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DOMINIC DENUCCI PASSES AWAY

PWInsider.com is saddened to report that Dominic DeNucci, who had extended runs in the WWWF and was a huge top name for Jim Barnett's IWA in Australia among many other promotions before becoming a well regarded trainer for a number of stars passed away yesterday at the age of 89.

DeNucci's passing was first announced by the Cauliflower Alley Club:

Denucci originally debuted in Canada, working as Dominic Bravo for both Stampede Wrestling and the Montreal territory.   He later worked under his real name in Vancouver.

After his initial runs in Canada, Denucci moved onto California, working under his real name for the first time, before going to Australia's World Championship Wrestling, where DeNucci received his largest push as a talent, holding the IWA World title numerous times.  Appearing regularly there from 1964 through 1970, DeNucci feuded with Ray Stevens, Killer Kowalski, King Curtis Iaukea and more.  DeNucci also teamed with Bruno Sammartino and Mark Lewin, among others for the territory.  As a talent for the promotion, DeNucci would be in the top 1% in terms of importance at the box office and easily one of their biggest babyfaces.

To modern day fans, Denucci is probably best known as a trainer but held several titles in the WWWF as a tag team performer, including a short run as the International Tag Team Champions with Bruno Sammartino, who Denucci remained close friends with until Sammartino's passing several years ago, beating and eventually losing them back to The Mongols.  DeNucci and Victor Rivera held the WWF Tag Team Championship, defeating Johnny and Jimmy Valiant.  When Rivera left the territory, DeNucci continued on as Champion, teaming with Pat Barrett until losing the belts to Blackjack Mulligan and Blackjack Lanza.  Denucci and Dino Bravo also held the WWWF Tag Titles for several months in 1978.  

As a singles talent, DeNucci was slotted as a competitive wrestler who would often challenge heels before losing to them to give them additional credibility.  A win over DeNucci was almost certainly a sign that heel would be one day challenging for the WWWF title.  He would leave the company in 1982 as he was used more and more in a lower level supporting role. 

After his WWF run, he worked regularly for the Savoldi's ICW, toured Canada again for Montreal's International Wrestling and appeared for the International Wrestling Federation.  Over his career, DeNucci also worked for a number of other territories, including a run with the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles, teaming with Tony Parisi,  He worked for Big Time Wrestling in Detroit, was a staple in Ohio and appeared in St. Louis, Cleveland and other territories of the era.  Denucci also had runs with All Japan Pro Wrestling and its predecessor, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance.   

After officially retiring, DeNucci trained a number of stars including WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, former ECW World Champion Shane Douglas, Cody Michaels, late SMW and WCW referee Brian "Mark Curtis" Hildebrand, among others.  He would occasionally come out of retirement and even faced Ivan Koloff at WrestleReunion 2 in PA in a Russian Chain Match in 2005.  He wrestled from time to time through 2012.

As a person, Denucci had a great reputation for his kindness and for bringing a lot of laughter and levity to the locker room.

Everyone at PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to DeNucci's family, friends and fans.

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