Vinnie Massaro

Vinnie Massaro
Massaro in April 2025
Personal information
Born (1978-09-19) 19 September 1978[2]
Agrigento, Italy[3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name
  • Dic Grimes
    The Innovator
    El Ultimo Panda
    Vincent Kennedy Massaro
    Vincenzo
    Vincenzo Massaro
    Vinnie Massaro
    Vinny Massaro
Billed height172 cm (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Billed weight105 kg (231 lb)
Trained byMichael Modest
Debut1997

Vincent Massaro bettern known by his ring name Vinnie Massaro is an Italian-American professional wrestler best known for his tenure with West Coast Pro Wrestling where he works as a promoter. He is also known for his time with All Pro Wrestling (APW), Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW) and with other promotions from the American independent circuit.[4]

Professional wrestling career

American independent circuit (1997–present)

All Pro Wrestling (1997–2017)

Massaro made his professional wrestling debut in All Pro Wrestling at APW Mystery Card, a house show promoted on September 19, 1997, where he teamed up with Vic Grimes as "The Grimes Brothers" and defeated Jay Smooth and Tony Jones to win the APW Tag Team Championship.[5] During his ten-year tenure with the promotion, he is also a former one-time APW Universal Heavyweight Champion and one-time APW Worldwide Internet Champion.[1] He also competed in various signature events of the promotion such as the King of the Indies Tournament in which he competed twice, in 2000, where he fell short to Scoot Andrews in the first rounds, and in 2001, where he scored a defeat against Low Ki in the same stage.[6]

Xtreme Pro Wrestling (2002; 2008–2009)

Massaro competed in the hardcore wrestling promotion Xtreme Pro Wrestling's various accomplishments. At Baptized In Blood III: Night Of Champions, on July 20, 2002, he took part in a tournament disputed for the XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship in which he fell short to Altar Boy Luke.[7] He also competed in several major pay-per-views such as XPW Cold Day in Hell on May 24, 2008, where he teamed up with Jardi Frantz and X-Pac in a losing effort against Team Rev Pro (Ron Rivera, Disco Machine, and Joey Ryan).[8] At XPW Ten Year Anniversary Spectacular from August 22, 2009, Massaro teamed up with Monica to defeat Joey Ryan and J-Love.[9]

All Elite Wrestling (2020–2024)

Massaro made his debut in an All Elite Wrestling event in the AEW Dark series of events, more exactly at AEW Dark #63 on November 18, 2020 (aired November 24) where he teamed up with Super Panda in a losing effort against Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus).[10] Due to his activity in AEW taking a long hiatus, he made his return at AEW Dark: Elevation #106 on March 8, 2023 (aired March 13), where he teamed up with Midas Kreed in a losing effort against The Butcher and the Blade (The Blade and The Butcher).[11] At AEW x Adult Swim Battle For The Booty on July 25, 2024, where he teamed up with Viva Van in a losing effort against Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie.[12]

West Coast Pro Wrestling (2021–present)

Massaro made his debut in West Coast Pro Wrestling at West Coast Pro Cruel Summer 2021 on July 9, where he fell short to Jacob Fatu in singles competition.[13] Beyond being active as a wrestler, Massaro also works as a promoted for West Coast.[14] At How The West Was Won on November 1, 2025, he defeated Kevin Blackwood in a title vs. career match to win the West Coast Pro Heavyweight Chmpionship.[15] At West Coast Pro/DPW/Prestige Untouchable, a cross-over event hosted alongside Deadlock Pro-Wrestling (DPW) and Prestige Wrestling on July 20, 2024, Massaro unsuccessfully challenged Adam Priest for the DPW National Championship.[16]

Japanese independent circuit (2018; 2023–present)

Massaro made his first appearances on Japanese soil during several events promoted by All Japan Pro Wrestling under the gimmick of "Ultimo Panda". His final appearance took place at AJPW Lucha Fiesta Tour 2018 Supported By AJP on November 6, where he teamed up with Tajiri to defeat Super Crazy and Black Tiger.[17]

Due to West Coast Pro Wrestling's partnerships with Pro Wrestling Noah and Marvelous That's Women Pro Wrestling, Massaro returned to Japan in December 2023, at Noah The Best, where he teamed up with Stallion Rogers in a losing effort against Daiki Inaba and Masa Kitamiya.[18]

Massaro made his debut in a major pay-per-view at Noah The New Year 2024 where he teamed up with El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. and Titus Alexander in a losing effort against Good Looking Guys (Jake Lee, Jack Morris and Anthony Greene).[19] At Noah Star Navigation 2024 on January 13, he and Alexander picked up a victory over Morris and LJ Cleary in tag team competition.[20] Massaro also competed in the Monday Magic series of events, having wrestled at Autumn Final on November 25, 2024, where he teamed up with Anthony Greene and Titus Alexander in a losing effort against Los Golpeadores (Alpha Wolf and Dragon Bane), El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal.[21]

Personal life

Massaro was born in the Italian city of Agrigento and emigrated to San Francisco when he was 10 years old. He studied at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory high school, but later dropped out to pursue a sports career, only to later graduate via homeschooling. As a daily job, Massaro works as a pest exterminator.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Vinnie Massaro/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  2. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Vinnie Massaro • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  3. ^ a b Osler, Scott (25 August 2024). "Bugs, barbed wire, baseball bats: Life of a Bay Area pro wrestling legend". sfchronicle.com. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  4. ^ InternetWrestling Database (IWD). "Vinnie Massaro Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  5. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (19 September 1997). "APW Mystery Card". cagematch.net. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  6. ^ "APW 2001 Show Results". allprowrestling.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  7. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (20 July 2002). "XPW Baptized In Blood III: Night Of Champions - Event @ Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera, California, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  8. ^ Nielsen, Kurt (25 May 2008). "XPW return violent and emotional". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  9. ^ "XPW – 22 August 09 – Quick Results". SoCal Uncensored. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  10. ^ Culitco, El (24 November 2020). "AEW Dark Episode 63 Review (11/24/20)". luchacentral.com. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  11. ^ Mrosko, Geno (14 March 2023). "Watch AEW Dark: Elevation Episode 106". cagesideseats.com. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  12. ^ Brennan, Corey (26 July 2024). "AEW x Adult Swim Battle For The Booty Results (7/25)". fightful.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  13. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (9 July 2021). "West Coast Pro Cruel Summer 2021". cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  14. ^ Mike Hamley (Bodyslam.net) (14 June 2022). "INDIE'd - Episode 4 - Interview with Scott Bregante of West Coast Pro Wrestling". youtube.com. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  15. ^ Vetter, Chris (2 November 2025). "West Coast Pro "How The West Was Won" results: Vetter's review of Kevin Blackwood vs. Vinny Massaro in a title vs. career match, Jushin Liger's appearance, Gabe Kidd vs. Karl Fredericks". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  16. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (22 July 2024). "WCP x DPW x Prestige Untouchable Results (7/20): Shelton Benjamin, Alex Shelley, Adam Priest In Action". fightful.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  17. ^ Dark Angelita (12 November 2018). "AJPW:»Lucha Fiesta Tour 2018" Último Dragón retiene su cetro". Superluchas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  18. ^ "NOAH the BEST 2023". noah.co.jp. Pro Wrestling Noah. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  19. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (2 January 2024). "NOAH The New Year 2024 Results (1/2): Kota Ibushi, Naomichi Marufuji, Kenoh In Action". fightful.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  20. ^ Flanagan, Neal (13 January 2024). "Kenoh retains GHC Heavyweight Championship against Go Shiozaki". POSTWrestling. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  21. ^ Dark Angelita (6 December 2024). "NOAH: Kaito Kiyomiya logra 7 defensas en "Monday Magic Autumn Final"". Superluchas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  22. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "APW Mack Daddy's & Gigolo's". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  23. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 October 2000). "APW Worldwide Internet Title Tournament (2000)". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  24. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 October 2000). "APW Halloween Hell 4 - Event @ Galt, California, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  25. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (19 September 1997). "APW Mystery Card". cagematch.net. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  26. ^ Ruth, Sondra (14 September 2023). "Complete 2023 PWI 500 List Revealed, Top NJPW Star Absent". tjrwrestling.net. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
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