A.J. Petrucci

A.J. Petrucci
Birth name A.J. Petrucci[1][2]
Born 1951-1952[1][2]
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, United States
Alma mater Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Spouse(s) Marjorie Petrucci (née Gasker)[1]
Family Gene Snitsky (cousin)[3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) A.J. Petrucci
A.J. Petruzzi
The Bounty Hunter
The Executioner
Fracture Fransberg
Masked Assassin
Pocono Mountain Man
Sheik Fugan
Super Destroyer #1
Billed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Billed weight 250 lb (110 kg)[1]
Billed from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Trained by Tony Altomare[1]
Debut 1984

A.J. "Tony" Petrucci is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation from 1984 to 1986 as A.J. Petruzzi and for his appearances with Eastern Championship Wrestling from 1991 to 1994 as Super Destroyer #1, one half of the tag team The Super Destroyers.[1][2]

Early life

Petrucci was born in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. He attended Jim Thorpe High School, where he competed in amateur wrestling, American football, and basketball.[1]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Federation (1984–1986)

In December 1983, Petrucci enrolled in the World Wrestling Federation's training camp in Orange, Connecticut, where he was trained to wrestle by Tony Altomare. He wrestled his first match in 1984, facing B. Brian Blair in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.[1]

In 1985, Petrucci, as The Masked Assassin, and The Spoiler lost a match against Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Independent circuit (1986–1991)

In 1988, he and Ron Shaw formed the Executioners and made their way to Jim Crockett's National Wrestling Alliance to work against the New Breed (Chris Champion and Sean Royal).

Eastern Championship Wrestling (1991–1994)

Main article: The Super Destroyers

In 1991 he formed The Super Destroyers tag team with partner Doug Stahl and manager Hunter Q. Robins III in Eastern Championship Wrestling, which was later renamed to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). While in ECW, the Super Destroyers were crowned the first ECW Tag Team Champions. Both Petrucci and Stahl left the company in 1994, after holding the title twice.

Independent circuit (1994–present)

In 1996, Petrucci began to train his cousin and Gene Snitsky and Robb Harper. At this time he also formed the tag team The Darkside Demons, alternating between Snitsky and Harper until he felt they were ready to wrestle on their own. After the passing of his father and the signing of Snitsky to World Wrestling Entertainment, Petrucci returned to wrestling in 2005 with NWL/HOPWL. Petrucci has won the Heavyweight, Television and Tag Team titles with this promotion. In 2005 he was also awarded the Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year. July 2012 the Super Destroyers, A J Petrucci and Doug Stahl, were inducted in the IPWA hall of fame. Returned to the DWF/LOCO wrestling promotion in New Jersey and Pa. to win the tag team championship titles, which they defended in March. August 3 the Super Destroyers won the tag team titles at Super Star wrestling in Dillsburg Pa. making them the unifyed Pa. tag team champions.

Personal life

Petrucci is married to Marjorie Petrucci (née Gasker). The couple have two children, Jason and Suzanne.[1]

Petrucci graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. When he is not wrestling, he works as a counselor for troubled and runaway clients. He was just recognized, for 10 years of service at Valley Youth House as a counselor.

Petrucci is the cousin of fellow professional wrestler Gene Snitsky, who he trained.[3]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Gower, Ron (June 28, 2012). "Even at age 60, local wrestler still grappling". Times News. Pencor Services. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Gower, Ron (January 26, 2013). "Championship match for local pro wrestler A. J. 'Tony' Petrucci". Times News. Pencor Services. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Milner, John; Oliver, Greg (September 30, 2010). "Gene Snitsky". Canoe.ca. Quebecor Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.

External links

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