Rocca, Starr In Mat Show At Sunnyside

Long Island Star-Journal – June 21, 1960

The biggest assemblage of pro wrestling’s top stars to be seen at Sunnyside Garden in many weeks will be in action at the Queens boulevard club tonight.

Antonino Rocca meets Fritz Mueller of Germany in the 8:30 P. M. non-TV opener.  Ricki Starr, ballet dancing matman, whirls with Al Smith, and Dr. Jerry Graham, Hollywood ruffian, takes on Lou Albano.

Chris and John Tolos, well-known Greek brother act, go against a new Negro combine, Charley Robinson and Frank James, while Pampero Firpo and Antonio the Great mix with Larry Simon and Miguel Torres.

Sunnyside Card To Show 20 Mat Stars

Long Island Star-Journal – September 23, 1960

A total of 20 of the top stars of wrestling will see action at Sunnyside Garden Tuesday night.  Promtoer Manny Heicklen has lined up a real bargain bill for the fans, with four exciting Australian tag team matches on the card.

Feature match will be a tussle pitting Don Stevens and Mr. America against Eugene Martin and Tony Fuentes, The Bavarian Boys will tangle with Bud Cody and McArthur, while Jose Romero and Tony Marino will hook up against The Rebel and Pampero Firpo.

The non-televised opening bout will pair the famous midget matmen, Bouncing Burke and Tiny Tim oppose Farmer Pete and Tom Thumb, starting at 8:30 P. M.

Rocca, Pandemonium, Ceccolini Reign As ‘Rasslers Return to County Center

The Daily News – September 12, 1960
By Ed Croke

The sporting version of bargain day at S. Klein’s erupted in all of its pristine splendor at the Westchester County Center on Saturday evening as professional wrestling began the Autumn semester on a rather encouraging attendance note.

Some 4,000 devotees of the Symphony of Suet converged on the White Plains arena, causing the box office to post a “sold out” sign some 45 minutes before the initial bleat. Hundreds were turned away when ducats became as scarce as a 4F at an American] Legion convention, thus insuring “Gunsmoke” of a slight gain in the Trendex.

Rocca, Starr In Spotlight

Long Island Star-Journal – July 14, 1960

Another large crowd is expected at Madison Sq. Garden tomorrow night when Antonino Rocca and Ricki Starr, partners for the first time, wrestle Pampero Firpo and Dr. Jerry Graham in a battle – best two-out-of-three-falls to a finish.

Bruno Sammartino, 245-pound, 23-year old unbeaten Abruzzi strongboy and Italo Di Paolo, clever Italian, engage Chris and John Tolos, Canadian Greeks in the semi-final event while an added attraction introduce the Bavarian Boys, recently arrived from Berlin, against Wildman Jack Fargo and brother Sonny.

Rocca, Perez In Mat Match

Long Island Star-Journal – September 23, 1960

Antonino Rocca and Miguel Perez, Latin-American wrestling combo unbeaten in over 100-matches return to Madison Square Garden against The Rebel and Pampero Firpo in a grudge Australian tag-team battle, best two-out-of-three-falls to a finish Saturday, Oct. 1.

This card inaugurates the fall and winter season at the Eighth Avenue Arena with the next big show scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24.  This past summer five wrestling programs at the Garden drew over $200,000 paid by more than 70,000 fans setting a new summer mat record.

Rocca-Perez Mat Victors

Long Island Star-Journal – June 6, 1962

Antonino Rocca and Miguel Perez won last, night’s pro wrestling feature at Sunnyside Garden copping two of three falls from Pampero Firpo and Skull Murphy. Shokei Baba and Karl Von Hess beat Mark Lewin and Billy Darnell in another tag match.

Mike Mazurki and Fred Atkins drew. Bud Cody scored over Miguel Torres and Eugene Marin beat Angelo Savoldi. The pro matmen return to Sunnyside Saturday for a non-televised matinee program starting at 2 P. M.

Rocca, Bavarian Teams Win

Long Island Star-Journal – November 16, 1960

Antonino Rocca and Miguel Perez defeated the Rebels in last night’s pro mat feature at Sunnyside Garden.  The Bavarian Boys won two of three falls from Pampero Firpo and Dr. Jerry Graham in another tag team match.

Bruno Sammartino won from Larry Simon, Karl Krauser beat Al Smith, Haystack Muldoon whipped Swede Hanson, Red Grupe defeated Tony Marino and Pao Yon Chong pinned Jose Romero.

Promoter Manny Heicklen announced that next week’s card will be the biggest of the season, with 20 wrestlers in action.

Rocca, Appolo Mat Victors

Long Island Star-Journal – April 25, 1962

Antonino Rocca and Argentine Appollo combined for a tag team victory over Karl Von Hess and Pampero Firpo at Sunnyside Garden last night and will return to action at the club Saturday afternoon.

Buddy Rogers beat Bud Cody, Bobo Brazil topped Lou Albano, Nick Manousos pinned Angelo Savoldi, Mike Mazurki whipped Miguel Torres and the Fabulous Kangaroos won from Carlo Milano and Pete Sanchez.

Rocca Will Team With Sammartino

Long Island Star-Journal – August 24, 1960

Promoter Walter Johnston has completed the wrestling card for Madison Square Garden Saturday night, when Bruno Sammartino, undefeated Abruzzi, Italy, strongboy and Antonino Rocca, Latin idol oppose Chris and John Tolas, Canadian Greeks, in the feature.

Ricki Starr, former ballet dancer, undefeated as a grappler, is once again paired with Miguel Perez, Puerto Rican favorite.  They meet Pampero Firpo, bewhiskered South American and Dr. Jerry Graham in the semi-final event while an added attraction brings together Ilio Di Paolo and Tony Marino, young Italian-American Up-Staters, against Mike and “Doc” Gallagher, Irish brothers from Boston.

Tolos Brothers Held To Draw At Sunnyside

Long Island Star-Journal – July 6, 1960

The Tolos brothers and the Bavarian Boys battled to a draw, and the combination of Dr. Jerry Graham and Pampero Firpo won two of three falls from Miguel Perez and Jose Romero in tag team matches at Sunnyside Garden last night.

Antonino Rocca disposed of Pat Kelly at 4:50 with his famed Argentine backbreaker hold, Ricki Starr won two straight falls from Larry Simon, Bruno Sammartino, Italian giant, beat Fritz Mueller of Germany.