Monikers in the wrestling business aren’t unusual. We’ve had Demons, cowboys, Bulls, and even the illustrious Blue Meanie. It comes with the territory. Meant to inspire fear, an illusion of domination, or sometimes just plain comedy, a wrestler’s success sometimes is contingent on his or her name in part. The Red Rooster…need I say more?
Rico “The Cobra” Costantino is no exception. It is, of course, not the first name he’s used, but perhaps the most apropos. Like a cobra, he often waits, unseen until it is too late. A cobra is perhaps the most beautiful of all snakes, but by the time the hood it spread and it is ready to strike, it’s too late for you to move out of the way. The same holds true for Rico. With arguably the most talented and powerful feet in the business, once he throws those kicks at an opponent, it is too late for the other man to do anything but take it…sometimes without getting up.There is no limit to his array of kicks, either. No single spinning heel kick. No beautifully poised drop kick alone. Indeed, with Rico’s martial arts and Power Team background, there is seemingly no end to what he can do with his feet and legs. He has perfect balance, even with a hop onto the second rope that results in a kick to his opponents face. In a move almost too fast to see as he’s perfected it, Rico lands a kick to the back, midsection and then the face all in one fluid motion. His moonsaults, too have been quoted as being the best in the business, and again one has to attribute that to balance and being able to perfectly poise himself on the turnbuckle to begin with. To watch him on the ring apron, rocking to and fro, ready to tag in and begin his assault, one has to wonder if that has lent strength to his ankles and lower legs, making the kicks that much more vicious.
Even as a member of the Power team, it was his kicks through sheets of solid ice and flaming brick that would catch ones eye. Both feet off the ground at once, shattering the obstacle, and landing with precision in time to hop away from flying pieces of debris. As the 1990-1991 Gladiator Champion, Rico showed his skill with his feet there, too. As difficult as climbing a swaying rope net was, he excelled every time. His footing was so sure in the joust event, that it was almost impossible to sway him, even as his upper body strength bore the brunt of the attack. Indeed, he was the only contestant to ever knock Gemini off in the joust, and in true Cobra fashion, actually had his man down and waited for him to stand again before striking, knocking him cleanly off the post.Rico can fly. Rico can brawl. His life’s history has made him more adaptable, and perhaps more lethal in reality than anyone on the WWF roster to date. He’s not the biggest , does not have the flashiest gimmick, but instead relies on his opponent being unaware what they’re about to face in the ring. He is truly reptilian in that regard. By the time you think you know what you’re getting, he sneaks up on you and you receive a dose of Italian venom you won’t soon forget. He’s not easily angered, but as in a recent match with Steven Richards at an HWA showcase in Cincinnati, his bite is not something to be messed with. Steven, a masterful wrestler in his own right, was forced to contend with a rookie he thought he could easily beat. So confident he was, he slapped Rico insultingly at the beginning of the match. Bad move. If Rico’s feet were to be compared to fangs in this match, Steven would quite honestly not have survived. Rapid fire kicks, the sound of boot hitting jaw reverberating through the arena…and the WWF veteran found out why Rico is “The Cobra Costantino.”
It has been said innumerable times that the best gimmick is an extension of one’s true personality. That may never hold more true than for Rico The Cobra. Even as a bodyguard, his job required at time for him to remain in the background, unseen until such time as he was called into action. Generally speaking, most snakes will avoid contact unless their threatened, and each and every time Rico steps into a ring, harm to his person becomes a reality, and the cobra emerges.The WWF has a future star on its hands, but perhaps the wisdom is greater in Titan Sports than sometimes we are led to believe. Rico works well as the “surprise”, and although waiting for that inevitable television debut is difficult for his fans, what a debut it will be. Snakes know nothing of restraint when they are hungry or protecting themselves. Rico is hungry for WWF success, and it is that self protection that allows him to shine in the ring as a worthy opponent for all takers. No matter when, where or against whom they work Rico into the programming, it will be memorable. Once his fangs have you, you’re hooked. Here’s to many more matches from The Cobra, and watching the fans stand in awe of his many talents.
RoleModelMark@aol.com
3/2/02This is not a match by match review today, but rather a commentary on the arrival of WWF developmental talents Rico Costantino and Ron H20 Waterman into the HWA territory. Both Rico and Ron were, until recently, on the OVW roster. It is with some pride that I am able to report the success of these two men. Living in the Ohio Valley area, I have had the privilege of seeing both men develop. Rico and Ron have been doing the dark matches for WWF live events for several months, and it is exciting to have them back close to home for a brief time with HWA.
At last night's HWA show at the Red Barn (Batavia, OH), Ron took on EZ Money with Race Steele at ringside. Race's recent injury by Johnny the Bull (EZ's "insurance policy", fueled his anger, and indeed resulted the appearance of some "insurance" of his own in the form of Waterman. As a former UFC champion, Ron is perhaps the most deadly man on any roster anywhere, and has long been respected by everyone in the business. His physical presence is just awesome, and the fans at the Red Barn were impressed just by his size and power. EZ money was too...he bailed out of the ring as soon as Waterman entered it.Here I must insert a comment that is purely my own...Ron Waterman is nothing like Scott Steiner. Not in moves, ability or ring persona. The physical resemblance is slight, but the man is his own. I would hope fans could see past any vague connection there may be and really watch the man work. You sell yourself short of a valuable experience as a fan if you see this man live with preconceived notions.
Waterman dominated the match early on, his iron fists and forearms just amazing to watch(and more than likely painful to even anticipate). A slap to the face by EZ Money just enraged the enormous Waterman, and it looked as if Ron was just plainly going to pulverize the smaller man. EZ caught a break or two, however, and the result was a very sound match by both men, each able to showcase their talents. Ron ended with the victory to the crowd's delight. He stood in the ring and glared at EZ Money, showing a glimpse of his potential as a heel as well.The A Squad versus Rico Costantino and Maven. Again, a momentary pause for comment...Rico's last name is a difficult one, and for those who hear it announced (often incorrectly), it can be hard to reproduce phonetically. I would hope other Internet reporters would take note of the correct spelling here.
The match began with the entrance of the A Squad with Brock Guffman into the ring and on the mic. Guffman begins his litany that their opponents have "dropped the ball" referring to Rico's " loser leaves town" match versus the Prototype in November (in OVW), and Maven's recent loss of the hardcore belt. Guffman went on to say they never drop the ball...they like balls...Maven has become a huge fan favorite in both HWA's home territory, as well as in the Louisville area where the shows are filmed each week. This was the Ohio crowd's first look at Rico, and he quickly proved why he had been the OVW Heavyweight champion, as well as part of the most entertaining Tag Team champions the region has ever seen in tandem with Prototype. Much to my surprise, he came to the ring as "The Cobra" Costantino, a gimmick he hasn't used for quite some time. Now, even without the signature mullet and a change in look, he was formidable and worked the crowd from the moment he hit the curtain. As soon as this newly formed pair stepped into the ring, it was evident this was amain event caliber match.
Rico has always had a panache for getting even the most inexperienced performers over. Jim Cornette once called him a "prodigy" of the sport, and indeed most are surprised at his rookie status. This match was all Rico. His footwork has always been impressive, his martial arts skills showing through with every kick. He has really honed his skills while with the WWF. His matches with Crash Holly, Chavo Guerrero and Hurricane Helms among others seems to have really allowed him to develop. His fans in the OVW, and indeed even his former coworkers would have been pleasantly surprised and, need I dare say, amazed at the arsenal of moves he executed. Speaking as someone who has watched him grow, his signature moves have been replaced by a whole array of others, and it seems that he can utilize them at will, and with timing perfect to the flow of the match.Maven also impressed me. Indeed, I have some personal reservations that any of the men selected for the current Tough Enough 2 are of the all-around ability that Maven possesses. He seems to have none of the cockiness found in some green performers. He was on top of the game every step of the way, and apparently impressed Rico as well. This was the most well received match of the evening, and both men showed their respects for each other as they left the ring, Rico holding the rope for Maven, and the respect returned by the rookie.
I look forward to reporting the entire HWA card forthe next TV tapings. The arrival of these two into the HWA, I felt deserved special attention, however. If utilized on HWA TV, the crowd response in Davis arena should be spectacular...as it has been hometo both menfor quite some time. With this in mind,I hope this serves as an explanation for the viewing audiences as well. These two future Superstars may not be well known to those in the Cincinnati viewing area....yet. It's going to be an interesting few weeks, and I feel privileged to be able to report it.The one thing that stays constant in the world of professional wrestling is that nothing stays constant. Icons rise, and then they fall, often with lightening speed. Never has that been more evident than in today’s world of sports entertainment. Talent is sent up, send down, sent away, rehabbed and rehashed. When a new wrestler arrives on the scene, viewers, even internet savvy ones, are often of the opinion they came out of no where. This is rarely, if never the case. The athletes work and sweat and toil for next to nothing for years before they ever garner anyone’s attention. No matter whether they’ve been in the game two years or ten, when their time comes, it always seems like the road getting there was too long and bumpy. This is the story of one such wrestler, and his perseverance.
Rico Costantino was told often he would never make it, in almost anything. He was small, very small as a teenager. He was high strung and his attention was hard to maintain, thus making educating him a challenge. A not so strange thing happened then…Rico set out to prove everyone wrong. He began to grow and develop, physically as well as mentally. He soon graduated at the top of his military school class, and was the number one cadet in the state of Nevada in the police academy. His under five foot frame grew to six, and his small stature blossomed into a sculpted physique with much hard work. He endured more pain in the line of duty than one could reasonable expect anyone to and keep going, having been shot, stabbed and run over by moving vehicles.Then, he began to control his restless energy, to channel it into something very useful. a professional bodyguard was born from someone who once may have needed one himself. He was alert, quick witted and physically intimidating enough to get the job done, and done well. He also learned then he could play many roles in life, and in southern California, stunt work called. He portrayed larger than life characters in theme park live action productions of Conan and Batman. Practice, perhaps for becoming a WWF Superstar. Then, recovering from an injury, he was snapped into the next chapter of his life…American Gladiator.
Rico beat all the other contestants and the professional gladiators to win the championship for the 1990-1991 TV season. This must have been Rico’s first taste of serious recognition and celebrity. His ability to enjoy simple things such as ball games was disrupted by fans and would be fans who were just drawn to his aura. This in turn gave way to “Conquer Ft. Boyard”, a popular European game show of skill and wit, on which he easily led his team to victory.A chance encounter brought Rico to the attention of the Power Team. Traveling the country, performing increasingly dangerous and unbelievable feats of strength to inspire youth. Whatever he might have lacked at that point in strength and focus, he soon acquired. Finally, athletic skills honed, mental prowess fine tuned and focus easy to come by, he set his sights on breaking into the world of Professional wrestling.
This is the only point where Rico’s tale could be called sudden. He was so gifted, such a natural student of the sport, he was signed to a WWF developmental contract after a mere twelve professional matches. All his skills had come together to send him on the path to fame and glory. But first, a pit stop ( albeit a long one), in Danny Davis’ corner of the Southern Indiana/Louisville area, Ohio Valley Wrestling. It was here Rico would grow and change the most, over the course of two years and a career threatening injury. It was finally time for all the pieces of the puzzle to come together and create a Superstar. Rico “The Cobra” Costantino took Ohio Valley wrestlers by their throats, and the fans by their hearts. He worked, tirelessly, amicably with every passing day. His mike and TV skills become honed to perfection. His in ring ability to shine gave way to the ability to teach and let others shine as well.No wrestler’s repertoire is complete without training as a heel. In the small venue that is Davis arena, and even in the revered (if now closed) Louisville Gardens, the fans have seen it all. It’s hard work to be a heel, but even harder to be as loved as Rico was and to metamorphosize into something completely vile and detested. When Rico “The Role Model” so rudely interrupted Stone Cold Steve Austin’s address to the crowd gathered there in January and was subsequently stunned, the WWF’s biggest baby face and money drawer was himself only weeks away from making a momentous turn. The results were no less intense in the small world of Ohio Valley wrestling. Rico sold out. Just as fast and with just as much heat, he artfully manipulated an entire population into thinking he really was that bad. That takes skill that so few can conquer, for most performers are more at home in one façade than another. Rico once again showed his value, hard as it was to spend the greater part of a year being hated. indeed in the closeness of the smaller federation, that hatred often didn’t stop at the venue door.
Two years after his signing, two years of hard work and growth on every level, and finally Rico is getting his big shot. A chance to try to be the best of the best, and that’s all he wanted was a chance. His personal history reveals he does not fail, and in this he as determined as ever. There was nothing swift about his rise, not for those who have felt he has been ready for months. Rico took no short cuts, and never elevated himself higher than anyone else in the company. He never quite had the ability to refuse anyone anything, and thus has remained a truly positive person to be around behind the scenes. He has worked injured, worked sick, and worked away from his family. He has paid his dues, and is willing to help those who are still working on paying theirs find the best way to do it.It was then, with great joy, Rico’s final matches in Ohio Valley were worked as a baby face. It must have been tense for Rico behind the closed door he had been forbidden to emerge from for so long. He was a good heel, and people disliked him. Would they embrace him once more? I’m sure Rico never had a doubt about his ability, but I think maybe the crowd surprised themselves. He hit the ring and blindsided his former partner Prototype, to a huge pop, and went on to perform a match that was obvious came from his heart. Somewhere down deep he felt the match, from beginning to end, and his very face showed it. It was a match worthy of any Mr. Neilson could rate, and the crowd was crestfallen as he when he was robbed of glory. The challenge for a rematch was met with as much enthusiasm as any that came before, or “need I dare say”, that will come after. The crowd was glad to have a real “Role Model” once again, even if they couldn’t have known it was fleeting.
Then, Just like his finisher, the Sudden Impact of Rico’s stardom was felt throughout Davis Arena. He emerged to embrace his fans, perhaps unbeknownst to them, for the last time. they quite simply couldn’t get enough of him. He’d been hated a week before, but for the “regulars” he was always in their hearts. It was okay to like him again, and they held nothing back. Autographs, photos and embraces…the Rock himself could have walked through the door that moment and it wouldn’t have mattered. Rico was the man of the hour. Certainly a few insiders knew that his very last match was drawing neigh, that bigger things awaited him. But even those who are and shall forever remain the core audience of believers that keep the business going, even they seemed to have an immediate draw to him. If wrestling’s lingo include the words “bravo” and “encore”, then operatic might have been the best way to describe the scene. A story had been told, not just in that one match, but with a whole career. It had built to a crescendo. But the curtain always has to fall.I wonder what the crowd will feel when Rico is seemingly suddenly departed. I believe they won’t miss much…he’ll be in their living rooms twice a week on national TV, thrilling arenas of thousands instead of 120. And what then? The pride of having “known him when” will become infectious, I think. Each and every person who was there for that last taping will feel they were a part of something special, and to Rico, they were. Every one of them.
Sudden? No, Rico’s rise to national fame and recognition wasn’t sudden. But if you’re listening, Rico, you did make one hell of an impact. Now, do it again…for Cowboy and Billy, for Dustin and Ken. For Julie and both Aprils. For Chip and Sue and Krazy. For the kids and the ring rats and the boys in the back, still learning. And for me.
Good luck, my friend…
