminary wrestler. He wrestled Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
at the Civic Center
in Wheeling, West Virginia
and, in front of 2,800 fans, Yokozuna at the Bradley Center
in Milwaukee; these matches later aired on WWF Superstars
and WWF Wrestling Challenge
respectively.
on October 8, 1994. Two weeks earlier, he teamed with Futureshock as "Beauty & The Beast" to wrestle Marconi & Derek Stone in Munhall, Pennsylvania
to determine the first SCW Tag Team Champions; the bout took place at a show for American Commonwealth Wrestling and the match was not billed as a title bout by the rival promotion. Despite their loss, Beauty & The Beast won the titles in Pittsburgh less than three months later. The team eventually lost the titles to Marconi and his new partner Black Cat, dubbed "Black & Blue", in Plum, Pennsylvania
on March 17, 1995; the title changed hands in separate singles matches with Futureshock defeating Marconi but Stiletto losing to Black Cat. A month later, he faced Super Mario at SCW's annual Deaf Wrestlefest, a special fundraising event for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
which also included independent wrestlers Demolition Ax
, Lord Zoltan and T. Ranchula, World Championship Wrestling
's Cactus Jack
, and the World Wrestling Federation's Big Bully Busick
, and would continue to perform at the shows over the next decade.
The following month, he made an appearance for Al Snow
's Global Wrestling Alliance to wrestle Osamu Nishimura
, during his debut tour of the United States, in Kalamazoo, Michigan
on May 19, 1995. In July 1995, he teamed with longtime rival Lou Marconi in All-Star Wrestling Alliance to win the promotion's tag team titles.
Later that year, he enjoyed a brief partnership with Extreme Championship Wrestling
's Stevie Richards
and regained the SCW Tag Team titles from "Black & Blue" in Connellsville
on October 21, however, he was attacked by Richards immediately after winning the belts. With the titles held up due to the team's breakup, Stiletto joined together with Lou Marconi to defeat Richards and Brian Rollins for the titles in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1995, a record third time. They dropped the titles back to Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie at Deaf Wrestlefest 1996 on April 21, 1996. Over the summer, the two appeared on the August 25 edition of WWF Action Zone against The Smoking Gunns (Billy
and Bart Gunn).
In September 1996, he had a series of matches with Cody Michaels
wrestling him in Buckhannon, West Virginia
, Dover, Ohio
and Mt. Washington, Pennsylvania
on three consecutive nights; his second match with Michaels was an outdoor event held in the rain and attended by 4,800 fans. Stalletto and Marconi would continue battling the duo until the tag titles were declared vacant in January 1998 due to an injury suffered by Richards. Stiletto and Marconi made one last attempt to regain the titles but lost to Cactus Jack
and The Blue Meanie
in Irwin, Pennsylvania
on February 8, 1998.
in American Commonwealth Wrestling and International Pro Wrestling after Stiletto was attacked by Bronsky after being persuaded to tag with him. After Bronsky won the IPW Heavyweight Championship, Stiletto was among one of several independent wrestlers to challenge for the title. Despite losing the SCW Tag Team titles, Stiletto also continued to team with Lou Marconi wrestling in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as becoming a top contender for the ACW Heavyweight Championship. As a singles wrestler, he continued to feud not only with Brick Bronsky in IPW but also Johnny Graham and Julio Sanchez
. He and Sanchez battled at the IPW Wrestlepalooza supercard on January 11, 1997 and, on February 14, made a one-time appearance for the Century Wrestling Alliance
at The Sports Palace in New Britain, Connecticut
which ended in a double-countout. He also wrestled WWF legend George "The Animal" Steele on the second episode of IPW Power Hour TV.
Stalletto made his second WWF television appearance on April 7, 1997, wrestling Vader (with manager Paul Bearer) at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana
; the match was aired live on Monday Night Raw. He continued feuding with Julio Sanchez until leaving IPW later that year.
Prior to returning independent circuit, Stalletto made two more appearances in the WWF for Shotgun Saturday Night. On March 31, 1998, he and Roy Raymond wrestled L.O.D. 2000
(Hawk
and Animal
) (with Sunny
) in Syracuse, New York
and faced Vader once again at the Gund Arena
in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio; both shows were sold-out.
& "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero
) on August 28, 1998, however, he was unable to make the show. His partner attempted to take on both men by himself but the match ended in a disqualification. Two months later, he wrestled Cueball Carmichael on Steel City Wrestling TV. In December 1998, he wrestled Preston Steele (with Bobcat
) at a TEAM L.A.W. show in Cleveland, Ohio.
In early-1999, Stalletto started wrestling for Cueball Carmichael's Independent Pro Wrestling Alliance. One of his earliest matches for the promotion was against Mark "the Shark" Shrader
, a one-time MEWF Heavyweight Champion
, in Woodbridge, Virginia
on January 23, 1999; their match went for nearly 15 min. before Stalletto was pinned following a powerbomb off the top rope. Stalletto eventually reunited with his old tag team partner Lou Marconi in NWA: East and together "ran roughshod over the promotion" as one of its top stars during the mid-to late 1990s. Their partnership would form the basis of the heel stable "216 Clique" formed years later.
The International Wrestling Cartel was another promotion which Stalletto visited. On January 25, 2003, he lost to T. Rantula in a "retro" match
at Northgate High School
in Bellevue, Pennsylvania
. On March 6, 2003, Stalletto and Marconi headlined Cleveland Championship Wrestling debut show at the UAW Hall in Brookpark, Ohio.
Stalletto made his NWA East return at its 14th Anniversary Show on September 20, 2008, with he and Lou Marconi teaming up against Lord Zoltan and a mystery partner in what was billed as a NWA East Throwback match. When Lord Zoltan resumed holding Deaf Wrestlefest for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
in May 2009, he and Marconi were among those invited to participate. They were teamed with J.J. Dillon
, making his first in-ring appearance since 1989, in a six-man tag team match against Dominic DeNucci
, Cody Michaels
and Shane Douglas
(with Missy Hyatt
).
He and Marconi, this time teaming with Lord Zoltan, appeared in a special "Steel City Wrestling retro match" at IWC's A Call To Arms 2009: Full Circle supercard held in the Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
where they lost to “The Franchise” Shane Douglas
and the Blue World Order
(Da Blue Guy & Hollywood Nova
). The event served as a retirement event for longtime promoter Norm Connors which was attended by a number of wrestlers including A.J. Styles
and The Sandman among others. Both men were acknowledged by Conners in his farewell speech to the fans.
On March 19, 2010, Stalletto and Marconi participated in Firestorm Pro Wrestling's 30-man intergender battle royal to crown the first “King of Cleveland”. Other battle royal participants included Ares, J-Rocc, Shiima Xion
, and M-Dogg 20.
's GOUGE Wrestling (Gimmicks Only Underground Grappling Entertainment) in North Carolina
following its May 15 supercard Cincon De Mayhem in Stem, North Carolina
where pinned "Boogie Woogie Man" Rob McBride after using brass knuckles
.
A month later, Stalletto made a surprise return to NWA East as Lou Marconi announced the formation of a new "heel" stable, the 216 Clique, with his then recent proteges Dan Graham and Will Esquire at a house show on June 5. The group immediately began feuding with Mad Mike, and later, NWA East Three Rivers Champion Ryan Mitchell
. At NWA East's July 16 supercard Summer Assault 4, held at Renzie Park in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
, he and the rest of the 216 Clique (Lou Marconi, Frank Staletto, Will Esquire, and Dan Lennox) helped Lou Marconi defeat Mitchell in a gauntlet match to win the NWA East Three Rivers Championship. Stalletto formed a short-lived tag team with stablemate Dan Arkham but at Infection 3 on August 20, lost a three-way match to JB Destiny & Paul Atlas costing them a title shot the NWA East Tag Team Championship with the team breaking up shortly thereafter. He formed a more successful pairing with Shirley Doe with whom he scored a victory over Mad Mike & Ryan Mitchell the next month at No Limits 4. The match was originally scheduled as a singles match between Shirley Doe and Mad Mike, however, it turned into an impromptu tag team match when Mad Mike and Ryan Mitchell began attacking Doe and Stalletto came to help on his behalf. That same month at GOUGE's Too Hot to Handle, he lost Otto Schwanz.
On October 9, at Dead Calm 4, he and Marconi lost to Stryder & Patrick Hayes allowing Stryder a shot at the NWA East "216" Title held by Marconi. In GOUGE, now teaming with Mickey Gambino as "Bad Romance", he and his new partner won the vacant GOUGE Tag Team Championship after defeating Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. & Rob McBride in Youngsville, North Carolina
at Maul-O-Ween on October 23; they also defeated McBride & Otto Schwanz at Raleigh
's Rebus Gallery Works on Maul-O-Ween II a week later.
Staletto and the 216 Clique continued feuding with Ryan Mitchell in NWA East. A six-man tag team match between the 216 Clique (Lou Marconi, Frank Staletto, and Dan Arkham) and Chris Taylor, Ryan Mitchell, & Jon Burton ended in a no-contest at Overdrive 2010 on November 6. A larger ten-man match pitting The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto, Kenny Hendrix, Dan Arkham, Chris Marx, & JJ DeVille) against Jon Burton, Patrick Hayes, Matt Barnett, & the Bunkhouse Boys (Bandit & Big Willie Blackheart) was two weeks later at Do Or Die 4 which Staletto's team won. Also that month, Stalletto defeated Chris Taylor at the Ohio Wrestling Alliance's November Nightmare in Defiance, Ohio
. The last match of the year, saw The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto, Izzy Lambert, & Dan Graham) lose to Jon Burton & The Hansen Brothers (Crusher & Tony Hansen) at Christmas Chaos 4 on December 18, 2010. He was nominated by the promotion for "2010 Comeback of the Year" but lost out to fellow stablemate Lou Marconi.
on January 8, and both the Krazy Killer Klowns and The Rat Pack (Jimmy Cicero & Brian Perry) in a Three-Way Dance at Winter Wars on February 19. Meanwhile in NWA East, at February Fury 4, The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto & Dan Arkham) lost to The Hansen Brothers (Crusher & Tony Hansen). He and Arkham did, however, pick up a win at When Worlds Collide 4 over J-Ru & Travis Fame with the help of Shirley Doe and the Shirley Doe Experience (Jay Flash, Tony Johnson, and Apollyon). Earlier in the show, Stalletto and Marconi interfered in a match to help 216 Clique member "Notorious" Shane Taylor beat Stryder. At Crossfire 4, The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto, Dan Arkham, & Chris Marx) lost to The Beast & The Hansen Brothers (Tony & Crusher Hansen) via count-out. Later in the show, Stalletto lost to NWA East Heavyweight Champion Chris Taylor in a non-title match.
A week later Stalletto and Mickey Gambino nearly lost the GOUGE Tag Team Championship to The Rat Pack at GOUGE's 5th Anniversary Show. The interference of Lou Marconi in the final moments of the match, however, allowed them to retain the titles despite the team's disqualification disqualification. After the match, North Carolina Heavyweight Champion Vordell Walker
ran into the ring on behalf of The Rat Pack causing a brawl between all six men. On April 29 at Burgh Brawl 15, The 216 Clique (Lou Marconi, Frank Staletto, Will Esquire, & Dan Arkham) lost a Wave The Colors match to The Hansen Brothers (Crusher & Tony Hansen) & The Yinzer Brothers (Gator & Beast). Also during the card, Staletto and other 216 Clique members participated in a 30-man Burgh Brawl battle royal. He and Marconi were scheduled to appear at Deaf Wrestlefest 2011 in a tag team match against Dennis Gregory & Patrick Hayes, however, the match was split into separate singles matches with Stalletto defeated Patrick Hayes.
Spending the summer in GOUGE, took part in several singles matches defeating Seymour Snott at MAYHEM on May 21. On June 25, 2011, upon accepting an appointment as GOUGE Commissioner, Stalletto's manager Count Grog sold his managerial contacts to Andre Adonisy at BORN to be GOUGED. That night, Stalletto defeated Tavare Hill, with the help outside interference by Adonisy, and later helped Marconi beat his opponent Rob McBride.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. He was a mainstay of the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
for much of the 1990s and early 2000s.
One of the most popular stars of Pittsburgh's Steel City Wrestling, he had successful stints in T. Rantunla's American Commonwealth Wrestling, Cueball Carmichael
Cueball Carmichael
Chris Jackson is an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter, known by his ringname Cueball Carmichael, who competes in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit...
's Independent Pro Wrestling Alliance and Doug Flex's International Pro Wrestling as well; he also formed notable tag teams with Adam Flash
Adam Flash
Douglas Adam Becker in York, Pennsylvania is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Adam Flash. Over his career, he has worked for various independent promotions, including Maryland Championship Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, and Combat Zone...
, Axl Rotten
Axl Rotten
Brian Knighton is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Axl Rotten.-Early years:After watching a professional wrestling match on television, Knighton decided to become a wrestler...
, Brick Bronsky
Brick Bronsky
Jeffrey "Jeff" Beltzner , also known by his ring name Brick Bronsky, is an American actor, film producer, professional wrestler and sports promoter. He gained particular notoriety for starring in a string of films for Troma Studios during the early-1990s, most notably, in Sgt...
, Stevie Richards
Stevie Richards
Michael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
, Futureshock, and "Beef Stew" Lou Marconi winning the SCW Tag Team Championship with the latter three.
In recent years, he has been affiliated with Marconi as part of his 216 Clique in NWA: East and in GOUGE Wrestling where he is currently holds the tag team championship as one-half of Bad Romance with Mickey Gambino.
Early career
A former amateur wrestler, Frank Stiletto made his pro debut in 1992. Calling himself the "most handsome man in professional wrestling", hence his nickname "Handsome Frank", Stiletto often claimed to be a lookalike for country music star Billy Ray CyrusBilly Ray Cyrus
William "Billy" Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon...
. After nearly two years on the local independent circuit, he won his first major singles title in Mike Collins and Charlie Fulton's All-Star Wrestling Alliance by pinning then ASWA Light Heavyweight Champion Kid Collins at the ASWA supercard "Rumble On The River" in Belpre, Ohio
Belpre, Ohio
Belpre is a city in Washington County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 6,441 at the 2010 census....
, on August 12, 1994. He lost the title back to Collins a month later at the Dallas Nightclub in Parkersburg, West Virginia
Parkersburg, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,099 people, 14,467 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Parkersburg's population had decreased 4.4% to 31,755. The population density was 2,800.5 people per square mile . There were 16,100 housing...
. That same month, Stalletto also made his first appearance in the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE, as a preliminary wrestler. He wrestled Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
Jim Neidhart
James Henry "Jim" Neidhart is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation as Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Jim is the father of WWE Diva Natalya...
at the Civic Center
WesBanco Arena
WesBanco Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Wheeling, West Virginia. It was built in 1977 at a cost of $7 million. It is home to the Wheeling Nailers ice hockey team and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference wrestling tournament.It can also be used for conventions, trade shows, concerts, banquets...
in Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and, in front of 2,800 fans, Yokozuna at the Bradley Center
Bradley Center
The Bradley Center is an indoor arena, located on the northwest corner of North 4th and West State Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin....
in Milwaukee; these matches later aired on WWF Superstars
WWF Superstars
WWF Superstars is an arcade game manufactured by Technos and released in 1989. It is the first WWF arcade game to be released. A series of unrelated games with the same title were released by LJN for the original Game Boy...
and WWF Wrestling Challenge
WWF Wrestling Challenge
WWF Challenge is a professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It was syndicated weekly and aired from 1986 to 1996. The show premiered as WWF Wrestling Challenge and became simply known as WWF Challenge in 1995. The show featured matches, pre-match...
respectively.
Steel City Wrestling (1994–1998)
The following month, Stiletto began wrestling for promoter Norm Connors in Steel City Wrestling where he would eventually become one of its top stars; he appeared on its first show against "Beef Stew" Lou Marconi in Connellsville, PennsylvaniaConnellsville, Pennsylvania
Connellsville is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA, 57 miles southeast of Pittsburgh on the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. In 1890, 5,629 people lived in Connellsville, which was a borough at that time...
on October 8, 1994. Two weeks earlier, he teamed with Futureshock as "Beauty & The Beast" to wrestle Marconi & Derek Stone in Munhall, Pennsylvania
Munhall, Pennsylvania
Munhall is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Monongahela River, south of the confluence of the Monongahela and the Allegheny rivers where the Ohio River begins. It abuts the borough of Homestead. A large part of the Homestead Works of the Carnegie Steel Company...
to determine the first SCW Tag Team Champions; the bout took place at a show for American Commonwealth Wrestling and the match was not billed as a title bout by the rival promotion. Despite their loss, Beauty & The Beast won the titles in Pittsburgh less than three months later. The team eventually lost the titles to Marconi and his new partner Black Cat, dubbed "Black & Blue", in Plum, Pennsylvania
Plum, Pennsylvania
Plum is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 27,126 at the 2010 census.Plum is often referred to as "Plum Boro" or more correctly "Plum Borough" by locals to distinguish it from its previous status as a township...
on March 17, 1995; the title changed hands in separate singles matches with Futureshock defeating Marconi but Stiletto losing to Black Cat. A month later, he faced Super Mario at SCW's annual Deaf Wrestlefest, a special fundraising event for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is a school for deaf and hard of hearing children in Edgewood, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1869....
which also included independent wrestlers Demolition Ax
Bill Eadie
Bill Eadie is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and The Masked Superstar...
, Lord Zoltan and T. Ranchula, World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
's Cactus Jack
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
, and the World Wrestling Federation's Big Bully Busick
Nick Busick
Nick Busick is a former police officer turned professional wrestler who competed in Georgia All-Star Wrestling and the Global Wrestling Federation, but is best known for his brief stint in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name "Big Bully" Busick.-Professional wrestling career:Busick...
, and would continue to perform at the shows over the next decade.
The following month, he made an appearance for Al Snow
Al Snow
Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
's Global Wrestling Alliance to wrestle Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
, during his debut tour of the United States, in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
on May 19, 1995. In July 1995, he teamed with longtime rival Lou Marconi in All-Star Wrestling Alliance to win the promotion's tag team titles.
Later that year, he enjoyed a brief partnership with Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
's Stevie Richards
Stevie Richards
Michael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
and regained the SCW Tag Team titles from "Black & Blue" in Connellsville
Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Connellsville is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA, 57 miles southeast of Pittsburgh on the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. In 1890, 5,629 people lived in Connellsville, which was a borough at that time...
on October 21, however, he was attacked by Richards immediately after winning the belts. With the titles held up due to the team's breakup, Stiletto joined together with Lou Marconi to defeat Richards and Brian Rollins for the titles in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1995, a record third time. They dropped the titles back to Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie at Deaf Wrestlefest 1996 on April 21, 1996. Over the summer, the two appeared on the August 25 edition of WWF Action Zone against The Smoking Gunns (Billy
Monty Sopp
Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James...
and Bart Gunn).
In September 1996, he had a series of matches with Cody Michaels
Cody Michaels
Cody Michaels has an extensive background in professional wrestling both as an in-ring performer and also behind the scenes as a booker, promoter, and creator.-Early career:...
wrestling him in Buckhannon, West Virginia
Buckhannon, West Virginia
Buckhannon is the only incorporated city in, and the county seat of, Upshur County, West Virginia, United States, and is located along the Buckhannon River. The population was 5,725 at the 2000 census. Buckhannon is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia Strawberry Festival,...
, Dover, Ohio
Dover, Ohio
Dover is a city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,210 at the 2000 census.-History and features:Dover was originally part of a grant to Col. James Morrison of Kentucky, who had received it from the federal government for Revolutionary War services...
and Mt. Washington, Pennsylvania
Mount Washington (Pittsburgh)
Mount Washington is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's south city area. It has a zip code of 15211 and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by both the council members for District 3 and District 2 .It is known for its steep hill overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline, which was...
on three consecutive nights; his second match with Michaels was an outdoor event held in the rain and attended by 4,800 fans. Stalletto and Marconi would continue battling the duo until the tag titles were declared vacant in January 1998 due to an injury suffered by Richards. Stiletto and Marconi made one last attempt to regain the titles but lost to Cactus Jack
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
and The Blue Meanie
Brian Heffron
Brian Heffron is a professional wrestler and actor better known as The Blue Meanie or Da Blue Guy.-Early career:...
in Irwin, Pennsylvania
Irwin, Pennsylvania
Irwin is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. Some of the most extensive bituminous coal deposits in the State are located here. In the past, iron foundries, flour mills, car shops, facing and planing mills, electrical goods, and mirror factories provided...
on February 8, 1998.
International Pro Wrestling (1996–1998)
While still in SCW, Stalletto also began feuding with Brick BronskyBrick Bronsky
Jeffrey "Jeff" Beltzner , also known by his ring name Brick Bronsky, is an American actor, film producer, professional wrestler and sports promoter. He gained particular notoriety for starring in a string of films for Troma Studios during the early-1990s, most notably, in Sgt...
in American Commonwealth Wrestling and International Pro Wrestling after Stiletto was attacked by Bronsky after being persuaded to tag with him. After Bronsky won the IPW Heavyweight Championship, Stiletto was among one of several independent wrestlers to challenge for the title. Despite losing the SCW Tag Team titles, Stiletto also continued to team with Lou Marconi wrestling in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as becoming a top contender for the ACW Heavyweight Championship. As a singles wrestler, he continued to feud not only with Brick Bronsky in IPW but also Johnny Graham and Julio Sanchez
Brian Wohl
Brian Wohl is an American professional wrestler better known under his ring name Julio Dinero.-Career:Wohl debuted in 1994 after training at the Baltimore Wrestling Factory under Axl Rotten and Hack Myers...
. He and Sanchez battled at the IPW Wrestlepalooza supercard on January 11, 1997 and, on February 14, made a one-time appearance for the Century Wrestling Alliance
Century Wrestling Alliance
The Century Wrestling Alliance, formerly known as NWA Cold Front and NWA New England, is a New England-based American independent wrestling promotion located in Boston, Massachusetts...
at The Sports Palace in New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
which ended in a double-countout. He also wrestled WWF legend George "The Animal" Steele on the second episode of IPW Power Hour TV.
Stalletto made his second WWF television appearance on April 7, 1997, wrestling Vader (with manager Paul Bearer) at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
; the match was aired live on Monday Night Raw. He continued feuding with Julio Sanchez until leaving IPW later that year.
Prior to returning independent circuit, Stalletto made two more appearances in the WWF for Shotgun Saturday Night. On March 31, 1998, he and Roy Raymond wrestled L.O.D. 2000
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
(Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
and Animal
Road Warrior Animal
Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior...
) (with Sunny
Tammy Lynn Sytch
Tamara "Tammy" Lynn Sytch is an American professional wrestling manager, personality,and occasional wrestler. She achieved her greatest success under the ring name Sunny within the World Wrestling Federation during the 1990s, and is widely considered as one of the first Divas...
) in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and faced Vader once again at the Gund Arena
Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena , is a multi-purpose arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States....
in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio; both shows were sold-out.
Independent circuit (1998–2009)
Stalletto briefly returned to SCW in the summer of 1998. He was scheduled to team with Lord Zoltan against High Society (Cueball CarmichaelCueball Carmichael
Chris Jackson is an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter, known by his ringname Cueball Carmichael, who competes in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit...
& "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero
Jimmy Cicero
Matt Bowman, best known by his ring name "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero, is an American professional wrestler who has competed in several promotions on the independent circuit. He had also competed for the United States Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
) on August 28, 1998, however, he was unable to make the show. His partner attempted to take on both men by himself but the match ended in a disqualification. Two months later, he wrestled Cueball Carmichael on Steel City Wrestling TV. In December 1998, he wrestled Preston Steele (with Bobcat
Cynthia Lynch
Cynthia Lynch is an American professional wrestler. She is perhaps best known for her time in the World Wrestling Federation as one of the The Godfather's many "hos"...
) at a TEAM L.A.W. show in Cleveland, Ohio.
In early-1999, Stalletto started wrestling for Cueball Carmichael's Independent Pro Wrestling Alliance. One of his earliest matches for the promotion was against Mark "the Shark" Shrader
Mark Shrader
Mark "The Shark" Shrader is a retired American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter who competed in numerous independent promotions throughout the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s...
, a one-time MEWF Heavyweight Champion
MEWF Heavyweight Championship
The Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship is the highest ranking singles title in the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation, one of three in the promotion....
, in Woodbridge, Virginia
Woodbridge, Virginia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi...
on January 23, 1999; their match went for nearly 15 min. before Stalletto was pinned following a powerbomb off the top rope. Stalletto eventually reunited with his old tag team partner Lou Marconi in NWA: East and together "ran roughshod over the promotion" as one of its top stars during the mid-to late 1990s. Their partnership would form the basis of the heel stable "216 Clique" formed years later.
The International Wrestling Cartel was another promotion which Stalletto visited. On January 25, 2003, he lost to T. Rantula in a "retro" match
Retro
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc...
at Northgate High School
Northgate High School
Northgate High School may refer to:*Northgate High School , in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK*Northgate High School , in Dereham, Norfolk, UK*Northgate High School , in Walnut Creek, California, USA...
in Bellevue, Pennsylvania
Bellevue, Pennsylvania
Bellevue is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the Ohio River, adjoining Pittsburgh. The population was 8,370 at the 2010 census. The borough was incorporated in 1867. It is located in the Northgate School District...
. On March 6, 2003, Stalletto and Marconi headlined Cleveland Championship Wrestling debut show at the UAW Hall in Brookpark, Ohio.
Stalletto made his NWA East return at its 14th Anniversary Show on September 20, 2008, with he and Lou Marconi teaming up against Lord Zoltan and a mystery partner in what was billed as a NWA East Throwback match. When Lord Zoltan resumed holding Deaf Wrestlefest for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is a school for deaf and hard of hearing children in Edgewood, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1869....
in May 2009, he and Marconi were among those invited to participate. They were teamed with J.J. Dillon
James J. Dillon
James J. "J.J." Dillon is a retired American professional wrestler and manager.He is best known for being the strategic leader of the original Four Horsemen that consisted of Nature Boy Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn and Ole Anderson. He is most remembered as a manager in pro wrestling...
, making his first in-ring appearance since 1989, in a six-man tag team match against Dominic DeNucci
Dominic DeNucci
Dominic DeNucci is an Italian-American professional wrestler. 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.-Early career:...
, Cody Michaels
Cody Michaels
Cody Michaels has an extensive background in professional wrestling both as an in-ring performer and also behind the scenes as a booker, promoter, and creator.-Early career:...
and Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
(with Missy Hyatt
Missy Hyatt
Melissa Ann Hiatt is an American professional wrestling valet, better known by her ring name, Missy Hyatt. She gained the majority of her fame while working for World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling....
).
He and Marconi, this time teaming with Lord Zoltan, appeared in a special "Steel City Wrestling retro match" at IWC's A Call To Arms 2009: Full Circle supercard held in the Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the east bank of the Monongahela River, where Pennsylvania Route 51 crosses, upstream of Pittsburgh and close to the county line. The population was 1,493 at the 2010 census...
where they lost to “The Franchise” Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
and the Blue World Order
Blue World Order
The Blue World Order was a stable of professional wrestlers formed at Extreme Championship Wrestling's November to Remember 1996 event at the ECW Arena...
(Da Blue Guy & Hollywood Nova
Mike Bucci
Michael "Mike" Bucci is an American semi-retired professional wrestler. Bucci is probably best known for his appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling as Nova, Super Nova, and "Hollywood" Nova and World Wrestling Entertainment as Simon Dean...
). The event served as a retirement event for longtime promoter Norm Connors which was attended by a number of wrestlers including A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and The Sandman among others. Both men were acknowledged by Conners in his farewell speech to the fans.
On March 19, 2010, Stalletto and Marconi participated in Firestorm Pro Wrestling's 30-man intergender battle royal to crown the first “King of Cleveland”. Other battle royal participants included Ares, J-Rocc, Shiima Xion
Shiima Xion
Michael Paris is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Shiima Xion. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he competes as Zema Ion, while also working both on the American independent circuit and in Mexico.-Early career:Michael Paris claims that...
, and M-Dogg 20.
2010
In early-2010, Stalletto began wrestling semi-regularly for Count GrogCount Grog
Greg Mosorjak , better known as Count Grog, is an American professional wrestling manager, referee, ring announcer, commentator, promoter, and booker...
's GOUGE Wrestling (Gimmicks Only Underground Grappling Entertainment) in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
following its May 15 supercard Cincon De Mayhem in Stem, North Carolina
Stem, North Carolina
Stem is a town in Granville County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 463 at the 2010 Census. In 2006, Stem became home to a high school for the first time since Stem High, when Granville Central High School opened its doors to freshman and sophomores...
where pinned "Boogie Woogie Man" Rob McBride after using brass knuckles
Brass knuckles
Brass knuckles, also sometimes called knuckles, knucks, brass knucks, or knuckledusters, are weapons used in hand-to-hand combat. Brass knuckles are pieces of metal, usually steel despite their name, shaped to fit around the knuckles...
.
A month later, Stalletto made a surprise return to NWA East as Lou Marconi announced the formation of a new "heel" stable, the 216 Clique, with his then recent proteges Dan Graham and Will Esquire at a house show on June 5. The group immediately began feuding with Mad Mike, and later, NWA East Three Rivers Champion Ryan Mitchell
Ryan Mitchell (wrestler)
Ryan Madar is an American professional wrestler known better by his ring name, "Steel City Prodigy" Ryan Mitchell. He was based out of the Pittsburgh-area, specifically competing in NWA East, though he had also wrestled for the Funking Conservatory and All-Japan Pro Wrestling...
. At NWA East's July 16 supercard Summer Assault 4, held at Renzie Park in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
, he and the rest of the 216 Clique (Lou Marconi, Frank Staletto, Will Esquire, and Dan Lennox) helped Lou Marconi defeat Mitchell in a gauntlet match to win the NWA East Three Rivers Championship. Stalletto formed a short-lived tag team with stablemate Dan Arkham but at Infection 3 on August 20, lost a three-way match to JB Destiny & Paul Atlas costing them a title shot the NWA East Tag Team Championship with the team breaking up shortly thereafter. He formed a more successful pairing with Shirley Doe with whom he scored a victory over Mad Mike & Ryan Mitchell the next month at No Limits 4. The match was originally scheduled as a singles match between Shirley Doe and Mad Mike, however, it turned into an impromptu tag team match when Mad Mike and Ryan Mitchell began attacking Doe and Stalletto came to help on his behalf. That same month at GOUGE's Too Hot to Handle, he lost Otto Schwanz.
On October 9, at Dead Calm 4, he and Marconi lost to Stryder & Patrick Hayes allowing Stryder a shot at the NWA East "216" Title held by Marconi. In GOUGE, now teaming with Mickey Gambino as "Bad Romance", he and his new partner won the vacant GOUGE Tag Team Championship after defeating Jimmy Jack Funk, Jr. & Rob McBride in Youngsville, North Carolina
Youngsville, North Carolina
Youngsville is a town in Franklin County, North Carolina, United States.The population was 651 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Youngsville is located at ....
at Maul-O-Ween on October 23; they also defeated McBride & Otto Schwanz at Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
's Rebus Gallery Works on Maul-O-Ween II a week later.
Staletto and the 216 Clique continued feuding with Ryan Mitchell in NWA East. A six-man tag team match between the 216 Clique (Lou Marconi, Frank Staletto, and Dan Arkham) and Chris Taylor, Ryan Mitchell, & Jon Burton ended in a no-contest at Overdrive 2010 on November 6. A larger ten-man match pitting The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto, Kenny Hendrix, Dan Arkham, Chris Marx, & JJ DeVille) against Jon Burton, Patrick Hayes, Matt Barnett, & the Bunkhouse Boys (Bandit & Big Willie Blackheart) was two weeks later at Do Or Die 4 which Staletto's team won. Also that month, Stalletto defeated Chris Taylor at the Ohio Wrestling Alliance's November Nightmare in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,465 people, 6,572 households, and 4,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,562.4 people per square mile . There were 7,061 housing units at an average density of 670.0 per square mile...
. The last match of the year, saw The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto, Izzy Lambert, & Dan Graham) lose to Jon Burton & The Hansen Brothers (Crusher & Tony Hansen) at Christmas Chaos 4 on December 18, 2010. He was nominated by the promotion for "2010 Comeback of the Year" but lost out to fellow stablemate Lou Marconi.
2011
Managed by Count Grog, Bad Romance successfully defended the GOUGE Tag Team titles during the first half of 2011. The team beat Rob McBride & Robert Royal at Redneck Rumble in Wake Forest, North CarolinaWake Forest, North Carolina
Wake Forest is a town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake County in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is located just north of the state capital, Raleigh. The population was 12,588 at the 2000 census. In 2009, the estimated population was 27,915...
on January 8, and both the Krazy Killer Klowns and The Rat Pack (Jimmy Cicero & Brian Perry) in a Three-Way Dance at Winter Wars on February 19. Meanwhile in NWA East, at February Fury 4, The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto & Dan Arkham) lost to The Hansen Brothers (Crusher & Tony Hansen). He and Arkham did, however, pick up a win at When Worlds Collide 4 over J-Ru & Travis Fame with the help of Shirley Doe and the Shirley Doe Experience (Jay Flash, Tony Johnson, and Apollyon). Earlier in the show, Stalletto and Marconi interfered in a match to help 216 Clique member "Notorious" Shane Taylor beat Stryder. At Crossfire 4, The 216 Clique (Frank Staletto, Dan Arkham, & Chris Marx) lost to The Beast & The Hansen Brothers (Tony & Crusher Hansen) via count-out. Later in the show, Stalletto lost to NWA East Heavyweight Champion Chris Taylor in a non-title match.
A week later Stalletto and Mickey Gambino nearly lost the GOUGE Tag Team Championship to The Rat Pack at GOUGE's 5th Anniversary Show. The interference of Lou Marconi in the final moments of the match, however, allowed them to retain the titles despite the team's disqualification disqualification. After the match, North Carolina Heavyweight Champion Vordell Walker
Vordell Walker
"Eddie" Walker is an American professional wrestler, currently wrestling under the ring name Vordell Walker. He is perhaps best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action.-Professional wrestling career:...
ran into the ring on behalf of The Rat Pack causing a brawl between all six men. On April 29 at Burgh Brawl 15, The 216 Clique (Lou Marconi, Frank Staletto, Will Esquire, & Dan Arkham) lost a Wave The Colors match to The Hansen Brothers (Crusher & Tony Hansen) & The Yinzer Brothers (Gator & Beast). Also during the card, Staletto and other 216 Clique members participated in a 30-man Burgh Brawl battle royal. He and Marconi were scheduled to appear at Deaf Wrestlefest 2011 in a tag team match against Dennis Gregory & Patrick Hayes, however, the match was split into separate singles matches with Stalletto defeated Patrick Hayes.
Spending the summer in GOUGE, took part in several singles matches defeating Seymour Snott at MAYHEM on May 21. On June 25, 2011, upon accepting an appointment as GOUGE Commissioner, Stalletto's manager Count Grog sold his managerial contacts to Andre Adonisy at BORN to be GOUGED. That night, Stalletto defeated Tavare Hill, with the help outside interference by Adonisy, and later helped Marconi beat his opponent Rob McBride.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
-
- Handsome driver (modified Northern Lights suplex)
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- Notorious Norm
- Count GrogCount GrogGreg Mosorjak , better known as Count Grog, is an American professional wrestling manager, referee, ring announcer, commentator, promoter, and booker...
- André Adonisy
- Nicknames
- "Handsome" Frank Stalletto
- "High Profile" Frank Stalletto
Championships and accomplishments
- All-Star Wrestling Alliance
- ASWA Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- ASWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Lou Marconi
- GOUGE Wrestling
- GOUGE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Micky Gambino
- International Wrestling Association
- IWA Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Steel City Wrestling
- SCW Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Futureshock, Stevie RichardsStevie RichardsMichael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
and Lou Marconi
- SCW Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Futureshock, Stevie Richards
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #236 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2000.
- PWI ranked him #221 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1999.
- PWI ranked him #236 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1998.
- PWI ranked him #251 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1997.
- PWI ranked him #272 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1996.
- PWI ranked him #348 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1995.
- Other titles
- MAPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, first)