Lou Marconi (born June 19, 1973Pro Wrestling Illustrated. "Statistics for Professional Wrestlers." PWI 2001 Wrestling Almanac and Book of Facts. Vol. IV. No. 1. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Co., 2001. (pg. 46)) is an American professional wrestler, trainer, and occasional actor. He has wrestled in numerous independent promotions in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern United States since his debut in 1992.
Marconi was a major star in Pennsylvania-based Pro Wrestling eXpress and Steel City Wrestling during the mid-to late 1990s. He held every championship title in both promotions as well as engaged in feuds with Cactus Jack and Stevie Richards. Marconi also had brief stints in Extreme Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as a preliminary wrestler."The PWI 500." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. (Holiday 1998): pg. 68."The PWI 500." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. (Holiday 1999): pg. 65.
A back injury in 2000 prematurely forced Marconi into retirement. He eventually returned to pro wrestling five years later, at age 32, and performed for Absolute Intense Wrestling, International Wrestling Cartel, and G.O.U.G.E. Wrestling. Since August 2012, Marconi has competed in the National Wrestling Alliance winning titles in several NWA-affiliated promotions. He is a former NWA East Three Rivers Champion, a two-time NWA Eastern States Champion, and two-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion. His feud with Phil "Nitro" Monahan is considered by the NWA to be one of the organization's "fiercest rivalries" in recent years. In May 2014, Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked Marconi #5 of the top ten wrestlers in the NWA.
Early life Lou Marconi was born in Brooklyn, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, on June 19, 1973. A lifelong wrestling fan, Marconi followed both the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation during the 1980s. His favorite wrestlers were WWF stars Bret "the Hitman Hart and Mr. Perfect who later influenced his wrestling style. He began training under Charlie Fulton at the Ohio Monster Factory in Marion, Ohio, shortly after leaving high school. Marconi made his pro debut on June 19, 1993, after only two months of training.
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1992–1994) Marconi spent the first years of his wrestling career on the local Ohio-Pennsylvania independent circuit including, most notably, J.T. Lightning's Cleveland All-Pro Wrestling. Pro Wrestling Illustrated alleged that his opponents had dubbed his infamous finisher the "Hellfire lariat" because "it takes five years off your life". On May 25, 1994, Marconi appeared on WWF Superstars of Wrestling where he and Curtis Harrison wrestled The Headshrinkers (Fatu and Samu) for the WWF World Tag Team Championship. Marconi was given this early opportunity, due in large part to his trainer Charlie Fulton, and would eventually become a regular WWF preliminary wrestler for its Midwestern tours from 1996 to 2000.
Steel City Wrestling (1994–1996) That summer, Marconi joined Steel City Wrestling based in Irwin, Pennsylvania. On September 24, 1994, he teamed with Derek Stone to defeat Beauty & The Beast (Frank Stalletto and Futureshock) in Munhall, Pennsylvania, to become the inaugural SCW Tag Team Champions. Beauty & The Beast won the belts three months later in Pittsburgh, however, Marconi soon formed Black & Blue with The Black Cat and made a second run for the tag titles. Marconi and The Black Cat defeated Beauty & The Beast for the SCW Tag Team Championship in Plum, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1995; the two reportedly defeated Futureshock and Stalletto in singles matches during the show. The two were defeated by The Juicer and Preston Steele at Deaf Wrestlefest 1995 on April 9. After a 7-month reign, Black & Blue lost the SCW Tag Team titles to Frank Stalletto and Stevie Richards in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, on October 21. After the match, Raven and Richards attacked Stalletto and the belts were held up.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Steel City Wrestling at the High School." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. March 1996: 70+. On November 11, 1995, Marconi and Frank Stalletto defeated Stevie Richards and Brian Rollins in St. Mary, Pennsylvania to win the vacant SCW Tag Team Championship.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Steel City Wrestling at the High School." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. April 1996: 47+. On April 13, 1996, Marconi and Frank Stalletto defended the SCW Tag Team belts against Ron Cumberledge and Kenny "Hurricane" Hendrix in Barberton, Ohio.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - Independent card at the High School." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. September 1996: 50+. A week later, Marconi and Frank Stalletto lost the belts to Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie at Deaf Wrestlefest 1996.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Steel City's "Deaf Wrestlefest '96" at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. October 1996: 50+.
American States Wrestling Alliance (1996) Marconi began wrestling for the American States Wrestling Alliance around this time. Shortly before Deaf Wrestlefest, Marconi took part in an 18-man battle royal for an ASWA television taping in Lexington, Ohio; he was the last participant to be eliminated by the winner Max Profit.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - ASWA TV taping at the High School." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. September 1996: 50+. On June 8, 1996, Marconi defeated Lumberin' Jack in Alliance, Ohio.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - ASWA TV taping at the Franklin Community Center." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. November 1996: 50+. In August, Marconi made two appearances on WWF Superstars of Wrestling; his first match was against Marc Mero and the second a tag team match with Frank Stalletto versus The Smokin' Gunns (Billy and Bart Gunn). He also wrestled "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on WWF Superstars two months later.
Marconi briefly returned to SCW in the fall. On September 21, 1996, Marconi defeated Paul Atlas at the Tuscarawas County Fair in Dover, Ohio.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - Steel City Wrestling at the Tuscarawas County Fair." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. February 1997: 49+. The following night, he lost to Stevie Richards at Sullivan Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Steel City Wrestling at Sullivan Hall." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. February 1997: 49+.
On October 18, 1996, Marconi teamed with Micro Menace and Kaos in a 6-man tag team match to defeat Bo Dacious, Chip Emdale, and The Prince of Polyester at an ASWA television taping in Mansfield, Ohio.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - ASWA TV taping at the Commerce Center." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. March 1997: 76+. Marconi and Chris Harris entered a championship tag team tournament and advanced to the semi-finals where, on November 22, they defeated Roger Ruffin and The Prince of Polyester at the Commerce Center in Mansfield.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - ASWA at the Commerce Center." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. April 1997: 50+. On December 21, 1996, Marconi and Chris Harris defeated Lumberin' Jack and Chip Endale at the Mansfield Commerce Center.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Ohio - ASWA at the Commerce Center." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. May 1997: 50+. At the end of the year, Marconi was one of several wrestlers featured in a Pro Wrestling Illustrated article about unusual nicknames in pro wrestling. PWI columnist Dave Rosenbaum wrote:
Pro Wrestling eXpress (1996–1997) In late-1996, Marconi debuted in Pittsburgh's Pro Wrestling eXpress. On November 23, 1996, Marconi defeated Big Daddy Adams (substituting for The Black Cat) at the Wrestleplex in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, to win the PWX North American Championship.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Express at the Wrestleplex." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. April 1997: 50+. He subsequently aligned himself with manager Notorious Norm's heel stable.Apter, Bill. "Ringside." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. April 1997: 8+. The two later became known as "The Spice Boys". On December 13, 1996, Marconi held on to his title via a disqualification loss to Paul Atlas at the Wrestleplex.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Express at the Wrestleplex." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. May 1997: 50+. A rematch the following night in Herminie, Pennsylvania, resulted in a victory for Marconi.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Express at the HSi." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. May 1997: 50+. On February 22, 1997, Marconi lost the PWX North American Championship to Dennis Gregory (substituting for J.B. Destiny) at the National Guard Armory in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the Armory." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. July 1997: 50+. On March 7, 1997, Marconi joined Axl Rotten, Adam Flash, and Frank Stalletto an 8-man tag team elimination match against Stevie Richards, The Blue Meanie, J.B. Destiny, and Colonel Payne at the Wrestleplex in North Versailles.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the Wrestleplex." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. August 1997: 50+. One day later, Marconi defeated "Bad Boy" Brian Anthony at North Star High School in Boswell, Pennsylvania.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the North Star High School." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. August 1997: 50+. On April 5, 1997, Marconi returned to Punxsutawney where he defeated J.B. Destiny.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the Armory." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. September 1997: 50+.
On May 9, Marconi defeated PWX Heavyweight Champion T. Rantula in a non-title "I Quit" match at the Wrestleplex.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the Wrestleplex." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. October 1997: 50+. Marconi has called this match, in which he was powerbombed though the particleboard-constructed entranceway, the "craziest" of his entire career. On May 24, Marconi defeated Paul Atlas in a rematch. That same night Marconi lost to PWX Heavyweight Champion T. Rantula in a Falls Count Anywhere match in Punxsutawney.DiMuzio, Michael J. and Everett Buchanan. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the Armory." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. November 1997: 50+. On May 30, Marconi defended his title twice in one night at the Wrestleplex defeating Paul Atlas, by disqualification, and Quinn Magnum.Miller, Jim and Jeff Gorman. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the Wrestleplex." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. November 1997: 50+. On May 31, Marconi and Gator battled to a double-countout at Carmichaels High School. At the end of the show, Marconi also defeated Brian Anthony.Miller, Jim and Jeff Gorman. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress at the High School." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. December 1997: 50+. On July 28, Marconi wrestled Brian Pillman on WWF Shotgun Saturday Night. On August 27, 1997, Marconi defeated PWX North American Champion Dennis Gregory in a unification match at the Wrestleplex.Gorman, Jeff. "Arena Reports: Pennsylvania - Pro Wrestling Xpress TV taping at the Wrestleplex." Pro Wrestling Illustrated. January 1998: 50+.Apter, Bill. "Names Makin' News." Inside Wrestling. Holiday 1997: 9+. That same month, Marconi made his Extreme Championship Wrestling debut against Bam Bam Bigelow before 2,200 fans at the Golden Dome in Monaca, Pennsylvania. Marconi was initially brought into ECW by The Blue Meanie and would continue to make appearances with the promotion throughout the year.