Pete Sanchez (April 4, 1943 – July 27, 2024) was an American professional wrestler of Puerto Rican origin who worked for the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation from 1963 to 1992 as a jobber.[3][4][5][6] He also wrestled as Gino Caruso in various territories.
| Pete Sanchez | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 4, 1943 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 27, 2024 (aged 81) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Pete Sanchez ‘Pistol’ Pete Sanchez Pete Caruso Gino Caruso[1] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[2] |
| Billed weight | 238 lb (108 kg) |
| Billed from | Puerto Rico |
| Debut | 1958 |
| Retired | 1995 |
Professional wrestling career
editSanchez made his professional wrestling debut in 1958 in New York City for Capitol Wrestling Corporation. In January 1963, the Capitol Wrestling Corporation branched off from the National Wrestling Alliance and Capitol changed its name to the World Wide Wrestling Federation.[7]
In 1970, Sanchez worked in other territories in the States and Canada as Gino Caruso. In 1973, Sanchez won the Stampede International Tag Team Championship in Calgary with Bill Cody.
In 1983, Sanchez wrestled in Puerto Rico for the World Wrestling Council.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Sanchez continued working for World Wide Wrestling Federation which changed its name to the World Wrestling Federation in 1979.[8] [9][10][11] Sanchez worked for the American Wrestling Association from 1985 to its closure in 1990. Also in 1990, Sanchez worked a few matches for World Championship Wrestling.[12]
Sanchez wrestled his last match for the World Wrestling Federation on February 17, 1992, aired on March 21 for WWF Superstars losing to Tatanka in Tampa, Florida.[13]
He wrestled his last match in 1995 in an independent promotion in Wisconsin.[14]
Personal life and death
editSanchez trained current Impact Wrestling star Sonny Kiss.[15]
On July 27, 2024, Bill Apter and Davey O'Hannon announced that Pete Sanchez had died that same day. He was 81.[16][17]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- Midwest Wrestling Association
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Ohio version) - with Carlos Milano
- Stampede Wrestling
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (2 times)[18] – with Bill Cody
- Western States Sports
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Gary Young
- World Wrestling Council
References
editGeneral
- Nevada, Vance (2022). (Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy. FriesenPress. ISBN 9781039154797.
Specific
- ^ "Profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
- ^ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2012). WWE Encyclopedia: Updated & Expanded. DK. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-7566-9159-2.
- ^ "1963". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1969". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1971". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "Pete Sanchez Description". steamcommunity.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Pete Sanchez « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database".
- ^ "1975". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1977". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1980". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1982". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1990". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "1992". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ^ "Pete Sanchez - July 1995". Cage Match. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
7 1995
- ^ Dave LaGreca (22 June 2022). "Sonny Kiss & Tony Khan". SiriusXM Fight Nation (Podcast). Busted Open. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Mike Johnson (29 July 2024). "Former WWWF Wrestler Pete Sanhcez Passes Away". PWIInsider.com (Podcast). PWInsider. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Greg Oliver (28 July 2024). "PETE SANCHEZ WAS AN UNDERCARD GIANT". slamwrestling.net (Podcast). Slam Wrestling. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.