THE MANY FACTS AND TRIVIA OF RICO COSTANTINO
- He was nominated for PWI’s rookie of the year for 2001.
- He can break flaming cinder blocks with his head, kick through five blocks of solid ice, and break baseball bats in two.
- He combs his hair better than anyone in the business…just beware of flying gel…
- His spinning heel kick and moonsaults are awe-inspiring and defy gravity.
- He took Scotty Too Hotty’s worm, Steve Austin’s stunner, Bobby Eaton’s Alabama Jam, and the feared Stevie Kick and recovered.
- He shows his appreciation of his fans in subtle ways…they are never far from his heart.
- His one defeat on the “Wall” portion of the American Gladiators series was due to a concussion suffered in a prior event. He was undefeated in that event until that time.
- He was the only contestant to knock the Gladiator Gemini off the post in the “Joust” contest.
- He is an expert archer and marksman. In addition to being a Las Vegas police officer, he was also on the SWAT team.
- There are four American Gladiator trading cards featuring Rico, as well as a Red Challenger action figure that bears his image.
- In the Fort Boyard show, he was the first and only competitor to capture the needed key in the bungee jump challenge on an upswing. The rules were changed after that, as no one actually thought it could be done until that point.
- In the same Ft Boyard show, unable to use their clothing to carry the valuable coins, Rico picked up one of his female teammates and filled her lap instead, proving his wit matches his strength.
- He performed stunt work in both the Batman and Conan live action shows in California theme parks.
- He signed his developmental contract after a mere eight months in the business and only twelve pro matches.
- His first OVW opponent was Rasputin, and it was a slaughter. His first tag team partner was Flash, who has since gained his own WWF developmental contract by defeating Chris Jericho in OVW’s “The Last Dance” in July 2001.
- At one time, he held three belts simultaneously: EWF, OVW, and PPW.
- He was a bodyguard for several influential people and is world traveled…he’d tell you about that, but then he’d have to silence you…
- He was one of the most respected professional talents among the students at Danny Davis’s wrestling school, always taking time to teach.
- At one point while with the Power Team, he was ordained as a minister to further allow him to counsel kids. His work with children has been vast…from the Special Olympics and various other children’s charities.
- Terry Taylor and Dr. Tom Pritchard aided in his “discovery”.
- His pairing with Prototype was one of the all time greatest heat generators in Ohio Valley History. Prototype’s debut coincided with the airing of Manhunt, and the references abounded from venue to venue. In leaving OVW so well loved, he left Prototype with more heat than a five-alarm blaze, thus helping the rookie get over in true Role Model fashion with his departure.
