10 Facts About Len Rossi

Len Rossi was born to Italian migrant parents in 1929 in Utica, New York.

Len Rossi worked out at a local YMCA in his teenage years where a coach goaded him into wrestling.

Len Rossi then served two years in the US military but his sights were set on a career in wrestling.

Len Rossi went on to wrestle in Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and New York before traveling to Tennessee for what was scheduled to be a short tenure in 1958.

Len Rossi would leave the state to wrestle in different territories, as well as a tour of Japan, but Tennessee would be his home thereafter.

Len Rossi has credited Riley for advancing his understanding of wrestling audiences.

Len Rossi was the main babyface and most popular wrestler on Birmingham's Channel 42 "Live Studio Wrestling" from the 1960s until 1972.

Len Rossi was NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Champion throughout much of the 1960s, defending the title primarily in NWA Mid-America and various promotions across the Southern US.

In 1972, at the height of his popularity, Len Rossi was involved in an automobile accident en route to a wrestling bout in Tupelo.

Len Rossi suffered serious external injuries including broken arms, ribs, ankle and broken bones in his feet though he sustained no internal injuries.