Ricky Romero (wrestler)
 |
| Ricky Romero | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 24, 1931 San Bernardino, CA |
| Died | January 15, 2006 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Ricky Romero Rapid Rick Romero Mexico Grand |
| Billed from | Amarillo, TX |
| Trained by | Bob Geigel Dory Funk Sr. Mike DiBiase |
| Debut | 1955 |
Ricky Romero was a professional wrestler better known as "Rapid" Ricky Romero. Romero was best known for being a huge draw in the State of Texas in the 1970s.
Before Pro-Wrestling
Ricky Romero began his career as a catcher for The San Francisco Giants AAA Team.
Career
Rise to Fame
He wrestled in every major market between 1955 into the 1980s. Ricky tagged with the likes of Pedro Morales in The WWA, Terry Funk and Nick Bockwinkel in The NWA and Rito Romero in The W.W.W.F. He got his huge break, when Dory Funk Sr. brought him into The Amarillo, TX area during a time of segregation between races. A young Ricky Romero broke attendance records as well as breaking racial barriers and became loved by all people, the first hispanic wrestler in the area that gained a top babyface spot and a fan given nickname "SuperMex".
Legacy in Amarillo
In 1972 he beat Terry Funk in a most popular wrestler contest in Amarillo, was a top draw for Gory Guerrero in El Paso, TX as well as for Fritz von Erich in Dallas, TX and Paul Boesh in Houston, TX. He was such a top draw in the Rocky Mountain area Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, that Dory Sr. invented the Rocky Mountain Title just for Ricky which he retired in the early 80's.
Singles Wrestler
Ricky Romero as a singles wrestler, went up against the likes of Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, Wild Red Berry, and Jack Brisco. Romero was also one of the first pioneers to work for Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki in Japan, wearing a mask as Mexico Grand' as a heel.
Ricky Romero retired as a professional wrestler in The early 1980s.
Personal Life
Ricky Romero was married to Stella Marrujo on December 17, 1949. He is the father of wrestling superstars Steven Romero, Mark Romero and Chris Romero. All three wrestled using the gimmick last name "Youngblood". Ricky also served as manager to sons Mark and Chris throughout the late 1980s. Ricky's grandson is also a professional wrestler who wrestles under the name "Radical" Ricky Romero III for The Amarillo, TX based Professional Wrestling Federation.
Death
On January 15, 2006 Ricky Romero died at the age of 74 after years of complications due to diabetes.
Wrestling facts
- Finishing and signature moves
- Sleeper hold
- Cannonball
Championships and accomplishments
- National Wrestling Alliance
- National
- Regional
- NWA Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Championship (5 times)
- NWA Southwestern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dory Funk Sr.
- NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Terry Funk (2), Moose Morowski (1), Dory Funk, Jr. (1), Silver Streak (1), and Akihisa Takachiho (1)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (1 time) - with Nick Bockwinkel
- WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Pedro Morales