Career
He has previously worked as a professional wrestler under the ring name Johnny Rodz. World Wide Wrestling Federation
He was part of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) from its early years, appearing on WWWF cards as far back as 1965. He wrestled Bob Backlund in Madison Square Garden while working for the WWWF at the time.
He was dubbed "the fire brand from the Bronx" by television announcer Ray Morgan.
He also went by the moniker "The Unpredictable". He was a solid worker and the consummate "heel" or bad guy.
Johnny would often "tag-team" with Jose Estrada, and Frank "the Gypsy" Rodriguez. Foreign much of the next two decades through mid-1985, Rodz was a mainstay of the federation, though largely used as a JTTS (jobber to the stars).
On August 9, 1980 Showdown at Shea, he was defeated by "Polish Power" Ivan Putski.
NWA Hollywood
Foreign a time, he also worked with Mike and Gene LeBell"s NWA Hollywood Wrestling in the "70s. Post-retirement
In 1996, Rodz was inducted into the World Wildlife Fund Hall of Fame by Arnold Skaaland. On the March 1, 2007 episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling"s Impact showed The Latin American Xchange (LAX) attacking Rodz as part of their feud with Team 3D. Ten days later at Destination X, he accompanied Team 3D to the ring for their Ghettobrawl match with LAX at a Destination X pay-per-view.
Johnny Rodz has been training students for over 24 years, out of "The World"s Famous" Gleason"s Gym in Brooklyn.
Rodz has trained many students that have gone on to have successful careers in the ring and behind the scenes. Some of Rodz" students have even gone on to train other future superstars.
Rodz founded the independent wrestling promotion known as World of Unpredictable Wrestling. Wrestlers trained
Vito LoGrasso
Damien Demento
Tommy Dreamer
Big Dick Dudley
Mark LoMonaco
Devon Hughes
Bill DeMott
Elektra
Jason Knight
Obariyon
Kodama
Vince Russo
Matt Striker
Prince Nana
Colin Cassady
Angel Medina
Tazz
Ricky Vega
Marti Belle
Finishing moves
Diving headbutt
Signature moves
Diving single foot stomp
Cauliflower Alley Club
Other honoree (1995)
Lutte Internationale
Canadian International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Northeast Championship Wrestling
NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, last)
Northeast Championship Wrestling (Tom Janette)
NCW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
World Wrestling Council
WWC World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Super Medico I
WWC North American Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Super Médico I
WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Federation
World Wildlife Fund Hall of Fame (Class of 1996).
