Steve Rizzono

Infobox Wrestler
name=Steve Coombs


names=Steve Rizzono
height= 6 ft 2 incite news | last= | first= | title=Steve Rizzono's first APW profile | date= May 7, 2007 | publisher= All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/apwgarage/profiles/rizzono.html]
weight= 245 lb
birth_date =
death_date =
birth_place =Camden, New Jersey [cite news | last= | first= | title=Steve Rizzono's second APW profile | date= 6 May 2007 | publisher= All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/misc/10years/cybersports/rizzono.html]
resides=California
billed=California
trainer=APW Boot Campcite news | last=Staniforth | first=Peter | title=XPW - "Baptized in Blood 2" Video Review | date=2004 | publisher=Wrestling Clothesline | url= http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com/TapeXPW.htm] cite news | last=Alexander | first=Roland | title=Carny Central | date= 28 Feb. 2007 | publisher= Carny Central | url= http://www.carnycentral.com/2007_02_01_archive.html]
debut=March 29, 1995
retired=October 18, 2003 [cite news | last= | first= | title=APW-LA results | date= 19 Oct. 2003 | publisher= Forums.TheSmartMarks.com | url= http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=43230&mode=threaded] [cite news | last= | first= | title=So Cal Uncensored | date= 20 Oct. 2003 | publisher= So Cal Uncensored | url= http://www.socaluncensored.com/board/showpost.php3?p=32994&postcount=30] |

Steve Coombscite news | last=| first=| title=Steve Rizzono's CageMatch.net profile | date=17 May 2007 | publisher=CageMatch.net | url= http://cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=00002361] is a former professional wrestler best known for his stint in Xtreme Pro Wrestling.cite news | last=Goldsmith | first=Susan | title=Mortal Combat | date=14 Jan. 2004 | publisher= The East Bay Express | url= http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2004-01-14/feature_5.html] Coombs competed primarily as "The Gigolo" Steve Rizzono.cite news | last= | first= | title=Steve Rizzono mentioned on AVN.com (misspelled as "Rosano") | date=30 June 1999 | publisher= Adult Video News | url= http://www.avn.com/index_cache.php?Primary_Navigation=Articles&Action=View_Article&Content_ID=18579 ] At one time, Rizzono was also a bouncercite news | last=Lano | first=Mike | title=No luck for Shamrock | date=2 Dec. 2002 | publisher=The San Francisco Examiner | url= http://groups.google.com/group/rec.sport.pro-wrestling/browse_thread/thread/2bd4eb4270b50602/dffa40b6e074ba13?lnk=st&q=rizzono+group%3Arec.sport.pro-wrestling&rnum=21#dffa40b6e074ba13] and a personal trainer. [cite news | last=Meyers | first=Michelle | title=In Pursuit of a Dream | date=20 Oct. 2003 | publisher=The Alameda Times-Star, The Oakland Tribune | url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20031020/ai_n14561335 ]

Career

Steve Rizzono trained alongside Spike Dudley at All Pro Wrestling's school and made his debut on March 29, 1995, teaming with Mike Modest against Robert Thompson and Mike Diamond. While competing in APW, he captured the APW Tag Team titles with Mike Modest and Tony Jones. He also won a famous three-way dance that featured Vic Grimes and Erin O' Grady. [cite news | last= | first= | title=1997 APW Results | date=7 May 2007 | publisher=All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/apwgarage/97results.html] On January 22, 1996 in Stockton, CA, Rizzono made his World Wrestling Federation debutcite news | last=Hunt | first=Don | title=Wrestling: tights, fights, a ringside night | date=30 June 1999 | publisher=The Mail Tribune | url= http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/june99/63099n2.htm] in a losing effort to Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw.cite news | last=Cawthon | first=Graham | title=WWF Ring Results 1996 | date=1 May 2007 | publisher=History of WWE | url= http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/96.htm] The following night in Oakland, Rizzono jobbed to Duke "The Dumpster" Droese in a match that was featured on the WWF Superstars TV program. [cite news | last=| first=| title=Hunter Hearst Helmsley (HHH) | date=6 May 2007 | publisher=Professional Wrestling Online Museum | url= http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/hunterhelmsley2.html] [cite news | last= August | first= Johnny | title= WWF Superstars Tapings - San Jose | date=26 Jan. 1996 | publisher=Google Groups | url= http://groups.google.com/group/rec.sport.pro-wrestling/browse_thread/thread/9da8a719a96ac03b/e3f70735dca02391?lnk=st&q=rizzono+group%3Arec.sport.pro-wrestling&rnum=54#e3f70735dca02391]

On the weekend of ECW’s November to Remember 1997 pay-per-view, Rizzono had a match with Robert Thompson on an APW show. Wrestling Observer journalist Dave Meltzer attended both shows. A few weeks later, Meltzer wrote in the observer that Rizzono's match with Thompson was better than almost anything he saw on the ECW event. [cite news | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | title= All Pro Wrestling coverage | date=Nov. 1997 | publisher=Wrestling Observer | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/corporate/testimonials.htm ] [cite news | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | title= All Pro Wrestling coverage | date=Nov. 1997 | publisher=Wrestling Observer | url= http://rspw.org/tidbits/tidbits.961128 ] In between his APW stint and his early 2000 entrance into XPW, Rizzono wrestled in the United States Wrestling Association [cite news | last=| first=| title=USWA Memphis Tapes | date=6 May 2007 | publisher= ShiningWizard.com | url= http://www.shiningwizard.com/tapes/tapes.php?category=37] cite news | last= | first= | title=APW Timeline | date=7 May 2007 | publisher=All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/apwgarage/big2.html] and for independent promotions based in the Portland area.cite news | last=Hunt | first=Don | title=Wrestling: tights, fights, a ringside night | date=30 June 1999 | publisher=The Mail Tribune | url= http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/june99/63099n2.htm] [cite news | last=Hunt | first=Don | title=Racing will be a real drag tonight | date=3 Aug. 1999 | publisher=The Mail Tribune | url= http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/aug99/8399s3.htm] [cite news | last=Hunt | first=Don | title=Pro show at Armory brings out the beast in fans | date=2 July 1999 | publisher=The Mail Tribune | url= http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/july99/7299n1.htm] In Portland, Rizzono was managed by Jonny Fairplay.

Upon joining XPW, Rizzono initially had a partnership with Kid Kaos, but it quickly escalated into a bitter rivalry. [cite news | last= Woods, II | first=Wes | title=Insane entertainers take the sport in a bloody direction | date=July 2000 | publisher= California State University, Long Beach | url= http://www.csulb.edu/%7Ed49er/archives/2000/fall/diversions/v8n5-wrestling.html] At one point, Rizzono was managed by "Playboy" Buddy Rose, in an unsuccessful journey after the XPW World Heavyweight Championship. During his early tenure, he had matches against Public Enemy, John Kronus, and Juventud Guerrera.cite news | last= | first= | title=XPW results | date= | publisher= Wrestling Information Archive | url= http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/xpw/xpwres.htm] He was a member of The Black Army, and (following his banishment from the Army) founded The Enterprise with manager and porn star Veronica Caine, in order to avenge the rejection from his former teammates. [cite news | last= | first= | title= Independent Wrestling Stables | date=6 May 2007 | publisher=Wrestling Information Archive | url= http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/stables.htm ] [cite news | last= | first= | title=The Furious Flashbacks - XPW Redemption | date=6 May 2007 | publisher= FuriousRage.com | url= http://www.furiousrage.com/cgi-bin/furious.pl?article=XPW/XPW%20Redemption] Besides feuding with the Black Army, Rizzono feuded heavily with Pogo the Clown, as Rizzono was usually privy to receiving harsh beatings from Pogo. Their feud was featured in two (2001 and 2002) of XPW's annual King of the Deathmatch Tournaments, as both matches began as singles matches, but soon turned into triple threat matches midway through. In both bouts, Rizzono fell victim to brutal and memorable beatings from his arch nemesis, which resulted in Rizzono savagely losing in both of his appearances. Rizzono departed from XPW in mid-2002 when XPW relocated its operations to the Pennsylvania area on the East Coast.cite news | last=Rodgers | first=Mike | title=Steve Rizzono interview | date=2005 | publisher=Ring Around the Northwest newsletter | url= http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=059422;p= ]

Rizzono returned to APW on November 8, 2002 [cite news | last=Benson | first=J.R. | title=APW Gym Wars results - November 8, 2002 | date=8 Nov. 2002 | publisher=J.R. Benson's web site | url= http://www.jrbenson.com/BOOBGRAB.htm] as a trainer, [cite news | last=Connelley | first=Sean | title=Photo: Steve Rizzono teaches Tiffany Schaefer how to throw a punch | date=2 Dec. 2003 | publisher=ANG Newspapers & San Francisco Bay Area Press Photographers Association | url= http://www.sfbappa.org/SF31.images/Picture%20Story/AEslc/pages/7slc1d.htm ] [cite news | last=| first=| title=Spotlight on All Pro Wrestling | date=19 Oct. 2003 | publisher=The Fremont Argus | url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=8727] a commentator, and a manager [cite news | last=Lano | first=Mike | title=Sugey tops ChickFight, Grimes reappears | date=31 Oct. 2004 | publisher=Canadian Online Explorer | url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/10/31/695160.html] before leaving the business. He currently resides in California and he has health problems due to the severe injuries he incurred in XPW, including multiple concussions and broken noses as a result of death matches in which he participated. On July 18, 2007, Steve received spinal surgery in which two ligaments were removed from his spine.

Wrestling facts

*Finishing and signature moves:*"One Night Stand" (Inverted leg drop bulldog):*High knee strike:*Superplex:*Diving pointed elbow drop:*Frankensteiner

*Managers:*"Playboy" Buddy Rose:*Gina:*Jonny Fairplay:*Lady Brenda :*GQ Money:*Rob Black:*Snowy Bear [cite news | last= | first= | title=1998 APW results | date= 7 May 2007 | publisher= All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/apwgarage/98results.html] :*Veronica Caine

Championships and accomplishments

*All Pro Wrestling:*APW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Mike Modest (1) [cite news | last=Gerweck | first=Steve | title=Mike Modest profile | date=7 May 2007 | publisher=Gerweck.net | url= http://www.gerweck.net/mikemodest.htm ] and Tony Jones (1) [cite news | last= | first= | title=APW Tag Team Title History | date=5 May 2007 | publisher=All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.allprowrestling.com/apwgarage/tagteam.html ] [cite news | last=Jones | first=Tony | title="The Shooter" Tony Jones Resume | date=6 May 2007 | publisher=Tony Jones' web site | url= http://www.shootertonyjones.net/Resume.htm ] [cite news | last=| first=| title=All Pro Wrestling Title Histories | date=6 May 2007 | publisher=All Pro Wrestling | url= http://www.titlehistories.com/All_Pro_Wrestling.htm ]
*:*NWA-ECCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chance Beckett [cite news | last= | first= | title=National Wrestling Alliance - Encyclopedia | date=6 May 2007 | publisher=National Wrestling Alliance | url= http://www.nwawrestling.com/PHP-Nuke/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=101 ] [cite news | last= | first= | title=NWA-ECCW Tag Team Title History | date=6 May 2007 | publisher=Titlehistories.com | url= http://www.titlehistories.com/ECCW_Tag_Team_Titles.htm ] [cite news | last= | first= | title=Steve Rizzono's ECCW profile | date=6 May 2007 | publisher= Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling | url= http://www.eccw.com/bio.php?name=steverizzono&
] :*NWA Vancouver Island Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [cite news | last= | first= | title=N.W.A. Vancouver Island Heavyweight Title | date=6 May 2007 | publisher= Wrestling-Titles.com | url= http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/vancouver/eccw/nwa-vi-h.html] [cite news | last=Rich | first=Brian | title=List of Pro Wrestlers that are Retired, Missing, or Independent | date=6 May 2007 | publisher= BrianRich.net | url= http://www.brianrich.net/retired.html] :*November 1999 ECCW Hardcore Championship Tournament finalist (Eliminated by Ladie's Choice in the finals)
*Xtreme Pro Wrestling:*XPW King of the Deathmatch Tournament 2001 participant (Eliminated in first round) [cite news | last=Saito | first=Fumi | title=Article and photo gallery on XPW’s second King of the Deathmatch Tournament | date= Feb. 2001 | publisher= Baseball Magazine (Japanese language) | url= ] :*XPW King of the Deathmatch Tournament 2002 participant (Eliminated in first round)

Media

*Video and DVD appearances:*"XPW: After the Fall". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Big Vision Entertainment, 2006. :*"XPW: Retribution". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2003. :*"XPW: Best of XPW TV, Vol. 1". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2003.:*"XPW: Best of The Enterprise". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002.:*"XPW Class-X Presents: XPW Baptized in Blood, Vol. 1 & 2". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Big Vision Entertainment, 2007.:*"XPW Class-X Presents: XPW TV The Complete First Season". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Big Vision Entertainment, 2007.:*"XPW: New Year's Revolution". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. :*"XPW: Blown To Hell". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. ::*"XPW: Liberty or Death". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. :*"XPW: Baptized In Blood 2". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. :*"XPW: Baptized In Blood 3: Night of Champions". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. :*"XPW: Free Fall". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. :*"XPW: Genocide". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002. [cite news | last= | first= | title=Rizzono at Internet Movie Database | date=7 May 2007 | publisher=Internet Movie Database | url= http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1488092/ ] :*"XPW: Best of The Black Army". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2002.:*"XPW: Damage Inc.". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2001.:*"XPW: Redemption". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2001. :*"XPW: Go Funk Yourself". Perf. Steve Rizzono. DVD. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2001. :*"XPW: We Wrestle". Perf. Steve Rizzono. VHS. Xtreme Pro Wrestling, 2001.

*Film and television appearances:*Nash Bridges. CBS. Jan. 2001. :* [http://www.clearvisionmpg.com/obscenerypage.htm Obscenery] . Executive Producer Melissa Wegman. [http://www.clearvisionmpg.com/index.htm ClearVision Media Production Group] . XPW archive footage appearance.:*"Pornographer runs for Los Angeles mayor." Extra TV. Syndication. July 2000. "XPW archive footage appearance."

References

Further reading

*Ginzburg, Evan. "Steve Rizzono interview". Wrestling - Then & Now<. Issue #165.
*Goldsmith, Susan. " [http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2004-01-14/feature_5.html Mortal Combat] ". The East Bay Express<. January 14, 2004.
*Howell, Brian. "One Ring Circus: Extreme Wrestling in the Minor Leagues". Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2002. ISBN 1-55152-132-6
*Hunt, Don. " [http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/july99/7299n1.htm Pro show at Armory brings out the beast in fans] ". The Mail Tribune July 2, 1999.
*Hunt, Don. " [http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/aug99/8399s3.htm Racing will be a real drag tonight] ". The Mail Tribune August 3, 1999.
*Hunt, Don. " [http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/99/june99/63099n2.htm Wrestling: tights, fights, a ringside night] ".The Mail Tribune June 30, 1999.
*Meyers, Michelle. " [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20031020/ai_n14561335 In Pursuit of a Dream] ". The Alameda Times-Star, The Oakland Tribune. October 20, 2003.
*Rodgers, Mike. " [http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=059422;p= Steve Rizzono interview] ". Ring Around the Northwest newsletter. 2005.
*Saito, Fumi. Article and photo gallery on XPW’s second King of the Deathmatch Tournament. Baseball Magazine Japanese language. February 2001.
*" [http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=8727 Spotlight on All Pro Wrestling] ". The Fremont Argus October 19, 2003.

External links

* [http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=00002361 Steve Rizzono at CageMatch.net]
* [http://www.genickbruch.com/bios/showbio.php?id=274 Steve Rizzono at Genickbruch.com]
* [http://www.wrestlingzone.ru/star/s/steverizzono/ Steve Rizzono at WrestleZone.ru]