WRESTLER PROFILES

[Rico Gallery]	Wrestler: Rico Real Name: Rico Cosantino Birthday: October 1, 1961 Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Marital Status: Married Height & Weight: 6' - 238 lbs Trained by: Jesse Hernandez Danny Davis Debut: 2001 Previous Names: The Cobra Rico Constantino (OVW) Finishing Move: Kneeling Neckbreaker Spinning Roundhouse Kick Favorite Moves: The Ricosault/High Hard One Arm Wrench and kick Leaping Double Knee Backbreaker Middle Rope Springboard Corner Enziguri Slap and Spank Notable Feuds: Rikishi Bob Holly Billy & Chuck Stephanie McMahon Fan Website: Rico FanSite
American Gladiators Champion; EWF (Empire Wrestling Federation) Heavyweight title defeating John Black (November 15, 1998); OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) Heavyweight title defeating Rob Conway (November 10, 1999); PPW (Power Pro Wrestling) Heavyweight title defeating Steve Bradley (December 4, 1999); OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) Heavyweight title defeating Flash Flanagan (February 16, 2000); OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) Heavyweight title defeating Nick Dinsmore (February 27, 2001); OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) Southern Tag Team titles w/Prototype defeating Disciples of Synn [Tournament] (August 15, 2001); HWA (Heartland Wrestling Association) Heavyweight title defeating EZ Money (March 15, 2002); WWE World Tag Team titles w/Rikishi defeating Chuck Palumbo & Billy Gunn (May 19, 2002); WWE (Smackdown) Tag Team titles w/Charlie Haas defeating Rikishi & Scotty Too Hotty (April 20, 2004); AJPW (All Japan) All Asia Tag Team titles w/Bull Buchanan defeating Masayuki Naruse & Mitsuya Nagai (February 2, 2005);
In the Beginning: Rico Cosantino led a relitively turbulant life until his entrance to Northwest military academy.. Rico Cosantino graduated at the top of his class and at one point considered enrollment at West Point.. ~~~~Instead, Rico returned to Las Vegas and settled into a career as a paramedic.. ~~~~This led to enrollment in the police academy, and graduating first in the entire state.. ~~~~~~~~~~~Rico Cosantino was also on the SWAT team at one point.. ~~~~~~~~~~~This also paved the way for Rico's next career, as a body guard.. Rico Cosantino worked as a stuntman as Batman & Conan in a California theme park, and injured his knee doing this.. Rico was challenged by American Gladiator "Gemini" to find out if he "had what it took" to be a contestant for the show.. Rico Cosantino would end up defeating Gladiator Gemini in his own best event, the Joust, the only person to ever do that.. Rico Cosantino defeated all the other contestants and Gladiators to become the champion for the 1990-1991 season.. Rico's only loss was on the "Wall" portion of the American Gladiators series was due to a concussion suffered in a prior event.. ~~~There are four American Gladiator trading cards featuring Rico, as well as a Red Challenger action figure that bears his image.. Rico next appeared on the European game show "Capture Ft. Boyard", and a win over his former Gladiator nemesis Craig Branham.. ~~~In the show, he was the first and only competitor to capture the needed key in the bungee jump challenge on an upswing.. ~~~The rules were changed after that, as no one actually thought it could be done until that point.. ~~~Use their clothing to carry the valuable coins was not allowed, so Rico picked up one of his female teammates and filled her lap.. A chance encounter led Rico to being recruited by the Power Team.. ~~~A two week tryout lasted almost two years as Rico traveled the world impressing young people with feats of strength.. ~~~At one point while with the Power Team, he was ordained as a minister to further allow him to counsel kids.. ~~~His work with children has been vast - from the Special Olympics and various other children's charities.. Getting into the Business: Rico Cosantino began to train with the Empire Wrestling Federation for a career in the wrestling business.. Rico Cosantino was 'discovered' by WWF officials Terry Taylor and Dr. Tom Pritchard.. 1999: After ONLY 12 professional matches, Rico signed a developmental deal with the WWF.. Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Cosantino was sent to Ohio Valley wrestling for further training and molding by Danny Davis and Jim Cornette.. Rico Cosantino's first OVW opponent was Rasputin, and it was a slaughter - his first tag team partner was "Trailer Park Trash".. October 19, 1999--OVW: Rob Conway w/Kenny Bolin defeated Rico Costantino in a Best 2/3 Falls match to retain the OVW Title. October 13, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino & Trailer Park Trash defeated The Andretti Express w/Treasure. October 20, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino defeated Mr. Black w/Kenny Bolin. October 27, 1999--OVW: Rob Conway & Bull Buchanan w/Kenny Bolin defeated Rico Costantino & Trailer Park Trash. November 3, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino defeated Rob Conway w/Kenny Bolin. November 7, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino defeated Mr. Black. November 10, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino defeated Rob Conway to win the OVW Heavyweight Title. November 14, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino defeated Rip Rogers to retain the OVW Heavyweight title. November 16, 1999--OVW: Rico Costantino defeated Flash Flanagan by DQ to retain the OVW Heavyweight title. November 17, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino defeated B.J. Payne. November 25, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino & Damaja defeated Bull Buchanan & Mr. Black w/Kenny Bolin by DQ. November 26, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Nick Dinsmore w/Kenny Bolin defeated Rico Costantino (OVW Champion) by DQ. November 28, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino defeated Mr. Black to retain the OVW Heavyweight title. November 30, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino defeated Bull Buchanan w/Kenny Bolin to retain the OVW Title. December 1, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Bull Buchanan & Mr. Black w/Kenny Bolin defeated Rico Costantino & Damaja by DQ. December 5, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino defeated Nick Dinsmore by DQ to retain the OVW Heavyweight title. December 7, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino & The Damaja defeated Bull Buchanan & Mr. Black. December 8, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino defeated Nick Dinsmore w/Kenny Bolin to retain the OVW Title. December 9, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino & Damaja beat Rip Rogers & Jason Lee (champions) by DQ. December 15, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Costantino defeated Chris Alexander. December 26, 1999--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Flash Flanagan defeated Rico Costantino to win the OVW Heavyweight Title. April 4, 2001--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Flash defeated Nick Dinsmore & Rico Costantino w/Kenny Bolin in a Handicap match. April 22, 2001--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Constantino defeated Randy Orton. June 28, 2001--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Randy Orton defeated Rico Constantino with help from Cowboy Bob Orton. Rico Cosantino held three Heavyweight championships simultaneously: EWF, OVW, and PPW.. Ohio Valley Wrestling - Rico Cosantino & The Prototype: 2001: Rico Cosantino teamed with Prototype as one of the all time greatest heat generators in Ohio Valley Wrestling history.. August 15, 2001--OVW: Rico Costantino & The Prototype & Jerome Crony defeated B.J. Payne & Damien & Connie Swail. August 22, 2001--Ohio Valley Wrestling: The Damaja & Rob Conway defeated Rico Costantino & The Prototype.. ~~~~~~~~Rico Constantino & The Prototype (John Cena) were awared the vacant OVW Southern Tag Team Titles. September 16, 2001--OVW: Rico Constantino & Prototype beat Sean Casey & Chris Michaels to retain the Tag Team titles. October 3, 2001--Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rico Constantino defeated Brock Lesnar. October 27, 2001--OVW: Mark Henry & Randy Orton defeated Rico Constantino & Prototype in a Non-title match.. ~~~Rico & Prototype initially won but Nidia informed the referee of their cheating and the match was restarted.. 2001: Rico Cosantino was nominated for PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated) Rookie of the Year.. Heartland Wrestling Association: Early 2002: Rico Cosantino wrestled dark matches on RAW & SmackDown!, plus performed at Non-Televised Live Events.. March 2002: Rico Cosantino was sent to Les Thatcher's HWA (Heartland Wrestling Association) to sharpen his skills.. ~~~While competing in HWA, Rico formed a tag team with Tough Enough winner Maven Huffman.. March 5, 2002--Heartland Wrestling Association: Rico Costantino defeated Steve Bradley. World Wrestling Entertainment - Smackdown! (Rico with Billy & Chuck): March 21, 2002 - Smackdown!: Rico finally debuted on WWF Television as the "Stylist" to Tag Team Champions, Billy & Chuck.. March 28, 2002--SmackDown!: Billy & Chuck w/Rico defeated Dudley Boyz to retain the WWE Tag Team titles with help from Rico. April 4, 2002--SmackDown!: Billy & Chuck w/Rico beat Scotty 2 Hotty & Albert to retain the Tag Team titles with help from Rico. April 11, 2002--SmackDown!: Maven & Al Snow defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Billy & Chuck w/Rico in a non title match. April 18, 2002--SmackDown!: Rikishi & Maven & Al Snow defeated Albert & Billy & Chuck w/Rico. April 25, 2002--SmackDown!: Billy Kidman & Maven & Al Snow defeated Billy & Chuck (w/Rico) & Tajiri (w/Torrie Wilson).. ~~~Rico stopped Torrie from interfering - Billy & Chuck left Tajiri to fight on his own after being stripped down to their thongs. May 9, 2002 - SmackDown!: Rico made his first in-ring TV appearance.. Billy & Chuck & Rico beat Al Snow & Mavan & Rikishi! May 16, 2002 - SmackDown!: Rikishi defeated / squashed Rico.. May 19, 2002 - Judgement Day: Rico got his first taste of Gold in the WWE, ordered to team with Rikishi against Billy & Chuck.. ~~~Rikishi & Rico defeated Billy & Chuck to capture the WWE Tag Team titles!! (Rico was forced to wrestle his two clients).. May 23, 2002 - SmackDown!: Rico promised that he would make it up to his boys, Billy & Chuck, somehow... June 6, 2002 - SmackDown!: Billy & Chuck defeated Rikishi & Rico to recapture the titles WWE Tag Team titles, with help from Rico! August 1, 2002 - SmackDown!: John Cena defeated Rico - but Billy & Chuck attacked Cena after the match.. August 15, 2002 - SmackDown!: Hurricane & Shannon Moore & Hardcore Holly defeated Billy & Chuck & Rico.. August 17, 2002 - Velocity: Hardcore Holly defeated Rico Cosantino.. September 4, 2002 - OVW "Fall Brawl": Lance Cade defeated Rico Cosantino.. September 12, 2002 - SmackDown!: Rico convinced Stephanie McMahon to attend the "Billy & Chuck Commitment Ceremony".. ~~~The cemony ended when Rico, RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff, Rosey & Jamal outsmart Stephanie - Rico jump to RAW! World Wrestling Entertainment - RAW (Rico with Three Minute Warning): September 16, 2002 - RAW: Rico defeated "the Nature Boy" Ric Flair! October 21, 2002 - RAW: The Big Show defeated Rico & Rosey & Jamal in a handicap match! November 17, 2002 - Survivor Series: Jeff Hardy & Spike & Bubba beat Rico/Rosey/Jamal in a 6-Man Elimination Tables match.. ~~~The finish saw SmackDown! wrestler D-Von Dudley come out and help Bubba win the match, becoming the sole survivor.. November 18, 2002 - RAW: Bubba & D-Von & Spike Dudley defeated Rosey & Jamal & Rico in a six-man match.. May 19, 2003 - RAW: The Dudley Boyz defeated 3-Minute Warning - Rico walked out on 3MW after the match.. World Wrestling Entertainment - RAW (Rico & Miss Jackie): June 16, 2003 - RAW: Rico returned to RAW using his new "Adrian Street" gimmick with Miss Jackie as his valet.. June 30, 2003 - RAW: Rico (not getting over) defeated Maven after Miss Jackie pushed Maven off the top rope! August 11, 2003 - RAW: Rico & Miss Jackie beat Scott Steiner & Stacy Keibler with interference from Test.. November 3, 2003 - RAW: Lance Storm defeated Rico w/Miss Jackie -- Val Venis stood at ringside watching the match.. December 1, 2003 - RAW: Chris Jericho & Trish Stratus defeated Rico & Miss Jackie (Trish & Jericho's relationship heats up).. December 14, 2003 - Armageddon: Rico defeated John Heidenreich with help from Miss Jacke (shown on Sunday Night Heat).. Janaury 26, 2003 - RAW: Rico defeated Rob Conway after he was distracted when Jackie Gayda flashed him! February 2, 2004 - RAW: Rico defeated Rene Dupre when Stacy Keibler flashed her butt at Dupre and he got pinned! World Wrestling Entertainment - Smackdown! (Charlie Haas & Rico w/ Miss Jackie): March 22, 2004 - Draft Lottery: Rico & Miss Jackie were one of the first official trades that occur after the show, both heading to SD! April 3, 2004 - Velocity: Rico Cosantino defeated Jamie Noble.. April 15, 2004 - Smackdown!: Rico defeated Charlie Haas by Count Out after Rico kissed Haas and he refused to get back in the ring! April 22, 2004 - Smackdown!: Charlie Haas & Rico defeated Rikishi & Scotty Too Hotty to capture the WWE Tag Team titles! April 29, 2004 - Smackdown!: Charlie Haas & Rico defeated the Basham Brothers to retain the WWE Tag Team titles.. May 6, 2004 - Smackdown!: Charlie Haas & Rico defeated Paul London & Billy Kidman to retain the Tag Team titles (taped for HEAT).. May 8, 2004 - Velocity: Rico Cosantino & Charlie Haas defeated Billy Kidman & Paul London.. May 13, 2004 - SD!: Hardcore Holly w/Billy Gunn defeated Rico w/Miss Jackie & Charlie Haas.. May 16, 2004 - Judgment Day: Charlie Haas & Rico w/Miss Jackie defeated Hardcore Holly & Billy Gunn to retain the Tag titles.. May 20, 2004 - SD!: Charlie Haas & Rico w/Miss Jackie beat The FBI (Nunzio & Johnny Stamboli) in a NON title match.. June 5, 2004 - Velocity: Rico Cosantnio & Charlie Haas defeated Akio & Sakoda.. June 12, 2004 - Velocity: Rico Cosantino defeated Jamie Noble.. June 17, 2004 - Smackdown: The Dudley Boyz defeated Charlie Haas & Rico to capture the WWE Tag Team titles! July 2004: Rico is expected to be out until September or October as he is recovering from a torn hamstring injury.. World Wrestling Entertainment - Smackdown! Return: September 16, 2004 - Smackdown!: Charlie Haas defeated Spike Dudley when the Dudleyz interfered (Rico made the save!) September 18, 2004--Velocity: Charlie Haas & Rico w/Miss Jackie defeated The Basham Brothers. September 25, 2004 - Velocity: Rico Cosantino & Hardcore Holly defeated The Basham Brothers.. October 3, 2004 - No Mercy: Rico & Charlie Haas & Miss Jackie defeated The Dudley Boyz & Dawn Marie.. October 16, 2004 - Velocity: Buh Buh Ray Dudley defeated Rico Cosantino.. October 21, 2004--SmackDown!: WWE United States Champion Carlito Cool defeated Rico in a Non title match.. ~~~Before the match; Carlito spit a apple in Torrie Wilson's face in which she was guest ring announcer.. November 4, 2004 - Velocity: Billy Kidman defeated Rico (Kidman went for SSP after, but Chavo made the save).. November 4, 2004: Rico is officially released from his World Wrestling Entertainment contract, which comes as a huge surprise.. Life After WWE: February 2, 2005: Bull Buchanan & Rico defeated Mitsuya Nagai & Masayuki Naruse to win the All-Asian Tag Team titles.. July 2005: Rico Cosantino announced that he was retiring from professional Wrestling.. ~~~Rico added that he going back to working as a law enforcement officer in Las Vegas.. ~~~~~~~~~(this meant that the All-Asian Tag Team Titles had to be vacated).