Kenny Casanova
Encyclopedia
Kenny Casanova, born in May 1971, is a professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager with international success in semi retirement, and also a DJ. Kenny Casanova is best known as a prowrestler on the North East circuit, whose career has led him to be inducted in the class of 2010 New England Prowrestling Hall of Fame.
Over his career he has wrestled, ring announced, acted as a color-commentator, and acted as a wrestling manager (persona/talent/character) for many international names. A few of the international names he has regularly managed and connected to are King Kong Bundy
, Nikolai Volkoff
, Public Enemy's Rocco Rock
, Tom Brandi
,. Others including Demolition
, HC Loc aka Matt Knowles
, Rocco Rock
, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, and Japanese wrestler Shockwave The Robot. Casanova has had extensive pro wrestling feuds with The Patriot
, Primo Carnera III, Tito Santana
, Jake Roberts
, and Jeff Starr.
Kenny Casanova's national professional wrestling career began initially as a ring announcer for World Wrestling Federation
in the summer of 1994. (See Wham Bam and Body Slams VHS Video Tape Coliseum Home Video 1994.) He appeared on WWF SUperstars of Wrestling and WWF All American Wrestling.
In fall 1994, Casanova attended a professional wrestling school in Elmira, New York with his friend Ring Of Honor
and ECW
wrestler HC Loc, aka Matt Knowles, as a trainer. Casanova trained under T.C. Reynolds aka Doink the Clown
every weekend for the course of fifteen months, trying to learn every physical comedy spot he could. He also learned many spots and a great deal training under Tom Brandi
, Bam Bam Bigelow, and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka
being fully emersed as a rookie in run by the USWF. Kenny's class included other north east professional wrestlers including Matt Knowles
(HC Loc), Thornn aka Sweet Pete Waters, "Hotbod" Todd Taylor, and "Danger" Dave DeJohn.
He also managed "The Hollywood Escort" Sweet Pete Waters a.k.a Thornn
, "Moleman" Chris Maxon aka. Papa Chill, HC Loc, The Milwaukee Mauler, King Kahlua and Salvatore Sincere aka Tom Brandi
.
Kenny started with USWF then left for a rival promotion called NBW, New Breed Wrestling in 1997 and then went on to wrestle for WWA wrestling, NEW wrestling, World Of Hurt Wrestling, TSW in VT and many other independents in the North East wrestling scene.
The impact actually broke the ring, leaving the two graplers in a pit in the center of the squared circle. This independent footage was picked up by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Page text. After this incident, a big battle royal to crown the first ever NBW Heavyweight Champ was scheduled to happen. However, it could not be a traditional over-the-top battle royal, as Bundy had destroyed the ring. Kenny Casanova quickly had it changed to a reverse battle royal, where the first man who could enter the ring would become the winner, Kenny Casanova's quick thinking led to his man, Iron Mike Sharpe
as the winner, and first champion.
Kenny Casanova also ran his first stint in drag as "Kendra Casanova," wrestling as his own sister to obtain the NBW Ladies Championship beating Miss Patricia and Missy Hiatt on separate occasions for the title.
After more matches with the ESW, Kenny Casanova held The Battle Royal Championship as well as the ECW Woman's Title in Eastern States Wrestling. It was also in ESW Kenny Casanova added a karaoke gimmick to his character, singing at ringside during intermission, and sometimes as his own entrance to the ring.
He was aligned with Dave "Danger" Dejohn and feuded with him off and on for the entire run of the federation. Here he held the woman's title on several occasions, as Kendra Casanova, beating Miss Deville, Barbie, and Kayla Sparks. His first tag team to find WOHW gold was Damage Inc, Danger & Mike Hardy, and HC Loc aka Matt Knowles
. Kenny later substituted in Jeff Starr with Dave "Danger" DeJohn. and He also managed Camp Casanova under "Old School Revolution"; a breakdance type gimmick, with members including Brodie Lee
, Shana, Miss Deville, and Buttery Bert Williams.
Kenny also headed up a group called The Pie Mafia; a mysterious group of wrestlers grabbed last second from the lockerroom to do unscripted run-ins to hit unsuspecting wrestlers in the faces with pies, during their matches.
Over his career he has wrestled, ring announced, acted as a color-commentator, and acted as a wrestling manager (persona/talent/character) for many international names. A few of the international names he has regularly managed and connected to are King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy
Christopher Alan "Chris" Pallies is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian and actor, better known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy.-Personal:...
, Nikolai Volkoff
Nikolai Volkoff
Josip Nikolai Peruzović , better known by his ring name of Nikolai Volkoff, is a professional wrestler who is best known for his performances for the World Wrestling Federation...
, Public Enemy's Rocco Rock
Rocco Rock
Theodore James Petty was an American professional wrestler better known as "Flyboy" Rocco Rock, one half of The Public Enemy.-Career:...
, Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi is a professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is also known for his current work as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East...
,. Others including Demolition
Demolition
Demolition is the tearing-down of buildings and other structures, the opposite of construction. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves taking a building apart while carefully preserving valuable elements for re-use....
, HC Loc aka Matt Knowles
Matt Knowles
Matthew "Matt" Knowles is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, HC Loc. He is perhaps best known for his tenure in Ring of Honor, where he is a one time World Tag Team Champion with Tony DeVito as a part of The Carnage Crew.-Early career:After watching a television...
, Rocco Rock
Rocco Rock
Theodore James Petty was an American professional wrestler better known as "Flyboy" Rocco Rock, one half of The Public Enemy.-Career:...
, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, and Japanese wrestler Shockwave The Robot. Casanova has had extensive pro wrestling feuds with The Patriot
Del Wilkes
Del Wilkes is a former American professional wrestler. Over the span of 14 years, he performed in various promotions such as American Wrestling Association, All Japan Pro Wrestling...
, Primo Carnera III, Tito Santana
Tito Santana
Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation...
, Jake Roberts
Jake Roberts
Aurelian Jake Smith, Jr. is a second-generation American professional wrestler, the son of former wrestler Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith...
, and Jeff Starr.
Early years
Before becoming a pro wrestling personality, as a high school student in the spring of 1988 Page text., Kenny Casanova sold tickets and helped coordinate backstage for a wrestling promotion called WWWF. This initial experience was for an MS Fundraiser Show, put together by the legendary wrestling manager Captain Lou Albano.Kenny Casanova's national professional wrestling career began initially as a ring announcer for World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
in the summer of 1994. (See Wham Bam and Body Slams VHS Video Tape Coliseum Home Video 1994.) He appeared on WWF SUperstars of Wrestling and WWF All American Wrestling.
In fall 1994, Casanova attended a professional wrestling school in Elmira, New York with his friend Ring Of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
and ECW
ECW
ECW may refer to:Professional wrestling* Extreme Championship Wrestling, a professional wrestling promotion that operated from 1992 to 2001...
wrestler HC Loc, aka Matt Knowles, as a trainer. Casanova trained under T.C. Reynolds aka Doink the Clown
Doink the Clown
Doink the Clown is a professional wrestling gimmick, originally used by Matt Osborne in the World Wrestling Federation from 1993 to 1995. Since Osborne's departure from the WWF, the character has been played by several wrestlers, primarily on the independent circuit, as well as in sporadic special...
every weekend for the course of fifteen months, trying to learn every physical comedy spot he could. He also learned many spots and a great deal training under Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi is a professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is also known for his current work as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East...
, Bam Bam Bigelow, and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy Snuka
James William "Jimmy" Reiher is a semi-retired Fijian professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Originally from the Fiji Islands, Snuka wrestled for several promotions in the 1970s and 1980s. Snuka is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having been a...
being fully emersed as a rookie in run by the USWF. Kenny's class included other north east professional wrestlers including Matt Knowles
Matt Knowles
Matthew "Matt" Knowles is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, HC Loc. He is perhaps best known for his tenure in Ring of Honor, where he is a one time World Tag Team Champion with Tony DeVito as a part of The Carnage Crew.-Early career:After watching a television...
(HC Loc), Thornn aka Sweet Pete Waters, "Hotbod" Todd Taylor, and "Danger" Dave DeJohn.
USWF - United States Wrestling Federation
The United States Wrestling Federation, operating out of Elmira New York was Kenny Casanova's first break. In the fall of 1995, Kenny Casanova managed and wrestled in his first team called "Damage Inc" (Danger Dave DeJohn and Hazard. He led Danger & Hazard to the USWF Tag Team Titles. Kenny Casanova also had a feud with Steve Corino and Tom Brandi in the USWF, but would later take on Salvatore Sincere (Tom Brandi's alter ego)as a key member of Camp Casanova in WWA.He also managed "The Hollywood Escort" Sweet Pete Waters a.k.a Thornn
Thornn
Thornn is a fictional character created by Marvel Comics for their series, X-Force. She was one of the few Morlocks to survive the Mutant Massacre and is the sister of former X-Force member, Feral...
, "Moleman" Chris Maxon aka. Papa Chill, HC Loc, The Milwaukee Mauler, King Kahlua and Salvatore Sincere aka Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi is a professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is also known for his current work as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East...
.
Kenny started with USWF then left for a rival promotion called NBW, New Breed Wrestling in 1997 and then went on to wrestle for WWA wrestling, NEW wrestling, World Of Hurt Wrestling, TSW in VT and many other independents in the North East wrestling scene.
NBW - New Breed Wrestling
In April 1997, King Kong Bundy resurfaced in magazines when he joined a Kenny Casanova's faction called "Camp Casanova" along with "Danger" Dave DeJohn and The Masked Maniac at times in USWF, NBW, and USA Power Pro Wrestling. In a match against "The Seven Foot Tall" Primo Canera III, Bundy knee-dropped his opponent and then "Bundy-Splashed" him.The impact actually broke the ring, leaving the two graplers in a pit in the center of the squared circle. This independent footage was picked up by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Page text. After this incident, a big battle royal to crown the first ever NBW Heavyweight Champ was scheduled to happen. However, it could not be a traditional over-the-top battle royal, as Bundy had destroyed the ring. Kenny Casanova quickly had it changed to a reverse battle royal, where the first man who could enter the ring would become the winner, Kenny Casanova's quick thinking led to his man, Iron Mike Sharpe
Mike Sharpe
Michael "Mike" Sharpe is a Canadian professional wrestler better known as Iron Mike Sharpe.-Career:Sharpe comes from a family legacy of wrestling, as his father and uncle were a successful tag team in the 1950s, recognized as champions from San Francisco to Japan. He grew up in California, but...
as the winner, and first champion.
Kenny Casanova also ran his first stint in drag as "Kendra Casanova," wrestling as his own sister to obtain the NBW Ladies Championship beating Miss Patricia and Missy Hiatt on separate occasions for the title.
ESW - Eastern States Wrestling
While Kenny mostly managed and did wrestle in battle royals and tag team matches where little competition was provided for by his behalf, Kenny's first singles competition was in ESW on August 15, 1999 against his former ally John Diamond. He wrestled under a mask as "The Jive Turkey" Jimmy Giblets. Page text.After more matches with the ESW, Kenny Casanova held The Battle Royal Championship as well as the ECW Woman's Title in Eastern States Wrestling. It was also in ESW Kenny Casanova added a karaoke gimmick to his character, singing at ringside during intermission, and sometimes as his own entrance to the ring.
WOHW - World of Hurt Wrestling
Kenny Casanova was primarily a manager in WOHW, a federation out of Upstate NY from 1999 - 2003 with good covereage in Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazines.He was aligned with Dave "Danger" Dejohn and feuded with him off and on for the entire run of the federation. Here he held the woman's title on several occasions, as Kendra Casanova, beating Miss Deville, Barbie, and Kayla Sparks. His first tag team to find WOHW gold was Damage Inc, Danger & Mike Hardy, and HC Loc aka Matt Knowles
Matt Knowles
Matthew "Matt" Knowles is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, HC Loc. He is perhaps best known for his tenure in Ring of Honor, where he is a one time World Tag Team Champion with Tony DeVito as a part of The Carnage Crew.-Early career:After watching a television...
. Kenny later substituted in Jeff Starr with Dave "Danger" DeJohn. and He also managed Camp Casanova under "Old School Revolution"; a breakdance type gimmick, with members including Brodie Lee
Brodie Lee
Jon Huber is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brodie Lee, who performs primarily in the Chikara, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling professional wrestling promotions...
, Shana, Miss Deville, and Buttery Bert Williams.
Kenny also headed up a group called The Pie Mafia; a mysterious group of wrestlers grabbed last second from the lockerroom to do unscripted run-ins to hit unsuspecting wrestlers in the faces with pies, during their matches.
New Millenium Wrestling
Managed Chip Stetson to the championship, as well as tag teamed with him. Kenny also managed Monkey Mulligan and The Pie Mafia.TSW - Tri State Wrestling
Kenny Casanova was the play-by-play and also color commentator for TSW High Impact TV Show UPN in Vermont, and all over the country through syndication. Wrestling fans all over America tunned into TSW High Impact, Kenny Casanova was the voice that they heard from 2001-2004. He also was an acting manager of his group, "Camp Casanova."Pro Wrestling Magazine Features
- Wrestle America FALL EDITION 1997
- Wrestle America 2001 ANNUAL
- Wrestle America 2002 ANNUAL
- 1996 PWI Wrestling Almanac ANNUAL
- 1997 PWI Wrestling Almanac ANNUAL
- 1998 PWI Wrestling Almanac ANNUAL
- 1999 Guide The The Independents DECEMBER 1999
- Wrestling Superstars DEC 2000 Edition