Legendary old-school studio wrestler “Jumpin’” Johnny DeFazio has passed away at the age of 80.  :\'(

https://triblive.com/local/john-defazio-former-allegheny-county-council-president-wrestler-dies/

Johnny was definitely old-school, back when men were men, and fans like Ringside Rosie (with her famed rubber chicken) cheered on the live action every Saturday evening.

DeFazio first made a name for himself on the popular “Studio Wrestling” program hosted by Bill Cardille on channel 11 back when its call letters were WIIC-TV. A four-time winner of the World Wrestling Federation’s Junior Heavyweight Championship, DeFazio was part of a famed stable of big-name wrestlers that included Bruno Sammartino and George “The Animal” Steele. 8)

Thanks for the memories, Johnny.  :)

Legendary old-school studio wrestler “Jumpin’” Johnny DeFazio has passed away at the age of 80.  :\'(

https://triblive.com/local/john-defazio-former-allegheny-county-council-president-wrestler-dies/

Johnny was definitely old-school, back when men were men, and fans like Ringside Rosie (with her famed rubber chicken) cheered on the live action every Saturday evening.

DeFazio first made a name for himself on the popular “Studio Wrestling” program hosted by Bill Cardille on channel 11 back when its call letters were WIIC-TV. A four-time winner of the World Wrestling Federation’s Junior Heavyweight Championship, DeFazio was part of a famed stable of big-name wrestlers that included Bruno Sammartino and George “The Animal” Steele. 8)

Thanks for the memories, Johnny.  :)


Was he a heel or face?

Was he a heel or face?


He was a face.  8)

Was he a heel or face?


Saturday nights were a highlight in the LyricBoy household. Studio Wrestling would come on TV and all the big name, old school wrestlers would show.

Hometown favorite son Bruno Sammartino. Hurricane Hunt, The Sicilians Tag Team (which included “Captain” Lou Albano), George “The Animal” Steele, Charles Martoni, Killer Kowalski, Professor Tanaka, and Domenic DeNucci with his dreaded ‘airplane spin’ maneuver.

Every night Ringside Rosie (local fan Anna Bopp Buckalew) would cheer the faces and jeer the heels, and sometimes whack somebody upside the head with her umbrella.

The whole event was hosted by Pittsburgh horror movie empressario “Chilly Billy” Cardille, and during the intermissions, Pirate baseball hall of famer Pie Traynor would hawk the services of a local contractor with his tag line “Who can? Ameri-can!  American Plumbing and Heating.”  8)

Awesome entertainment for people of all ages, and it was locally produced.

He was a face.  8)


There was also a "Jumpin" Jim Brunzell, remember him from the Killer Bees?
https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/killer-bees-1474670337-800.jpg

Saturday nights were a highlight in the LyricBoy household. Studio Wrestling would come on TV and all the big name, old school wrestlers would show.

Hometown favorite son Bruno Sammartino. Hurricane Hunt, The Sicilians Tag Team (which included “Captain” Lou Albano), George “The Animal” Steele, Charles Martoni, Killer Kowalski, Professor Tanaka, and Domenic DeNucci with his dreaded ‘airplane spin’ maneuver.

Every night Ringside Rosie (local fan Anna Bopp Buckalew) would cheer the faces and jeer the heels, and sometimes whack somebody upside the head with her umbrella.

The whole event was hosted by Pittsburgh horror movie empressario “Chilly Billy” Cardille, and during the intermissions, Pirate baseball hall of famer Pie Traynor would hawk the services of a local contractor with his tag line “Who can? Ameri-can!  American Plumbing and Heating.”  8)

Awesome entertainment for people of all ages, and it was locally produced.

My Father would enjoy an old school wrestling conversation with you. :)

Jumpin’ Johnny was cremated, but there’s still a Find-A-Grave page that shows some cool pics of him from back in the day. To say the least, he cut an intimidating figure.  :o

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223840326/johnny-de_fazio