Johnny Rodz
| Johnny Rodz | |
|---|---|
 Rodz on October 25, 2008 | |
| Birth name | Johnny Rodriguez |
| Born |
May 16, 1938 New York City, New York[1] |
| Residence | Brooklyn, New York[2] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
Java Ruuk Johnny Rodz[3] Super Medico II |
| Billed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] |
| Billed weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
| Billed from | Bronx, New York |
| Debut | 1964 |
| Retired | 1999 |
Johnny Rodriguez[2] (born May 16, 1938) is a retired American professional wrestler. He has previously worked as a professional wrestler under the ring name Johnny Rodz.
Professional wrestling career
World Wide Wrestling Federation
He was part of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) from its early years, appearing on WWWF cards as far back as 1965.[1] He wrestled Bob Backlund in Madison Square Garden while working for the WWWF at the time. He was dubbed "the fire brand from the Bronx" by TV announcer Ray Morgan. He also went by the moniker "The Unpredictable". He was a solid worker and the consummate "heel" or bad guy. Johnny would often "tag-team" with Jose Estrada, and Frank "the Gypsy" Rodriguez. For much of the next two decades through mid-1985, Rodz was a mainstay of the federation, though largely used as a JTTS (jobber to the stars). On August 9, 1980 Showdown at Shea, he was defeated by "Polish Power" Ivan Putski.
NWA Hollywood
For a time, he also worked with Mike and Gene LeBell's NWA Hollywood Wrestling in the '70s. He won a greater share of matches wrestling as 'Arabian Wildman' Java Ruuk and even won the promotion's battle royal in 1976.[1]
Post-retirement
In 1996, Rodz was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame by Arnold Skaaland.[1]
On the March 1, 2007 episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact showed The Latin American Xchange (LAX) attacking Rodz as part of their feud with Team 3D. Ten days later at Destination X, he accompanied Team 3D to the ring for their Ghettobrawl match with LAX at a Destination X pay-per-view.
Training
Johnny Rodz has been training students for over 24 years, out of "The World's Famous" Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn. Rodz has trained many students that have gone on to have successful careers in the ring and behind the scenes. Some of Rodz' students have even gone on to train other future superstars. Rodz founded the independent wrestling promotion known as World of Unpredictable Wrestling.
Wrestlers trained
- Vito LoGrasso[3]
- Damien Demento
- Tommy Dreamer[3]
- Big Dick Dudley
- Mark LoMonaco
- Devon Hughes[2]
- Bill DeMott[3]
- Elektra
- Jason Knight
- Obariyon
- Kodama
- Vince Russo
- Matt Striker[3]
- Prince Nana[3]
- Colin Cassady
- Angel Medina[3]
- Tazz[4]
- Ricky Vega
- Marti Belle
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Other honoree (1995)
- Lutte Internationale
- Northeast Championship Wrestling
- NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, last)[6]
- Northeast Championship Wrestling (Tom Janette)
- NCW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[6]
- World Wrestling Council
- WWC World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Super Medico I
- WWC North American Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Super Médico I
- WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- World Wrestling Federation
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Hall of Fame: Johnny Rodz". WWE.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-24. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- 1 2 3 4 Corey Kilgannon (October 8, 2000). "Dying to Drop-Kick And Body-Slam, And Make It Pay". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Steve Urena (January 6, 2006). "Interview with Prince Nana". Wrestling Caricatures. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ↑ Chris Sokol (August 11, 2004). "Little Jeanne's destiny is old-school". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- 1 2 http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/65.htm
- 1 2 Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.