Johnny Palazzio

Infobox Wrestler
name = Johnny Palazzio
names = JP


image_size = 140px
img_capt =
height = 5'11" (180cm)
weight = 223 lbs (101kg)
real_height =
real_weight =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1980|3|3|mf=y
birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa
death_date =
death_place =
resides =
billed =
trainer = Shaun Koen
debut = February 21 2002
retired =
website =

Jean Paul Whittacker, better known by his ring name Johnny Palazzio, is a South African professional wrestler currently performing for Africa Wrestling Alliance. [cite web | title = AWA Roster (Arranged Alphabetically) | work = AWA Wrestling | url = http://www.awfwrestle.com/wrestlers.htm ] [cite web | title = Johnny Palazzio Brief Profile | work = AWA Fan Club | url = http://awawebsite.bravehost.com/Roster/JPalazzio.htm ] He has been the African Cruiserweight Champion since 2004. [cite web | title = Recent AWA News (Scroll down for news of Cruiserweight Title defense) | work = AWA Wrestling | url = http://www.awfwrestle.com/news.htm ]

Career

After training at the "AWA Wrestling Academy", Johnny Palazzio made his professional wrestling debut for the Africa Wrestling Alliance in 2002 as "JP", teaming up with Viper and The Clown to take on Ultimo Wulf, Nitro and William McQueen in a losing effort. He became embroiled in a heated feud with Nitro for the rest of 2002 and 2003, then made his debut at the Parow Civic Centre, the AWA's most widely used venue, teaming up with Viper and losing to Nitro and Ultimo Wulf.

In 2004, he dominated the cruiserweight division for most of the year. Palazzio teamed up with his trainee Tygra to defeat Wolf and Saphire in South African wrestling's first-ever mixed gender tag team match. Later in the year, he feuded with arch-nemesis Archangel. On December 11 2004, at the "AWF on E Slam Series Final" broadcast live on eTV, he defeated Archangel in a 12-man cruiserweight battle royal to become the first-ever AWA African Cruiserweight Champion.

In 2005, he feuded with the larger African Warrior in a bid to prove he could defeat anyone. They had a 5-match series, which took place in various parts of South Africa and Swaziland. Both wrestlers won 2 matches, and the final match ended in a time-limit draw.

He defended the AWA African Cruiserweight Championship in South Africa's first-ever ladder match on June 16 2007 at the Parow Civic Centre, defeating William McQueen and Vinnie Vegas. [cite web | title = Recent AWA News - Palazzio defends title in a Triple Threat Ladder match | work = AWA Wrestling | url = http://www.awfwrestle.com/news.htm ]

In 2004 he made a guest appearance on the South African sitcom "Madam & Eve".

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*Pumphandle slam:*Sitout powerbomb

*Nicknames:*"The Italian Stallion"

Championships and accomplishments

*Africa Wrestling Alliance:*African Cruiserweight Title
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated:* PWI ranked him #453 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in 2007. [cite web | title = Ranked No 453 in the PWI 500 of 2007 | work = Wrestling Information Archive | url = http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50007.htm ]

References

External links

* [http://www.awfwrestle.com/ Official African Wrestling Alliance Website]
* [http://www.awfwrestle.com/wrestlers.htm Profile on Roster Page at the AWA Web Site (Scroll down)]
* [http://www.awfwrestle.com/news.htm Johnny Palazzio defends the African Cruiserweight Championship]
* [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=139&art_id=vn20040604094728392C391614&set_id=1 AWA goes to the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town]