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Argentina Rocca


Last updated by Chris George on March 15, 2016

[Argintina Rocca GALLERY]

Check out Antonio Rocca’s WWE Alumni profile here!

Article: The First High Flier

Title History

  • NWA (Capitol) International Heavyweight title defeating ?????????? (????, 1948);
  • NWA Texas Heavyweight title defeating Dizzy Davis (August 6, 1948);
  • AWA (Ohio) World Heavyweight title defeating Buddy Rogers (March 5, 1953);
  • MAC (Montreal) International Heavyweight title defeating Killer Kowalski (May 12, 1954);
  • NWA (New York) World Tag Team titles w/Jose Miguel Perez defeating Don & Jackie Fargo (March 30, 1957);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Tag Team titles w/Jose Miguel Perez beat The Infernos (September 11, 1976);

Career Highlights

Argintina Rocca:

  • Antonino Rocca was one of the greatest fan favorites of all-time with his high flying acrobatics during his matches..

Argintina Rocca – Other Stuff:

  • 1960s: Argintina Rocca endorsed (but did not sing in) a popular LP called “In This Corner, The Musical World Of Argentina Rocca”..
  • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~There was a photo of him doing a dropkick on the cover of the album..
  • Antonino Rocca was “killed”, playing a murder victim knifed to death by a psycho in the 70s film, “Alice, Sweet, Alice”..
  • ~~~While this scene was used in the theatres it was edited out of some video and tv versions of the movie..

The Death of Argintina Rocca:

  • March 15, 1977: Antonino Rocca passed away..
  • Antonino Rocca was an accomplished singer and music lover — he was also an avid cigar smoker..
  • Antonino Rocca was inducted into the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame — His wife gave an emotional acceptance speech..
  • Antonino Rocca was famous for stating “I will still be wrestling when I’m 75 years old and will be living to 150.” He did neither..
  • Antonino Rocca’s body was viewed at the Campbell’s Funeral Home at 81st & Madison in New York City..
  • ~~~However, the body was cremated and the ashes kept by the family instead of buried..

    Michelle Steiner sent in these comments: He and Miguel Perez were the first recognized tag team champions in the ancestry of the WWE/WWF/WWWF, back in the days of Capitol Wrestling. Their most notable feud was with Jerry and Eddie Graham. Rocca was also involved in the Madison Square Garden riot of (I think; I may be a year or so off) 1957; this riot made the cover of LIFE magazine.

 

Eric Rocca wrote (2011): I just wanted to say thank you for such a great article on a great man….my father. I’m so proud to see that he is STILL held in such regard all these years later. Not a day goes by that we, his family, don’t miss him. An athlete in the true sense of the word. Thank you.