Johnny Palazzio
Encyclopedia
Jean Paul Whittacker, better known by his ring name
Johnny Palazzio, is a South Africa
n professional wrestler
currently performing for Africa Wrestling Alliance
. He is the current 2-time African Cruiserweight Champion
and previously held the title for 4 years until he lost the title to William McQueen on December 2, 2008.
in 2002 as JP, teaming up with Viper and The Clown to take on Ultimo Wulf, Nitro and William McQueen in a losing effort. He became embroiled in a heated feud with Nitro for the rest of 2002 and 2003, then made his debut at the Parow Civic Centre, the AWA's most widely used venue, teaming up with Viper and losing to Nitro and Ultimo Wulf.
In 2004, he dominated the cruiserweight division for most of the year. Palazzio teamed up with his trainee Tygra to defeat Wolf and Saphire in South African wrestling's first-ever mixed gender tag team match. Later in the year, he feuded with arch-nemesis Archangel. On December 11, 2004, at the AWF on E Slam Series Final broadcast live on eTV
, he defeated Archangel in a 12-man cruiserweight battle royal to become the first-ever AWA African Cruiserweight Champion
.
In 2005, he feuded with the larger African Warrior in a bid to prove he could defeat anyone. They had a 5-match series, which took place in various parts of South Africa and Swaziland. Both wrestlers won 2 matches, and the final match ended in a time-limit draw.
He defended the AWA African Cruiserweight Championship
in South Africa's first-ever ladder match on June 16, 2007 at the Parow Civic Centre, defeating William McQueen and Vinnie Vegas.
On December 2, 2008 at AWA Coca-Cola Royal Rumble: Last Man Standing in a Four-Way Elimination match also involving William McQueen, Vinnie Vegas and Warlock, his four-year reign as the AWA African Cruiserweight Champion ended when he was pinned by William McQueen.
On April 7, 2009 he became a 2-time champion when he won the title back from McQueen.
In 2004 he made a guest appearance on the South African sitcom Madam & Eve.
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Johnny Palazzio, is a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n professional wrestler
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...
currently performing for Africa Wrestling Alliance
Africa Wrestling Alliance
Africa Wrestling Alliance, formerly known as Africa Wrestling Federation, is a South African professional wrestling promotion founded in 1995 . The regionally-based company is owned by Shaun Koen and Koos Rossouw, and is a traditionally-styled promotion influenced by the international wrestling...
. He is the current 2-time African Cruiserweight Champion
AWA African Cruiserweight Championship
The AWA African Cruiserweight Championship is a professional wrestling cruiserweight championship owned by the Africa Wrestling Alliance promotion...
and previously held the title for 4 years until he lost the title to William McQueen on December 2, 2008.
Career
After training at the AWA Wrestling Academy, Johnny Palazzio made his professional wrestling debut for the Africa Wrestling AllianceAfrica Wrestling Alliance
Africa Wrestling Alliance, formerly known as Africa Wrestling Federation, is a South African professional wrestling promotion founded in 1995 . The regionally-based company is owned by Shaun Koen and Koos Rossouw, and is a traditionally-styled promotion influenced by the international wrestling...
in 2002 as JP, teaming up with Viper and The Clown to take on Ultimo Wulf, Nitro and William McQueen in a losing effort. He became embroiled in a heated feud with Nitro for the rest of 2002 and 2003, then made his debut at the Parow Civic Centre, the AWA's most widely used venue, teaming up with Viper and losing to Nitro and Ultimo Wulf.
In 2004, he dominated the cruiserweight division for most of the year. Palazzio teamed up with his trainee Tygra to defeat Wolf and Saphire in South African wrestling's first-ever mixed gender tag team match. Later in the year, he feuded with arch-nemesis Archangel. On December 11, 2004, at the AWF on E Slam Series Final broadcast live on eTV
E.tv
e.tv is the fifth terrestrial television channel in South Africa, following three channels operated by the state-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation and the privately owned subscription-funded M-Net, operated by Multichoice...
, he defeated Archangel in a 12-man cruiserweight battle royal to become the first-ever AWA African Cruiserweight Champion
AWA African Cruiserweight Championship
The AWA African Cruiserweight Championship is a professional wrestling cruiserweight championship owned by the Africa Wrestling Alliance promotion...
.
In 2005, he feuded with the larger African Warrior in a bid to prove he could defeat anyone. They had a 5-match series, which took place in various parts of South Africa and Swaziland. Both wrestlers won 2 matches, and the final match ended in a time-limit draw.
He defended the AWA African Cruiserweight Championship
AWA African Cruiserweight Championship
The AWA African Cruiserweight Championship is a professional wrestling cruiserweight championship owned by the Africa Wrestling Alliance promotion...
in South Africa's first-ever ladder match on June 16, 2007 at the Parow Civic Centre, defeating William McQueen and Vinnie Vegas.
On December 2, 2008 at AWA Coca-Cola Royal Rumble: Last Man Standing in a Four-Way Elimination match also involving William McQueen, Vinnie Vegas and Warlock, his four-year reign as the AWA African Cruiserweight Champion ended when he was pinned by William McQueen.
On April 7, 2009 he became a 2-time champion when he won the title back from McQueen.
In 2004 he made a guest appearance on the South African sitcom Madam & Eve.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Pumphandle slam
- Sitout powerbomb
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s - "The Italian Stallion"
Championships and accomplishments
- Africa Wrestling AllianceAfrica Wrestling AllianceAfrica Wrestling Alliance, formerly known as Africa Wrestling Federation, is a South African professional wrestling promotion founded in 1995 . The regionally-based company is owned by Shaun Koen and Koos Rossouw, and is a traditionally-styled promotion influenced by the international wrestling...
- African Cruiserweight TitleAWA African Cruiserweight ChampionshipThe AWA African Cruiserweight Championship is a professional wrestling cruiserweight championship owned by the Africa Wrestling Alliance promotion...
(2 times) - 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 #453 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in 2007.