Phil Apollo
Encyclopedia
Phil Panos, known by his ringname Phil Apollo, is an American professional wrestler who competed in North American independent wrestling promotions including International World Class Championship Wrestling
and World Class Championship Wrestling
. During the 1980s, he teamed with Gary Hart
as New Age Management in WCCW and Eric Sbraccia as the Dynamic Duo, winning the IWCCW Tag Team titles twice. The Dynamic Duo tagline was a tribute by Sbraccia and Apollo to Gentleman Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez
, with Apollo often emulating Adams and using his finishing move, the superkick, on occasion.
During the early 1990s, Apollo competed as a preliminary wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation
most notably facing Adam Bomb
with manager Johnny Polo in their debut on Monday Night Raw
in 1993. He has often been claimed to have been one of several men to have portrayed Doink the Clown
. However this has been disputed in favor of Ray Liachelli who subsequently played the character in independent promotions following the character's retirement in 1995.
International World Class Championship Wrestling
International World Class Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was promoted by Angelo Savoldi and his sons Mario, Tom, and Joseph Savoldi....
and World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
. During the 1980s, he teamed with Gary Hart
Gary Hart (wrestler)
Gary Richard Williams, was a former professional wrestling manager, as well as a professional wrestler in his early career, best known by his ring name Gary Hart...
as New Age Management in WCCW and Eric Sbraccia as the Dynamic Duo, winning the IWCCW Tag Team titles twice. The Dynamic Duo tagline was a tribute by Sbraccia and Apollo to Gentleman Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez
Gino Hernandez
Charles Eugene Wolfe, Jr. was a professional wrestler better known by his ring name Gino Hernandez. His in-ring nickname was "The Handsome Half-Breed" -Career:...
, with Apollo often emulating Adams and using his finishing move, the superkick, on occasion.
During the early 1990s, Apollo competed as a preliminary wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
most notably facing Adam Bomb
Bryan Clark
Bryan Emmeth Clark, Jr. is a American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling.-Early career:...
with manager Johnny Polo in their debut on Monday Night Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
in 1993. He has often been claimed to have been one of several men to have portrayed Doink the Clown
Doink the Clown
Doink the Clown is a professional wrestling gimmick, originally used by Matt Osborne in the World Wrestling Federation from 1993 to 1995. Since Osborne's departure from the WWF, the character has been played by several wrestlers, primarily on the independent circuit, as well as in sporadic special...
. However this has been disputed in favor of Ray Liachelli who subsequently played the character in independent promotions following the character's retirement in 1995.
Championships and accomplishments
- International Championship Wrestling (New England)International World Class Championship WrestlingInternational World Class Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was promoted by Angelo Savoldi and his sons Mario, Tom, and Joseph Savoldi....
- ICW Heavyweight ChampionshipIWCCW Heavyweight ChampionshipThe ICW / IWCCW Heavyweight Championship was the top singles championship of International World Class Championship Wrestling between 1984 and 1995 where IWCCW closed down operations...
(1 time) - ICW Tag Team ChampionshipIWCCW Tag Team ChampionshipThe ICW / IWCCW Tag-Team Championship was the top tag-team championship of International World Class Championship Wrestling between 1984 and 1995 where IWCCW closed down operations...
(2 times) - with Erich Sbraccia
- New England Wrestling Association
- NEWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NEWA Interstate Championship (1 time)
- NEWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Chris Simpson
- 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 # 478 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1992