Lorenzo Parente

Last updated
Lorenzo Parente
Lorenzo Parente.jpeg
Parenre, circa 1963
Birth nameLorenzo Parente [1]
Born(1935-03-16)March 16, 1935 [2]
Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy [3] [4]
DiedMarch 15, 2014(2014-03-15) (aged 78) [5]
Brentwood, Tennessee [2]
Spouse(s)Christine "Dina" Parente
ChildrenTony, Rosie, Frazier and Michael [5]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Lorenzo Parente
Pancho Parente
Mephisto
Spoiler #1
Blue Avenger
Pancho Lopez
Larry Lopez
Tony Lorenzo
Billed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) [3]
Billed weight229 lb (104 kg) [3]
Billed from Naples, Italy [6]
Debut1958
Retired1976

Lorenzo Parente "Martino" was an Italian professional wrestler who competed throughout the United States from 1958 to 1976. During his career he captured the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship on two occasions (both of which he won from Danny Hodge). He was also known for his long standing tag team with Bobby Hart, with whom he captured numerous regional and world NWA Tag Team Championships.

Contents

Parente competed for various promotions throughout his career, including NWA Mid-America, NWA Western States, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Jim Barnett's World Championship Wrestling, NWA Tri-State and the WWF.

Professional wrestling career

Early life and career (NWA Amarillo)

Parente was born March 16, 1935, in the small village of Chieti, one of five sons born to parents Antonio and Rosaria Parente. [5] He moved to the United States in 1959 to pursue professional that same year, wrestling under his real name and as "Pancho López", primarily in the Amarillo, Texas territory. [7] As Pancho López, he won the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship two times in 1960, defeating Gene LeBell and Mike DiBiase respectively. [8] Soon thereafter he formed a tag team called "Continental Warriors" with Bobby Hart, under the ring names "Mephisto and Dante". It was to be a pairing that would last on-and-off for most of his career. They had their first taste of success as a tag team in the early 1960s, winning the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship on numerous occasions, feuding with the likes of Lester Welch and Jackie Fargo. [7] They would go to win the titles six times. [9]

NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion (1965-1966)

Parente feuded with Danny Hodge in Arkansas and Oklahoma in the mid-1960s. He defeated Hodge on November 23, 1965, to win his first NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. [10] He lost the title to Hodge on January 4, 1966, before winning it back on January 14 to become a two-time champion. [9] On December 3, 1968, Parente and Hodge won the NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

NWA Tri-State, NWA Florida and teaming with Paul DeMarco

By 1966, Parente was travelling throughout the National Wrestling Alliance. He became a mainstay with Championship Wrestling from Florida and on December 24, 1967, he captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship with Paul DeMarco, defeating Kurt and Skull Von Stroheim. They went on to capture the titles for the second time the following year on January 16, defeating Terry and Ron Garvin in Tampa, Florida. [11] That same year, he won the NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship with former adversary Danny Hodge, on December 3.

The Continental Warriors

Having held tag titles with him previously, Parente claimed tag team gold with Bobby Hart once again in 1969, this time capturing the NWA World Tag Team Championship in Mid-America. The team found great success as a heel pairing, using underhand tactics to achieve victory, including the use of foreign objects. [8] They would go on to capture numerous regional and world tag team titles together as The Continental Warriors, holding the NWA World Tag Team Championship six times and winning regional tag titles throughout the United States including the tag titles of NWA Mid-America, Championship Wrestling from Florida, NWA Western States and the NWA United States Tag Team Championship in NWA Mid-America and Tri-State. They also captured the NWA Tennessee Tag Team Championship, defeating Don & Ron Wright in May 1973. [8] Southern wrestling legend Jerry Lawler remarked in his autobiography that Tennessee "had some of the best tag team goings at the time", with the top teams often in the feature matches. He describes Parente and Hart as "main event caliber guys who had been in the business a long time". [12]

Parente held several other championships during the remainder of his career, including two reigns as NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Champion, both times defeating Don Greene. [9] His last title victory was with a championship he had not previously held, when he won the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship with John Gray and Big Bad John defeating Dennis Hall, Jackie Fargo and George Gulas on January 16, 1975. [8]

Retirement and later life

Lorenzo Parente had retired from in-ring competition by the mid-1970s. He last wrestled in Lou Thesz's UWA promotion in 1976. He settled in Brentwood, Tennessee, with his wife Christine "Dina" Parente [5] where he opened a successful restaurant; Lorenzo's Italian Village in 1975. [4] He died on March 15, 2014, at the age of 78. and was survived by his wife of 49 years, his children and grandchildren. [5] He received a Catholic funeral and was laid to rest at Christ Church Memorial Gardens. [5]

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chavo Guerrero Sr.</span> American professional wrestler (1949–2017)

Salvador Guerrero Llanes, better known as Chavo Guerrero or Chavo Guerrero Sr., and also known during the 21st century as "Chavo Classic", was a Mexican-american professional wrestler. He was best known for his work in Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), American Wrestling Association (AWA), and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and for being the father of third-generation wrestler Chavo Guerrero Jr. He was the oldest son of Salvador "Gory" Guerrero, and part of the Guerrero wrestling family. He was the oldest WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killer Karl Kox</span> American professional wrestler

Herbert Alan Gerwig was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Killer Karl Kox. Kox competed in the National Wrestling Alliance as well as international promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, the International Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling during the 1960s and 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Brisco</span> American professional wrestler and amateur wrestler (1941–2010)

Freddie Joe "Jack" Brisco was an American amateur wrestler and professional wrestler. As an amateur for Oklahoma State, Brisco was two-time All-American and won the NCAA Division I national championship. He turned pro shortly after and performed for various territories of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), becoming a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and multi-time NWA World Tag Team Champion with his brother Gerald Brisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Hodge</span> American boxer and wrestler (1932–2020)

Daniel Allen Hodge was an American amateur and professional wrestler, who also had a brief professional boxing career. He is in both the U.S. amateur wrestling Hall of Fame, for his three NCAA titles and Olympic silver medal, and the pro wrestling Hall of Fame, as a seven-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. The Dan Hodge Trophy is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egotistico Fantastico</span> American professional wrestler

Robert Anthony is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Egotistico Fantastico, known for his time with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he competed under the ring name Cyon and was a former NWA National Champion. He has worked for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), as well as for various independent promotions, most notably Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) where he is a former CZW World Heavyweight Champion, as well as a former World Junior Heavyweight Champion. He is also a one-time CZW Iron Man Champion, and was the last person to hold the championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Garvin</span> Canadian wrestler (1937 – 1998)

Terrence P. Joyal, better known by his ring name Terry Garvin, was a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his work with kayfabe brother Ron Garvin, with whom he won several tag team championships in the Southern United States. He is also known for a case of sexual harassment in 1992 that led to the end of his employment with the World Wrestling Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike George (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Michael George is an American retired professional wrestler, best known by his ring name "Timekeeper" Mike George. George is best known for working in the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1970s and 1980s to the early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Storm</span> American professional wrestler

Timothy Scoggins, better known by his ring name Tim Storm, is an American professional wrestler and sports commentator currently signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he performs under the ring name Baron Von Storm and is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pak Song</span> South Korean professional wrestler

Pak Song Nam was a Korean professional wrestler who appeared primarily under the name Pak Song. He is notable for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and the Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) during the 1970s. His feud with Dusty Rhodes in 1974 is credited for making the young wrestler one of the most popular "fan favorites" in the NWA's Florida territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciclón Negro</span> Venezuelan professional wrestler

Ramon Eduardo Rodriguez, better known by the ring name Ciclón Negro, was a professional wrestler who was originally from Venezuela. He toured Australia, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico and the United States. He achieved a good amount of popularity and recognition during the 1970s.

Steve Anthony is an American professional wrestler and trainer. Throughout his career, Anthony has competed for various promotions throughout the United States and Japan most notably Ring of Honor, World League Wrestling, New Japan, Pro Wrestling Noah, and various National Wrestling Alliance member promotions. Within the NWA, Anthony is a former two-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, a title which he defended in both America and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Starr</span> American professional wrestler

Bobby Eugene Nutt, better known by his ring name Ron Starr, was an American professional wrestler. Starr was a mainstay for numerous wrestling territories throughout the 1970s and 80s, capturing almost three dozen championships throughout his career including two reigns as NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and several reigns as NWA World Tag Team Champion. He was also notable for his involvement with Stampede Wrestling in Canada and his tenure with the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico. Starr has been called "one of the unsung heroes of the territory days of professional wrestling" and "one of the most effective heels that territorial professional wrestling had ever seen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrestling Pro</span> American professional wrestler (1938–2019)

Edward Leon Baxter was an American professional wrestler who competed throughout the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1960s and 70s. He was best known for wrestling under a mask as (The) Wrestling Pro and also wrestled under the ring name Tarzan Baxter. One of the most popular heels in Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling's history, he had famous feuds with the likes of Ken Mantell for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship and Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Ken Lusk, better known by his ring name Ken Mantell, is an American retired professional wrestler, promoter and booker who competed throughout the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1970s and 80s. He is a former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Danny Hodge, and won the NWA World Tag Team Championship with Ron Bass in November 1975. He worked as the booker of World Class Championship Wrestling during its peak years and, as a promoter, formed the Wild West Wrestling promotion, which merged with World Class when he became part-owner in early 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Kirby (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (1939–2019)

Willis Kirby, better known by the ring name Roger Kirby, was an American professional wrestler who competed throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. He primarily competed within the National Wrestling Alliance, where he is a former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, and also competed in promotions such as the World Wrestling Association, the World Wrestling Federation and Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre. Fellow wrestlers have called Kirby "one of the greatest performers to ever work in the squared circle".

Ramón S. Torres was an American professional wrestler. Primarily a babyface throughout his career, he was a part of 'The Famous Torres Brothers' with Alberto & Enrique Torres and was a major star in the 1950s and 60s as a both a tag team and singles competitor. He wrestled primarily within the National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a multi-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and also wrestled in the American Wrestling Association and Worldwide Wrestling Associates.

James "Jim" Osborn also known as Red Osborn, Double X and Dr. X is an American retired professional wrestler who was active throughout the United States and Japan in the 1960s and '70s. He wrestled primarily in the National Wrestling Alliance and the American Wrestling Association and is a former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Joe Ventura is a Canadian retired professional wrestler who was active throughout the 1970s and 80s. Although he is of Italian descent, Ventura had most of his success portraying an Indian under the ring name (Chief) Joe Lightfoot. He spent the majority of the 1970s competing in Canada for Stampede Wrestling and NWA All-Star Wrestling and the majority of the 1980s competing in the United States, primarily throughout the National Wrestling Alliance, where he is a former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Albert Joe Criswell, better known as Joe McCarthy, was an American professional wrestler who competed in the 1950s and 1960s primarily throughout the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) where he was a former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. He was a prominent competitor for various NWA territories including Nick Gulas's NWA Mid-America and Leroy McGuirk's NWA Tri-State.

Philip Thompson Robley was an American professional wrestler who worked as Col. Buck Robley mainly in the Mid-South/NWA Tri-State during the 1970s and early 1980s. Also worked in St. Louis, Florida, Kansas City and Japan.

References

  1. ↑ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". www.wrestlingdata.com.
  2. 1 2 III, Harris M. Lentz (30 April 2015). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014. McFarland. ISBN   9781476619613 – via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 3 Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Lorenzo Parente « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  4. 1 2 "In the Sauce".
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lorenzo Parente's Obituary on The Tennessean". The Tennessean.
  6. ↑ GoldenAge2008 (30 May 2009). "Pat O'Connor vs Lorenzo Parente - Pt 1" – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. 1 2 III, Harris M. Lentz (30 April 2015). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014. McFarland. ISBN   9781476619613 – via Google Books.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lorenzo Parente".
  9. 1 2 3 Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". www.wrestlingdata.com.
  10. ↑ "Professional Wrestling Online Museum - Ring Chronicle Hall of Fame Inductee - Danny Hodge". www.wrestlingmuseum.com. Archived from the original on 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  11. ↑ "NWA World Tag Team Title (Florida)". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  12. ↑ Lawler, Jerry (19 December 2002). It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   9780743475570 – via Google Books.
  13. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Titles « Lorenzo Parente « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  14. ↑ Hoops, Brian (January 14, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/14): Christian wins NWA World Title". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  15. ↑ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Titles [W. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.