Tom Brandi

Infobox Wrestler
name=Tom Brandi
real name= Tom Brandi


names=Johnny Gunn
Salvatore Sincere
Tom Brandi
The Patriot
height=6 ft 3 in
weight=267 lb
birth_date =Birth date and age|1966|7|9|mf=y
death_date =
birth_place =Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
resides=Dover, New Hampshire
billed=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
trainer=King Kaluha
manager(s) = Kenny Casanova
debut= September 1985
retired=|

Tom Brandi (born July 9, 1966 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a professional wrestler best known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is better 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 Coast.

Career

Breaking in

Tom Brandi debuted in 1985 after being trained by indy wrestler King Kaluha. His first notoriety came in International World Class Championship Wrestling where he won the IWCCW Television Championship as "Chippendale" Tom Brandi, a gimmick similar to the one used by The Fantastics and The Fabulous Ones in the 1980s.

Eastern Championship Wrestling

Brandi later joined Eastern Championship Wrestling and teamed with Tommy Dreamer to capture the ECW Tag Team Championships. They captured the titles from Johnny Hot Body and Tony Stetson in only nine seconds. Less than a month later, the pair would lose the titles to [Tasmaniac (later Tazz) and Kevin Sullivan.

Independent circuit

In 1994, he competed for the short lived AWF Warriors of Wrestling where he used the name "Johnny Gunn" and renewed his chippendales gimmick.

World Championship Wrestling

In WCW, he went by Johnny Gunn. In WCW, he achieved some of his most notable moments in his career while teaming with Tom Zenk. On pay-per-view, Brandi teamed up Shane Douglas and Tom Zenk to defeat Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson, and Michael Hayes.

United States Wrestling Federation

In 1995, Brandi won the USWF Championship under the name Johnny Gunn. After losing the championship to his former trainer, King Kaluha, Brandi won the USWF Tag Team Championship from Damage Inc.

World Wrestling Federation

He then went to the WWF and became Salvatore Sincere, a stereotypical Italian/Mafioso character who was very vain about his handsome face and well-developed physique. He appeared at the 1996 Survivor Series and , where he wrestled in dark matches. He briefly feuded with Marc Mero over valet Sable. During this storyline, Brandi began wrestling under his given name after Mero called him a jobber and said that he was Tom Brandi, not Salvatore Sincere. After going by his real name, he participated in the 1998 Royal Rumble match, lasting a matter of seconds before being eliminated by Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie.

Return to the independent circuit

Since leaving the WWF, Brandi has wrestled on the independent circuit under both the Brandi name and the Sincere name. Since 2002, he has also wrestled as The Patriot. Brandi claims he acquired the rights to the character from Del Wilkes, who worked as The Patriot during the 1990s. However, Wilkes has repeatedly denied granting Brandi the rights to the character.

On March 26, 2006, Brandi (under his Salvatore Sincere gimmick once again) served as "Creative Control" for Maryland Championship Wrestling, working with Adam Flash and Bruiser. He was (kayfabe) suspended for 30 days for "knocking out" a referee. Since April 2006, Brandi has been competing for National Wrestling Superstars, feuding with Kamala as Salvatore Sincere.

In February 2008, Hamish McCaw challenged Brandi to a match, demanding that he use the gimmick "Mr. Italy". The match was briefly billed as "The Infamous Hamish McCaw vs. Mr. Italy: Battle For Aceness". Shortly after the announcement was made, Brandi denied a contract had been signed saying he "can't see how the match would be of any benefit".

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*As Salvatore Sincere::*"Sincerely Yours" (Full nelson slam)::*Tilt-a-whirl slam

:*As The Patriot::*"Patriot Missile" (Spear, sometimes from the top rope)::*"Uncle Slam" (Full nelson slam)::*Clothesline::*Bear hug

Championships and accomplishments

*AWA Superstars of Wrestling:*AWA Superstars World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Buff Bagwell

*Eastern Championship Wrestling:*ECW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Tommy Dreamer

*United States Wrestling Federation:*USWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time):*USWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Steve Corino

*Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South:*IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*International World Class Championship Wrestling:*IWCCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with King Mike Kaluah:*IWCCW Television Championship (1 time) (First)

*NWA 2000:*NWA National Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*Pro Wrestling Federation:*PWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Mike Kehner

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated:*PWI ranked him # 478 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.

References

External links

* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/tom-brandi.html Online World Of Wrestling Profile]