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Mario Bulfone aka Mario Milano, a standout for Jim Barnett's WCW in Australia, passed away earlier today at the age of 81.
A native of Italy who later moved to Venezuela, he initially broke into professional wrestling under a mask as Black Diablo. He was 18 at the time and local curfew in Venezuela prohibited anyone 18 or under from being out after 9 PM, so the mask was his way to legitimately hide his age. He began to wrestle under his real name as soon as his age allowed.
He moved to the United States, where his name was changed to Mike Milano in order to make it easier for fans to remember. He had a nice run in the Memphis territory, teaming with the late Jackie Fargo, where the pair held the NWA Southern Tag Team belts on several occasions. He also held the belts with Danny Hodge as well as Len Rossi.
Promoter Jim Barnett brought Milano over to his World Championship Wrestling promotion for what was supposed to be a short quarter-year tour, but Milano ended up moving there and never leaving, holding the IWA World title as well as several IWA Tag Team wins with Red Bastien.
Even after the promotion ran its course, he remained in Australia, raising a family and appearing from time to time on local events.
Thanks to Matthew Wilkins.
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