Johnny Rodz

Professional wrestling career

World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation (1965–1985) He was part of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) from its early years, appearing on WWWF cards as far back as 1965. For much of the next two decades through mid-1985, Rodz was a mainstay of the federation, though largely used as enhancement talent, for which he was praised by some of his peers. At times Rodz worked in Japan, Puerto Rico and other territories. This included him winning the Canadian International Heavyweight Championship in Montreal as Java Ruuk defeating Édouard Carpentier in 1980. On August 9, 1980, at the Showdown at Shea, he was defeated by "Polish Power" Ivan Putski. His last WWF match was a loss to Gama Singh on June 19, 1985.

NWA Hollywood Wrestling (1976–1978) For a time, he also worked with Mike and Gene LeBell's NWA Hollywood Wrestling. He won a greater share of matches wrestling as "Arabian Wildman" Java Ruuk and even won the promotion's battle royal in 1976. by Arnold Skaaland. A few of Rodz' students have gone on to train other future superstars at their own wrestling academies. Rodz founded the independent wrestling promotion known as World of Unpredictable Wrestling.

Wrestlers trained

Vito LoGrasso Bill DeMott Jason Knight The Batiri Vince Russo Matt Striker "The Redwood" Big Bill Angel Medina Ricky Vega S. D. Jones Marti Belle Kevin Matthews Masha Slamovich

Championships and accomplishments Cauliflower Alley Club Other honoree (1995) International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Lutte Internationale Canadian International Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Northeast Championship Wrestling NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, final) Northeast Championship Wrestling (Tom Janette) NCW Heavyweight Championship (2 times) St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2026 World Wrestling Council WWC World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Super Medico I WWC North American Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Super Médico I WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time) WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Super Médico I World Wrestling Federation WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1996) Américas Wrestling Federation AWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dr. Terror