Antonio Pugliese

Traveling wrestler (1967–1975) In December 1967, Pugliese teamed with Pedro Morales in the California-based Worldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA). They won the WWA World Tag Team Championship by defeating Buddy Austin and Freddie Blassie. He teamed with Mario Milano to win the IWA World Tag Team Championship in April 1968. The team lost the belts to Skull Murphy and Killer Karl Kox in May, but Pugliese joined up with Dominic DeNucci to regain the title later that month. ) won the belts, but Pugliese and Jonathan regained them in a rematch later that month.

Pugliese and DeNucci next traveled to Florida, where they competed for Championship Wrestling from Florida, an NWA territory. They defeated Toru Tanaka and Dick Slater to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship in December 1974. Slater teamed with Johnny Weaver to win the belts back from Pugliese and DeNucci, however in February 1975. He teamed with Gino Brito, who was wrestling as Louis Cerdan, to win the WWWF World Tag Team Championship on November 18, 1975.

Legacy Pugliese promoted wrestling shows in Niagara Falls after retiring from the sport. He also ran an annual wrestling show at the CHIN Picnic in Toronto.

Personal life Born in Italy, Pugliese moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, when he was nine years old, then soon to Niagara Falls, Ontario. They had a daughter named Ida in 1976.

He was related to Joseph Dorgan, who has wrestled under his relative's name as Johnny Parisi and is better known as Johnny Swinger.

Championships and accomplishments Big Time Wrestling NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Wahoo McDaniel Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dominic DeNucci National Wrestling Federation NWF World Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Dominic DeNucci (2) and Luis Martinez (1) World Championship Wrestling (Australia) IWA World Tag Team Championship (5 times) - with Mario Milano (1), Dominic DeNucci (1), Don Leo Jonathan (2), and Mark Lewin (1) Worldwide Wrestling Associates WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Pedro Morales World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation WWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time) WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Johnny Valentine (1) and Spiros Arion (1) WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Louis Cerdan